Transpennine Route Upgrade and Electrification updates

[61653 HTAFC]

Batley Station itself is due a rebuild, maybe this allows for a 'Farnworth' scenario, where one platform is reconstructed, then the track is slewn over to the new platform and the 2nd platform is reconstructed.

Can someone enlighten me of what will happen with Batley station? I understand that the existing subway between the platforms will be filled in and replaced with an overbridge to get rid of the ‘Batley Bump’ but not much else.

I was under the impression that plans for Batley station itself hadn't been finalised (or at least made public), but given the other work taking place in the area over the coming months I expect it isn't too far away.

There have been various suggestions over the years for Batley, from moving the platforms back in order to put them on loops, to relocating the platforms beyond the Soothill Road bridge, to a combination of the two. Realistically you couldn't do the former without doing the latter to some extent- due to the viaduct.
As far as I'm aware there are no plans for additional trackwork in the area other than the above-mentioned crossover. What will definitely be included is a footbridge (with step-free access) to replace the existing stepped subway. Presumably this will also include filling in said subway and correcting the infamous bump!

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

The electric traction gives a big saving. For example the increase from 100-125 between Church Fenton and York, combined with the electric traction, saves 2 minutes alone,

I suspect the schedules wont get amended though for years until the whole of TRU is complete and new timetables and if that needs driver tarining not sure TPE can afford to spare the drivers for that currently!!

and that happens next year.

Dec 24?

 

[Bald Rick]

I suspect the schedules wont get amended though for years until the whole of TRU is complete and new timetables and if that needs driver tarining not sure TPE can afford to spare the drivers for that currently!!

You don’t need to train drivers to drive faster !

Dec 24?

OLE tied in Christmas ‘24 (according to Modern Railways, although I thought it was this Christmas). I’d expect some of the benefit to be taken pretty soon after.

 

[Halish Railway]

There have been various suggestions over the years for Batley, from moving the platforms back in order to put them on loops, to relocating the platforms beyond the Soothill Road bridge, to a combination of the two. Realistically you couldn't do the former without doing the latter to some extent- due to the viaduct.
As far as I'm aware there are no plans for additional trackwork in the area other than the above-mentioned crossover. What will definitely be included is a footbridge (with step-free access) to replace the existing stepped subway. Presumably this will also include filling in said subway and correcting the infamous bump!

I don't see any point in a loop given the four-tracking of Dewsbury to Huddersfield.

OLE tied in Christmas ‘24 (according to Modern Railways, although I thought it was this Christmas). I’d expect some of the benefit to be taken pretty soon after.

I think its been said that there will be Christmas possessions both this and next year due to the difficulty of arranging possessions on the ECML, although February's Modern Railways suggested that the linseed will be increased to 125mph before then, although only CrossCountry's services will be able to reach that speed before the wires are energised.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

You don’t need to train drivers to drive faster !

fair point and i guess the issue with power c/o is already in their traction knowledge just needs a notice job done!

OLE tied in Christmas ‘24 (according to Modern Railways, although I thought it was this Christmas). I’d expect some of the benefit to be taken pretty soon after.

So May 25!!

 

[Bald Rick]

So May 25!!

February or June…

 

[61653 HTAFC]

I don't see any point in a loop given the four-tracking of Dewsbury to Huddersfield.

Nor do I- I was just explaining the discussion that had taken place over the years, as we have a few new regulars on the thread and trawling back would be quite the mission!

I can see the appeal of moving the station towards the Soothill Lane bridge in some ways (possibly better bus access), though the space is somewhat constrained by the Angloco fire-engine works. Probably best to leave it where it is, maybe tidy up the building a bit and make use of the space currently occupied by the stairs down to the subway.

 

[snowball]

I thought the possessions required to tie in the OLE at Colton were Christmas 2022 and 2023. Remember that this discussion started in 2022 and then it was the two Christmases ahead. See for example #5646.



---------------------------------------------------------
This will doubtless get meged with my post above.

Press release:

Reminder: Diversions and buses keep passengers moving between Huddersfield and Leeds over nine days

Passengers travelling between Huddersfield and Leeds should check before they travel from Saturday 4 to Sunday 12 February as major upgrades get underway at Morley station.

www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk

Passengers travelling between Huddersfield and Leeds should check before they travel from Saturday 4 to Sunday 12 February as major upgrades get underway at Morley station.

Network Rail has worked closely with train operators Northern and TransPennine Express to keep passengers moving by train, using a resilient diversion via Wakefield. Some services between Huddersfield / Brighouse and Leeds via Dewsbury will be replaced by buses for passengers travelling to intermediate stations.

Those planning to travel should check their journey before setting off via National Rail or their train operator’s website.

Over nine days, engineers working on the multi-billion-pound Transpennine Route Upgrade will lay the foundations for new, longer platforms and realign the tracks around Morley station.

This is in preparation for a new, accessible station to open later this year around 75 metres down the line from the existing station and ultimately offer more reliable, longer trains with more seats available for passengers.

 

[Batley Lad]

Re Batley Cross-Over

A couple of early bird photos taken from Soothill road bridge this morning.



And some pictures taken from the same spot this afternoon.

Down line to Huddersfield severed and preparation work underway. Up Leeds line still in use. (Not in shot but as I crossed Lady Anne crossing there was an up Leeds ballast train idling away in the distance before Morley tunnel.



On the move at Batley….



Monday 6th - Batley

Cross-over in position with tamping completed by the looks of it.

 

[59CosG95]

Re Batley Cross-Over

A couple of early bird photos taken from Soothill road bridge this morning.

View attachment 128273View attachment 128274

And some pictures taken from the same spot this afternoon.

Down line to Huddersfield severed and preparation work underway. Up Leeds line still in use. (Not in shot but as I crossed Lady Anne crossing there was an up Leeds ballast train idling away in the distance before Morley tunnel.

View attachment 128275View attachment 128276

On the move at Batley….

View attachment 128321View attachment 128322View attachment 128324

Monday 6th - Batley

Cross-over in position with tamping completed by the looks of it.

Excellent updates - keep them coming!
Now the signalling needs to come - whether that's during the June works is another matter but the crossover itself is in.

 

[John R]

Apologies if this has already been covered, but Modern Railways notes that funding for electrification between Leeds and Ravensthorpe (around 8 miles) has been approved. However, the article is slightly ambiguous in terms of timing, as it also discusses the Leeds to Church Fenton section. Is it likely that this section will be the next to be wired, possibly as a follow-on for the team working south of York to keep it occupied (which might imply a start fairly soon).

 

[Meerkat]

Apologies if this has already been covered, but Modern Railways notes that funding for electrification between Leeds and Ravensthorpe (around 8 miles) has been approved. However, the article is slightly ambiguous in terms of timing, as it also discusses the Leeds to Church Fenton section. Is it likely that this section will be the next to be wired, possibly as a follow-on for the team working south of York to keep it occupied (which might imply a start fairly soon).

Won’t that require a decent blockade to do the tunnel? Wouldn’t it be better to do that during other blockades?

 

[59CosG95]

Won’t that require a decent blockade to do the tunnel? Wouldn’t it be better to do that during other blockades?

I imagine Morley Tunnel would require at least a weekend blockade just for the installation of the stovepipes, with possibly a further one for the pull-tests (which have to come after the installation and before the cantilevers go in).

Because the tunnel's 3,081 metres long, and UKMS OLE (all varieties) has a maximum full-tension length of 1.5km, there'll need to be at least 2 full tension lengths and 1 half-tension length within it.

Obviously all the anchors will have to be Tensorex inside the tunnel, and the pull-tests for the Tensorex-supporting stovepipes will have to be considerably more stringent than those of the normal stovepipes owing to the additional load.

Then you have the registration and wiring works...

It's safe to say Morley Tunnel's going to be a big job in and of itself!

 

[GRALISTAIR]

It's safe to say Morley Tunnel's going to be a big job in and of itself!

But this is where the hard work on the diversionary routes over the last few years will come in very nicely. Plus, Rail Replacement Busses too of course.

 

[gimmea50anyday]

Thats assuming train crew sign it....

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Thats assuming train crew sign it....

Buses it is then. If I were a union man that would not please me. Sorry OT

 

[fishwomp]

But this is where the hard work on the diversionary routes over the last few years will come in very nicely. Plus, Rail Replacement Busses too of course.

Has there been work on the diversionary routes?

I saw points renewal at Kirkgate this last Christmas - what else has been done?

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Has there been work on the diversionary routes?

I saw points renewal at Kirkgate this last Christmas - what else has been done?

Guessing here but I think the "work" referred to related to getting crews passed to drive that way, rather than any physical engineering. There shouldn't have been any works required as going via Healey Mills has been a routine diversion for decades.

 

[Roger B]

Guessing here but I think the "work" referred to related to getting crews passed to drive that way, rather than any physical engineering. There shouldn't have been any works required as going via Healey Mills has been a routine diversion for decades.

And via Castleford? I read somewhere (another thread here?) that regular services are due to commence Leeds - Castelford - York (and vv) from May. Is this still happening?

 

[YorksLad12]

And via Castleford? I read somewhere (another thread here?) that regular services are due to commence Leeds - Castelford - York (and vv) from May. Is this still happening?

December 2023, I believe - if it happens. I think the theory is that as TPE will have to divert that way, and drivers will need be trained and to maintain route knowledge, why not run it as a revenue earner. I say "earner"...

 

[61653 HTAFC]

December 2023, I believe - if it happens. I think the theory is that as TPE will have to divert that way, and drivers will need be trained and to maintain route knowledge, why not run it as a revenue earner. I say "earner"...

Given the way TPE is at the moment, this approach would seem to be the best way to keep the route knowledge up to date. On a personal level I'm disappointed that they can't (or won't) have a Mirfield stop on the Huddersfield to Wakefield leg. It's always a fairly busy station for the service it gets even between the peaks.

 

[Richard Scott]

Is

I imagine Morley Tunnel would require at least a weekend blockade just for the installation of the stovepipes, with possibly a further one for the pull-tests (which have to come after the installation and before the cantilevers go in).

Because the tunnel's 3,081 metres long, and UKMS OLE (all varieties) has a maximum full-tension length of 1.5km, there'll need to be at least 2 full tension lengths and 1 half-tension length within it.

Obviously all the anchors will have to be Tensorex inside the tunnel, and the pull-tests for the Tensorex-supporting stovepipes will have to be considerably more stringent than those of the normal stovepipes owing to the additional load.

Then you have the registration and wiring works...

It's safe to say Morley Tunnel's going to be a big job in and of itself!

Could they use conductor bar instead or is there a reason why it can't be used?

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Is

Could they use conductor bar instead or is there a reason why it can't be used?

I'm not sure if a decision has been made on the "how", but whether a wire or a bar it isn't a simple job in a 3km tunnel built the best part of two centuries ago.

 

[YorksLad12]

Given the way TPE is at the moment, this approach would seem to be the best way to keep the route knowledge up to date. On a personal level I'm disappointed that they can't (or won't) have a Mirfield stop on the Huddersfield to Wakefield leg. It's always a fairly busy station for the service it gets even between the peaks.

I was assuming that there would be stops at Mirfield, Normanton and Church Fenton, unless for pathing issues, given that Northern wants to pull the Hudds-Cas stopper. Normanton-Wakefield and Normanton-Castleford links are established already, so the stop at Normanton should be maintained. I'd hope...

On-topic: we're not expecting the diversionary route to be electrified any time soon, are we? It's not part of TRU that I've seen, but it is a TPE diversionary route.

 

[59CosG95]

I was assuming that there would be stops at Mirfield, Normanton and Church Fenton, unless for pathing issues, given that Northern wants to pull the Hudds-Cas stopper. Normanton-Wakefield and Normanton-Castleford links are established already, so the stop at Normanton should be maintained. I'd hope...

On-topic: we're not expecting the diversionary route to be electrified any time soon, are we? It's not part of TRU that I've seen, but it is a TPE diversionary route.

Nope, AFAIK the diversionary route stays diesel-only.

 

[zwk500]

On-topic: we're not expecting the diversionary route to be electrified any time soon, are we? It's not part of TRU that I've seen, but it is a TPE diversionary route.

Diversionary routes wouldn't be wired unless it was extremely short or stood up on it's own. With bi-modes the value of wiring purely for diversionary purposes is negligible.

 

[snowball]

Could they use conductor bar instead or is there a reason why it can't be used?

What exactly is the problem for which you're proposing conductor bar as a solution?

There seems to be a tendency on here to propose it without being specific about what it's a solution to.

Meanwhile there seems to be some disillusionment with it on the real railway. Wasn't there a rumour that it's going to be removed from the Severn Tunnel?

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Meanwhile there seems to be some disillusionment with it on the real railway. Wasn't there a rumour that it's going to be removed from the Severn Tunnel?

I think the issue has been resolved. It was a bimetallic (hence galvanic) corrosion issue IIRC. It is also in use on Crossrail in certain areas. Not sure why Morley would need this approach. I have not done the site survey, but I assumed the track would be lowered slightly, the whole tunnel treated with gunnite, and then conductor bar or normal wire runs would be what happens.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

I think the issue has been resolved. It was a bimetallic (hence galvanic) corrosion issue IIRC. It is also in use on Crossrail in certain areas. Not sure why Morley would need this approach. I have not done the site survey, but I assumed the track would be lowered slightly, the whole tunnel treated with gunnite, and then conductor bar or normal wire runs would be what happens.

I think the member who suggested it did so to avoid having a 'break' in the wire in the middle of the tunnel. I'm not aware of any particular clearance issues with Morley tunnel but it isn't quite as generous space-wise as it appears from the station. The wider portal is actually a road bridge grafted onto the tunnel, the actual tunnel itself is a fair bit smaller.

 

[Richard Scott]

What exactly is the problem for which you're proposing conductor bar as a solution?

There seems to be a tendency on here to propose it without being specific about what it's a solution to.

Meanwhile there seems to be some disillusionment with it on the real railway. Wasn't there a rumour that it's going to be removed from the Severn Tunnel?

It doesn't requires tensioners, I assume not anyway. That was sighted as one of the issues.