Hope Valley Capacity Scheme updates

[themiller]

I don’t know if readers are aware of it but there’s an app giving official info for this project. It’s a Network Rail & Volker initiative. Search ‘Hope Valley Railway Upgrade’ for Apple and Android.

 

[Killingworth]

I don’t know if readers are aware of it but there’s an app giving official info for this project. It’s a Network Rail & Volker initiative. Search ‘Hope Valley Railway Upgrade’ for Apple and Android.

See foot of post 1044 for links.

 

[themiller]

See foot of post 1044 for links.

Sorry, missed that post due to being beyond the reach of t’interweb that day.

 

[Killingworth]

RRV (Road Rail Vehicle) on the Dore station car park today ready for creation of a RRAP (road rail access point) from the car park at the north end of the station. The second track through the station should be laid in July (all July weekends blockaded) and ready to use by August, not for passenger services but engineering trains. The new second platform won't be ready until mid 2023.

In the meantime, a bonus for weekend travellers into the Peak District is 6 coach Northern stopping services. They happened last weekend and should again this Saturday and Sunday and maybe one or two on Monday? Sheffield platform constraints and freight conflicts for weekdays make that difficult. Ostensibly to cover for missing TPE services due to Covid and strikes until full TPE services resumed but if successful it might bring longer stopping trains more often.

 

[Killingworth]

The need for the redoubled section through Dore & Totley station gets ever greater, but also an extended existing platform to take 6 car trains.

Gradually it's coming and there'll be local disruption. Apart from full and partial blockades there are going to be big reductions in station parking. Temporary facilities half a mile away at the Abbyeydale Sports Club may not be heavily subscribed. First blockade Sunday 29th May then every weekend in July.

 

[Killingworth]

This is where the new Dore loop will cut off the Hope Valley line just north of West View Lane, running parallel with the existing tracks below Poynton Wood on the right. At the site of the current Dore West Junction it will take that route through short Dore Tunnel to the MML. Trees now cleared, watch this space.

 

[Mugby]

So will there be a facing crossover on the Sheffield line, just outside the tunnel, so trains to Dore South Jcn. can access the loop?

 

[Siggy1980s]

This is where the new Dore loop will cut off the Hope Valley line just north of West View Lane, running parallel with the existing tracks below Poynton Wood on the right. At the site of the current Dore West Junction it will take that route through short Dore Tunnel to the MML. Trees now cleared, watch this space.


View attachment 115046

On a technicality, its not a loop. It is an extension of the Dore South Curve, and cannot be used to loop trains from Sheffield before the slog up the Valley. It will however be useful for holding long trains waiting a path either West or South. As for the new loop at Bamford, and as a Signaller, it's a stupid idea. Putting a 2000ton freight, in a loop, at the start of the grade upto Grindleford, what could possibly go wrong. Better to keep the freight rolling than from a standing start.

 

[gazr]

It has been reported on Gensheet by an esteemed member of the BLS that engineering work is due to start weekend June 18th (minimum 4 weeks- not sure if that's 4 solid weeks or just weekends), with trains turning back towards Manchester at Hope with a pilotman to Earles siding crossover. Edit: this is for the local stopping services only?

 

[Dr Hoo]

On a technicality, its not a loop. It is an extension of the Dore South Curve, and cannot be used to loop trains from Sheffield before the slog up the Valley. It will however be useful for holding long trains waiting a path either West or South. As for the new loop at Bamford, and as a Signaller, it's a stupid idea. Putting a 2000ton freight, in a loop, at the start of the grade upto Grindleford, what could possibly go wrong. Better to keep the freight rolling than from a standing start.

Well, we'd all like to keep freights rolling but what happens when you need to regulate a freight in the Sheffield station direction (currently no real opportunity) or, for southbound services, single track Dore South Curve (however long) is currently hosting a train in the opposite direction?

 

[Siggy1980s]

Well, we'd all like to keep freights rolling but what happens when you need to regulate a freight in the Sheffield station direction (currently no real opportunity) or, for southbound services, single track Dore South Curve (however long) is currently hosting a train in the opposite direction?

If its heading towards Sheffield and needs regulation, we hold at S79 or 81 and work around it as necessary like we always have.

 

[Dr Hoo]

If its heading towards Sheffield and needs regulation, we hold at S79 or 81 and work around it as necessary like we always have.

Genuine question: What's the maximum length that can be held clear at those two? Cheers.

 

[Siggy1980s]

Genuine question: What's the maximum length that can be held clear at those two? Cheers.

Not sure of exact length but certainly anything booked through Sheffield freight wise fits with room to spare.

 

[Watershed]

Roughly 580m by my calculations. There's not much freight that's longer than that, at least not in that part of the network.

 

[Dr Hoo]

Not sure of exact length but certainly anything booked through Sheffield freight wise fits with room to spare.

Roughly 580m by my calculations. There's not much freight that's longer than that, at least not in that part of the network.

Thank you, folks. That's a bit more than I had thought.

I still thing that Bamford Loop will be handy in helping to clear stone trains off the Peak Forest line at Chinley, with its single-track chords and ever increasing volume of traffic also heading towards New Mills South Junction but note that Sheffield Station isn't such a big problem in itself.

Every day is a school day.

 

[Killingworth]

So will there be a facing crossover on the Sheffield line, just outside the tunnel, so trains to Dore South Jcn. can access the loop?

Yes

It has been reported on Gensheet by an esteemed member of the BLS that engineering work is due to start weekend June 18th (minimum 4 weeks- not sure if that's 4 solid weeks or just weekends), with trains turning back towards Manchester at Hope with a pilotman to Earles siding crossover. Edit: this is for the local stopping services only?

See my post1048 for blockades until end July. These are to cover multiple tasks particularly laying and connecting the new track though Dore station. That should be in place by August.

Fast TPE services (any running) will divert via Huddersfield. EMR will have bus substitute services, probably to Stockport. Northern will be bus from Sheffield to Chinley although minibus from Edale to Hope. Stopping trains from Manchester will run to Edale, crossover at Earles and return. I understand running in service to Hope would complicate engineering possessions but would be more practical for passengers (NB there is no step free access to platforms at Chinley or the eastbound platform at Hope).

Not sure of exact length but certainly anything booked through Sheffield freight wise fits with room to spare.

Heeley loop standage is to be increased by signalling changes to 640 metres. Bamford loop is to be 640 metres. Dore loop (or chord) is shorter at 500 metres. It was intended to be 640 but the extra work for that extra 100 metres involved major bridge rebuilding at West View Lane and likely massive resistance by residents in the flats very close to the line (the cost killed it before it got any further but it remains a possibility in the future). I have more accurate details but not readily to hand so apologies if my lengths may be slightly out on standages.

 

[snowball]

Press release

Multi-million-pound upgrade begins on Hope Valley railway line

Ground-breaking work on a £145m rail reliability upgrade between Manchester and Sheffield will start later this month.

www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk

Ground-breaking work on a £145m rail reliability upgrade between Manchester and Sheffield will start later this month.

This essential work will remove several bottlenecks on the Hope Valley line to allow passenger trains to overtake slower freight trains and improve reliability, helping people get to their destinations on time.

On Sunday 29 May, and every weekend throughout July, Dore & Totley, Grindleford, Bamford and Hathersage stations will be closed to allow Network Rail and contractor VolkerRailStory Joint Venture to begin building an additional railway line and make key station improvements.

Passengers are being urged to plan ahead with National Rail to keep their journeys on track.

The work is part of a £145m package of improvement and includes:

• A new platform and accessible footbridge with lifts at Dore & Totley station
• A railway loop between Bamford and Hathersage
• A new overbridge at Hathersage West, replacing the current foot crossing to improve safety
• Signalling improvements along the line to improve reliability
• Platform extensions to allow for more carriages on services

Dore & Totley station car park will also be partially and fully closed at different periods over the next three months. Alternative parking spaces will be available at Abbeydale Sports Club and local businesses will remain open and accessible throughout.

 

[Killingworth]

Sadly the press release seems to have completely missed the vital loop/chord at Dore! Without it the whole scheme wouldn't achieve the intended objective of increasing capacity for freight and passenger services.

Currently cement and limestone trains come along the Hope Valley and through Totley Tunnel under control from Manchester and pass to York's control at Dore West Junction. That's just beyond this view where you can see vegetation already cleared ready for construction of the new loop/chord.


Just beyond this view is Dore West Junction and the right turn off to go through Dore Tunnel to reach the Midland Mainline. It's a tight curve with speed restricted to about 10 mph as the train pulls away and uphill through Bradway Tunnel. If it has to stand on the Hope Valley line to get a path to go south a load of cement may block a following eastbound load of limestone and passenger services too. If it is allowed to cross the mainline it may hold up services in both directions for 5 or 6 minutes to clear and pull away. Some may be routed through Sheffield and the old road via Beighton to avoid this.

This picture shows a limestone train pulling away from Dore South Junction having been through Dore Tunnel just visible in the trees at the back of the train. It's about to enter Bradway Tunnel. The new loops should allow these trains to progress further along the Hope Valley and be able to get clear paths for further progress more easily. A standing start for a loaded aggregate train isn't quick but off the loop it should more easily be slotted through other traffic.

The signalling control break will be moving to Bamford, just east of Earles Sidings. New Dore West Junction will be moving nearer to Totley Tunnel East signal box, a little way behind the viewpoint for my first picture.

 

[ricoblade]

Yes



See my post1048 for blockades until end July. These are to cover multiple tasks particularly laying and connecting the new track though Dore station. That should be in place by August.

Fast TPE services (any running) will divert via Huddersfield. EMR will have bus substitute services, probably to Stockport. Northern will be bus from Sheffield to Chinley although minibus from Edale to Hope. Stopping trains from Manchester will run to Edale, crossover at Earles and return. I understand running in service to Hope would complicate engineering possessions but would be more practical for passengers (NB there is no step free access to platforms at Chinley or the eastbound platform at Hope).


Heeley loop standage is to be increased by signalling changes to 640 metres. Bamford loop is to be 640 metres. Dore loop (or chord) is shorter at 500 metres. It was intended to be 640 but the extra work for that extra 100 metres involved major bridge rebuilding at West View Lane and likely massive resistance by residents in the flats very close to the line (the cost killed it before it got any further but it remains a possibility in the future). I have more accurate details but not readily to hand so apologies if my lengths may be slightly out on standages.

Hi @Killingworth - What does "Part Closure" mean please? I was planning on getting off at Dore in early June. is that Rail Replacement Buses too as the timetable appears to show normal running.

 

[Killingworth]

Hi @Killingworth - What does "Part Closure" mean please? I was planning on getting off at Dore in early June. is that Rail Replacement Buses too as the timetable appears to show normal running.

Despite some inaccurate or misleading media headlines Dore will be fully open during June, albeit with some adjustments to late night trains from Chinley into Manchester. This one is perhaps typical - headline and article differ; https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/tran...s0ZrXk66lXRU2yzlVSOSAybWkkhBM82Z45snMANXPugBE

The part closures are all weekends, Saturdays and Sundays, in July when no trains will run between Edale and Sheffield. Rather a shame when Northern had just started putting on 6 coaches at weekends.

Full timetables for the route can be found here, Table N23; https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/stations/dore-totley

As to the press release, well, they have to keep it simple, yet the wrong impression still gets out.

 

[Geeves]

Are Manchester ROC controlling small bits of the Hope Valley. I thought it was all still small boxes or is this after the works?

 

[td97]

The signalling control break will be moving to Bamford, just east of Earles Sidings

Closer to Hope than Bamford. See below too

It's a tight curve with speed restricted to about 10 mph

15mph currently, 20mph after completion of works

Are Manchester ROC controlling small bits of the Hope Valley. I thought it was all still small boxes or is this after the works?

York ROC (Sheffield outer workstation) will be controlling from Earles Sidings eastwards. The limit of resignalling is just before signal ES3 which means semaphore signalling will remain on the line. Approximately located here

53°21'02.4"N 1°44'17.8"W · Hope, Hope Valley

Hope, Hope Valley

goo.gl

The small boxes remain for everything west of Earles Sidings

 

[Killingworth]

Work began today in preparation for redoubling the track and restoring the second platform at Dore and also to construct the new Dore loop. A long way to go until trains can use the new tracks, but hopefully by late 2023.

 

[adrock1976]

Work began today in preparation for redoubling the track and restoring the second platform at Dore and also to construct the new Dore loop. A long way to go until trains can use the new tracks, but hopefully by late 2023.

View attachment 115402 View attachment 115403

In the top image, had there used to be a platform between the tracks at that location going by the great width between them?

 

[Mollman]

In the top image, had there used to be a platform between the tracks at that location going by the great width between them?

Yes, Dore was once four platforms with an island platform between the Up Hope Valley and Down Midland Mainline as seen here:
https://flic.kr/p/YZCN7b (not my picture)

 

[edwin_m]

In the top image, had there used to be a platform between the tracks at that location going by the great width between them?

Yes, Dore was once four platforms with an island platform between the Up Hope Valley and Down Midland Mainline as seen here:
https://flic.kr/p/YZCN7b (not my picture)

The top image is taken from the Sheffield end of the one remaining platform, the very left edge of the historic photo, so the area in shot never had a platform but did have more tracks in the past (and will again). The other platforms would have been to the right of and behind the camera.

 

[Killingworth]

The top image is taken from the Sheffield end of the one remaining platform, the very left edge of the historic photo, so the area in shot never had a platform but did have more tracks in the past (and will again). The other platforms would have been to the right of and behind the camera.

My shot from Sunday was from the end of the current 4 car platform, the signal is at the end of the original 6 car platform - possibly the same signal seen in my second picture below.

The first is the scene as debris left after a crossover pile up is cleared away in 1907.

The second is the last time the mainline platform was used for unscheduled passenger pick ups in 1979. I was on the platform on that day and was crammed into a very crowded guards van. There was no return service as the footbridge to the up platform had been demolished by that time and we all walked home from Sheffield. Special stops were also made at then totally Dronfield. That led to Dronfield being reopened. No such luck at Dore.

Three platforms were demolished in 1985, and the remaining platform shortened from 6 car to 4 car length. Over 40 years later we've still been unable to convince the necessary powers that there's a lot more potential demand for rail services into Sheffield from Dore than the current service that isn't even hourly.



Contractors Volker/Story are to produce monthly email updates on progress.

Here's the first for May; https://email.unionroom.co.uk/t/Vie...87260A6E5AF16FB8D2446D0?alternativeLink=False

 

[Killingworth]

Small steps building a panel ready for the work in July to get the second Hope valley track through the station in place by August. A new Dore Station Junction lay out is a major part of the current work.

Stopping trains will be running from Piccadilly to Hope during the blockades at the Sheffield end. All MML services will be diverted round the old road during these blockades.

 

[eastwestdivide]

For those weekends, it looks like a few diversions:
Transpennine are running Sheffield-Huddersfield-Manchester services (via Moorthorpe/Hare Park/Wakefield Kirkgate but not calling there), and abandoning the Sheffield-Doncaster section
e.g.

Realtime Trains | 1B80 1419 Manchester Piccadilly to Cleethorpes | 03/07/2022

Real-time train running information for 1B80 1419 departure from Manchester Piccadilly to Cleethorpes on 03/07/2022. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

and Crosscountry via the old road, e.g.

Realtime Trains | 1V62 1205 Edinburgh to Bristol Temple Meads | 03/07/2022

Real-time train running information for 1V62 1205 departure from Edinburgh to Bristol Temple Meads on 03/07/2022. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

but EM buses to Chesterfield and Derby, e.g.

Realtime Trains | 0B00 1420 Derby to Sheffield | 02/07/2022

Real-time train running information for 0B00 1420 departure from Derby to Sheffield on 02/07/2022. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[tommy2215]

For those weekends, it looks like a few diversions:
Transpennine are running Sheffield-Huddersfield-Manchester services (via Moorthorpe/Hare Park/Wakefield Kirkgate but not calling there), and abandoning the Sheffield-Doncaster section
e.g.

Realtime Trains | 1B80 1419 Manchester Piccadilly to Cleethorpes | 03/07/2022

Real-time train running information for 1B80 1419 departure from Manchester Piccadilly to Cleethorpes on 03/07/2022. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

and Crosscountry via the old road, e.g.

Realtime Trains | 1V62 1205 Edinburgh to Bristol Temple Meads | 03/07/2022

Real-time train running information for 1V62 1205 departure from Edinburgh to Bristol Temple Meads on 03/07/2022. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

but EM buses to Chesterfield and Derby, e.g.

Realtime Trains | 0B00 1420 Derby to Sheffield | 02/07/2022

Real-time train running information for 0B00 1420 departure from Derby to Sheffield on 02/07/2022. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Also no Southbound trains will serve Chesterfield in any July weekend.