Network rail been given ok to chop part of Liverpool rd line Manchester

I'm sure that it wouldn't given the width needing to be bridged and the limited usefulness of the connection especially if it could only be used during a night time possession.

 

The width to be bridged would be some 9m, plus say 3m to the pivot point, plus perhaps 3m for a weighted rear section of bridge. Actual structural span would be around 12m with the rails carried on the deck attached to the bottom of side girders. It could be signalled like any "flat" crossing.

 

Even if that was practical on top of a viaduct, which seems unlikely, the cost of designing installing and maintaining it doesn't make any sense for the amount of use the connection has seen historically.

 

Retaining the historic environment often costs more money than would be justified as value for money in a non-heritage situation.

 

Putting a swing bridge on top of the viaduct has nothing to do with history or heritage, it's just an insanely expensive way to maintain a mainline connection of almost no practical value to the museum.

 

The reality is it was cheaper to pay off those impacted rather than the alternation Option 15 which would of been £17 million more. I suspect in time Network Rail may regret not going with the other option but I suspect they were under pressure over the cost. The regret may come not merely because of the damage to a historical site but the fact operationally the alternative would be able to stable longer trains waiting for a path to Deansgate and would give more operational options at Victoria. £17m difference in construction terms on infrastructure is actually not a lot. My only hope is that what is currently being proposed with what remains is developed into something that really does explain the site to those visiting and mitigate the amount of damage caused.

The one thing that has caused a lot of anger is the museum chose to not publicise the last day it was running including within the museum on the day itself. It is only because a number of volunteers, friends and supporters started getting the word out that anyone was aware of it at all.

As far as the site now Network Rail are likely to have started dismantling the museums track already but you may have time this weekend to catch the track in it's current form from the end of the station building before it has been lifted. I cannot however verify that this hasn't already started to take place.

Duncan

 

It seems that the discussion on this site seems to have focused on the mainline connection which is of little value to the museum or railway preservation in general. Really it is the partial destruction of a site that dates from very birth of intercity passenger railways, and the loss of a substantial part of the running line that we should be worried about. The former will be destroyed forever. But perhaps something can be done about the latter.

Could the museum not consider setting up the Y formation the other way round. You would buy your ticket and board at the original departure station, the train then sets off towards the power hall before reversing down a new route across the car park to join up with the line that is being cut off. They could even use some of that bung they got from Network Rail for dropping opposition to pay for it.

 

I've looked a bit more at the alternatives and can understand the reasons why the alternation option 15 wasn't persued. It was viable but did have some significant drawbacks. The important thing now is to ensure that

a) The impact to the site is minimised and the story can still be told of how all the structures link together as a whole ie it would be good if track could extend across water street to a set of buffer stops so a picture of a Planet on water street is still possible and visitors can see track on Stephensons bridge showing how the line went on to the mainline (even if it is not actually connected.) It may in fact on a later thought be possible to technically connect to the mainline. A bolted connection of two rails (one of the mainline and one from the museum) and cast in rails underneath the mass concrete of the chord where it crosses the museum site.
b) retaining an operational railway on the museum site to show in motion engines running there.

Duncan

 

I don't believe that the famous "Option 15" was dismissed because of extra cost. It was dismissed because it came too late in the day (the number is a clue) and it upset Salford's well-developed plans for the land north of the railway. To have moved to it would have put the entire scheme back by possibly a couple of years (the delay has I think been exaggerated in some quarters) and this would have put a block on the entire Northern Hub which the government is so keen on. The retention of the link got little support from the railway enthusiast sector because it is a branch of railway heritage that is more the concern of social and economic historians than those who see railway heritage only in terms of big hot moving things.

 

I've just read the thread through from the beginning and this post encapsulates my opinion perfectly.

 

The thing we should be glad of is that the buildings were used as late as they were by BR, and not sold off, or knocked down in the 60's which could have happened so easy.

 

Demolition works begin tomorrow. If you want to capture it a good vantage point is at the end of the site next the station masters building.

Unless told otherwise I assume the museum don't intend to record proceedings.

 

It's been reported elsewhere that leave to appeal has been granted to the chap who was trying to stop the demolition. If true, surely this work has to be put on hold?

 

Not unless he is granted an injunction, which there is no report of him having obtained.

 

And I wonder how many extra deaths there were in those 20 years?

Robin

 

In these circumstances an injunction would only normally be given if the works underway would irretrievably alter the situation (which it won't because track can be relaid) and the claimant undertakes to compensate the person carrying out the works if he loses. I can't see Mr. Whitby doing this. In fact, it seems rather sad that what was a praiseworthy alternative idea has morphed into a pointless squabble. People need to learn when to accept that the battle has been lost and get on with life.

 

Piling has begun on site and based on closures around water street plus a large crane this weekend I suspect Princes Bridge wont be hanging around much longer.

 

Pineapple line at MoSI began to be lifted earlier today.