The temporary bridge between platforms 4 and 3 has gone.
Unfortunately, the closure of the station means it's much more difficult to get good pictures of what's happening at Huyton.
Saturday, 5 July 2014
Blockade Day 1 - Now You See It, Now You Don't
Nine days to complete the work, and things are progressing well. Central Huyton echoes to the irregular clanging and crashing of demolition.
Working from east to west, we start at Huyton Junction, where the up Wigan line has already disappeared.
On Huyton station itself, the shelter on platform 2 disappeared a couple of days ago. The surface of platform 1 has been dug up.
The temporary bridge between platforms 4 and 3 has gone.
At the other end of the station, demolition of the box is under way. At the time of my visit the top floor had gone but the frame remained in place, with the levers sticking up incongruously above the remaining structure. You can just see a class 66 loco on a works train.
Unfortunately, the closure of the station means it's much more difficult to get good pictures of what's happening at Huyton.
Down the line at Roby platform 3 is nearly complete, while men were apparently dismantling the shelter on platform 2. Amusingly, the loudspeakers here were still announcing trains.
The temporary bridge between platforms 4 and 3 has gone.
Unfortunately, the closure of the station means it's much more difficult to get good pictures of what's happening at Huyton.
Wednesday, 2 July 2014
Huyton Countdown - 12 Days
Things are moving on rapidly:
The "missing" steps in the public subway which were bare rebar on Tuesday night were being cemented on Wednesday morning.
The shelter on platform 2 has been demolished.
Ballasted track has appeared through platform 3 and onwards towards Huyton Junction. You can see the temporary "bridge" between platforms 3 and 4 in the distance in this shot taken from the east end of the station on the new pedestrian access to platform 4.
Here's the same view as I showed last week and the week before, looking east along the edge of platform 3 from the temporary bridge. As you can see, apart from platform edging and surfacing, it's nearly there.
Looking the other way from the same place, towards Liverpool. There is a decided kink in the track which strongly suggests the signal box will be demolished next week.
Finally, the new subway staircase on platform 4. I'm not sure why they've boarded over the hole. Perhaps to keep the rain out until a roof is installed?
Elsewhere, new signals are appearing throughout the area, folded down or standing up.
The "missing" steps in the public subway which were bare rebar on Tuesday night were being cemented on Wednesday morning.
The shelter on platform 2 has been demolished.
Finally, the new subway staircase on platform 4. I'm not sure why they've boarded over the hole. Perhaps to keep the rain out until a roof is installed?
Elsewhere, new signals are appearing throughout the area, folded down or standing up.
Friday, 27 June 2014
Planning Progress
St Helens Council has granted listed building consent for electrification work on Sankey Viaduct, with some conditions.
One of the conditions is that precise details of the method and materials shall be submitted to the Planning Authority and approved by them before work commences.
Reading between the lines, it looks like the Council are aware of the mess made of the work on the skew bridge at Rainhill, and want to ensure the work is done "properly" first time.
Meanwhile, at Huyton, Modern Railways reports that the acquisition of a small strip of land for track 4 is to proceed unopposed so there will be no need for a public enquiry. Nonetheless, the postponement until "Winter 2017" is confirmed.
One of the conditions is that precise details of the method and materials shall be submitted to the Planning Authority and approved by them before work commences.
Reading between the lines, it looks like the Council are aware of the mess made of the work on the skew bridge at Rainhill, and want to ensure the work is done "properly" first time.
Meanwhile, at Huyton, Modern Railways reports that the acquisition of a small strip of land for track 4 is to proceed unopposed so there will be no need for a public enquiry. Nonetheless, the postponement until "Winter 2017" is confirmed.
Tuesday, 24 June 2014
Huyton Countdown - 20 Days
Things are moving fast at Huyton.
The public subway re-opened sometime on Monday, albeit with some work remaining.
The new stairs at the northern end are missing. When I visited again on Tuesday they were being worked on.
The new subway roof seems close to being ready for tracks.
Here's the same shot as I took last week, along the edge of the future platform 3, showing a lot less rubble and a lot more platform edge.
P.S. Transport minister Baroness Kramer came to see the works at Huyton and Roby stations last Thursday (19 June 2014). Unfortunately, I missed the visit.
Here's the same shot as I took last week, along the edge of the future platform 3, showing a lot less rubble and a lot more platform edge.
P.S. Transport minister Baroness Kramer came to see the works at Huyton and Roby stations last Thursday (19 June 2014). Unfortunately, I missed the visit.
Thursday, 19 June 2014
319 Coming Tomorrow
A schedule appeared in the timetable today for
(K97571) 5X19 02:30 Bedford Carriage Sidings to Allerton Diesel Multiple Unit Depot
to run tomorrow (Friday 20 June). According to the rumour mill (My thanks go to the stalwarts of North-West-Gen.) this is the delivery of our first 319.
Full details of the schedule can be found at http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K97571/2014/06/20/advanced.
Update:
57306 did indeed haul 319361 to its new home, annoyingly running over 30 early, and I wasn't able to get there in time, so no pictures here, but there are plenty out on the internet, for example at https://www.flickr.com/photos/paulkelly/14462552691/.
(K97571) 5X19 02:30 Bedford Carriage Sidings to Allerton Diesel Multiple Unit Depot
to run tomorrow (Friday 20 June). According to the rumour mill (My thanks go to the stalwarts of North-West-Gen.) this is the delivery of our first 319.
Full details of the schedule can be found at http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K97571/2014/06/20/advanced.
Update:
57306 did indeed haul 319361 to its new home, annoyingly running over 30 early, and I wasn't able to get there in time, so no pictures here, but there are plenty out on the internet, for example at https://www.flickr.com/photos/paulkelly/14462552691/.
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