Liverpool Moorfields Project

Orton Lifts & Escalators have been involved in the major redevelopment works within the Liverpool Underground system. Operating out of Liverpool Moorfields Underground Station over the course of 11 months Orton's worked on the complete removal of 9 HD RAC escalators and subsequently as part of the joint installation team. Operating with Prenner Escalator Installations, Schindler UK and Schindler R&D Vienna Orton Lifts & Escalators installed 9 new compact Schindler InTruss 9700 machines between September 2015 and July 2016.

This impressive feat would have been impossible without the hard work of all Ortons engineers employed on the site. Special thanks must go to Jason Neal who drove this project hard and made it into the success it is. Following this we can now build on the knowledge base and continue with this work in London.

Existing Escalators

The existing escalators were Otis RAC machines of varying size between 6m and 15.5m. Installation started in 1973 they had been in constant service for over 35 years. Due to an increase in maintenance costs Mersey Rail/Network Rail decided to replace the full set within the station, with a further 23 machines across the Liverpool Underground also planned for replacement. 

ROM Works

The removal of old machines started during September 2015 and involved all escalator components down to the bare steel trusswork. This was then cut and modified to receive the new Schindler 9700 Intruss machine.

Materials Movement

Materials movement through the station was complex due to the various weights, restrictions and station depth. Liverpool Moorfields is the deepest Underground Station on the Mersey Network. Orton L&E were able to fully remove all existing machines from the site and bring 9 new escalators from street level to work site.

Installation Works

All escalators were individually hand built by qualified engineers over a period of 8 weeks per machine. The machines were built to EN115 specifications and met every target along the programme of works.

Commissioned Machines

All machines passed the testing and commissioning process and are now in public service.