Quote Originally Posted by petromax View Post
Yes, I see but I don't think there are plans to electrify the line to the docks (the Canada Dock branch line). If there were - maybe the dream of an electrified link to Europe...? Liverpool, the most westerly port in EUROPE?
The recent document issued by Network Rail stated it would be, well it is the only line to the docks so must be.

From doc:
Freight

70. Electrification of this route will offer electric haulage options for freight.
There will be an alternative route to Liverpool docks for electrically-operated
freight trains, and better opportunities of electrified access to the proposed
freight terminal at Parkside near Newton-le-Willows.

The document was here, but has been pulled:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/pi/ra...rification.pdf


It is absurd to start the Manchester end first. Completing the Liverpool to St. Helens/Wigan section must be priority as it will service long haul and local services (Merseyrail). This will delay any expansion of Merseyrail by two years, yet give little benefit to Manchester.

The electrification of Liverpool-Manchester and the Canada Dock Branch Line has many bonuses for Liverpool.:
  • Fast link to Mcr,
  • another Merseyrail line to also take football crowds
  • Reaches Bootle,
  • increased and more flexible freight traffic onto the WCML,
  • a Merseyrail line to St. Helens
  • Maybe another line to Sth Parkway via Allerton.


That is maybe three new Merseyrail lines, increased freight and fast link to an adjacent city. Not bad if the Canada Dock Line can join the electrification.

Once a stadium gets the go ahead they get built quite quickly with modern construction methods. When LFC announce a start date will mean the rail link will not be ready in time causing chaos in the city as Liverpool FC want a 73,000 capacity. The Canada Dock Branch Line must be electrified ASAP.

I see your point on the outer loop. It's a good thing for many reasons and should happen; but does it do the Lord's thing?
If it runs under the stadium, yes. Fans go directly into the stadium. The cost of merging the two must be less than building two separate structures.

The outer loop is ideal in many ways but it is a little too far in the future.
It is there waiting with bridges and a long tunnel with easy meshing into the Northern Line at Kirkdale.

For me, the Canada dock line is there. We're talking millions or tens of millions to get to it (from the stadia) and to electrify it, not hundreds of millions to rebuild the loop line.
That is one point for it, is that it has lines on it. Another is that it is to be electrified. However it is impractical. OK, a line can run through the short Canada Dock tunnel and curve south onto the Northern Line. More expense.



What do we get? A national centre of football excellence based around Stanley Park and a great attraction for the World Cup bid for 2018
Stanley Park is a poor location and primarily residential And a rapid-transit rail link is not at the stadium, meaning residents will be inconvenienced as 100's of fans walk the 1/2 mile to the station through their homes. The station MUST be at the stadium. Walton Hall Park with re-commissioned Outer Loop is the way.