ELECTRIC SERVICES on the newly-wired route between Manchester and Preston should be able to operate at 100mph from May, Network Rail has confirmed. NR made its final high-speed inspection of the route in the early hours of 22 February using a Northern Class 319. Electric passenger services were introduced on the route on 11 February but can currently operate only at up to 75mph. The results of the tests will be checked before being verified by the Office of Rail and Road, paving the way for 100mph operation from the May timetable change.
Meanwhile, NR has completed a series of Sunday closures on the two routes from Preston to Blackpool. The work at Kirkham and Poulton-le-Fylde has seen NR install 200 metres of railway drainage, 100 metres of new track, complete finishing touches at Kirkham & Wesham station and fit new electrical switches to the overhead wires.
Electric passenger services on the Blackpool North route began in May 2018. Work on the Blackpool North line’s drainage system will continue during overnight shifts until the end of April, while two weekend closures of the Blackpool South line in March were due to enable the rebuilding of Highbury Road bridge in Lytham St Annes.
