Transpennine Route Upgrade and Electrification updates

[Bald Rick]

This is in accordance with what many posters have assumed but I think it may be the first time it has been stated as fact by an authoritative source.

Well, 2nd

That's good to hear. Though 6 miles implies that the whole line from the Penistone junction to the tunnel portal (~7 miles) will be three tracks and not four.

Yes, three tracks. Two tracks much more useful uphill for obvious reasons.

 

[CAF397]

Referring to my observation regarding new TPWS and AWS equipment appearing between Morley Tunnel and Dewsbury, an intreguing development spotted earlier this morning.

In the Down platform there appears to be a TPWS trainstop at the Huddersfield end of the platform.

This leads me down the road of potentially a fixed red aspect at the end of the platform for Leeds turnbacks, when Thornhill-Heaton Lodge Jn gets rebuilt?

 

[themiller]

The steep upwards grade means it's got more value as a primarily uphill loop for freights to trundle up and keep out of the passengers way. I suspect all 3 lines are good candidates to get Bi-Di signalling though, for delay recovery as well as operational flexibility.

Isn’t the line getting etcs? If so, wouldn’t this give Bi-Di as part of it?

 

[zwk500]

Isn’t the line getting etcs? If so, wouldn’t this give Bi-Di as part of it?

I can't answer that one, I'm afraid. I only had a social association with TRU.

My understanding is that were ETCS is fitted, the Bi-Di is such a small additional cost it's almost always worth including it. (Essentially, it's the cost of a few marker boards and the coding in the interlocking). It does not autmoatically come with it though.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Isn’t the line getting etcs? If so, wouldn’t this give Bi-Di as part of it?

I thought it was classic resignalling first, with ETCS coming later.

 

[AL1875]

Been away from this thread for a while. What's the current state of play around the TRU?

I believe that wires are going up between Colton to Church Fenton and Man Vic to Stalybridge.

What about wires between Stalybridge and Church Fenton? Do we have any indication on a timescale for that?

Another question I had was around the total time saving across the route from Manchester to York in terms of linespeed increases and other means and where these would occur. Does anyone know if this info is in the public domain?

Apologies for all of that.

 

[Grumpy]

The steep upwards grade means it's got more value as a primarily uphill loop for freights to trundle up and keep out of the passengers way.

What freight?
I wonder what the cost of putting this additional track in would cost per freight train that actually runs

 

[snowball]

Been away from this thread for a while. What's the current state of play around the TRU?

I believe that wires are going up between Colton to Church Fenton and Man Vic to Stalybridge.

What about wires between Stalybridge and Church Fenton? Do we have any indication on a timescale for that?

The project is split into several sections (some of which seem to be still at a fairly early stage of planning) and may be spread over a large number of years.

The good news is that the Transport & Works Order for the Huddersfield to Westtown (Dewsbury) section, which includes a new flyover at Ravensthorpe and four-tracking between there and Hudds, was approved in the summer, and the main works on it will be starting soon.

The Integrated Rail Plan for the Midlands and North, published almost a year ago, included the last-but-one government's proposals for HS2 and NPR. NPR, coming from Manchester on a new alignment, would join TRU near Marsden.

 

[Grumpy]

Reposted on the Don Coffey Facebook group.

To the best of my knowledge the station will be shifted a few-hundred towards Leeds to be on a section of track with a shallower curve,

Interesting that they are essentially building two new platforms at Morley on a curve. Whereas approx 1 mile away (as the bird flies) they are building the new White Rose (elephant?) station in a commercially unattractive location in order to avoid building on a curve.

Network Rail are now consulting on the Leeds - Micklefield section of TRU.[

Barrowby Lane bridleway crossing to be closed and a stepped and ramped footbridge to be built

The proposal for Barrowby Lane seems to consist of both a ramped section and a separate section with steps.
If you are providing ramps why do you need to provide steps as well?

 

[Geeves]

It's other TPE trains slowing other TPE trains so even with no freight it's going to be really useful for overtakes. Especially if it can be used in both up and down directions

 

[61653 HTAFC]

If you are providing ramps why do you need to provide steps as well?

It provides a shorter route for those able to use steps. Compared to the cost of the ramps, the additional cost for a couple of staircases is pretty inconsequential.

 

[SouthEastBuses]

AIUI, the route from Man Vic to Standedge Tunnel W will be using Series 2 (i.e. Bonomi) equipment, with Standedge Tunnel E to Huddersfield, Huddersfield to Leeds, Leeds to Micklefield & Micklefield to Church Fenton using SICAT equipment as per York - Church Fenton.

This is as per the request of the works delivery units for each route (so I've heard); the NW works delivery team want to stick to S2, while the N&E works delivery team would prefer SICAT instead of a SICAT/S2 mix.
(Interestingly enough, the CIG flythroughs of Huddersfield - Leeds seem to show S2 equipment, probably because it's in the "W" programmes rather than the "E" programmes. The TWAO docs for Huddersfield - Dewsbury certainly show SICAT being used...

8 months late, I know, but I'm assuming that inside the Standedge tunnel, overhead conductor rail (like what's used on the Severn tunnel and parts of the Thameslink core) will be used?

 

[td97]

8 months late, I know, but I'm assuming that inside the Standedge tunnel, overhead conductor rail (like what's used on the Severn tunnel and parts of the Thameslink core) will be used?

No. It was over-sold by the manufacturer at the time it was used on those projects and will likely never be used in a tunnel on the UK rail network again. It's so problematic NR are investigating its removal from the Severn tunnel, to be replaced with conventional wiring.

 

[snowball]

No. It was over-sold by the manufacturer at the time it was used on those projects and will likely never be used in a tunnel on the UK rail network again. It's so problematic NR are investigating its removal from the Severn tunnel, to be replaced with conventional wiring.

That's very interesting. I didn't know that before (though I did know that it's not the panacea that many posters on here treat it as, tending to suggest it as a solution before they've seen a precise statement of the problem).

 

[SouthEastBuses]

No. It was over-sold by the manufacturer at the time it was used on those projects and will likely never be used in a tunnel on the UK rail network again. It's so problematic NR are investigating its removal from the Severn tunnel, to be replaced with conventional wiring.

Really?
Sources for this please? Interested to know what the problems are

 

[Nottingham59]

Sources for this please?

This has part of the story: https://www.railjournal.com/infrast...ed-to-complete-severn-tunnel-electrification/

"The 25kV ac system, which uses 1400 aluminium structures bolted to the tunnel roof to carry an aluminium rail that holds a copper contact wire, was installed during a six-week closure of the tunnel in 2016. However, an inspection of the system a year later revealed that accelerated corrosion was occurring"

 

[jonesy3001]

This is interesting, works over the new year period around Morley, white rose and batley.
Also overnight works between victoria and stalybridge will resume next week.

Upcoming Closures

thetrupgrade.co.uk

We will be installing new track and better drainage to improve reliability and supporting West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Leeds City Council to enable the build of the new White Rose Station.
TPE will continue to run two trains per hour between Leeds and Huddersfield via Wakefield.
Northern will divert the Leeds – Wigan service via Bradford Interchange with rail replacement buses to connect into services on the Calder Valley.
Stations between Huddersfield and Leeds will be served by bus replacement.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

No. It was over-sold by the manufacturer at the time it was used on those projects and will likely never be used in a tunnel on the UK rail network again. It's so problematic NR are investigating its removal from the Severn tunnel, to be replaced with conventional wiring.

The article in #5956 doesn't say that at all.
It says the situation in the Severn Tunnel is unique (salt water corrosion) which is unlikely to occur in the TRU tunnels.
It also says the aluminium upgrade was successful.
If it works in the Gotthard/Ceneri base tunnels it should be good enough for TRU.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

As long as the Copper at no time comes in contact with the Aluminium as you would have the mother of all bimetallic couples. If you are interested I will give all the calculations.

EDIT……..Just re-read the article as recommended by @LNW-GW Joint. They changed to Al contact wire away from Cu to prevent the galvanic corrosion.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

That's very interesting. I didn't know that before (though I did know that it's not the panacea that many posters on here treat it as, tending to suggest it as a solution before they've seen a precise statement of the problem).

I'm pretty sure I've read from several informed sources and members on here that the main reason to go for a bar rather than a wire (namely restricted clearances) isn't a factor with Standedge anyway.

 

[59CosG95]

The November update of York - CF works is now out: https://thetrupgrade.co.uk/wp-conte...Fenton-monthly-project-tracker-Accessible.pdf

OLE-wise, it's very near the end now. Piling works around Colton Jn itself, presumably to aid the tie-in between the NOC DN/UN and ECM(3/4) DM/UM lines.

 

[jonesy3001]

Is there one for stalybridge to manchester?
The dashboard looks like it's not been updated for ages.

 

[plugwash]

It provides a shorter route for those able to use steps.

Also my understanding is that those who struggle to walk (but are not in wheelchairs) often find long ramps harder to deal with than steps.

 

[matacaster]

What freight?
I wonder what the cost of putting this additional track in would cost per freight train that actually runs

If you have a look at the M62 with its procession of lorries, you might conclude that there is some potential for movement by rail of some goods. However, the presently restrictive loading gauge and lack of paths prevents much of that traffic being carried.

 

[yorksrob]

There was some talk of Standedge being unsuitable for electrification, when they were making excuses not to electrify it, but this turned out to be a load of old flannel.

 

[Halish Railway]

There was some talk of Standedge being unsuitable for electrification, when they were making excuses not to electrify it, but this turned out to be a load of old flannel.

Supposedly quite the opposite!

On the topic of tunnels, once Morley station has been relocated in a year’s time will the linespeed through the area be increased at the same time, or will they wait until electrification works on Morley tunnel are complete?

 

[61653 HTAFC]

There was some talk of Standedge being unsuitable for electrification, when they were making excuses not to electrify it, but this turned out to be a load of old flannel.

If I'm remembering right, it's a tunnel just East of Stalybridge that's the "difficult" one, and this got misconstrued as Standedge being particularly problematic- probably because of the length.

Morley is probably more of a conundrum for electrification, the bridge immediately adjacent to it by the station gives a false impression of the size of the tunnel bore.

 

[yorksrob]

Supposedly quite the opposite!

On the topic of tunnels, once Morley station has been relocated in a year’s time will the linespeed through the area be increased at the same time, or will they wait until electrification works on Morley tunnel are complete?

Ah yes, I had no idea Morley station was going to be relocated. There's not much to relocate !

The one just east of Stalybridge seems a bit like a long bridge, but it is very short.

If I'm remembering right, it's a tunnel just East of Stalybridge that's the "difficult" one, and this got misconstrued as Standedge being particularly problematic- probably because of the length.

Morley is probably more of a conundrum for electrification, the bridge immediately adjacent to it by the station gives a false impression of the size of the tunnel bore.

That's interesting. A floor lowering perhaps.

 

[Revaulx]

Ah yes, I had no idea Morley station was going to be relocated. There's not much to relocate !

The one just east of Stalybridge seems a bit like a long bridge, but it is very short.

No it isn’t. Are you confusing it with the one a bit to the east of Ashton station?

There are actually two tunnels between Stalybridge and Mossley that look difficult, both being curved and having limited clearances. Scout Tunnel is the shorter, and nearer to Mossley. Presumably it can’t be opened out as it has a house on top.

 

[jonesy3001]

Wires have gone up on the ashton line up to berry brow crossing, wonder if they're doing the rest during this weeks overnight closures,this was posted on LinkedIn.

Jake Berry on LinkedIn: #ole #teamwork #progress #electrification #tru #keltbray #wiring #community

The TRU OLE delivery team had a successful Weekend completing all wiring associated with Berry Brow level crossing, achieving this in one shift (ahead of…

www.linkedin.com

The TRU OLE delivery team had a successful Weekend completing all wiring associated with Berry Brow level crossing, achieving this in one shift (ahead of schedule) has enabled us to cancel a planned road closure for Tuesday reducing the disruption to the local community.