Hope Valley Capacity Scheme updates

[yorkie]

Can we stick to infrastructure developments in this thread please?

Some posts have been moved to:

https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/could-the-emr-hope-valley-service-be-improved-by-avoiding-a-reversal-at-sheffield.250300/

Many thanks

 

[Killingworth]

Progress this weekend. More sleepers laid. More work on the foundations for the central steps and lift for the footbridge. The north end of the existing platform is well fenced off to allow for the second set of foundations to be put in. Concrete segments of new platform are on site for installation by the end of October.
Not a lot of obvious progres at the West View Lane site.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

Progress this weekend. More sleepers laid. More work on the foundations for the central steps and lift for the footbridge. The north end of the existing platform is well fenced off to allow for the second set of foundations to be put in. Concrete segments of new platform are on site for installation by the end of October.
Not a lot of obvious progres at the West View Lane site.

I would've thought this stage is when they'd remove the viewline blocker and replace it with something that doesn't block the track.
It's certainly changed quite a bit since Saturday evening, especially since the "wall" to the left has for some reason been blocked visually.

 

[bluelagoon8951]

some work happening at dore and totley. first time i've actively seen something happening, but i don't know the specifics of what they're doing.

 

[CAF397]

Looks like laying rebar for a foundation. Is this a location where lifts and/or the footbridge will be located?

 

[Killingworth]

Looks like laying rebar for a foundation. Is this a location where lifts and/or the footbridge will be located?

It is. Work on the opposite side has also started, currently screened by wooden panel fencing to north end of platform, in the car park.

 

[ricoblade]

Progress this weekend. More sleepers laid. More work on the foundations for the central steps and lift for the footbridge. The north end of the existing platform is well fenced off to allow for the second set of foundations to be put in. Concrete segments of new platform are on site for installation by the end of October.
Not a lot of obvious progres at the West View Lane site.
View attachment 137598View attachment 137597



View attachment 137599

Thanks as always, I notced the sleepers when I stopped at D&T earlier.

 

[snowball]

Press release

Foundations completed for new tracks at Bamford as part of the Hope Valley Railway Upgrade

Major progress is being made on the Hope Valley Railway Upgrade, with the majority of earthworks which set the foundations for a new passing track loop between Bamford and Hathersage stations completed.

www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk

Major progress is being made on the Hope Valley Railway Upgrade, with the majority of earthworks which set the foundations for a new passing track loop between Bamford and Hathersage stations completed.

On completion of the major upgrade project between Manchester and Sheffield, the passing loop will enable passenger trains to pass slower freight trains, increasing the reliability of passenger journeys.

The team on the ground has completed soil nailing and regrade work at Bamford to clear the land needed for the new track and to secure the adjoining rock face. This involves drilling nails into the embankment to stabilise the ground in advance of track installation. A total of 935 nails have been installed by the team as part of the work ready for track to be installed later in the year.

...

Elsewhere on the project, work is progressing to build a second platform and a new footbridge at Dore & Totley station. Over 2355m of track has been installed in Dore & Totley since July 2022, and work has recently started to build the foundations for the platform and footbridge.

The Hope Valley Railway Upgrade is due to complete in spring 2024.

 

[Killingworth]

Weekend update, rails were put in place last night for the second track through Dore & Totley station


Network Rail's 28th June update reads as follows;

"work will begin on building a new platform at Dore & Totley station on Monday 10th July. The new platform will help facilitate and improve journeys for passengers travelling along the line between Manchester and Sheffield as part of the wider improvement work to train journey times. It has been over 30 years since Dore & Totley station had a second platform, with the original island platform demolished in the 1980s. This work will be undertaken away from the track and so will not require us to close the line. Elsewhere, major progress is being made on the Hope Valley Railway Upgrade, with most earthworks finished. This work sets the foundations for a new passing track loop between Bamford and Hathersage stations. On completion of the major upgrade project between Manchester and Sheffield, the passing loop will enable passenger trains to pass slower freight trains, increasing the reliability of passenger journeys. The team on the ground has successfully finalised soil nailing and regrade work at Bamford to clear the land needed for the new track and to secure the adjoining rock face. This involves drilling nails into the embankment to stabilise the ground in advance of track installation. A total of 943 nails have been installed by the team as part of the work ready for track to be installed later in the year."

It's understood that the small brick waiting shelter (built in 1985 when the other platforms were demolished) is to go and probably the tall leylandii that was severely cut back in February.

If all goes to plan the platform and footbridge should all be in place by the end of October when the station car park should be reopened.

 

[Bald Rick]

Weekend update, rails were put in place last night for the second track through Dore & Totley station

Looks like the fourth track to me

 

[Bryson]

Looks like the fourth track to me

All it needs now is the other 3 platforms

 

[InOban]

It says that most earthworks have been completed. Has there been any progress on the paused works to extend the South to West chord?

 

[Killingworth]

Has there been any progress on the paused works to extend the South to West chord?

In a word, no, I can't see any perceptible change.Supposed to be complete by October.

Work on the station footbridge is progressing and starts on the platforms themselves next week.

 

[ricoblade]

In a word, no, I can't see any perceptible change.Supposed to be complete by October.

Work on the station footbridge is progressing and starts on the platforms themselves next week.

Lots of work going on in the area on your 3rd photo today as we paused next to the black boards coming back from Nottingham.

 

[adamedwards]

Is building the footbridge a priority as that then creates a safe walking route into the site for staff? Or do they gain access by some other route avoiding the live railway? Great to see this advancing.

 

[Killingworth]

Is building the footbridge a priority as that then creates a safe walking route into the site for staff? Or do they gain access by some other route avoiding the live railway? Great to see this advancing.

No, it's not a priority for staff access. They can safely walk alongside the railway from the work site on the 'railway triangle' I understand ready mixed cement may be being piped under the live line from the station car park.

 

[coxxy]

Does anyone know what/when the resignalling is taking place? Started to notice new TPWS Grids, new AWS magnets and even some concrete footings for new signals.

Also does any one know the extent? Is it Edgeley all the way to Dore?

 

[CAF397]

Dore to Earles Sidings (exclusive). York ROC taking over. Should see the closure of Totley Tunnel East and Grindleford Signal boxes.

Linked into whenever the loop at Bamford and double tracking at Dore get commissioned - next year?

There's also new signalling equipment appearing Between Edgeley Jn and Hazel Grove, but that's not full resignalling, it might be linked to linespeed enhancements.

 

[td97]

Dore to Earles Sidings (exclusive).

On the MML also includes Up Heeley Loop, plus signalling modifications to beyond Dronfield (recontrol of S37-S57 and S62-S38 to the newly formed Sheffield Outer Workstation).

"Dore" resignalling includes from both Dore South Jn and Dore Station Jn.

 

[snowball]

Press release

Construction of Dore & Totley station second platform to begin this weekend

Work will begin this Saturday 15 July on the construction of a new platform at Dore & Totley station in Sheffield.

www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk

Work will begin this Saturday 15 July on the construction of a new platform at Dore & Totley station in Sheffield.

The platform is being built as part of the Hope Valley Railway Upgrade. This will see new infrastructure and track, as well as several station upgrades and line speed improvements, along the Hope Valley line.

The new platform will help facilitate and improve journeys for passengers travelling along the line between Manchester and Sheffield as part of the wider improvement work to train journey times.

It has been over 30 years since Dore & Totley station had a second platform, with the original island platform demolished in the 1980s.

 

[Jozhua]

Dore to Earles Sidings (exclusive). York ROC taking over. Should see the closure of Totley Tunnel East and Grindleford Signal boxes.

Grindleford signal box seems like a good Airbnb or tearoom opportunity

 

[td97]

Grindleford signal box seems like a good Airbnb or tearoom opportunity

It's going to be demolished.

 

[Dr Hoo]

There’s already a tearoom at Grindleford, in what was the original station building, I believe.

 

[coxxy]

Dore to Earles Sidings (exclusive). York ROC taking over. Should see the closure of Totley Tunnel East and Grindleford Signal boxes.

Linked into whenever the loop at Bamford and double tracking at Dore get commissioned - next year?

There's also new signalling equipment appearing Between Edgeley Jn and Hazel Grove, but that's not full resignalling, it might be linked to linespeed enhancements.

Yeah I've noticed all the new jewellery appearing between edgeley and Hazel Grove too.. certainly a lot going on all over.

 

[Trainfan2019]

No, it's not a priority for staff access. They can safely walk alongside the railway from the work site on the 'railway triangle' I understand ready mixed cement may be being piped under the live line from the station car park.

So I take it they have to dig some sort of temporary access tunnel under the live tracks for piping cement? Or, is there any form of under track access already there? I've not been through Dore for a few years.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Noting the stations from Dore & Totley onwards towards Manchester, what was the official reason given at that time for making Dore & Totley a single-platform station when that matter was decided upon, yet other stations retained their two platforms?

 

[GardenRail]

There’s already a tearoom at Grindleford, in what was the original station building, I believe.

And very good it is too

Noting the stations from Dore & Totley onwards towards Manchester, what was the official reason given at that time for making Dore & Totley a single-platform station when that matter was decided upon, yet other stations retained their two platforms?

Rationalisation, and single lead junctions are cheaper to maintain. Short sighted penny pinching at the time.

 

[edwin_m]

Rationalisation, and single lead junctions are cheaper to maintain.

I struggle to believe the claim you quote here. A double lead junction would still have four point ends, but some would carry less traffic and/or be operated less frequently. Capacity is also maximised if trains in opposite directions on the same route are scheduled to pass on the junction, which can't happen for the diverging route on a single lead.

 

[Dr Hoo]

I struggle to believe the claim you quote here. A double lead junction would still have four point ends, but some would carry less traffic and/or be operated less frequently. Capacity is also maximised if trains in opposite directions on the same route are scheduled to pass on the junction, which can't happen for the diverging route on a single lead.

There have been numerous threads on single lead junctions before. The late 1960s to 1980s were a different world with far fewer passenger and freight trains. Capacity simply wasn’t an issue.

The entire triangle (and former four-track route to Sheffield) had numerous non-standard bits of junction geometry, low speeds and so forth.

‘Seemed like an obvious idea at the time.’ The 1968 Transport Act even gave BR special grants to rip stuff out.

 

[swt_passenger]

So I take it they have to dig some sort of temporary access tunnel under the live tracks for piping cement? Or, is there any form of under track access already there? I've not been through Dore for a few years.

It’s a fairly routine procedure, about half a dozen undertrack crossings for concrete pumping were put in at various times during the Dawlish sea wall works. Basically a normal concrete pipe is fitted through a larger diameter pipe, the latter can be pre-installed well before it’s needed and removed during a later possession.