Transpennine Route Upgrade and Electrification updates

[Geeves]

I think the problem with the continuous wires and wiring full stop of the route is that the trains in question can run happily without them. Kind of a bind for us OHLE fans. Wires around Manchester is necessary for the new stock to take over certain routes.

 

[zwk500]

I think the problem with the continuous wires and wiring full stop of the route is that the trains in question can run happily without them. Kind of a bind for us OHLE fans. Wires around Manchester is necessary for the new stock to take over certain routes.

For now, but diesel is (or should be) on notice. Bi-modes are giving the time for rolling electrification to take place, but it shouldn't be seen as a permanent solution for main lines.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

There's no reason why the wires and additional OHLE can't go up over night through the next few years eastwards from Staly. After all that's how the Ashton line has been mostly done without much disruption.

Electrification (and route upgrades to go with it) takes time and delivery has to be sequenced.
For various reasons, Stalybridge-Huddersfield is the last piece of the TPU jig-saw.
Victoria-Staley has been on the stocks for several years as an extension of the NW scheme, similarly the Colton Jn-Church Fenton section in the NE.
Dewsbury-Huddersfield is next but the go-ahead (ie cash) still hasn't been given and there's a lot of route work to do first before the wires go up.
One step at a time, unfortunately. Same for the MML wiring which is creeping northwards.
Lostock-Wigan is next in the NW, the TPU wiring team will probably move there next.

 

[59CosG95]

Electrification (and route upgrades to go with it) takes time and delivery has to be sequenced.
For various reasons, Stalybridge-Huddersfield is the last piece of the TPU jig-saw.
Victoria-Staley has been on the stocks for several years as an extension of the NW scheme, similarly the Colton Jn-Church Fenton section in the NE.
Dewsbury-Huddersfield is next but the go-ahead (ie cash) still hasn't been given and there's a lot of route work to do first before the wires go up.
One step at a time, unfortunately. Same for the MML wiring which is creeping northwards.
Lostock-Wigan is next in the NW, the TPU wiring team will probably move there next.

I'm fairly sure Amey, who have the wiring contract for TRU West, don't have the contract for Lostock - Wigan; IIRC SPL Powerlines have that job (along with MMLe, Carstairs, Barrhead & East Kilbride, the wider Scottish Decarbonisation programme, and the Levenmouth reopening/wiring). VolkerRail have TRU East, but the works for ECPSU 2 (and the remnants of ECPSU 1) are keeping them busy too.

The Amey team should be able to start mobilising for wiring Leeds - Dewsbury easily enough once the Batley crossover is commissioned, and once the construction works from Vic (and Guide Bridge) to Stalybridge are substantially complete.
If not, I'm sure the extra hands would be appreciated in South Wales where they have the wiring contract for the Core Valley Lines...

 

[GRALISTAIR]

There's no reason why the wires and additional OHLE can't go up over night through the next few years eastwards from Staly. After all that's how the Ashton line has been mostly done without much disruption.

The access points between Stalybridge and Huddersfield are very challenging so it will not be as easy as you might think.

But there's every reason to believe they aren't going to. Everything we've read suggests that Stalybridge to Huddersfield is at the back of the queue.

Exactly

 

[Howardh]

Are the current Stalybridge works on time? Asking for a friend who has a football game to go to at Mossley on Good Friday!!!

Did cross over the line yesterday and saw the works.

 

[Batley Lad]

Batley - Former Adwalton line at Lady Anne Crossing.

Not much in the way change over the weekend. The cutting of the abutment wall hasn’t progressed since my previous posts - not sure as to why.

Some plastic red/white interlocking bases for fencing have been delivered to this end of the Adwalton work site. I assume these will provide a trackside barrier whilst the embankment and footings for the new retaining wall are piled.

Batley Station - I believe piling for the footbridge and lifts starts in April. Will try and get photos of this as and when.

 

[snowball]

Press release

Major railway upgrades in Stalybridge reach pivotal halfway point

The Transpennine Route Upgrade is celebrating the halfway mark at Stalybridge, as great progress is made to bring passengers one step closer to fully electrified trains.

www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk

The Transpennine Route Upgrade is celebrating the halfway mark at Stalybridge, as great progress is made to bring passengers one step closer to fully electrified trains.

Over the last two weeks, engineers in Stalybridge have been working around the clock to deliver the biggest piece of work of the programme so far. This includes a full junction remodelling, which will allow trains to move between different lines at higher speeds, as well as important signalling upgrades and works for future electrification.

The work, which is set to be completed by 6 April 2023, will see over 2km of new track, 25 new signals, 54 new switches and crossing components (rail equipment which allows trains to move from one piece of track to another) and overhead line equipment installed. All this work will increase the reliability and speed of trains passing through the area.

Passengers travelling across the Pennines should allow extra time and plan ahead using the National Rail Journey Planner or their train operator’s website. 

 

[_toommm_]

A move last night to clear out some of the redundant wagons from Neville Hill. 37418 took 6399 GSA ‘Neville Hill Recovery Vehicle’ to Worksop for storage.

Realtime Trains | 5Z38 1845 Neville Hill T&R.S.M.D to Worksop Down Reception | 28/03/2023

Real-time train running information for 5Z38 1845 departure from Neville Hill T&R.S.M.D to Worksop Down Reception on 28/03/2023. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Batley Lad]

Batley - Former Adwalton line at Lady Anne Crossing.

Still making progress here with the original embankment slowly taking on its new design height and form. The embankment behind the Howley Street retaining wall has largely been excavated and awaits the Final Cut of the retaining wall.



Rutland Road - the new footbridge foundations are taking shape with a lot re-bar and shuttering in place.

Additionally, a couple of what I think are new signal bases have been placed in the area of the up Leeds line. One adjacent to the new footbridge location and another one in between Batley station and Soothill road bridge.

 

[59CosG95]

Batley - Former Adwalton line at Lady Anne Crossing.

Still making progress here with the original embankment slowly taking on its new design height and form. The embankment behind the Howley Street retaining wall has largely been excavated and awaits the Final Cut of the retaining wall.

View attachment 131801View attachment 131802

Rutland Road - the new footbridge foundations are taking shape with a lot re-bar and shuttering in place.

Additionally, a couple of what I think are new signal bases have been placed in the area of the up Leeds line. One adjacent to the new footbridge location and another one in between Batley station and Soothill road bridge.

View attachment 131804View attachment 131803

Those are definitely Signal Bases at Batley; the bolts are too thin for OLE masts.

 

[Batley Lad]

Those are definitely Signal Bases at Batley; the bolts are too thin for OLE masts.

Thank you for the reply- I assume they are for the new crossover as and when this is commissioned.

I had noticed these large concrete cubes and some smaller ones in and around Batley station on pallets. I couldn’t quite work there use until now.

 

[59CosG95]

On the York to Church Fenton page on the TRUpgrade website, they've started doing the newsletters again.
This is the latest one, for March & April 2023: https://thetrupgrade.co.uk/wp-conte...Fenton-monthly-project-tracker-Accessible.pdf
For OLE related works, piling is going on in the Colton Jn area (although no specifics are given).

 

[Batley Lad]

Batley - Former Adwalton line at Lady Anne Crossing.

A couple of afternoon photos showing the changes to the embankment.



I also managed to get a photo of the retaining wall mounted cutting equipment after another completed cut of the wall.



Re Signal foundations - a quick snap of one waiting to be Installed near Batley station.



And this may be a bit of speculation, but I snapped the below picture from Lady Anne Crossing and couldn’t help but wonder if they will slew or ease the curve here. In an earlier post the new signal foundation is between here and the new footbridge (around the electrical cabinet on the right) and will mean the current signal would eventually be removed creating space to move the track - Just a thought!

 

[TheHSRailFan]

On the York to Church Fenton page on the TRUpgrade website, they've started doing the newsletters again.
This is the latest one, for March & April 2023: https://thetrupgrade.co.uk/wp-conte...Fenton-monthly-project-tracker-Accessible.pdf
For OLE related works, piling is going on in the Colton Jn area (although no specifics are given).

I believe they are linking it up to the ECML electric equipment. Unsure but that's my best bet.

 

[Batley Lad]

Batley - Former Adwalton line at Lady Anne Crossing.

Retaining wall almost cut to the design height- cutting equipment set up to complete the Final Cut on the right hand corner.



As a comparison below:



Early indications of the footpath alignment starting to be marked out on the former embankment - blue paint lines and timber posts in the photos below.

 

[WAO]

That dressed, squared Yorkshire stone is quite valuable.

I'm surprised that the demolition was conducted in that wasteful way.

WAO

 

[zwk500]

That dressed, squared Yorkshire stone is quite valuable.

I'm surprised that the demolition was conducted in that wasteful way.

WAO

Cost. To recover the stone would require bricklayers or masons to remove the mortar individually and then package it up, before storing it and then the expense of selling it. Its highly likely they would have lost money trying to recover it.

 

[CAF397]

I believe they are linking it up to the ECML electric equipment. Unsure but that's my best bet.

According to @Bald Rick in post 6213, this isn't planned until NEXT December!

Although I hope logic and common sense has taken over, and an opportunity to connect them and utilise the wires earlier has been brought forward.

 

[Batley Lad]

Cost. To recover the stone would require bricklayers or masons to remove the mortar individually and then package it up, before storing it and then the expense of selling it. Its highly likely they would have lost money trying to recover

I believe the stone is currently sorted and stored away from the working area. Although the photo below is not too clear, you can see the stone piled up.



I was told that the original coping stones would be reused and possibly some of the stone for the new retaining wall.

Just add to my earlier post. Adwalton abutment looks to be at it’s intended design height.



Piling rig has arrived near to the new footbridge landing on the former Adwalton alignment - it might not be too clear on the photos below, but an inclined road/path has been cut in the embankment. (It runs form the new footbridge area towards Lady Anne crossing)



New signal being installed near Batley station -albeit wrapped in black plastic and laid on the ground.

 

[WAO]

Cost. To recover the stone would require bricklayers or masons to remove the mortar individually and then package it up, before storing it and then the expense of selling it. Its highly likely they would have lost money trying to recover it.

Don't think many demolition contractors would take that view. Sites (like scrap) are usually sold to bidders who generally recover valuable re-usables.

WAO

 

[swissrailpassion]

Here's the most recent one, I had some older version from a few years back but was happily provided with this that still keeps the second bay. View attachment 131489

Thank you for this. Makes things very clear.

 

[snowball]

Some interesting posts concerning the Stalybridge area on Skyscrapercity.

page 250:

#4997 pics by Freel07 from recent days

#5000 link to a LinkedIn post with pics

page251:

#5001 link by Tony_H1 (known on here as @Geeves) to pics on Twitter posted there by the official TRU account

#5004 d.watto97 says OLE works to Stalybridge due for completion April 2024 with electric running Q3 2024.

#5005 wrinkly (that's me) asks why it will take so long

#5008 d.watto97's reply, by far the best information I've seen on this subject.

Electrification

I was dragged into Ashton to go shopping this morning and in retaliation subsequently diverted the walk back to the car when I noticed that the up line through the station was now wired PXL_20230315_102016790 by Steve Hyde, on Flickr and in fact there was some work in progress. A chain lift...

www.skyscrapercity.com

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Fantastic information thank you.

 

[Batley Lad]

Batley - Former Adwalton line at Lady Anne Crossing.

Not much change here after the Final Cut to the retaining wall.

New Footbridge - looks like the first pour of the Adwalton landing point has been completed. Re-bar still showing for the next stage. (Unfortunately, I can’t see if the Rutland Road has been poured)



Trackside foundation work has begun here with excavation of the footings.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

"A picture [map in this case] is worth 1000 words..."

 

[59CosG95]

Continuing on our theme of TRU East, this post from steel fabricators Adey Steel (who provide the lion's share of OLE steelwork in the UK) is very interesting indeed. As far as I can make out this is at the western throat of Neville Hill. Never seen a pile design quite like this!

Drilling and fitting of OLE foundations for the TRU East Alliance as part of the Transpennine route upgrade.

Thank you to J. Murphy & Sons Limited for letting us be a part of this major electrification project as we take another step forward to the governments net zero target!

 

[snowball]

Continuing on our theme of TRU East, this post from steel fabricators Adey Steel (who provide the lion's share of OLE steelwork in the UK) is very interesting indeed. As far as I can make out this is at the western throat of Neville Hill. Never seen a pile design quite like this!

So are these the first TRU OLE foundations except Manchester to Stalybridge, Colton to Church Fenton and allegedly a few at the site of White Rose station?

 

[59CosG95]

So are these the first TRU OLE foundations except Manchester to Stalybridge, Colton to Church Fenton and allegedly a few at the site of White Rose station?

Correct. ISTR that "OLE works in the Neville Hill area" were done at Xmas. The TRUpgrade website says that OLE works here will continue on Easter Sunday.

 

[CrickUK]

Correct. ISTR that "OLE works in the Neville Hill area" were done at Xmas. The TRUpgrade website says that OLE works here will continue on Easter Sunday.

Noted there is a quantity of OLE steelwork in the compound at Marsh Lane when passing earlier today.