Re: Todmorden Curve
 

I don't think the work was completed to speed up the journey, more to make the mis-shapen tunnel safe again.

Re: Todmorden Curve
 

It was, long overdue too I believe.

Re: Todmorden Curve
 

The train to Manchester is even longer overdue and still no idea when it will be running

Re: Todmorden Curve
 

Best guess is December 2014.

Re: Todmorden Curve
 

Just caught up with this as we were discussing it in the shop the other day.

Our MP will sort it because he wants to get everybody on the train to work in Manchester. I'm pretty sure a function of the local MP is to actually try and bring work to the people of his constituency, not the other way round. :mad:

Re: Todmorden Curve
 

I wouldn't be happy about that.

I don't want to spend my time traveling to Manchester on the train when I work in Accrington :)

:p

Re: Todmorden Curve
 

The misshapen tunnel was caused by some dodgy un-official miners digging for coal long ago and the earth slipped into the excavations and slowly the tunnel keeled over towards the Burnley road. I was living on the farm next to the tunnel but not involved with mining.
When I walked around a few weeks ago before it was all finished I saw the remains of a little Dodge tipper lorry we used in 1966. We parked it under the bridge between both sides of the farm where the railway passed over, when coal trains stopped to either let a passenger train go by or to pin the brakes down it was very tempting to pull the lorry forward and throw a few cobs of best Yorkshire coal from a truck to the lorry. Very tempting, irresistible even. So I have been told.

The picture below are the Tod curve in its finished state taken two weeks ago, first one looking towards the station, left fork to Hebden Bridge and York,the other photo looking back to Burnley. Not a passenger has yet to ride the new tracks.

Re: Todmorden Curve
 

Re: Todmorden Curve
 

There is a short piece of track which will have trains using it in both directions, at different times, and that is what the new signalling is to control.
Trains coming towards Todmorden from Burnley will be switched over to the Burnley direction track before switching onto the to the newly restored curve into Todmorden Station.
In my second photo you see the switchover, the trains from Burnley will be on the right hand track then the left, the first picture shows the switch from that line to the station and Manchester.
If the York-Burnley, Accrington-Blackpool express meets the Blackburn, Accrington, Burnley-Manchester train on that short stretch it will cause a slight problem.
I cant understand why the signalling wasn't put in at the same time as the other signals and track. or maybe I can. Could it be Network rail used it as an excuse rather then telling us they have given out trains to South of the great divide.
I can't wait to go direct on the train to Todmorden, walk across the street to the Queens Hotel have a few pints with my brother and back home again. As planned.

The photo is the little tipper used to lighten the load on the coal trains mentioned above.

Re: Todmorden Curve
 

what's a few month's delay matter? It's been years since a direct line to Todmorden existed anyway...

Re: Todmorden Curve
 

Is this the final time that a date for this service to begin will be announced ? Business leaders think so.

Long-awaited direct rail link to Manchester to begin on May 17 (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Re: Todmorden Curve
 

Last time I spoke to anyone connected with the job I was told they hadn't started training drivers to go round the curve (or bend) and no rolling stock was available.
Wait until the spring/summer timetable comes out and see if there is any service via the curve.

Re: Todmorden Curve
 

Perhaps the Honourable Member for X will be able to enlighten us when he receives an answer to the letter found by following the link below.

Graham Jones MP

Re: Todmorden Curve
 

Here's the letter:

Re: Todmorden Curve
 

It's a fair point to ask what type of trains have been acquired to run this service since today the government has backtracked on its pledge to replace outdated Pacer trains as part of the bid for the franchise that Northern currently operate. We're now being told that Pacers will be with us on 'some routes' for five to ten years. The 'some routes' will be Colne to Preston without doubt.