Transpennine Route Upgrade and Electrification updates

[Batley Lad]

Many thanks indeed for the update and fascinating photos, a changed landscape indeed!

I visited the crossing on 25.10.2022 to get a photo of the crossing box, which I guess won’t be there for much longer.

Thank you again for the photos.

I believe May this year and the signal box will be taken out of use. A shame as this little white box has been around a long time and shared many a conversation with passers-by! Same for the bridge and abutments - built and dominated the landscape since 1864 until now.

I suppose it’s all about progress and the time is/was correct to repurpose the former railway land to meet future developments- but nonetheless, still a little bit sad on reflection.

Many a day spent listening to the exciting sounds of anything from a Class 37 on freight duties to the thunder of a Class 55 on passenger. Great memories for a young boy around this area late 70’s early 80’s.

 

[snowball]

My copy of the April Modern Railways has arrived. In Uncle Roger's column there's a passing reference to TRU costs. (Page 35, cols 1-2, in the middle of a discussion that's mainly about resignalling costs nationally.) In a previous column he queried why TRU was expected to cost £120M per mile total cost, and now says that, according to informed sources, the Treasury thinks it should cost half that. He adds "Watch this space."

 

[Howardh]

Although Stalybridge station is currently out of commission, is the bar there still open to the public?

 

[CHAPS2034]

Although Stalybridge station is currently out of commission, is the bar there still open to the public?

Yes it is. Access is via the side of the station rather than via the platform.

As far as I can see it currently opens at 3pm on Mondays, from Noon on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday and from 11am on Fridays and Saturdays.

 

[Howardh]

Yes it is. Access is via the side of the station rather than via the platform.

As far as I can see it currently opens at 3pm on Mondays, from Noon on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday and from 11am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Thanks! Tram to Ashton Under Lyne and bus to Stalybridge always an option to avoid the RRB's!

Edit, I tweeted Norhern Assist and Transpennine, Northern say the facilities are open, Transpenning says no, they are closed! Talk abot the right hand not knowing what the right hand is doing!!!

Here's TPE's tweet to me, if that's the standard reply to customer enquiries the bar could be losing a lot of custom due to it!

https://twitter.com/TPEassist/status/1638143079059185666

Hi Howard. Unfortunately all platforms are inaccessible until 6 April. This includes platform 4 which means refreshments, toilets, waiting rooms, accessible toilets and baby changing are all unavailable. ^Louis

 

[CHAPS2034]

Thanks! Tram to Ashton Under Lyne and bus to Stalybridge always an option to avoid the RRB's!

Edit, I tweeted Norhern Assist and Transpennine, Northern say the facilities are open, Transpenning says no, they are closed! Talk abot the right hand not knowing what the right hand is doing!!!

Here's TPE's tweet to me, if that's the standard reply to customer enquiries the bar could be losing a lot of custom due to it!

https://twitter.com/TPEassist/status/1638143079059185666

Perhaps you might like to send TPE the tweet from the Buffet Bar?

https://twitter.com/Stalybuffetbar/status/1635600652822003713/photo/1

And perhaps let the bar know that TPE are potentially harming their business?

Don't do Twitter myself.

Cheers

 

[LittleAH]

The social media team at TPE (and at most TOC's) is utterly useless.

 

[nr758123]

My copy of the April Modern Railways has arrived. In Uncle Roger's column there's a passing reference to TRU costs. (Page 35, cols 1-2, in the middle of a discussion that's mainly about resignalling costs nationally.) In a previous column he queried why TRU was expected to cost £120M per mile total cost, and now says that, according to informed sources, the Treasury thinks it should cost half that. He adds "Watch this space."

Hopefully that won't mean dropping commitments to making stations along the route fully accessible.

 

[Batley Lad]

Batley - Former Adwalton line at Lady Anne Crossing.

The work continues to unpick the work of the navvies who built the structure 160yrs ago and to reveal their tricks of building such structures layer by layer. It’s been and still is a fascinating work area and a look back at the past methods also.



The stone cutting, similar to the vertical cutting highlighted before, has now started on the Howling street curved abutment. The “stone rope cutter” (my TM) is now performing an inclined horizontal cut through this curved retaining wall. (A more technical description would also suggest wall and ground level pulleys, ground level motor, a large generator and a water supply!)

On some of the photos below, you will see holes drilled, metal rebar pegs protruding and inner wall markings. (I’m told the red markings are the new and final wall level and that original coping stones will be going back on.)

I’m assuming and guessing the cuter has about a twelve foot cutting width and the holes drilled and not use will be the next cut - but I could be wrong!



Rutland Road leading to Lady Anne Crossing.

On either side for the new footbridge, a large amount of work is taking place to build the bridge foundations. Rebar installation, shuttering going in and I’m told, the trackside support foundations are in progress also.(Unfortunately, the view is restricted here)

For anyone wanting a glimpse into railways around Batley and old pictures of this area, then Disused Railways of Yorkshire on Facebook is a newly found site. (Bring up the page and then search Batley - some really good stuff in there)

footnote - just noticed on the last picture with red markings - if you enlarge the photo you can see todays cut line in progress.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Batley - Former Adwalton line at Lady Anne Crossing.

The work continues to unpick the work of the navvies who built the structure 160yrs ago and to reveal their tricks of building such structures layer by layer. It’s been and still is a fascinating work area and a look back at the past methods also.

View attachment 131405View attachment 131406

The stone cutting, similar to the vertical cutting highlighted before, has now started on the Howling street curved abutment. The “stone rope cutter” (my TM) is now performing an inclined horizontal cut through this curved retaining wall. (A more technical description would also suggest wall and ground level pulleys, ground level motor, a large generator and a water supply!)

On some of the photos below, you will see holes drilled, metal rebar pegs protruding and inner wall markings. (I’m told the red markings are the new and final wall level and that original coping stones will be going back on.)

I’m assuming and guessing the cuter has about a twelve foot cutting width and the holes drilled and not use will be the next cut - but I could be wrong!

View attachment 131407View attachment 131411View attachment 131407View attachment 131412

Rutland Road leading to Lady Anne Crossing.

On either side for the new footbridge, a large amount of work is taking place to build the bridge foundations. Rebar installation, shuttering going in and I’m told, the trackside support foundations are in progress also.(Unfortunately, the view is restricted here)

For anyone wanting a glimpse into railways around Batley and old pictures of this area, then Disused Railways of Yorkshire on Facebook is a newly found site. (Bring up the page and then search Batley - some really good stuff in there)

footnote - just noticed on the last picture with red markings - if you enlarge the photo you can see todays cut line in progress.

Thanks for these updates, really appreciate you taking the time to document the changes.
As for the "stone rope cutter", is this basically like a giant cheese-wire? That's the image I get in my head when trying to picture how it works.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Thanks for these updates, really appreciate you taking the time to document the changes.

May I add my thanks and appreciation too?

 

[Batley Lad]

Thanks for these updates, really appreciate you taking the time to document the changes.
As for the "stone rope cutter", is this basically like a giant cheese-wire? That's the image I get in my head when trying to picture how it works.

Yes, it could be described as a cheese-wire. I’ll try and get some better pictures today.

As for the updates - not a problem as I live local and this area is on my daily walking route.

I’ve always been impressed by the scale of civil engineering around this area. If you walk Lady Anne crossing to Batley station via Primrose Hill. The shear scale of the railway built environment is quite something. If I get time, I’ll post some pictures of the route.

 

[plugwash]

A cheese wire cuts by forcing it's way through the cheese. It works because cheese is soft, you would never just pull a wire through concrete.

These wires used to cut concrete work by grinding. They are impregnated with an abrasive (diamonds IIRC) and the wire is pulled repeatedly round a loop grinding away at the concrete.

 

[Batley Lad]

Batley - Former Adwalton line at Lady Anne Crossing.

I took a few photos of the pulley system employed to cut the retaining wall. It appears to be in the process of being set up for the next cut. From what I’ve seen, two holes are drilled through the wall and the cutting rope is feed through both and then through the pulley system. I assume tension is applied to the rope and any slack tension is slowly taken up as the cut is made. Eventually, one cut is made and the process is repeated for the next. I’m hoping I can catch the process in operation and in a better place later this week.

Photos not the best but the fencing here is difficult to take photos through.



Trackside retaining wall has been removed and a wide channel cut in the embankment.

 

[Grumpy]

For anyone wanting a glimpse into railways around Batley and old pictures of this area, then Disused Railways of Yorkshire on Facebook is a newly found site. (Bring up the page and then search Batley - some really good stuff in there)

Or for Facebook avoiders -

Lost Railways West Yorkshire

 

[swissrailpassion]

Does anyone know where a diagram of the new layout at Stalybridge can be found online

 

[Geeves]

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.

 

[55018ballymoss]

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

Many thanks for the track diagrams, I had been hunting for them. The upgrade website seems light on technical details.
There are some benefits with the new layout undoubtedly however the turnouts from platform 1 towards the Up Ashton look to be slower than before? Also, is it possible to see the diagram for Stalybridge East, or is that not being remodelled? Again, not sure the scope of the work based on what I have found on the TRU website….

 

[CAF397]

Platform 1 to the Up Ashton will be 30mph. It is currently 25mph.

The bottom layout (in red) is the future layout.

East of Stalybridge Tunnel there are no layout changes, just the signalling transferring from Manchester East SCC to Manchester ROC - Manchester North W/S

 

[jonesy3001]

Looking at a conversation on twitter, tpe are saying the wires at stalybridge won't be up til 2030, is that true?
This is the tweet and conservation.

https://twitter.com/theTRUpgrade/status/1639249887568052224?t=TZnAq4l4eav7JbQ2-9Akkw&s=19

 

[Halish Railway]

Looking at a conversation on twitter, tpe are saying the wires at stalybridge won't be up til 2030, is that true?
This is the tweet and conservation.

https://twitter.com/theTRUpgrade/status/1639249887568052224?t=TZnAq4l4eav7JbQ2-9Akkw&s=19

The wires will end at the eastern end of the trough platforms. All platforms should be electrified, but no electric-only movements east of the station for a few years.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Looking at a conversation on twitter, tpe are saying the wires at stalybridge won't be up til 2030, is that true?
This is the tweet and conservation.

https://twitter.com/theTRUpgrade/status/1639249887568052224?t=TZnAq4l4eav7JbQ2-9Akkw&s=19

To the east, very likely.
Planning work is not very far advanced on the section Stalybridge-Huddersfield.
Actually, there is no date, really, until the design/delivery is approved.
Manchester (Pic/Vic)-Stalybridge should be in use by the end of 2024.

 

[stuu]

Looking at a conversation on twitter, tpe are saying the wires at stalybridge won't be up til 2030, is that true?
This is the tweet and conservation.

https://twitter.com/theTRUpgrade/status/1639249887568052224?t=TZnAq4l4eav7JbQ2-9Akkw&s=19

I take that to mean the entire project, not just Stalybridge

 

[55018ballymoss]

It’s in the same room as Manchester South

Nope!
It is in the same building not the same room. Always referred to as being in the broom cupboard by those who work there.

 

[rapmastaj]

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

From this diagram, it looks like the main Up platform will be platform 3, is that right?

 

[CAF397]

The main Up route to Manchester Victoria is platform 3.

The main Up route to Manchester Piccadilly is platform 1.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

To the east, very likely.
Planning work is not very far advanced on the section Stalybridge-Huddersfield.
Actually, there is no date, really, until the design/delivery is approved.
Manchester (Pic/Vic)-Stalybridge should be in use by the end of 2024.

The whole point of blockade should be to get the job done and dusted not need another 21months of disruption (yes i know not continuously) before it sees any use.

 

[Geeves]

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.

At one point it was only platform 5 receiving actual wires temporarily. Not sure if that's still the case in the station area itself.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

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.

next few years about sums the sclerotic progress this short piece of electrifcation is taking and people wonder why it costs so much

 

[snowball]

There's no reason why the wires and additional OHLE can't go up over night through the next few years eastwards from Staly.

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.