Transpennine Route Upgrade and Electrification updates

[reecestrains]

Someone told me that electric pylons have been installed between Church Fenton and Micklefield. Is this true?

I have read that they've started installing some pylons between Cottingley and Morley.

 

[800001]

Someone told me that electric pylons have been installed between Church Fenton and Micklefield. Is this true?

I have read that they've started installing some pylons between Cottingley and Morley.

Post 8638

 

[YorkshireBear]

Someone told me that electric pylons have been installed between Church Fenton and Micklefield. Is this true?

I have read that they've started installing some pylons between Cottingley and Morley.

Thee posts before yours confirms church Fenton to Micklefield is correct and recent posts show masts around Morley so both correct. It's always worth skimming the last few pages on this thread for updates before asking.

 

[reecestrains]

Thanks both, just thought I'd clarify. I didn't read that part prior to asking, oops. Apologies about that.

A simple mistake easily done.

 

[superkev]

There's more excellent pictures on Richard Stenhouse's Flickr site showing progress Heaton Lodge to Ravensthorpe.
Not much progress since the last update although the route of the new fast lines is disernable on places.
Sorry don't know how to link.
K

 

[skyhigh]

This does seem to confirm quadrupling, not just to the previous limit of Cross Gates but beyond, seemingly to Micklefield.

Going back a few pages, but this would surprise me, as they have started putting in new signal bases from just past Neville Hill through to Church Fenton. I can't see them doing that if they'd all need ripping out in the foreseeable future?

 

[Halish Railway]

Going back a few pages, but this would surprise me, as they have started putting in new signal bases from just past Neville Hill through to Church Fenton. I can't see them doing that if they'd all need ripping out in the foreseeable future?

As I understand it, the installation of ETCS on the Transpennine Route will be an overlay, rather than the complete removal of ‘lights on sticks’ as is planned for the ECML south of Grantham

 

[swt_passenger]

There's more excellent pictures on Richard Stenhouse's Flickr site showing progress Heaton Lodge to Ravensthorpe.
Not much progress since the last update although the route of the new fast lines is disernable on places.
Sorry don't know how to link.
K

Here you are:

Men at Work

Work on the bridge supports at Ravensthorpe, tons of steel going into it, surprised me by how much there is.

flic.kr

 

[quantinghome]

This does seem to confirm quadrupling, not just to the previous limit of Cross Gates but beyond, seemingly to Micklefield. Also indicated is the arrangement of tracks, with fasts in the centre, i.e., paired by direction, there being only two outer (permanent) platform faces, with no lift shaft to the temporary platform. Fly-over at Micklefield?

Will there be equal provision in OLE mast/stanchion siting?

WAO

It confirms that they're seriously thinking about it, but no more than that. Bear in mind the nearby M1 bridge over the railway between Thorpe Park and Garforth was built in the 1990s with a wide span to give space for four tracks - but that didn't result in four tracking appearing any time soon.

As for the future four-track arrangement, pairing by direction would be the obvious choice. Whether it would go all the way to Micklefield is an open question. A minimal four-tracking scheme requiring the least amount of demolition and new structures would run from Quarry Hill to just before Garforth. This would give a six-mile stretch allowing fast trains to overtake slow ones, just like the current TRU scheme between Huddersfield and Dewsbury. To avoid conflicting moves where the tracks drop from 4 to 2 you would have to pair by direction.

The line through Garforth was never 4 tracked and while the overbridges appear wide enough it would still be a major piece of engineering in a built up area. A new alignment following the proposed HS2 route around the north of Garforth could be preferred.

In the context of a four-tracking scheme, re-siting OLE masts is a fairly minor consideration, so I don't think we will see them set out for a future four-tracking alignment.

 

[WAO]

The subsequent posts #8551/3/6 clarified where Micklefield was mentioned.

The HS alignment you mentioned would be wonderful!

WAO

 

[superkev]

Here you are:

Men at Work

Work on the bridge supports at Ravensthorpe, tons of steel going into it, surprised me by how much there is.

flic.kr

I've found a plan of the Ravensthorpe new station and the westward move of Calder Road over bridge which makes the location of Robert Stenhouses excellent flickr pictures clear.
See
gat04-live-1517c8a4486c41609369c68f30c8-aa81074.divio-media.org.
K

 

[Halifaxlad]

My concern is with how the changes to Dewsbury are implemented, as simply building out the platform to meet the down fast line will result in a stupidly wide platform with a ridiculously long walk from the lifts and steps.

I presume both platforms will be built put to mitigate alterations to the stations canopy for the overhead line.
Its not neccessary to build both out so there is only 6 foot between both running lines so I doubt it will be a massive change.

Not only do the viaducts not cater for quad track but TRU is replacing a major bridge there locking it in as just two tracks.

Dont forget the footbridge at Garforth has already been replaced and that is a clear indictment that it will remain 2 tracks through Garforth and quite likely to Micklefield.

 

[swt_passenger]

I've found a plan of the Ravensthorpe new station and the westward move of Calder Road over bridge which makes the location of Robert Stenhouses excellent flickr pictures clear.
See
gat04-live-1517c8a4486c41609369c68f30c8-aa81074.divio-media.org.
K

That link isn’t valid, I’m afraid.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

I presume both platforms will be built put to mitigate alterations to the stations canopy for the overhead line.
Its not necessary to build both out so there is only 6 foot between both running lines so I doubt it will be a massive change.

I'd be surprised if the up platform (P2) is built out much if at all, as the current alignment takes the "racing line" around the curve of the viaduct. Changing this by much will result in speed reductions for non-stopping services which would seem to go against the aspiration for fast Leeds to Manchester journeys. It's the same conundrum that rears its head when restoring two through lines is suggested- the viaduct and embankment either side of the station do not lend themselves to such a plan.

 

[Traf73]

Very little change through Dewsbury station...see snapshot. It looks it's around half a track width at most at the Leeds end.

 

[Trainman40083]

It confirms that they're seriously thinking about it, but no more than that. Bear in mind the nearby M1 bridge over the railway between Thorpe Park and Garforth was built in the 1990s with a wide span to give space for four tracks - but that didn't result in four tracking appearing any time soon.

As for the future four-track arrangement, pairing by direction would be the obvious choice. Whether it would go all the way to Micklefield is an open question. A minimal four-tracking scheme requiring the least amount of demolition and new structures would run from Quarry Hill to just before Garforth. This would give a six-mile stretch allowing fast trains to overtake slow ones, just like the current TRU scheme between Huddersfield and Dewsbury. To avoid conflicting moves where the tracks drop from 4 to 2 you would have to pair by direction.

The line through Garforth was never 4 tracked and while the overbridges appear wide enough it would still be a major piece of engineering in a built up area. A new alignment following the proposed HS2 route around the north of Garforth could be preferred.

In the context of a four-tracking scheme, re-siting OLE masts is a fairly minor consideration, so I don't think we will see them set out for a future four-tracking alignment.

Was there not a plan to have a station /Park and Ride site east of Leeds?

 

[quantinghome]

Was there not a plan to have a station /Park and Ride site east of Leeds?

Yes and it's progressing. The plans for it kicked off this particular discussion as they include provision for future four tracking.

Dont forget the footbridge at Garforth has already been replaced and that is a clear indictment that it will remain 2 tracks through Garforth and quite likely to Micklefield.

The whole of Garforth station would have to be demolished and rebuilt if the line was four-tracked, so I don't think this tells us anything one way or the other.

 

[superkev]

That link isn’t valid, I’m afraid.

Hmm. I downloaded the pdf in the link which worked fir me. Here it is.
K

 

[duffield]

Hmm. I downloaded the pdf in the link which worked fir me. Here it is.
K

Nope, whatever you did didn't work.

 

[Neen Sollars]

Thanks for the link to the Flickr photo albums great viewing. I now understand where everything and everywhere is regarding this section of the project.

More from Sarah Bell thanks to her. You Tube

You can see the concrete bed between the two sets of bridge pillar steel formers where the fast lines will run.

 

[superkev]

Nope, whatever

Nope, whatever you did didn't work.

Sorry doesn't seem to allow pdf files. The Sarah bell video linked on recent post 8660 shows it better.
K

Another excellent Youtube from Sara Bell showing current works at Mirfield and Heaton lodge. At Mirfield Sta the road under is to be temp closed ro allow the steps up to the platform to be enlarged and modernised.
Work at Mirfiekd seems tk have been going on for a long time now.
See

K

 

[Richard123]

Couldn’t find it in the search!

Where are Transpennine raising pans at the moment between Church Fenton and York?

 

[swt_passenger]

Couldn’t find it in the search!

Where are Transpennine raising pans at the moment between Church Fenton and York?

Here you go, Askham Bar (Tescos) since 2022:

Transpennine Route Upgrade and Electrification updates

I'm not aware of any evidence that the government is or has been waiting eagerly for completion of remodelling at either Oxford station, Filton Bank, Temple Meads or Bristol East so that it can move on to electrification of those locations. Rather I think it's waiting to see whether Network...

www.railforums.co.uk

But I only knew the place because it was mentioned in a post last month…

 

[800001]

Here you go, Askham Bar (Tescos) since 2022:

Transpennine Route Upgrade and Electrification updates

I'm not aware of any evidence that the government is or has been waiting eagerly for completion of remodelling at either Oxford station, Filton Bank, Temple Meads or Bristol East so that it can move on to electrification of those locations. Rather I think it's waiting to see whether Network...

www.railforums.co.uk

But I only knew the place because it was mentioned in a post last month…

But that was before the wires were extended from Colton to Church Fenton.
The wires are now energised to they can raise pan further south.

 

[YorkshireBear]

But that was before the wires were extended from Colton to Church Fenton.
The wires are now energised to they can raise pan further south.

Don't believe they are fully commission until a Christmas possession?

 

[800001]

Don't believe they are fully commission until a Christmas possession?

What needs to be done at Christmas?

As the wires were energised in July, and electric trains have operated test trains since July.

 

[YorkshireBear]

I believe the connection into Colton Junction.

 

[800001]

I believe the connection into Colton Junction.

Ah, I just presumed by the article below that, that was all done, as it’s states ‘completion of upgrade work between Church Fenton and Colton Junction’.

Transpennine Route Upgrade: Successful Test Runs of Electric Trains Between York and Church Fenton | Rail Technology Magazine

This achievement follows the completion of upgrade work between Church Fenton and Colton Junction, where trains from Leeds join the Ea

www.railtechnologymagazine.com

Transpennine Route Upgrade: Successful Test Runs of Electric Trains Between York and Church Fenton​

This achievement follows the completion of upgrade work between Church Fenton and Colton Junction, where trains from Leeds join the East Coast Main Line towards York. The new overhead line equipment was energised for the first time in July​

 

[dodecahedron67]

Pans still raise and lower at Askham Bar Tescos

 

[3RDGEN]

Don't believe they are fully commission until a Christmas possession?

Christmas 2025 isn't it, was re-announced in the Budget "Church Fenton" to York will be completed in early 2026.

"https://www.business-live.co.uk/economic-development/chancellor-rachel-reeves-gives-major-30262911"

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced in her inaugural Budget that the Transpennine upgrade, which will connect York, Leeds, Huddersfield and Manchester, is guaranteed under the new Labour government.

Reeves stated that the funding would ensure "fully electric local and regional services between Manchester and Stalybridge by the end of this year, with a further electrification of services between Church Fenton and York by 2026 to help grow our economy across the North of England, with faster and more reliable services"