Hope Valley Capacity Scheme updates

[Mugby]

Tamping is planned tonight and tomorrow at Woodsmoor and Hazel Grove respectively relating to resignalling & line speed increase through these areas.

Oh that's good to hear, any idea what the new linespeed will be? It always seems painfully slow between Hazel Grove and Davenport!

 

[td97]

Oh that's good to hear, any idea what the new linespeed will be? It always seems painfully slow between Hazel Grove and Davenport!

See

Hope Valley Capacity Scheme updates

Also no Southbound trains will serve Chesterfield in any July weekend. Interesting - presuming they will be routed via "Platform 4".

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[Killingworth]

See

Hope Valley Capacity Scheme updates

Also no Southbound trains will serve Chesterfield in any July weekend. Interesting - presuming they will be routed via "Platform 4".

www.railforums.co.uk

Current Platform 1, that has existed for over 150, years gets downgraded to Platform 2 because Manchester is considered the priority destination - both by Nerwork Rail for signalling reasons, and by passengers because the service going west is better than going the short distance into Sheffield! Reinstatement of Platforms 3 and 4 is not anticipated, although the new Platform 1 is supposedly future proofed to permit that.

 

[snowball]

Press release with video

Construction milestones reached on Hope Valley Railway Upgrade

Further developments on the Hope Valley Railway Upgrade are in place, as we undertake essential improvements to the line between Manchester and Sheffield. Recent line closures have seen major work completed, with key milestones hit by the project team.

www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk

Further developments on the Hope Valley Railway Upgrade are in place, as we undertake essential improvements to the line between Manchester and Sheffield.

Recent line closures have seen major work completed, with key milestones hit by the project team.

The lift shafts for the newly built accessible footbridge have now been constructed at Dore & Totley station, whilst a bridge has been extended in Bamford to facilitate the new passing loop between Bamford and Hathersage stations as the installation nears completion.

 

[Killingworth]

In theory scheduled trains should start using the new tracks and platform from Monday 25th March. The Bamford loop should be ready well before then. The Dore loop should be ready by the end of February and Dore station's new Platform 1 about then too.

Weather will be the critical factor. We can get a lot of ice and snow in the Peak District and the Hope Valley line was closed for about a week as recently as 2010.

 

[Jamesrob637]

In theory scheduled trains should start using the new tracks and platform from Monday 25th March. The Bamford loop should be ready well before then. The Dore loop should be ready by the end of February and Dore station's new Platform 1 about then too.

Weather will be the critical factor. We can get a lot of ice and snow in the Peak District and the Hope Valley line was closed for about a week as recently as 2010.

Will there be any new tracks or platforms in use next week at the TT change?

 

[Killingworth]

Will there be any new tracks or platforms in use next week at the TT change?

No, it won't be operational until after a long blockade from the evening of Saturday 16th March until early on Monday 25th - just in time to test it all the week before Easter. A lot to do yet, see yesterday.

 

[Jozhua]

Rail minister saying this is part of the network north plan is embarrassing.

At least TRU may be getting some funding from that pot of money.

 

[GardenRail]

Rail minister saying this is part of the network north plan is embarrassing.

At least TRU may be getting some funding from that pot of money.

They don't tell everyone that it's still going to be Absolute Block Signalling from Earles Westward. So we'll still have trains waiting for a clear section, only at Earles rather than Totley as it is now. Then again, with the new tunnel controls in Totley and Bradway, they might. Get rid of one problem and create two more. South Bound trains won't be able to leave the South Chord on anything less than a green. We can move them on Yellows at the moment.

 

[Legolash2o]

They don't tell everyone that it's still going to be Absolute Block Signalling from Earles Westward. So we'll still have trains waiting for a clear section, only at Earles rather than Totley as it is now. Then again, with the new tunnel controls in Totley and Bradway, they might. Get rid of one problem and create two more. South Bound trains won't be able to leave the South Chord on anything less than a green. We can move them on Yellows at the moment.

Are there any plans in the near future to improve the signalling?

 

[GardenRail]

Are there any plans in the near future to improve the signalling?

Northwest don't seem as bothered as Northeast when it comes to resignalling.

 

[zwk500]

Are there any plans in the near future to improve the signalling?

Vague intentions yes, anything firm with a pathway to funding, highly doubt it. (E.g. presumably at some point there's a plan Manchester ROC will take over the line, but exactly when and with what money nobody has yet said).

 

[Killingworth]

It's been somewhat unfavourable weather recently for construction work with very heavy rain, snow, frost and very high winds on almost every gloomy day. Construction of the extended Dore loop/chord was supposed to have been completed over the summer months. Today's picture suggests it's going to be quite a few more weeks yet, now suggested to be by the end of February. Rails are delivered ready for the loop once the track bed is ready.

At Dore & Totley station work continues although locally announced dates for controversial demolition of the now unlit 1985 shelter have once again passed and it remains for a few more days/weeks? Brick facing of the lift towers has slowed down. That is necessary before the span and steps can be installed.

Operationally local users of the Manchester bound trains were heartened to hear of EMR's December introduction of 6 car 170's on their previously 2 car 158 1R52 7.36 from Dore as an alternative to TPE's recently unreliable 1B65 and 1B67. Yesterday and today's both TPE trains have been 6 car. On Monday EMR did provide 6 but it was 40 minutes late at Dore, delaying the following TPE and Northern services! Teething problems we hope. Today it was only a single 3 car 170.

 

[louis97]

They don't tell everyone that it's still going to be Absolute Block Signalling from Earles Westward. So we'll still have trains waiting for a clear section, only at Earles rather than Totley as it is now. Then again, with the new tunnel controls in Totley and Bradway, they might. Get rid of one problem and create two more. South Bound trains won't be able to leave the South Chord on anything less than a green. We can move them on Yellows at the moment.

What tunnel controls are being implemented at Totley?

 

[td97]

Tamping is planned tonight and tomorrow at Woodsmoor and Hazel Grove respectively relating to resignalling & line speed increase through these areas.

Track tamping is scheduled again at Hazel Grove for the very early hours of Sunday.

Access site

Realtime Trains | 6J11 2346 Guide Bridge B'sde Sdgs to Hazel Grove | 16/12/2023

Real-time train running information for 6J11 2346 departure from Guide Bridge B'sde Sdgs to Hazel Grove on 16/12/2023. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Egress site

Realtime Trains | 6J11 0820 Hazel Grove to Guide Bridge B'sde Sdgs | 17/12/2023

Real-time train running information for 6J11 0820 departure from Hazel Grove to Guide Bridge B'sde Sdgs on 17/12/2023. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[pharrc20]

Does anyone know of a diagram to show what signalling alterations are taking plave between Edgeley No. 1 and Hazel Grove please? Do the alterations continue onwards towards New Mills South Jn.?
Thanks Paul

 

[Killingworth]

Work continues on the extended Dore chord/loop. It was understood that it would have been completed with soil nailing over the summer and restorative planting begun in October. Now needing to be completed with green painted retention wall by early March for line reopening on 24th. Fine weather will be very welcome. Recent rain, frost and snow can't have been helpful.

 

[td97]

Do the alterations continue onwards towards New Mills South Jn

Edgeley all the way to Dore has SP to MU conversion (i.e. new speed boards throughout where required).

 

[cuemaster]

Work continues on the extended Dore chord/loop. It was understood that it would have been completed with soil nailing over the summer and restorative planting begun in October. Now needing to be completed with green painted retention wall by early March for line reopening on 24th. Fine weather will be very welcome. Recent rain, frost and snow can't have been helpful.

View attachment 148762View attachment 148763

Will the new loop here be used by freight trains leaving hope valley line or do they join the existing chord?

 

[Killingworth]

It will be an extention of the existing chord. This morning a southbound freight for the MML could have pulled in there instead of delaying an eastbound TPE service due to leave Dore at 8.04 until 8.18, the following Northern from 8.22 to 8.26 and westbound TPE at 8.15 to 8.22. Knock on delays from them across the north.

 

[cuemaster]

Ah that makes sense. Can't imagine that freight train stays on MML too long! Thanks.

 

[GardenRail]

Well, training has begun for the Signallers regards the new Sheffield Outer Workstation. As you can see, we won't be able to give a freight at Dore South a proceed until the train in front has got to Dronfield Station. So Greens only from S48. Makes it almost impossible to find a decent gap in times of disruption for the late 1900 ton freight, for example. As it is now, at least we can move a train from Dore South as soon as the train in front leaves Bradway Tunnel.....

 

[8stewartt]

Well, training has begun for the Signallers regards the new Sheffield Outer Workstation. As you can see, we won't be able to give a freight at Dore South a proceed until the train in front has got to Dronfield Station. So Greens only from S48. Makes it almost impossible to find a decent gap in times of disruption for the late 1900 ton freight, for example. As it is now, at least we can move a train from Dore South as soon as the train in front leaves Bradway Tunnel....

Why can’t 6L45 be given the road once the train in front has passed S46 and give the freight 2 yellows so it can begin climbing the bank?

 

[Killingworth]

Well, training has begun for the Signallers regards the new Sheffield Outer Workstation. As you can see, we won't be able to give a freight at Dore South a proceed until the train in front has got to Dronfield Station. So Greens only from S48. Makes it almost impossible to find a decent gap in times of disruption for the late 1900 ton freight, for example. As it is now, at least we can move a train from Dore South as soon as the train in front leaves Bradway Tunnel.....View attachment 148798View attachment 148799

Present practice sounds far more practical. I used to be able to hear the freights slowly starting away from a stand and there's no way they'd catch any southbound rolling train on the MML. In recent years they've seemed quieter. Of course a light engine movement possibly could.

 

[edwin_m]

Why can’t 6L45 be given the road once the train in front has passed S46 and give the freight 2 yellows so it can begin climbing the bank?

I'm assuming S48 is a 3-aspect so that would be a green as mentioned above.

Present practice sounds far more practical. I used to be able to hear the freights slowly starting away from a stand and there's no way they'd catch any southbound rolling train on the MML. In recent years they've seemed quieter. Of course a light engine movement possibly could.

It seems very unlikely unless the previous train unexpectedly has problems and runs very slowly or stops completely before clearing the overlap of S46.

 

[ayubdaud]

Blimey, that would probably be the first time 1B66 running to time following 6L45 if so.

Interestingly, the TPRs at Dore South Jn reference the first movement as Up depart Dronfield and then second movement depart from Dore West Jn. Slightly more generous than the potential reality?

 

[Snow1964]

Network Rail reporting that track for loop between Bamford and Hathersage is now complete. Will come into use in Sring 2024 when signalling is done

Final track installed to remove Hope Valley bottleneck

The final pieces of rail track have been installed to help relieve a long-standing bottleneck on the Hope Valley railway line, providing faster and more reliable rail journeys for passengers.

www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk

 

[Killingworth]

Network Rail reporting that track for loop between Bamford and Hathersage is now complete. Will come into use in Sring 2024 when signalling is done

Final track installed to remove Hope Valley bottleneck

The final pieces of rail track have been installed to help relieve a long-standing bottleneck on the Hope Valley railway line, providing faster and more reliable rail journeys for passengers.

www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk

Somewhat old news. There's currently no specific bottleneck at Bamford.

There certainly is a bottleneck on the current short chord between the Hope Valley and Midland Mainlines.There is also a more visible and obvious bottleneck on the single track through Dore station on the line between Sheffield and Manchester. (Manchester is apparently the most sought destination from Sheffield.)

The Dore loop is very much not complete, see Post 1525 above, and the critical work on new Platform 1 at Dore, see Post 1521, still has a long way to go in only 3 months.

 

[GardenRail]

Somewhat old news. There's currently no specific bottleneck at Bamford.

There certainly is a bottleneck on the current short chord between the Hope Valley and Midland Mainlines.There is also a more visible and obvious bottleneck on the single track through Dore station on the line between Sheffield and Manchester. (Manchester is apparently the most sought destination from Sheffield.)

The Dore loop is very much not complete, see Post 1525 above, and the critical work on new Platform 1 at Dore, see Post 1521, still has a long way to go in only 3 months.

It's looking very, very optimistic to get the Dore Curve completed on time...

 

[Killingworth]

It's looking very, very optimistic to get the Dore Curve completed on time...

Blockades are scheduled over Xmas and the New Year so I'll update again with pictures in about 10 -14 days time. In fairness it isn't a very long section once they can get down to it, but proximity to running trains and housing makes it sensitive. Residents in the West View Lane flats complex are most unhappy.

Earlier in this process much was made of completing civils in summer and the Dore loop was supposed to be finished about August with green replanting from October. The recent weather has proved why the summer time window was originally planned. It has been very wet recently, and now windy as well.

Looking at the press release it says;

The Hope Valley Railway Upgrade will remove several bottlenecks between Manchester and Sheffield to allow passenger trains to overtake slower freight trains along the line.

The main improvements include:

• A new platform and accessible footbridge with lifts at Dore & Totley station
• A railway loop between Bamford and Hathersage
• A new overbridge at Hathersage West, replacing the current foot crossing to improve safety
• Signalling improvements along the line to improve reliability
• Platform extensions to allow for more carriages on services

No mention of the Dore loop.

Nor any mention that the footbridge installed at Hathersage West in January is still not open and awaits painting of one part of the structure that was delivered without its final layer of green paint. It's got impressive scaffolding and sheeting around it but it seems it can't be painted until warmer weather. Safety of the crossing has improved greatly. It has now been closed for over a year, yet trains are still expected to whistle.