Transpennine Route Upgrade and Electrification updates

[61653 HTAFC]

Quoted below is what the platforms at the re-sited Morley station looked like 11 days prior to its opening. If that’s anything to go by it should be possible to complete part of the slightly repositioned platform in time for 22nd April.



This picture taken from the Network Rail media center shows what it looked like two months before it opened. The last time I went through Mirfield a few months ago the new platform face looked a lot like what can be seen in the picture.

View attachment 176640

Thanks- though for trains heading towards Dewsbury/Wakefield to use platform 2 needs more than just the platform edge being rebuilt presumably- as the line which previously passed that platform was the up line. Unless that up line has been slewed further out, there wouldn't be space for another track while still having a platform of reasonable width, surely? I'm also not sure how useful it is to refer to the platforms as "current" and "new", as the "new" island platform will broadly occupy the same space as the existing one, albeit extended over station road and with new access provided. They also aren't being renumbered like Huddersfield is, so there's little chance of confusion.

Guess I need to have a trip through there this coming weekend, things are moving so quickly!

 

[Geeves]

Thanks- though for trains heading towards Dewsbury/Wakefield to use platform 2 needs more than just the platform edge being rebuilt presumably- as the line which previously passed that platform was the up line. Unless that up line has been slewed further out, there wouldn't be space for another track while still having a platform of reasonable width, surely? I'm also not sure how useful it is to refer to the platforms as "current" and "new", as the "new" island platform will broadly occupy the same space as the existing one, albeit extended over station road and with new access provided. They also aren't being renumbered like Huddersfield is, so there's little chance of confusion.

Guess I need to have a trip through there this coming weekend, things are moving so quickly!

Mirfield station View

Update on the view March 2025

www.flickr.com

HTAFC, just have another look at this photo from Rob. If you can see at the top the line of ballast heading towards the current P1, it looks like the connection will be made and the current P1 becomes disconnected for a time. I was also under the impression the line next to P2 would would be pushed over but I don't think that is the case now! I believe the line next to the current P2 is the finished position of the new down fast line.

Hope this makes sense!

 

[Andyh82]

Is there any news yet of what improvements they are planning at Brighouse?

There was talk the station would receive some sort of improvement due to it standing in for Huddersfield during various blockades

 

[Narrowgauge725]

Is there any news yet of what improvements they are planning at Brighouse?

There was talk the station would receive some sort of improvement due to it standing in for Huddersfield during various blockades

From T&A

Mr Sumner said the work at Brighouse “needs to be done before the first blockade” in August/September 2025 and was likely to include platform widening, improvements to waiting facilities , and work to enhance car parking near the station.

 

[Class 170101]

TPE's peak-time MAN - HUD stoppers will run non-stop from HUD - LDS to spin there.

I'm surprised they just aren't going to Wakefield Kirkgate and hiding there to be honest. Is there actually room at Leeds?

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Mirfield station View

Update on the view March 2025

www.flickr.com

HTAFC, just have another look at this photo from Rob. If you can see at the top the line of ballast heading towards the current P1, it looks like the connection will be made and the current P1 becomes disconnected for a time. I was also under the impression the line next to P2 would would be pushed over but I don't think that is the case now! I believe the line next to the current P2 is the finished position of the new down fast line.

Hope this makes sense!

It does, thanks. It appears that the finished island platform is actually being relocated sideways (from the POV of the tracks) towards the "south" (in quotes as I'm not sure of the precise cardinal direction at this point, but treating the railway as being on an east-west axis) with the slow lines being slewed in that direction compared to the position of the previous tracks which served the island. Hopefully my description makes some sort of sense!

Given that, I'm slightly surprised that they've stuck with an island platform rather than going for separate flanking ones either side. It isn't saving a bridge as there'll still be one linking to the car park (unless that's been scrapped and I missed it). Does save on lifts/stairs though. I do vaguely recall reading somewhere that island platforms are more problematic from a safety perspective (something to do with minimum width and both faces needing to slope towards the centre IIRC) though there is plenty of room at Mirfield.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Guess I need to have a trip through there this coming weekend, things are moving so quickly!

I know. It is absolutely brilliant news. I guessed this from the number of Sarah Bell YouTube videos I am seeing. Seems to be 3 or 4 videos per week.

 

[Halish Railway]

A few pictures from today;

By Ravensthorpe work is ongoing on the relocation of a pylon structure.



East of Mirfield the ballast for the ‘slew’ of the eastbound track to go through platform 2 is visible.



And at Mirfield work is ongoing to install the platform edge and tactile paving on platform two. I don’t think there’s enough compacted spoil in place to begin paving the platform. I also saw that the center track has stop signs and detonators in place, so it must be under possession which will speed up things.



There are quite a few OLE piles between Deighton and Huddersfield.



Finally, OLE structures have appeared by the eventual junction from the slow lines to Hillhouse sidings.

 

[Spartacus]

It never dawned on me until now that the Up Huddersfield through platform 2 would be naturally unavailable during possessions through Dewsbury.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

And wow- I did not realize the scope included relocation of a National Grid pylon.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

And at Mirfield work is ongoing to install the platform edge and tactile paving on platform two. I don’t think there’s enough compacted spoil in place to begin paving the platform. I also saw that the center track has stop signs and detonators in place, so it must be under possession which will speed up things.

Hopefully they'll get that right this time, and it won't have to be cordoned off every few years to be shored up like the existing platform does. Of course it will help that there shouldn't be a void underneath the new section of platform! Speaking of which, I hope the issues with the pre-existing section of the island platform will be properly repaired by filling in the void behind the existing stairwell.

 

[59CosG95]

And wow- I did not realize the scope included relocation of a National Grid pylon.

Me neither!
A quick check of openinframap.org (really useful site if anyone hasn't seen it yet) shows that it's a Northern Powergrid 132kV line, so perhaps not as physically daunting as a National Grid 400kV one!

 

[Halish Railway]

Hopefully they'll get that right this time, and it won't have to be cordoned off every few years to be shored up like the existing platform does. Of course it will help that there shouldn't be a void underneath the new section of platform! Speaking of which, I hope the issues with the pre-existing section of the island platform will be properly repaired by filling in the void behind the existing stairwell.

Or they do what’s just happened at Guiseley where the platform was extended and then dig it up again.

 

[td97]

Me neither!
A quick check of openinframap.org (really useful site if anyone hasn't seen it yet) shows that it's a Northern Powergrid 132kV line, so perhaps not as physically daunting as a National Grid 400kV one!

Very similar process though - specialist utility diversions are delivered by the utility owner. Very often puts them on the programme critical path, as Network Rail are at the mercy of whatever the DNO (Distribution Network Operator) desires in terms of diversion programme.
Utilities resources are presently very stretched due to the large scale National Grid projects in the east of England etc. (and the DNO prefers to prioritise its own projects over 3rd party)

 

[Bald Rick]

Very similar process though - specialist utility diversions are delivered by the utility owner. Very often puts them on the programme critical path, as Network Rail are at the mercy of whatever the DNO (Distribution Network Operator) desires in terms of diversion programme.
Utilities resources are presently very stretched due to the large scale National Grid projects in the east of England etc. (and the DNO prefers to prioritise its own projects over 3rd party)

The timing is also right - major Grid and DNO work is usually scheduled for the summer period when power demand drops noticeably, and it is easier to take certain conductors offline. Tyically there is a load of major switching on the grid in the evenings a couple of days after the clocks go back. (So look out for a brief dimming of the lights on Mon 31st and Tues 1st late evening)

 

[YorkshireBear]

It never dawned on me until now that the Up Huddersfield through platform 2 would be naturally unavailable during possessions through Dewsbury.

Same here. Was sat thinking how did they get away with that in terms of timetable then realised!

Good use of that blockade to progress works on that line.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

It never dawned on me until now that the Up Huddersfield through platform 2 would be naturally unavailable during possessions through Dewsbury.

It's easy to forget that there's no access to the main up line from Healey Mills. I'm not sure of the timeline of the current layout but presumably it was established in the late 70s or early 80s. It's before my time, but I don't believe there was ever a period where services from Wakefield weren't able to call at Mirfield due to platform 3 not being built. Sorry for going off-topic a little, if there's much to discuss about the history of this busy section, I'll start a thread in the History section.

 

[KN94]

I'm surprised they just aren't going to Wakefield Kirkgate and hiding there to be honest. Is there actually room at Leeds?

Leeds is used as a crew changeover/break location, so I presume that may be why they are going there.
In terms of there being room - generally, in the AM, these services will be using the West/Huddersfield end of 11/12, and in the PM, 15. They are sat there for about 30 minutes - I guess with 11/12 you can manoeuvre around them but it seems that in the PM, TPE through services which usually use 15 will now use 11/12 whilst the 'stopper' sits there.

 

[158801]

Some photos of the line east of Huddersfield (Leeds side) showing work taking place on the viaduct (in preparation for adding an extra line. Also, part of this extra line is already added, the Hillhouse sidings spur and associated overhead line equipment

There been a short section of be track in place closer to Deighton for several months. This will be the new "slow" line heading towards Leeds.

At Deighton a new footbridge is being installed and there's progress on replacing the road bridge for the B6118 "Bog Green Lane" with a new concrete support in place

 

[61653 HTAFC]

TPE's peak-time MAN - HUD stoppers will run non-stop from HUD - LDS to spin there.

Just for clarity- will this be in passenger service? Or ECS just to get them out of the way?

 

[158801]

At Mirfield the current line heading to Leeds will be slewed across to the opposite side of the island platform. New ballast is already in place

 

[LkmtvMetatarsl]

I notice two new signals have been installed ('lying down' if you will) on the eastbound line either side of Cross Gates. Is this part of resignalling?

 

[gingertom]

And wow- I did not realize the scope included relocation of a National Grid pylon.

Perfect time to install a grid feeder....?

 

[GraphitProjekt]

I think there is a feeder station planned at Ravensthorpe

 

[KN94]

Just for clarity- will this be in passenger service? Or ECS just to get them out of the way?

Passenger

 

[buz33]

I think there is a feeder station planned at Ravensthorpe

It is shown on the CGI fly-by included in this video at 5' 23" from Sarah.

They will have to move the large earth mounds before they can make a start on building it.

 

[Halish Railway]

A few questions about the ongoing works at Batley;

Firstly, has the track and ballast through the station been replaced? I was under the impression that a fair amount of work was required to get rid of the ‘Batley bump’, including filling in the subway and replacing it with an overbridge.

Secondly, will the linespeeds between Ravensthorpe and Morley be increased and if so what will they be increased to?

 

[Ploughman]

I do not recall seeing any video clip of any track uplift or relay.
Interested in what method used.

 

[Batley Lad]

A few questions about the ongoing works at Batley;

Firstly, has the track and ballast through the station been replaced? I was under the impression that a fair amount of work was required to get rid of the ‘Batley bump’, including filling in the subway and replacing it with an overbridge.

Secondly, will the linespeeds between Ravensthorpe and Morley be increased and if so what will they be increased to?

Re Batley

I believe the track through the station, across the viaduct and proposed subway works, will be addressed after the proposed footbridge is built.

As part of an earlier proposal, I believe platform 2 was to be demolished and then rebuilt with a provision for longer trains.

Strangely, this section of the TRU, from West-town through Dewsbury and Batley to Morley, is kind of in an unpublished black hole as opposed to the larger published plans for the rest of the scheme.

No plans or timeline for works at Batley station are in the public domain to my knowledge.

Taking the current TRU blockades schedule through to August 25, I would offer a second half of 2025 or an early 2026 start at Batley for subway, track and new footbridge - just a hunch.

Re Linespeed.

My only observation in and around Batley station was that the new track appeared to have been lowered under Soothill overbridge.

 

[Halish Railway]

Strangely, this section of the TRU, from West-town through Dewsbury and Batley to Morley, is kind of in an unpublished black hole as opposed to the larger published plans for the rest of the scheme.

No plans or timeline for works at Batley station are in the public domain to my knowledge.

I’m more interested to see what will happen to Dewsbury station, given the need to get the wires beneath the pedestrian overbridge and likely extend the platforms to 200 meters in length and possibly remove the current eastbound station track, with the platform being built out to meet the current through track to remove the set of points on the curve so the linespeed can be increased.

This video here does show CGI of Batley station at 05:00, but I don’t know if what is shown there is the definite plan of action.