Huyton / Roby Extra Tracks

A few weeks ago my attention was drawn to the minutes from last July of the Rail Services Committee of the Merseyside Transport Authority.  Amongst other things the committee discussed a report by the Director of Integrated Transport entitled "Roby and Huyton Stations Upgrade".

This report makes the statement that expansion of the line through Roby and Huyton to three tracks is part of the electrification project currently under way.  The Northern Hub proposals (Which had not been approved at the time of this meeting.)  would then require further expansion to four tracks.

The three track proposal is new one to me, and I must say it seems a bit daft to re-model Huyton Junction twice.

Here's a diagram which originates from Network Rail.

Wires Up!

The first catenary of the project has been erected at Castlefield Junction (Not Deansgate Junction as I originally posted - That's somewhere else entirely.)

Update:  I've now been for a quick visit to Castlefield and I can report that a very short length of catenary has been erected at the Deansgate end of the viaduct.

The wires run from Castlefield Junction, so presumably future works will not need any closures of the Warrington line, although they may require the power to be switched off - I didn't spot a neutral section.

Wires For Christmas

My attention has been drawn (Thanks, Peter) to an interesting article in The Rail Engineer about Balfour Beatty's work on the electrification.  The report states that the first wires will go up during the Christmas shutdown, in the area of Castlefield Viaduct.

Still No Trains

Modern Railways' Roger Ford reports today that the contract for new trains for Thameslink continues to slip, and Transport Minister Simon Burns has said the first trains will be delivered for testing in summer 2015.

This means that the second hand Class 319 trains intended for the Northwest electrification will probably not be available until after all phases are complete.

Roger goes on to say that the DfT are rumoured to be considering a quick build of new trains to plug the gap.

Ordsall Chord Consultation

Network Rail have announced what they call a "Phase 2 Consultation" on the Ordsall Chord, with public exhibitions to be held as listed below.  Much more information on Network Rail's web site.

• Tuesday 20 November, 4pm - 8pm, Museum of Science & Industry
• Wednesday 21 November, 12pm-8pm, Museum of Science & Industry
• Friday 23 November, 12pm - 8pm, Creative Media Centre, Salford
• Saturday 24 November, 1pm - 5pm, Museum of Science & Industry
• Monday 26 November, 4pm - 8pm, Salford Central Station
• Tuesday 27 November, 10am - 5pm, Manchester Town Hall
• Wednesday 28 November, 4pm - 8pm, Manchester Piccadilly Station