The Dn & Up Canning Street Line at Rock Ferry is in the process of being re-instated.
It is (allegedly) maintained to operational standards, as in, you are supposed to be able to signal a train onto the line, but it has been signed
temporarily out of use for a long time.
Over the next couple of weeks the vegetation will be completely removed and the some sections of track repaired.
Not too sure why, just down as listed as various possessions next year for "renewals".
Could be exploration/survery work on behalf of the likes of Merseytravel, but maybe also to do with Wirral Waters scheme?
For those with Sectional Appendix access, renewals are between ML729 (Hooton end of Rock Ferry station) and ML727 (Canning Street North).
Contractors are currently clearing vegetation in preparation.
Illustration (all credit to owner)
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O_ehP6uvpYs/Ty...030421.JPG
I do wonder why as the line has been removed across a level crossing at the Mersey Docks / Network Rail Boundary as the road surface was in a bad state .
The Network Rail boundary is at the Rendel Street A5029 / Freeman Street Junction.
At one time there used to be a signal box there at that boundary point that had excellent award winning floral displays .
If they electrified the small section of line it would benefit the stabling arrangements for Merseyrail, as anything coming from Hooton direction to stable at Rock Ferry has to do a reversing movement in order to access Platform 3+4. It also obviously also gives you somewhere else to put a 6-car.
My thoughts are that it is simply Network Rail being forced to maintain the line in an operational condition or they have to sign it out of use and potentially pay compensation to any potential users, (which is usually Freight Operators who claim future flexibility is compromised). Also got to get permission from the ORR, at cost, who may still decline their application for closure.
Probably cheaper and easier to remove the vegetation and do a few welds than go through the above.
Wirral Waters may well be behind this, anyone know whether this line (to Bidston) would be of any use to them? Perhaps delivering building materials to site or even as a potential passenger service?
Network Rail Route Plans (Route O) Report states:
The large scale proposals at Birkenhead and Liverpool Docks if realised will create considerable demand for travel. From a rail perspective this presents a challenge as neither of these areas are currently rail served. The Wirral Waters development at Birkenhead Docks could be accessed by rail if the freight lines were re-opened.
It probably would with some relaying on the dock railway between Rendel street and Birkenhead North TMD be a better way of delivering building materials to Wirral Waters.
Coming via Bidston could hinder the regular train service though between Bidston and Birkenhead north and then any subsequent shunting.
Coming via Rock Ferry would also have its hinderances though with the 6 trains an hour during Monday to Saturday daytime , there now being only two workable paths an hour now , and then none available between 0730 - 0900 and 1600 and 1800 Monday to Friday as this when there is 8 trains an hour .
(16/12/2012 15:14)wirralbus Wrote: [ -> ]It probably would with some relaying on the dock railway between Rendel street and Birkenhead North TMD be a better way of delivering building materials to Wirral Waters.
Coming via Rock Ferry would also have its hinderances though with the 6 trains an hour during Monday to Saturday daytime , there now being only two workable paths an hour now , and then none available between 0730 - 0900 and 1600 and 1800 Monday to Friday as this when there is 8 trains an hour .
Plenty of paths available to deliver on a Sunday or during the evening midweek (or even before 7am). Once Hooton signal box is closed, the Chester-Liverpool line is available 24hrs, (Chester PSB & Merseyrail IECC), subject to any planned possessions.
i dont know why merseyrail stopped running overnight stabling at platform 1 at hooton, the only trains since 2010 i've seen stabled there are 31's, 66's e.t.c while doing route learners. 508112 has been fitted with aircon
(16/12/2012 20:24)507 mad Wrote: [ -> ]i dont know why merseyrail stopped running overnight stabling at platform 1 at hooton, the only trains since 2010 i've seen stabled there are 31's, 66's e.t.c while doing route learners. 508112 has been fitted with aircon
Hooton Platform 1 is still used for stabling.
2H02 23:30 Chester-Hooton and 5H37 23:41 Ellesmere Port-Hooton both stabled there last night. Both services run Saturdays Only from 15/12/2012 to 07/12/2013.
The unit(s) working the above, formed 5C08 (07:45 Hooton-Chester) this morning, and will run SuO from 09/12/2012 to 01/12/2013.
Plenty of disused stabling places, although some it is not electrified, (e.g. Hooton Run Round "Platform 0", still in use, Port Sunlight sidings, temp out of use, Birkenhead Central TMD, still in use, Rock Ferry Goods, temp out of use, Overpool Sidings, temp out of use).
Saw the Polar Express at James Street Platform 2 and also later being undecorated at Rock Ferry and later on moving back to Kirkdale.
Hooton Platform 1 is still used for stabling.
After Christmas, when the Sunday 6 cars stop running, the other unit goes ECS to Ellesmere Port to work the 0749 back
Both advertising liveried trains are on the Wirral line today. 508111 is on West Kirby's until the end of service and 507002 is on e.ports