Castleford station improvement updates

[yorksrob]

I notice that all the old platform edging stones have been removed.

 

[gledhill56]

Ideally yes it should be moved for maximum flexibility, especially if trains were also reversing in pl.2, although other track changes would be required as well to allow that, namely a facing right-handed crossover on approach from Pontefract.

The planning application actually shows part of the platform to be demolished and being extended at the opposite end to give it a usable 120m length with the plan showing a re-sited signal about a 1/3 of the way down the existing platform.

 

[yorkie]

This thread is dedicated to discussing updates regarding actual infrastructure works; I have therefore split moved some recent posts into the pre-existing speculative thread to discuss potential service provision improvements.

Is this just for Transpennine Express to dump passengers for Leeds? No new service is planned for Castleford in reality is it?

Initially yes. But check out these threads for discussion regarding what might happen beyond that:

• Opportunities to improve service provision through/to Castleford
• Service improvements made possible by reinstating Castleford platform 2
• My Idea - Extend Huddersfield - Castleford services to York

 

[achmelvic]

Apologies for the fading light. Taken just now on Friday 26th Nov

Are there any Network Rail plans to alter the track layout west of the station? Will current Northern services be able to use the reopened platform 2?

 

[MarkyT]

The planning application actually shows part of the platform to be demolished and being extended at the opposite end to give it a usable 120m length with the plan showing a re-sited signal about a 1/3 of the way down the existing platform.

That's about 60 to 70m clear of the crossover, enough for a free reduced or restricted overlap to accept trains into the new platform from the York direction at the same time a reversing movement over the junction is taking place.

 

[johntea]

On the subject of Castleford station they appear to be building quite a large structure at the moment on Platform 1 although it’s just a shell at the moment so no idea what (perhaps a cycle store?)

They’ve also dug up some of the car park but I assume that may just be utility companies performing maintenance

 

[achmelvic]

The structure is the base for the lifts & stairs for the overbridge afaik.

 

[johntea]

Ah of course, that makes sense now!

 

[snowball]

Consultation event on Monday

Castleford Station

Throughout this eight-mile section of the route, we’re proposing to: Double the number of tracks from two to four to allow more trains to run Make major upgrades to stations at Huddersfield, Deighton, Mirfield and provide a relocated station at Ravensthorpe Electrify the lines to bring faster...

thetrupgrade.co.uk

We’re delivering major improvements to Castleford station, including re-opening the platform that is currently out of use.

Castleford Station currently only has one platform in use, which restricts the number of trains that can use it. So that we can deliver the capacity to enable more trains to run, we will be rebuilding and re-opening the platform which is currently out of use and installing a new accessible footbridge to link it to the new station building and facilities.

In order to do this, our specialist teams carried out demolition work on the platform that was longer up to standard. The new platform is scheduled to be opened in late Autumn 2022.

The next major works taking place at the station will be in July 2022, when the new, accessible footbridge will be installed (artist impression below). This work will take place over select weekends, and we will aim to update everyone that the work will affect nearer the time.

In May 2022 we are starting work on the new footbridge foundations by drilling a series of piles into the ground on both platforms. These piles are being screwed into the ground (also known as ‘auger piling’) instead of being hammered into place. Whilst a certain amount of noise will be caused by this work, this is much less intrusive than hammer piling. Also, we will only be carrying out this work during the daytime.

We will be holding a public information event on Monday 23 May 2022, between 4pm and 7pm, at Trinity Methodist Church, Powell Street, Castleford, WF10 1EL, for you to come along, see our plans, and ask any questions you may have to members of the project team.

 

[Iskra]

I passed through the station last weekend and the second platform is really taking shape now

 

[Class 170101]

I guess the is no way to bring the seconsd platform back into use without the installation of lifts?

 

[YorksLad12]

I guess the is no way to bring the seconsd platform back into use without the installation of lifts?

There's the subway (recently refurbished, after a fashion) but the ramps will be too steep for modern standards. Also depends if there's an entrance/exit being built off P2.

 

[achmelvic]

Plus the track work at Cutsyke mentioned on the TRU website linked above is needed before the existing Northern services can use the new platform to/from Glasshoughton & Pontefract.

What I'm not sure about is if the diverted services due to TRU will stop in Cas? as a local resident who often goes to York it'd be great to have direct services there even if only whilst the upgrade is happening but that's getting a bit off topic.

 

[YorksLad12]

What I'm not sure about is if the diverted services due to TRU will stop in Cas? as a local resident who often goes to York it'd be great to have direct services there even if only whilst the upgrade is happening but that's getting a bit off topic.

I wondered if P2 would be used only for coach transfers for passengers wanting to travel to Batley, Dewsbury, Ravensthorpe and Mirfield, with P1 being used for services as at present. Or vice versa, given that there's more space on that side for coaches to pick up and set down. That would effectively block one of the platforms with the train from/to York for long enough that both platforms couldn't be used. I don't suppose there would be anything stopping you from sneaking into a York-bound train, but good luck buying a ticket is it isn't supposed to pick up there

 

[johntea]

What works are taking place the next couple of Sundays?

Presumably track related as no rail services are running

Says there are further works in September and October to open the new platform

 

[northernchris]

What works are taking place the next couple of Sundays?

Presumably track related as no rail services are running

Says there are further works in September and October to open the new platform

Saw a poster at Leeds station today about this, seem to remember it's connected to a new footbridge being installed.

 

[MarkyT]

I have made a short video animation showing possible typical usage patterns for the revised two platform station layout at Castleford. The new crossover at Cutsyke could allow trains from Pontefract to Leeds to use new platform 2 to reverse routinely, while Leeds to Pontefract trains continue to use platform 1.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

What is the current situation regarding the second platform at Castleford station?

 

[yorksrob]

What is the current situation regarding the second platform at Castleford station?

One end has had a new platform edge installed whilst the other end is missing.

 

[jp4712]

This was the overall view at Castleford today.

 

[johntea]

Must be some pretty serious works taking place the next couple of Saturdays as the entire car park is fenced off!

 

[skyhigh]

Must be some pretty serious works taking place the next couple of Saturdays as the entire car park is fenced off!

Not long now until the second platform opens. I've seen a date (but honestly can't remember it!) so can't imagine it'll be long before the bridge goes in.

 

[YorksLad12]

Not long now until the second platform opens. I've seen a date (but honestly can't remember it!) so can't imagine it'll be long before the bridge goes in.

If TPE are running their new service from the May 2023 timetable... there's time yet. Just depends if Northern want to use it in the interim

 

[Class 170101]

Some late night (post 22:00) and early morning (pre 06:00) services running via this route from December, but not stopping.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Some late night (post 22:00) and early morning (pre 06:00) services running via this route from December, but not stopping.

What would passenger demand be like at those times?

 

[endofthetunnel]

These late night diversions have run many weeks already depending on what works are happening on the route, it doesn’t look like this is much different from December to be honest

 

[Class 170101]

What would passenger demand be like at those times?

Not sure what you are getting at here. Its a diversion for York to Leeds and Hull to Leeds services, presumably to allow either electrification or other engineering works to take place.

 

[snowball]

Nobody has posted this press release yet:

Second life for Castleford’s forgotten platform

Reopening Castleford rail station’s second platform moves a step closer this October, after being closed for more than 20 years, to boost capacity and reliability for passengers.

www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk

Reopening Castleford rail station’s second platform moves a step closer this October, after being closed for more than 20 years, to boost capacity and reliability for passengers.

The new platform, which is being fully rebuilt, will be served by an accessible footbridge with stairs and lifts to link it to the recently improved station building and facilities.

The second platform – which hasn’t welcomed regular train services since the 1970s - will improve the reliability of existing services and increase capacity, allowing more trains to run through Castleford.

For decades passengers have used a single platform to travel in both directions from the town. This often causes delays for trains trying to enter the station.

Engineers have already started prepping the station for this final phase of the major upgrade, with work successfully getting underway on Sunday 16 October.

The new footbridge will be lifted into place over two weekends in October, with work to complete the track improvements and signalling upgrade taking place over three days between Friday 28 to Sunday 30 October, during which time services will be diverted and will not call at Castleford.

Upgrades will also take place on Sunday 23 October when fewer trains will run through the station. Buses will replace some rail services through the town and passengers are encouraged to check both their outward and return journeys on the National Rail Enquiries website before they travel.

A new crossover has already been installed at Cutsyke to the west of the station to allow trains to use either platform, together with a new signalling system in the area, enabling more trains to run.

This work is being delivered as part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade, which will enable the use of the Castleford line to divert trains and keep passengers moving during major upgrades on the main line between York and Leeds.

Following final completion of work, the new platform and footbridge will open in 2023.

 

[YorksLad12]

Nobody has posted this press release yet:

Second life for Castleford’s forgotten platform

Reopening Castleford rail station’s second platform moves a step closer this October, after being closed for more than 20 years, to boost capacity and reliability for passengers.

www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk

That's annoying. If I'm on P2 and want to head south, I have to head north over the footbridge, then back underneath through the underpass (as now) - I can't see an exit/entrance marked on that image.

 

[johntea]

Not the greatest picture taken by yours truly but the structure for the new lifts and footbridge has started to take shape it seems