Hope Valley Capacity Scheme updates

[Mag_seven]

Just a reminder that this is an infrastructure section discussion to discuss Hope Valley Capacity Scheme Updates.

If anyone wants to discuss other things such as timetabling then they are welcome to start a new thread in the appropriate forum section.

thanks

 

[Jozhua]

Some photos coming up to Sheffield yesterday.

First is of the Liverpool service heading in the opposite direction - obviously a little while to go yet before the other platform is in place!

Second is of some of the dual track going in.

Third is some of the new cable conduit under construction.

 

[Ploughman]

The trough route looks more like new Cess walkway.

 

[Bald Rick]

The trough route looks more like new Cess walkway.

Agreed

 

[Killingworth]

The trough route looks more like new Cess walkway.

That's how it was explained to me, see bottom right hand corner.

 

[Elecman]

The trough route looks more like new Cess walkway.

Agreed

 

[LowLevel]

Glad to see TPE's diversion contingency plans are working well. 8 hour gap at Sheffield today and the signallers at York ROC presumably unimpressed at having one of their more useful platforms blocked all day long by an abandoned train. Photo shows an Open Train Times Map screen shot of Sheffield Station with "THNX TPE*" entered into the berth train describer for platform 2.

 

[Killingworth]

View attachment 118415

Glad to see TPE's diversion contingency plans are working well. 8 hour gap at Sheffield today and the signallers at York ROC presumably unimpressed at having one of their more useful platforms blocked all day long by an abandoned train. Photo shows an Open Train Times Map screen shot of Sheffield Station with "THNX TPE*" entered into the berth train describer for platform 2.

The substitute services provided by the 3 TOCs to cover these blockades have been less than satisfactory. The industry seems to have expected each to make their own arrangements and passengers to get by with whatever works out on the day. TPEs diverted services could almost be matched for time by a direct coach between Sheffield and Hope and a half hourly shuttle from there to Manchester, alternating via Stockport and Marple. A minibus for the smaller stations would cope with traffic around Grindleford better. But I'm off on a digression. When time allows I could write more for a separate thread, but tomorrow is the last day for the current round of blockades.

 

[LittleAH]

The substitute services provided by the 3 TOCs to cover these blockades have been less than satisfactory. The industry seems to have expected each to make their own arrangements and passengers to get by with whatever works out on the day. TPEs diverted services could almost be matched for time by a direct coach between Sheffield and Hope and a half hourly shuttle from there to Manchester, alternating via Stockport and Marple. A minibus for the smaller stations would cope with traffic around Grindleford better. But I'm off on a digression. When time allows I could write more for a separate thread, but tomorrow is the last day for the current round of blockades.

All of which isn't true. As I will be commenting on such a thread once it begins.

 

[dosxuk]

The substitute services provided by the 3 TOCs to cover these blockades have been less than satisfactory. The industry seems to have expected each to make their own arrangements and passengers to get by with whatever works out on the day.

No different to their normal behaviour on this route - all three are well known for short notice cancellations and telling passengers to use alternative operators - and not looking at whether the alternatives are actually operating. The whole Manchester-Sheffield link seems to be so far down the list of priorities at all three operators that none of them can be relied on, even on a good day.

 

[td97]

The trough route looks more like new Cess walkway.

That's how it was explained to me, see bottom right hand corner.View attachment 118402

The cable trough and walkway route from Dore Station to Dore Station Jn hasn't even been designed yet, as it is awaiting NR input. Whatever is in the photograph is either temporary or to be moved elsewhere. There is other miscellaneous timber on the track panel in the tenfoot and just before the crossover.

 

[AndrewE]

The cable trough and walkway route from Dore Station to Dore Station Jn hasn't even been designed yet, as it is awaiting NR input. Whatever is in the photograph is either temporary or to be moved elsewhere. There is other miscellaneous timber on the track panel in the tenfoot and just before the crossover.

perhaps they are just getting it done in the usual/obvious way and hoping (whatever design emerges eventually) any differences won't be noticed?

 

[Killingworth]

Unfortunately today's strike has impacted on this weekend's work. Stressing of the newly laid tracks has been proceeding however installation of the new turnout for the extended Dore South curve/loop has had to be postponed.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

Unfortunately today's strike has impacted on this weekend's work. Stressing of the newly laid tracks has been proceeding however installation of the new turnout for the extended Dore South curve/loop has had to be postponed.

More disruption for passengers no doubt to recover the works

 

[D365]

More disruption for passengers no doubt to recover the works

The strike achieving its intention, then.

 

[IanXC]

Unfortunately today's strike has impacted on this weekend's work. Stressing of the newly laid tracks has been proceeding however installation of the new turnout for the extended Dore South curve/loop has had to be postponed.

Todays ASLEF strike?

 

[Killingworth]

Todays ASLEF strike?

On reflection I don't follow that either but it seems for one reason or another the scheme's expected completion date is slipping towards 2024. There have been very few workers on site at Dore today.

 

[Watershed]

All of which isn't true. As I will be commenting on such a thread once it begins.

The first sentence is undeniably true!

 

[ricoblade]

What does this all mean for "normal" services please? Is it a combination of TPE (shudder) and EMR? I'm looking to travel to Dore on a weekday in August and don't want to deal with cancellations, etc.

 

[yorkie]

Can we stick to infrastructure developments in this thread please?

Service provision can be discussed in another thread (either an existing one, if there is one, or by creating a new thread if there isn't).

Many thanks

 

[Jozhua]

I stand corrected on the cable trough!

Bad if Network Rail hasn't agreed on a final design yet - apparently that's a major issue with them not finalising designs properly and leaving contractors to guess, or have to redesign/rebuild things.

 

[59CosG95]

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.

Do you know what the scope of the "OLE modifications" involves? My bets would probably rest with modifications to cater for the new platform signal at Woodsmoor and re-registration through Woodsmoor, Davenport & Hazel Grove to make the OLE mechanically independent.

 

[td97]

Do you know what the scope of the "OLE modifications" involves? My bets would probably rest with modifications to cater for the new platform signal at Woodsmoor and re-registration through Woodsmoor, Davenport & Hazel Grove to make the OLE mechanically independent.

The existing MkIIIc OLE (expectedly) contains many non-compliances and as such any modifications will be the bare minimum to provide compatibility with the line speed increases and new track alignments at Hazel Grove and Woodsmoor. Mainly limited to height and stagger adjustments/re-registration across the route.
There is a wire height issue at Woodsmoor LC where the OLE is significantly too low (4.9m, minimum should be 5.6m) due to Moorland Rd overbridge 200m away, which will be addressed if it can be done so cheaply.

 

[59CosG95]

The existing MkIIIc OLE (expectedly) contains many non-compliances and as such any modifications will be the bare minimum to provide compatibility with the line speed increases and new track alignments at Hazel Grove and Woodsmoor. Mainly limited to height and stagger adjustments/re-registration across the route.
There is a wire height issue at Woodsmoor LC where the OLE is significantly too low (4.9m, minimum should be 5.6m) due to Moorland Rd overbridge 200m away, which will be addressed if it can be done so cheaply.

Ah, I see. Hopefully it can be addressed!

 

[londonmidland]

If this doesn’t scream congestion then I don’t know what does!

6F78 freight was waiting for a northbound XC, which was running late. It then cleared the section which allowed it to take the curve, however 1B80 TransPennine Cleethorpes service was stuck behind it, which had to wait for 6M86 freight to pass before it could continue.

The 15:11 TPE Cleethorpes left Sheffield 28 minutes late as a result.

 

[Spartacus]

The fact that the 1B80 was only behind 6F78 due to being 11 late off Piccadilly due to waiting driver dilutes it a little. 6F78 only picked up 5/6 minutes.

 

[Killingworth]

If this doesn’t scream congestion then I don’t know what does!

6F78 freight was waiting for a northbound XC, which was running late. It then cleared the section which allowed it to take the curve, however 1B80 TransPennine Cleethorpes service was stuck behind it, which had to wait for 6M86 freight to pass before it could continue.

The 15:11 TPE Cleethorpes left Sheffield 28 minutes late as a result.View attachment 119253

Situation fairly typical hereabouts! Come 2023, or maybe 2024, that will be eased when the extended Dore chord will be able to hold a freight service.

However 6F78 was only 5 minutes late across Dore West Junction. 1B80 should have preceded the freight but had started 11 minutes late from Piccadilly. It then had to wait for 6M87 to clear the single track through Dore station in the opposite direction - something that shouldn't be a problem from 2023/24 either.

This is a critical time of day which explains why there's no 15.14 Northern stopper out of Sheffield, it being delayed until 15.46.

 

[Viscount702]

Is there any progress to report on theworks

 

[Mugby]

Is there any progress to report on theworks

I passed through this evening on a Manchester-Sheffield service and not much seems to be happening at the present time. Some work has been done on the new Loop at Hathersage and lots of materials are piled up ready for it to continue.
Work on the extended Dore Chord seem to be minimal as yet but I imagine a pretty substantial retaining wall will need to be put in place to protect the properties above before any more of the bank can be dug out.

 

[Viscount702]

Thanks for the update which seems to confirm that not much is happening at present.