Warning As Electricity Cables Are Switched On In Manchester
The title of this post is the same as that of this article on Rail Advent.
This is the first paragraph.
Network Rail has warned members of the public to stay off the railway as new high voltage equipment goes live on the line between Stalybridge and Manchester Victoria.
It now looks like electric the current service between Stalybridge and Wigan North Western stations can now be run more efficiently by a Class 769 train, when these enter service.
If Network Rail were to get their skates on and electrify between Bolton and Wigan North Western stations via Lostock Junction, the talybridge and Wigan North Western Route could be run by electric traction.
This electrification of the Lostock Junction route, would also allow the Wigan North Western and Alderley Edge service to be run by electric traction.
Looking at Google Maps of the route, it appears that gantries are being or have been erected.
The Anonymous Widower 
The line between Victoria and Stalybridge hasn’t actually been electrified yet, at least not in a way that could power trains. Network Rail have installed a high voltage power line alongside the tracks to feed electricity into the overheads at Victoria. No catenary or masts to be seen, except the relics from the 1500V DC that used to reach Ashton Moss.
Comment by Jonathan Stevenson | July 23, 2019 |
Thanks! I’m going to check in the next few days!
Comment by AnonW | July 23, 2019 |
DfT have just announced electrification for Lostock-Wigan https://www.gov.uk/government/news/green-light-given-for-wigan-to-bolton-electrification along with lengthening of platforms at intermediate stations.
The much-delayed 769s are now running on the Southport-Alderley Edge service, but it’s not clear to me how all-electric trains can run on Lostock-Wigan unless they terminate at Wigan rather than continuing to Southport.
Comment by Peter Robins | September 1, 2021 |
I’ve just had a quick look and electrifying between Wigan and Lostock Junction. This electrification just leaves 17.5 miles between Wigan Wallgate and Southport without electrification. Out and back between Wigan and Southport would be well within range of a four-car battery-electric train like a converted Class 350 or 379. I’m going out now, but I’ll publish a post later.
Comment by AnonW | September 1, 2021 |
I don’t think that’s the intention though. It’s basically a left-over from the Bolton electrification, that NR has now been given the green light for. It does give operators more flexibility, and can also be used as an alternative for engineering works.
Comment by Peter Robins | September 1, 2021
Southport-Wigan could also be run by Merseyrail’s battery trains, with more options if they go ahead with reviving the Burscough chords
Comment by Peter Robins | September 1, 2021