Leeds to Manchester

[Adam]

3 hours ago, billh said:

I find that hard to believe in the case of Network Rail at least. They must still own large tracts of land at the old Marsden goods yard and at Diggle Junction. They have a continuous maintenance and inspection requirement for their 3 tunnels.In addition there is long awaited work towards the Transpennine Route Upgrade and eventual electrification of the route. It is possible that NR are trying to limit C&RTs access to enable this. I do not see why the canal tunnel could not have some kind of comms system along its length  for boater use, similar to what used to be in coal mines(remember them?) and do away with the shadowing van altogether. Has there ever been an incident where the van and man have been necessary for a rescue? There has been some discussion that NR may want to re-instate the van & man tunnel as a live  railway line, possibly only while the main double track tunnel is electrified, that would mean an end to C&RTs  present methods.

Apparently the new cable mounts installed at the Marsden end have space for extra services into the tunnel, the idea is they are installing wifi like repeaters all the way through so the chaperones / tunnel control are able to be in contact all the way through. Maybe pushing towards unshadowed passages?

 

For all there is 4/5 tunnel chaperones the shadow van driver needs a different ticket all together.

 

 

[Neil TNC]

On 19/04/2023 at 19:45, n-baj said:

Thanks for the update 👍

Works at 12W -13W delayed. CaRT dropped water in pound as was flooding into Cadent's hole. At this point in the towpath the gas main dips under an old abandoned 9" pipe that used to run to long gone factory. Boater came down unaware, and flooded Cadent's hole again. After boater dispatched by CaRT, they lowered the water again and gas main repairs we due to be finished late this afternoon, with CaRT refilling the longish pound over night. From our local correspondent, who met CaRT bloke.

[n-baj]

24 minutes ago, Neil TNC said:

Works at 12W -13W delayed. CaRT dropped water in pound as was flooding into Cadent's hole. At this point in the towpath the gas main dips under an old abandoned 9" pipe that used to run to long gone factory. Boater came down unaware, and flooded Cadent's hole again. After boater dispatched by CaRT, they lowered the water again and gas main repairs we due to be finished late this afternoon, with CaRT refilling the longish pound over night. From our local correspondent, who met CaRT bloke.

Thanks saw the notice today saying they think it will be finished soon with the gas pipe 😃

[Neil TNC]

39 minutes ago, n-baj said:

Thanks saw the notice today saying they think it will be finished soon with the gas pipe 😃

Picture of Cadent's hole, courtesy of Martin Clark, Pennine Waterways. Canal top left. Looks like the old clay feed pipe has not been very well sealed from canal!

[n-baj]

Got the notification today, all sorted now 👍

[droshky]

3rd party ( gas co??) issue has apparently completely drained west side of Hudd narrow from 32w-24w, see crt notice, update due later today. Good luck

 

Regarding the van accessing the service  tunnel, no they do not have guaranteed access. They have agreed access over network rail land on the west side, but that’s currently closed due to long term road reinstatement and underpinning. There is access over private property, which neighbours are permitted to use but specifically not CRT. The van currently accesses the tunnel courtesy of a short term agreements with NR to cross the safety restricted area on the East side (Marsden), but this may cease soon

🤞