Hope Valley Capacity Scheme updates

[D365]

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

Interesting - presuming they will be routed via "Platform 4".

 

[Mugby]

When I passed by on a Derby train yesterday, I got the impression, from materials already on the ground, that Dore Station Junction will remain in the same place as it is now. Is this the case?

 

[Killingworth]

When I passed by on a Derby train yesterday, I got the impression, from materials already on the ground, that Dore Station Junction will remain in the same place as it is now. Is this the case?

Very nearly but it will be different to allow for the second track. More panels will be assembled during June ready to be lifted into place during the July weekend blockades.

 

[Starmill]

Very nearly but it will be different to allow for the second track. More panels will be assembled during June ready to be lifted into place during the July weekend blockades.

Hopefully that there aren't strikes by Network Rail staff then. However...

 

[Killingworth]

Hopefully that there aren't strikes by Network Rail staff then. However...

Hope is a very apposite word in every aspect of this scheme. That's from its early inception in the last century to the announced scheme in 2013 with completion in 2018 to a final date of 2023, all being well. Hopefully some trains will be able to take advantage of it from late 2023, maybe even some tweeks may be possible in the December timetable, but bigger changes are unlikely before May 2024 even without further delays. Who knows, we might be positively surprised for a change.

 

[td97]

When I passed by on a Derby train yesterday, I got the impression, from materials already on the ground, that Dore Station Junction will remain in the same place as it is now. Is this the case?

Very nearly but it will be different to allow for the second track. More panels will be assembled during June ready to be lifted into place during the July weekend blockades.

Manchester bound turnout will be 130m south of the current junction
Sheffield bound turnout will be 220m north of the current junction
Both 50mph S&C. It was meant to be 60mph capable but that couldn't be procured in time.
At the start of July the installation is the turnout for the new Manchester bound line which will terminate in empty space. Then a fortnight later this will be connected to the existing mainline and used for the current bi-di line as the existing turnout will be removed, along with the installation of a new MML crossover.

 

[Killingworth]

Curious that at this late stage, with planning going back to the 90s and the TWAO confirmed in 2018, after the public inquiry in 2016, that a 60 mph turnout couldn't be procured in time.

But hang on. Network Rail have just put in a planning application to Sheffield City Council, No 22/01767/FUL | Construction of new Principal Supply Point (PSP) single-storey building compound including 2.3m high security fencing and access gates | Land 80M To The West Of 80 Twentywell Lane Sheffield S17 4QE See; https://planningapps.sheffield.gov....ils.do?keyVal=RBF02WNYIME00&activeTab=summary

This is on land that was locally understood to belong to the council and designated as green space. The TWAO clearly laid out that this area, the railway triangle, would be fully restored on completion of the works and did not include this building. The proposed/intended development is already raising local eye brows and may generate objections. NR's statement that the 'site is located within a site used as a lay-down area' is true, now. That's because NR have been making frequent 'temporary' uses of the land so it's gradually progressed from grass to mud to the surface that is now made up as a work camp.

An earlier outline plan for an electric sub-station for HS2 showed it on unobtrusive flat railway land tucked away beside the tracks. That site is clearly shown on NR's own plan. Strange that this application should appear so late.

Panel building by numbers continues in preparation for the reconfiguration of junctions at Dore during the July weekend closures.

 

[Jozhua]

I'm glad to see this project (finally) progressing.

Excited to see what the real world impacts to timetables + reliability is.

With a 3rd hourly express service and double TPE sets, Hope Valley could be offering a pretty significant service within the foreseeable!

 

[Purple Orange]

Is the 3rd express intended to run through Stockport?

 

[Llandudno]

Is the 3rd express intended to run through Stockport?

EMR and TPE are incapable of running two trains per hour, so wouldn’t hold out much hope of ever seeing 3 fast trains per hour…

 

[Purple Orange]

EMR and TPE are incapable of running two trains per hour, so wouldn’t hold out much hope of ever seeing 3 fast trains per hour…

So what is the point of the Hope Valley Capacity Scheme?

 

[Killingworth]

So what is the point of the Hope Valley Capacity Scheme?

Post-Covid freight is the driver, but it always was a major factor. 2 reliable hourly fast passenger services at 4-6 car length are probably all that's needed at present. Making that 6 for every train would be generous but a more reliable service would generate more demand.

Originally it was promoted to bring 4 faat services an hour to the route. By 2014 it was realised there wasn't capacity in Manchester or Sheffield for that. Currently there isn't capacity for 3 every hour!

Covid has radically altered demand making leisure more dominant. An extra slow or semi fast cheaper service might happen at times of greatest demand.

 

[Sonik]

So what is the point of the Hope Valley Capacity Scheme?

It's the main route between Manchester region and Sheffield area, for which road connections across the peak district are very poor.

 

[Watershed]

So what is the point of the Hope Valley Capacity Scheme?

Supposedly to add capacity for a third fast path per hour. In reality it seems unlikely that this path will materialise anytime soon and instead the scheme will mainly improve reliability, through allowing York ROC to see and regulate approaching trains much sooner than they currently can, adding an extra goods loop, as well as removing the bottleneck of the single line between Dore Station Jn and Dore West Jn (which causes quite significant knock-on delays as soon as anything is delayed on the Hope Valley).

 

[DDB]

Doesn't it also allow a better service for the stopper meaning that no stops are skipped so every stop gets a regular hourly service all week? I don't think this was the main reason to do it but will be a significant benefit for users of intermediate stations.

 

[Watershed]

Doesn't it also allow a better service for the stopper meaning that no stops are skipped so every stop gets a regular hourly service all week? I don't think this was the main reason to do it but will be a significant benefit for users of intermediate stations.

That is already happening as part of this December's timetable; the two are not directly connected.

 

[Killingworth]

Doesn't it also allow a better service for the stopper meaning that no stops are skipped so every stop gets a regular hourly service all week. I don't think this was the main reason to do it but will be a significant benefit for users of intermediate stations.

Yes, it will. According to the indicative timetable for December 2022 that should happen from then but the Manchester reorganisations may not fully take account of all freight paths along the Hope Valley. It may no be fully implemented until Dec 2023 but we can live in hope for this year.

It would be relatively easy to use the path of the hourly stopper to New Mills to extend to Sheffield. That would not require more platform space and paths out of Manchester. The current service has a long layover at New Mills and one or two do run through. It might only require one extra unit and crew to run all through Platform space at Sheffield for more than 2 cars then becomes an issue but with no destinations beyond Sheffield and Piccadilly it should be more reliable.

 

[yorkie]

Just a gentle reminder this is a railway infrastructure thread to discuss updates regarding the Hope Valley upgrade.

Timetabling updates would belong in the timetabling section, while any posts of a speculative nature belong exclusively in Speculative Discussion please.

Many thanks.

 

[td97]

At the start of July the installation is the turnout for the new Manchester bound line which will terminate in empty space.

The first S&C installation at Dore is scheduled for this upcoming weekend (blockade from Saturday 12am - Monday 4am). Anybody in the area should be able to see the work ongoing from Abbey Lane in the daytime.

 

[Greybeard33]

Walking above the valley today, I was impressed by the scale of the earthworks for the Bamford loop. It looks as though a lot of spoil is being shifted to widen the cutting.

 

[Killingworth]

Walking above the valley today, I was impressed by the scale of the earthworks for the Bamford loop. It looks as though a lot of spoil is being shifted to widen the cutting.

Along the Bamford loop there'll also be some embankment widening.



Updated Sunday 3rd July.

Apparently the first full weekend blockade work went well with a substitute crane brought in from Colas because Volker's needs a spare part from Germany. Cabling from Sweden may also be delayed but work at Dore is on schedule. The new track is advancing towards the station. Pictured on Sunday afternoon and this morning.

I understand the associated work at Hazel Grove may have fallen victim to the strikes and may now be 6 months behind schedule due to the need to arrange a new possession.



Updated 21.30 Thursday 7th July.

It seems that the new track work at Dore Station Junction has fallen victim to the sudden warm weather. All trains entering and leaving Sheffield from the south are currently being delayed and those from the west cancelled. See; https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_disruptions/300242.aspx

Hopefully work overnight and at the weekend can fix it.

 

[td97]

It seems that the new track work at Dore Station Junction has fallen victim to the sudden warm weather.

That will have been because the layout was temporarily installed as jointed track, before being welded at a later date during a different possession (common practice in time-pressed blockades).

As a further update, a new crossover was installed last weekend on the Midland Main Line between the Up Main and Down Main at Dore Station Junction, which has been in use since Monday.

 

[Bryson]

Hello Killingworth, do you have any photos from Abbey Lane bridge? I'm trying to picture how Dore Station Junction has changed to accommodate the double track.

 

[Killingworth]

Updated from last weekend. Still temporary work on the new Dore Station Junction with more slewing and track laying to be connected this coming weekend and next.

Pictures follow from Abbey Lane bridge, Twentywell Lane bridge and Beauchief Gardens, plus a diagram of how it was and will ultimately be. It's being done in stages to allow trains to run Monday-Friday.

 

[Bryson]

Many thanks Killingworth. The first photo is the area behind the Industrial hamlet and Beauchief Gardens. Am I right in thinking that the bridge over the Sheaf is just out of shot at the bottom on the photo?

In this temporary layout the Down line appears to be going to the Up platform, I guess this will be re-aligned as the project progresses.

 

[Geeves]

Thanks a million for the updates Killingworth, dont suppose you happen to know what the works are at the Hazel Grove end?

 

[D365]

That's a rather large Platform 2! Future-proofed?

 

[td97]

Thanks a million for the updates Killingworth, dont suppose you happen to know what the works are at the Hazel Grove end?

From Edgeley Junction to Hazel Grove:
Down linespeed increase to 60mph (from 40)
Up linespeed increase to 55mph (from 35)
Resignalling throughout (boxes remain, not a ROC transfer). Of significance is a new platform signal at Woodsmoor P2.
OLE modifications over whole route
Track renewal through Woodsmoor station P2.
Reballasting from Hazel Grove Station area to the sidings. Full track renewal of the mainlines adjacent to the sidings and towards Woodsmoor.
New track drainage throughout Hazel Grove area.
Most likely no construction will be happening until next year as the June NR strike meant the start of the Hazel Grove work was deferred.

That's a rather large Platform 2! Future-proofed?

Dore P2 will be extended and P1 will be built so both are compatible with 6x24m train lengths.

(Edited platform numbering)

 

[D365]

Dore P1 will be extended and P2 will be built so both are compatible with 6x24m train lengths.

I should have specified that I was referring to depth, rather than length.

 

[Mat17]

Dore P1 will be extended and P2 will be built so both are compatible with 6x24m train lengths.

It'd be even greater if they made platform 2 double sided so it could be used by trains on the mainline as well - a little more future proofing. You've only to look at Ilkeston to see that it could be done.