Rochdale station platform coming back into use

[Class 170101]

Sounds like again it is up to the rolling stock providers to supply a journey time improvement to meet the specification set through better accelerating and braking trains rather than the infrastructure meeting the specification.

 

[chrissawer]

Passed through Rochdale this morning. The Manchester end of the main island platform is now fenced off as a building site and the old surface is being scraped off, presumably so the whole length of the platform can be brought up to modern standards and reopened.

There was also lots of work going on around Castleton East Junction. Maybe to do with the signalling improvements?

 

[YorkshireBear]

Sounds like again it is up to the rolling stock providers to supply a journey time improvement to meet the specification set through better accelerating and braking trains rather than the infrastructure meeting the specification.

Hardly surprising given the comparative cost difference!

 

[chrissawer]

The new platform face is coming on nicely. Photo taken this morning, apologies for the quality but it was taken from a moving train.

Does anyone know when the track work is being done? Any chance of it being ready for the May timetable change? The extra capacity is desperately needed in the morning rush hour with passengers being regularly left behind at the stations between Rochdale and Manchester.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Didn't think there were plans for an increase in services until after the Ordsall Chord is done, or at the very least until the sexy new Basques (SWIDT?) arrive.

 

[chrissawer]

The Ordsall Chord is a long way off completion unfortunately. The article at the beginning of this thread implied a May 2016 finish for the new platform which still looks realistic, and I was hoping that some of the trains from the West which currently terminate at Victoria could be extended to Rochdale relatively soon.

This would require more DMUs of course which may not be available until Manchester - Preston/Blackpool electrification is complete. Hopefully we won't have to wait until the new build DMUs arrive.

 

[lejog]

It did occur to me that with the plan to carry out the Calder Valley line upgrades starting from the west and proceding east that there may be a "Todmorden Curve" like situation at Rochdale with a brand new bay platform and no rolling stock to provide any services.

 

[geoffk]

I understand the plan is for one train per hour to be extended beyond Manchester Vic all stations to Rochdale, but don't know which one or when. Presumably then one of the services from beyond Rochdale, probably the Blackburn, will run non-stop Rochdale Vic. An Arriva spokesperson said yesterday that this service would eventually run through to the Airport, in addition to the new service from Bradford.

 

[chrissawer]

The new platform is nearly complete with the trackwork being assembled nearby. Network Rail have issued a press release about the installation of the trackwork and the introduction of services using the new platform which is now planned for Autumn 2016.

Passengers travelling between Rochdale and Manchester Victoria move closer to a better railway

Passengers are being urged to check before they travel over the next five weekends as Network Rail installs new track between Manchester Victoria and Rochdale.

This is as part of work to bring Rochdale station’s new platform into use and reduce journey times in the area.

As well as 1,200m of new track being installed, existing track is being remodelled between Manchester Victoria and Rochdale to link the new platform to the rail network as part of Network Rail’s £1bn+ Northern Programme investment in the north of England.

Since January, Network Rail’s orange army has been working through the night when trains are not running and taking advantage of the weekly Sunday closures of Manchester Victoria to build the brand new platform at Rochdale station. The 135m-long platform will allow trains to turn back at Rochdale from Manchester Victoria, enabling more services between the two. This will mean fewer trains are stationed in Manchester Victoria, releasing capacity to help deliver greater benefits across the railway and keeping more passengers moving.

The platform will also allow faster services to pass through the station, improving journey time along the Calder Valley line which runs between Manchester and Leeds via Bradford.

Terry Strickland, area director at Network Rail said: “The introduction of the new platform at Rochdale station will help contribute to reduced journey times through the area and free up much needed capacity at Manchester Victoria, both of which help provide passengers with a better rail service in the region.

“We are investing more than £1bn to deliver a faster, more reliable and better connected railway to millions of passengers across the north of England. To deliver these long-term benefits, there has to be some short-term disruption. We are working closely with the train operators and doing all we can to keep the inconvenience to a minimum.

“We will be working day and night over the next five weekends to deliver these improvements and we’d like to thank passengers in advance for their patience.”

Northern will be running replacement bus services between Manchester Victoria and Littleborough stations over the next five weekends.

A Northern spokesperson comments:

“Our main priority is to keep our customers on the move during this disruption. The improvements at Rochdale will give significant benefits to those using the station as well as throughout the region.”

Further strengthening work on the main bridge into Rochdale station will be carried out over the summer to bring the new track and bay platform into use in autumn 2016.

 

[familyguy99]

It look like re-laid tracks on Manchester line happened last weekend as new ballasts are down.



Nice to see new bay platform is coming on well.



Can't work out if this is new shelters for new bay platform or places for workers to go in?

 

[snowball]

Press release (I originally posted this on another thread but then my attention was drawn to this one):

http://www.networkrailmediacentre.c...ugh-and-manchester-victoria-completed-on-time

Trains between Littleborough and Manchester Victoria have returned to normal after five weekends of work to upgrade the railway were completed on time.

Network Rail’s orange army has worked round-the-clock each weekend over the past month installing 1,200m of new track between the two stations as part of work to bring Rochdale station’s new platform into use and eventually reduce journey times in the area.

As well as installing the new track, existing track has been remodelled between Manchester Victoria and Rochdale to link the new platform to the rail network as part of Network Rail’s £1bn+ Northern Programme investment in the north of England.

The railway reopened on time yesterday (Monday 10 May) with trains running once again from the start of service.

The new platform will allow trains to turn back at Rochdale from Manchester Victoria, enabling more services between the two. This will mean fewer trains are stationed in Manchester Victoria, releasing capacity to help deliver wider benefits across the network and keeping more passengers moving. It will also allow faster services to pass through the station, improving journey time along the Calder Valley line which runs between Manchester and Leeds via Bradford.

Work to build the new 135m-long bay platform at Rochdale station began in January this year, with engineers working through the night when trains are not running and during the weekly Sunday closures of Manchester Victoria. Work will continue over the coming months as engineers complete surfacing work on the platform and install lighting, passenger information screens and fencing.

Terry Strickland, area director at Network Rail said: “I would like to thank passengers for their patience over the past five weekends while we worked to improve the railway between Manchester Victoria and Littleborough.

“The weekend closures have meant that our engineers have successfully installed 1,200m of track and remodelled the lines around Rochdale station to link in the new platform.

“The next phase of work which begins in summer this year is essential to commission the new platform at Rochdale. As plans are finalised, our main focus is ensuring that work causes as little disruption to the travelling public as possible.”

Alex Hynes, managing director at Northern said: “Investing in local improvements which provide network wide benefits for our customers is positive news. What has been achieved by the upgrade at Rochdale will spread service enhancements across the North West as well as into Yorkshire.

“Future-proofing the railway helps create more travel opportunities for communities in the long term and helps deliver even more of our customers to and from cities like Manchester and Leeds.”

The next phase of work will begin in summer to strengthen the main bridge into Rochdale station. Work to strengthen this essential structure to support three train movements is vital to bring the new platform into use. Engineers have taken advantage of the recent weekend closures to conduct bridge investigations on eight bridges along the route and an exact programme of work is currently being finalised.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Originally posted in wrong thread:
I passed the new bay platform yesterday, where they were installing platform furniture. It looks pretty much finished.
The connections to the main line also looked complete, but remain unballasted.
However, it seems the platform will not be usable for quite a while, if they have yet to upgrade the station structure to support "three train movements".

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Originally posted in wrong thread:
I passed the new bay platform yesterday, where they were installing platform furniture. It looks pretty much finished. the connections to the main line also looked complete, but remain unballasted. However, it seems the platform will not be usable for quite a while, if they have yet to upgrade the station structure to support "three train movements".

Shades of the early history of the construction of platform 4 at Manchester Airport station.

 

[familyguy99]

Couple of photos of new bay platform.

 

[DynamicSpirit]

Ta for the photos. Looks from those like Network Rail is trying to be extremely considerate to passengers - they've designed it with a lack of shelter so as to guarantee that if it's raining, passengers will get showered as they walk to the platform, thus saving them the need to have a shower when they get home. I think touches like that are really thoughtful. Note the placing of the buffer stop some way down the platform. Doubtless some misguided individuals will think that's because of some safety reasons, when almost certainly it's been placed there to ensure that (a) people get sufficient exercise prior to catching their train, and (b) and platform showers that people experience when it's raining will be of sufficient duration.

 

[ianhr]

Notwithstanding all their hype and weekend disruption, this has turned out to be the usual shoddy, cheapskate, minimalist solution that we expect from NR.
What was really needed was an additional THROUGH platform which would allow fast and semi-fast trains to/from Todmorden and beyond to pass stopping trains running north of Rochdale, as well as terminating trains from Man Vic. This would have been especially useful as TPE are expected to divert this way during work on the Standedge route. It would have required refurbishing the abandoned island platform which is just growing weeds + the access stairs (hardly more than hacking into and extending the existing platform) + one more turnout at the north end where there is a huge amount of space!

 

[edwin_m]

Notwithstanding all their hype and weekend disruption, this has turned out to be the usual shoddy, cheapskate, minimalist solution that we expect from NR.
What was really needed was an additional THROUGH platform which would allow fast and semi-fast trains to/from Todmorden and beyond to pass stopping trains running north of Rochdale, as well as terminating trains from Man Vic. This would have been especially useful as TPE are expected to divert this way during work on the Standedge route. It would have required refurbishing the abandoned island platform which is just growing weeds + the access stairs (hardly more than hacking into and extending the existing platform) + one more turnout at the north end where there is a huge amount of space!

I agree this would have been better, but would point out that it would also need a lift onto the currently unused island.

 

[Joseph_Locke]

Notwithstanding all their hype and weekend disruption, this has turned out to be the usual shoddy, cheapskate, minimalist solution that we expect from NR.
What was really needed was an additional THROUGH platform which would allow fast and semi-fast trains to/from Todmorden and beyond to pass stopping trains running north of Rochdale, as well as terminating trains from Man Vic. This would have been especially useful as TPE are expected to divert this way during work on the Standedge route. It would have required refurbishing the abandoned island platform which is just growing weeds + the access stairs (hardly more than hacking into and extending the existing platform) + one more turnout at the north end where there is a huge amount of space!

You're very quick to judge on scant information! The track and signalling design specifically include for later installation of a third through platform arrangement without having to change the new junction, but planned operations don't require it yet (all planned passenger workings call at Rochdale anyway).

It isn't as simple or cheap as you claim - a new junction is required at the Rochdale East end, a new underpass bridge (If you'd actually visited Rochdale you'll see there is a hole), reconstruction of the platform front wall to modern clearance standards, complete resurfacing and fencing, a lift, lighting, PA, CIS, CCTV, a waiting shelter and signalling changes back to Smithy Bridge LC.

Since I'm guessing you're a good citizen and pay your taxes, would you prefer NR to gold-plate everything? All I hear from your kind is that NR spend too much money as it is, so please choose a viewpoint and be consistent.

 

[ianhr]

You're very quick to judge on scant information! The track and signalling design specifically include for later installation of a third through platform arrangement without having to change the new junction, but planned operations don't require it yet (all planned passenger workings call at Rochdale anyway).

It isn't as simple or cheap as you claim - a new junction is required at the Rochdale East end, a new underpass bridge (If you'd actually visited Rochdale you'll see there is a hole), reconstruction of the platform front wall to modern clearance standards, complete resurfacing and fencing, a lift, lighting, PA, CIS, CCTV, a waiting shelter and signalling changes back to Smithy Bridge LC.

Since I'm guessing you're a good citizen and pay your taxes, would you prefer NR to gold-plate everything? All I hear from your kind is that NR spend too much money as it is, so please choose a viewpoint and be consistent.

Ok, thanks for the additional information and explanation, none of which, so far as I am aware has been forthcoming until now!

No, I have never complained about my taxes being spent on public transport infrastructure!

 

[familyguy99]

Video from Northern Programme twitter of work going on at new Rochdale platform.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53GYMh4bzas&feature=youtu.be

https://twitter.com/NetworkRailNP/status/734642267928039424

In video it mention that platform will be complete by December 2016 (probably in time for Winter timetables) and this summer will see bridge strengthening along Rochdale line.

 

[mikestone1952]

If you look at the TSR there appears to be no requirement for any services terminating at Rochdale apart from very early and late - the combined requirement during the day for Burnley Manchester Road and Hebden Bridge is the same as for Rochdale.

 

[bradford758]

There's no TSR to run through to Rochdale but the TOC may choose to put in extra stops above the franchise commitment on any service.

Sent from my 4009X using Tapatalk

 

[lejog]

If you look at the TSR there appears to be no requirement for any services terminating at Rochdale apart from very early and late - the combined requirement during the day for Burnley Manchester Road and Hebden Bridge is the same as for Rochdale.

I'm not sure about that - although the Calder Valley TSRs are highly confusing to say the least. There appears to be a single Rochdale terminator per hour in the December 2017 TSRs.

Between 10 and 15.59, number of departures from Manchester:
Rochdale 30
Todmorden 24
Hebden Bridge 18
Burnley Manchester Rd 6
This appears to be the current service plus a Rochdale terminator per hour. This is consistent with NR's statement that the Rochdale bay will be used from December 2016.

In December 2019, the pattern becomes:
Rochdale 30
Todmorden 24
Hebden Bridge 24
Burnley Manchester Rd 6

It may be that the Rochdale terminator is replaced by a Northern Connect service which runs fast from Rochdale to Hebden Bridge through Todmorden, but I think it more likely that the plan is for the 2017 service to be augmented by a Northern Connect service running fast from Manchester to Hebden Bridge, Halifax and Bradford.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

You're very quick to judge on scant information! The track and signalling design specifically include for later installation of a third through platform arrangement without having to change the new junction, but planned operations don't require it yet (all planned passenger workings call at Rochdale anyway).

Although I now realise that puts me in the unenviable position of contradicting Joseph Locke!

 

[snowball]

I always thought TSR meant Temporary Speed Restriction.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

It isn't as simple or cheap as you claim - a new junction is required at the Rochdale East end, a new underpass bridge (If you'd actually visited Rochdale you'll see there is a hole), reconstruction of the platform front wall to modern clearance standards, complete resurfacing and fencing, a lift, lighting, PA, CIS, CCTV, a waiting shelter and signalling changes back to Smithy Bridge LC.

Will a new through platform be utilising the same site of the long existing redundant platform that the reopened passenger accessway passes underneath?

 

[chrissawer]

The hoardings have been removed and the new platform at Rochdale is now accessible to the general public.

Does anyone know if the bridge strengthening took place over the summer as planned?

I haven't seen any Rochdale terminators in the December 2016 timetable so I guess it won't be used until 2017 as suggested a few posts above.