Network Rail has held a number of ‘drop-in events’ with communities along the Bolton-Preston line, to explain what is happening ahead of significant electrification work that was due to start in January.
Further such events are planned between Manchester and Bolton in the coming weeks, with the company revealing: “In early 2016 Network Rail will begin to install steel masts which support the overhead power line required for electric trains to run. The steel masts will be installed at regular intervals along the railway (at approximately 50-metre intervals) and each requires a concrete foundation to provide a stable base. Some of these foundations have already been installed.”
Those foundations were installed over six months ago (RAIL 786), since when there has been a hiatus - firstly while Network Rail found a new prime contractor, and then while the Hendy Review was compiled and published.
Network Rail added on January 20 that it “will be carrying out work that involves the removal of some trees, shrubbery and overhanging branches within the railway corridor”, work that cannot practically be done during the bird nesting season.
The work forms Phase 4 of the North West Electrification Programme, which was to have been completed so that electric trains could use the route from December 11 2016.
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Andrewjgwilt1989 - 26/01/2016 09:03
Phase 4 of the Northern Powerhouse electrification to start this week and to be completed by December with Class 319's to be used between Manchester and Preston via Bolton with electrification to be planned between Manchester-Leeds-York/Hull and between Manchester-Blackburn/Burnley & Warrington.
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Andrewjgwilt1989 - 26/01/2016 09:05
And between Manchester and Wigan.
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Northern Powerout - 28/01/2016 08:24
If you use the "Northern Powerhouse" brand or bring up Class 319s, don't expect to not be ridiculed ;)
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FrankH - 27/01/2016 09:46
Until the Preston - Blackpool electrification is complete through journey times from L/pool and Manchester to Blackpool will not improve. The only plus side to using 319's on the L/pool - Preston service is 4 as opposed to 2 carriages, they're running to sprinter DMU timings so no change there. Bolton - Blackburn, NR's only recently double tracked a section near Darwen so service frequency can be increased so I doubt electrification is on the agenda. Bolton - Wigan, good idea but a lot of services run through to Southport and Kirkby so a change of train required with little or no time benefit.
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FrankH - 29/01/2016 13:43
Once the Manchester to Euxton Junction (for preston) OLE is completed one possibility is L/Pool -Wigan - Preston - Bolton - Manchester Airport - L/pool . That could replace the all stations trains at present. The limited stop trains would be trickier as L/Pool - Preston doesn't have these. Drawbacks are a change at Preston for Blackpool and Bolton or Salford for Huddersfield/ Hazel Grove and Buxton.
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