Phase Two Wires Up!

Newsflash:  Correspondents inform me that half a mile of overhead wiring has been installed on the up line east of Bryn, the first on phase two.  So far it's just return wire, no catenary or contact wires yet.
Update 09 May:  Return wires extend through Bryn and Garwsood stations.
Update 19 May:  Catenary now also in position.

Brand New

Whilst we are "looking forward" to receiving second hand cast-offs for our electric services, the freight sector is splashing out on brand new diesels, most of which are delivered via Liverpool docks, allowing local trainspotters an early chance to see them.

On 17 April veteran 37609 hauled three brand new Class 68 locos through Huyton on their way from the docks.  It is comforting to think that DRS sent a loco almost as old as I am to fetch their new babies.

The Class 68 locos are built in Spain by Vossloh.

Class 70 locos are allowed to run under their own power as soon as they arrive from General Electric's factory at Erie, Pennsylvania, and here we see brand new 70806 and 70807 on their very first journey, passing the soon to be demolished signal box at Huyton.

Just behind the locos you can see the plain line replacing the crossover which was removed last weekend.

Timetable Notes

After an number of years of bustitution, I'm pleased to report that the Liverpool end of the line once again gets a seven days a week late service, starting on Monday 8 September.

Complete details have not yet been loaded on the timetable database, and at this distance everything must be regarded as provisional.

While I'm on the subject of the timetable database, I note that at the time of writing neither my database nor the National Rail journey planner have details of the last two days of the Huyton blockade in July (Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 July.).  I'm assuming this is just an admin. issue but it is possible that trains will run on those days after all.

Update:  The trains on those two days have now been removed, and the buses added.

Archway Road, Huyton

The bridge over Archway Road in Huyton is scheduled for major works this coming weekend, including replacing the bridge deck.  Road and rail closures are required.

The planning permission describes the work as replacement of existing bridge deck with waterproof concrete slab, repair work to elevations and arch, installation of steel fencing to both parapets, and ballast protection.

Archway Road will be closed from 19:00 on Friday 25th until 06:00 on Monday 28th April.

The railway will be closed all day Saturday in addition to the standard Sunday closure.

A touch of damp, and some sizeable weeds, but basically the bridge appears to be in good nick.

Update

I had intended to add "after" pictures for comparison, but there's very little to see from the street.  Most of the vaulting brickwork has been repointed, and the weeds on the ledge visible in the middle picture have been cleared.

Also completed over the weekend was the removal of the crossover at Huyton and, I'm told, the completion of the trackwork and signalling at Earlestown.

Huyton Blockade

Timetable updates have now been released for a nine day blockade at Huyton from Saturday 5th to Sunday 13th July.  The blockade will extend to Earlestown on Saturdays and Sundays only, reportedly to permit work on the Sankey Viaduct.

Here is a summary of the altered services, see the National Rail site for full details:

Saturday 5 July

• Buses replace trains Liverpool to Earlestown and Liverpool to St Helens Central.
• Liverpool to Manchester Airport trains are cancelled. 
• Liverpool to Warrington Bank Quay trains are cancelled. 
• The Liverpool to Newcastle service will run between Manchester Victoria and Newcastle only.

Sunday 6 July

• Buses replace trains Liverpool to Manchester Oxford Road and Liverpool to St Helens Central.
• Liverpool to Manchester Airport trains are diverted via the Warrington Central route.
• The Liverpool to Newcastle service will run between Manchester Victoria and Newcastle only.

Monday to Friday

• Buses replace trains Liverpool to St Helens Junction and Liverpool to St Helens Central.
• Liverpool - Manchester Airport trains are cancelled.
• The Liverpool to Newcastle service will run between Manchester Victoria and Newcastle only.

Saturday 12 July

• Buses replace trains Liverpool to Earlestown and Liverpool to Wigan North Western.
• Liverpool to Manchester Airport trains are cancelled.  
• Liverpool to Warrington Bank Quay trains are cancelled.  
• The Liverpool to Newcastle service will run between Manchester Victoria and Newcastle only.

Sunday 13 July

• Buses replace trains Liverpool to Manchester Oxford Road and Liverpool to Wigan North Western.
• Liverpool to Manchester Airport trains are diverted via Warrington Central.
• The Liverpool to Newcastle service will run between Manchester Victoria and Newcastle only.