CIVILS, CONSTRUCTION & STATIONS
Historic Chorley flying arches restored for electrification project
During a six-week blockade to lower the track through the Chorley tunnel for the North West Electrification Programme, Network Rail has restored the historic Chorley flying arches. David Stevenson reports.
he historic Chorley flying arches have been restored to the railway between Manchester and Bolton as part of Network Rail’s £1bn investment in the north west railway.
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Following a six-week closure of the line, Network Rail lowered the track through the 113m long Chorley tunnel to accommodate overhead line equipment, which will allow electric trains to operate between Manchester and Preston from December 2016. The line between Chorley and Leyland re-opened on 1 September.
As well as upgrading the tunnel the 16 Chorley flying arches – Grade II listed structures on the approach to the tunnel, which are the only remaining examples on the British rail network – were refurbished following close work and consultation with English Heritage. After being in storage since 2008, the original arches have now been replaced, in a slightly higher position to allow the installation of electrification equipment through the tunnel, with the addition of a permanent slender steel brace under each arch to meet modern safety regulations.
Cathy Tuck, English Heritage at Risk project officer for the north west, said: “These arches are an important example of Victorian innovation. Originally, they were needed to strengthen the retaining walls of the cutting as it was feared that the clay behind might force the walls inwards causing them to collapse on the trains. It was a rarely used but very elegant solution.”
Work also took place to rebuild three bridges on the line: Harpers Lane in Chorley, Railway
Lighting the way R
obust LED fixtures can be effectively utilised to illuminate all rail premises, platforms, stations and tunnels. Because of the lower working temperatures of LED lights compared to traditional halogen, sodium and fluorescent fixtures, the use of glass lenses and tubes is no longer required — allowing better vibration resistance and higher impact resistance. Additionally, the small size of the actual LED emitters allow a lot more flexibility in luminaire design and the use of small lens optics to control the light and direct it where the task requires, rather than large imprecise aluminium reflectors.
Precise control of light means less wasted energy and less unwanted glare.
The glare factor is rarely considered in utility areas, yet it is a real safety consideration for workers, particularly in dimmer environments where an even, low level of light is far preferable compared to bright areas interspersed with darker spaces.
30 | rail technology magazine Aug/Sep 14
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Road in Adlington and Lockstock Lane in Bolton, along with the River Chor aqueduct.
Ian Joslin, area director for Network Rail, said: “Electrification forms a significant part of [Network Rail’s £1bn investment in the north west] and the completed work though Chorley means the line is now ready to install the equipment needed to run electric trains.”
Rob Warnes, Northern Rail planning and programmes director, welcomed the completion of the Chorley work.
LED lighting is the best lighting technology for railway applications because of the long and maintenance-free service life, says Michael Renecle, managing director of Exled.
Exled’s Stadia 210 high-
Most LED fixtures contain a transformer or driver to change the incoming AC power to the low voltage DC power required to run the LED emitters. Where required, the driver can be up to 10m remote from the actual luminaire, meaning the light fixture is extra safety low voltage.
Exled specialises in AC and low voltage ultra- tough weatherproof rated linear fixtures, designed for tunnels and platforms. These can also be used for high power LED floodlighting in high mast and industrial applications, and for a range of post-top lighting for car parks, walkways and roadways. With lighting fixture efficiencies now equal or exceeding 100 lumens per watt, LED wins on both zero maintenance costs and the lowest energy running costs.
They can typically be direct replacements for existing fixtures; they run 24/7 without
powered floodlight produces over 20,000 lumens.
overheating for many years; they have a high lumen output without flicker; they are robust, glass-free and vibration resistant; and they can be compatible with CMS systems.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
T: 01453 756361 E:
sales@exled.co.uk W:
www.exled.co.uk/products-by-sector/railway-led-lighting
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