Transpennine Route Upgrade and Electrification updates

[GRALISTAIR]

IIRC the "six stations" are likely to be Deighton, Mirfield, Ravensthorpe, Dewsbury, Batley and (possibly) Cottingley.
Huddersfield and Morley are of course already underway, and White Rose is outwith the TRU scope.

Morley station is W5 of course.

 

[YorkshireBear]

Passing Neville hill everyday, does anyone know what the sheet piling is for? They have sheet piled a long length and are now capping it with concrete. Looks a huge job to put a siding head shunt in on land that previously had a, you've guessed it, siding head shunt in it?

 

[Snow1964]

BAM appointed to deliver the next phase of the Transpennine Route Upgrade

BAM has been appointed to deliver the next phase of the Transpennine Route Upgrade West project, securing £800m of work as part of the £2bn TRUWest Alliance contract award.

ukandireland.bam.com

The Amey press release (also part of the awarded consortium)

Amey has successfully won further work on the Transpennine Route Upgrade West Alliance (TRUWest) project, securing £800m of work from the £2bn contract award. The next phase of the TRUWest project will cover a range of multi-disciplinary railway upgrades between Huddersfield and Leeds, transforming journeys and bringing more frequent, reliable and greener travel to the North.

Working collaboratively with Amey’s key partners - Arup, BAM, and Network Rail - the TRUWest Alliance will deliver upgrades to six stations, improving facilities and accessibility, and construct nine new bridges and one viaduct, allowing tracks to be re-aligned, electrified, or increased in number to enable faster, more frequent electric trains. A new railway siding in Huddersfield will be built enabling significant improvements at Huddersfield station to be completed.

Signalling work across 28 miles of route will increase reliability and reduce delays, while an increase in tracks from two to four between Huddersfield and Ravensthorpe will reduce journey times and congestion. The installation of overhead line equipment (OLE) will support the reduction of the UK’s carbon footprint and improve air quality, and new tracks and drainage will increase line speeds and enhance service reliability.

Major contract win on next phase of the Transpennine Route Upgrade

www.amey.co.uk

 

[snowball]

I hope we get some more specific information soon about what exactly is covered by this new contract. And how much is covered by contracts already in progress. The new announcement includes some stuff I thought was already contracted.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

I hope we get some more specific information soon about what exactly is covered by this new contract. And how much is covered by contracts already in progress. The new announcement includes some stuff I thought was already contracted.

I will update maps in the near future- probably next week. As for new announcements including stuff already contracted - it is not just politicians who like 2 bites of the cherry!!

 

[61653 HTAFC]

IIRC the "six stations" are likely to be Deighton, Mirfield, Ravensthorpe, Dewsbury, Batley and (possibly) Cottingley.
Huddersfield and Morley are of course already underway, and White Rose is outwith the TRU scope.

It would be typical of the current way the railway works to waste money on doing work to a station that is set for closure because the contracts have already been drawn up and there's no mechanism for amendment. (See also, the 458/4 programme, the Mk5a sets, etc. etc.)
Meanwhile the replacement sits unfinished due to funding issues!

 

[quantinghome]

It would be typical of the current way the railway works to waste money on doing work to a station that is set for closure because the contracts have already been drawn up and there's no mechanism for amendment. (See also, the 458/4 programme, the Mk5a sets, etc. etc.)
Meanwhile the replacement sits unfinished due to funding issues!

All civil engineering contracts have clauses permitting amendments.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

All civil engineering contracts have clauses permitting amendments.

That's some comfort... for avoidance of doubt, my previous post was not intended as a statement of fact.

If any funding had previously been allocated to improvements at Cottingley, it would make sense to divert those funds to fill the gap at White Rose. Though unfortunately as the projects are being managed separately, such a decision would not necessarily be that straightforward to make.

 

[snowball]

I will update maps in the near future- probably next week. As for new announcements including stuff already contracted - it is not just politicians who like 2 bites of the cherry!!

An example of the sort of thing I was referring to is that the BAM and Amey press releases appear to suggest that the newly awarded work includes the four-tracking between Huddersfield and Ravensthorpe, which I assumed was part of contracts already in progress, given the earthworks that are happening.

 

[3RDGEN]

Passing Neville hill everyday, does anyone know what the sheet piling is for? They have sheet piled a long length and are now capping it with concrete. Looks a huge job to put a siding head shunt in on land that previously had a, you've guessed it, siding head shunt in it?

On the TRU website there's now a Lineside Neighbour Info page - https://thetrupgrade.co.uk/leeds-thorpepark/ which gives details on work due. The July & August ones appear to explain the piling.

For July - https://thetrupgrade.co.uk/wp-conte...Tracker-2024-07-July-Leeds-to-Thorpe-Park.pdf - "Retaining Wall Piling What we will be doing: We are constructing a 200-metre-long retaining wall to stabilise the embankment alongside the line opposite Neville Hill Depot to the west of Osmondthorpe Lane. This will secure the ground to enable additional tracks to be installed and safely allow faster trains to run".

For August - https://thetrupgrade.co.uk/wp-conte...acker-2024-08-August-Leeds-to-Thorpe-Park.pdf - "Neville Hill Depot Works What we will be doing: We are constructing a new access road from Newmarket Approach into our worksite opposite Neville Hill depot to give road-rail vehicles, our engineers, machinery and equipment improved access to and from our worksite to help future upgrade works to be be carried out in the area. We are setting up a compound, where our teams will have welfare facilities and room to store equipment and materials. We are also capping a long-disused mineshaft within the site".

 

[GRALISTAIR]

An example of the sort of thing I was referring to is that the BAM and Amey press releases appear to suggest that the newly awarded work includes the four-tracking between Huddersfield and Ravensthorpe,

Definitely 2 bites of the cherry there

which I assumed was part of contracts already in progress, given the earthworks that are happening.

Exactly my understanding too.

 

[snowball]

In a post on Skyscrapercity, user manc829 says this:

It’s being reported in the FT that the TRU is being studied for cost savings…

One of their sources directly claims that savings are being sought in order to meet “short term budgetary targets” even if it ends up costing more long term.

Delayed Transpennine rail upgrade reviewed again ahead of Budget

Delayed Transpennine rail upgrade reviewed again ahead of Budget

Electrification of Manchester-Leeds route being studied for potential cost savings

on.ft.com

I haven't personally read the item at the link, and can't quote it, because of the paywall.

 

[fishwomp]

In a post on Skyscrapercity, user manc829 says this:



I haven't personally read the item at the link, and can't quote it, because of the paywall.

There isn't much in the article - I just searched for it in Google and clicked the link, it didn't paywall it whereas your link is paywalled .. don't know how that happens.

Apparently..

"Two said the project had been asked to find £100mn in savings ahead of the Budget on October 30."

£50m east of Leeds and £50m west to find they say.

That shouldn't be too hard - the only thing I would be concerned about is that they will kill the wrong £50m bits.

Eg. Couldn't Mossley be fixed by compulsory purchases of six to ten houses and knocking them down, or bricking up the back windows, for example.. cost £2m max, plus £500k in compensation total..

Prepare for a bit more disingenuous (discontinuous? Ed.) electrification.... Or less three tracking to Marsden

 

[coxxy]

Is in cab signalling still part of the plan? How much would they save if they lost that?

 

[HSTEd]

Eg. Couldn't Mossley be fixed by compulsory purchases of six to ten houses and knocking them down, or bricking up the back windows, for example.. cost £2m max, plus £500k in compensation total..

You won't get compulsory purchase of six to ten houses, plus building work, for £2.5m.

You would be lucky to get that for ~£10m once you include all the legal costs associated with that.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Is in cab signalling still part of the plan? How much would they save if they lost that?

I think they plan to do both - classic resignalling first (some of it in progress), then ETCS after on the core part of the route, to increase capacity.
ETCS is of course Network Rail's holy grail.

 

[fishwomp]

You won't get compulsory purchase of six to ten houses, plus building work, for £2.5m.

You would be lucky to get that for ~£10m once you include all the legal costs associated with that.

How much is the alternative - plus a life time of the niggle of the discontinuous electrification. £10m would be £1m per house, and that would be a heck considerably beyond the norm for that street., people would bite your hand off to take that!

 

[nr758123]

How much is the alternative - plus a life time of the niggle of the discontinuous electrification. £10m would be £1m per house, and that would be a heck considerably beyond the norm for that street., people would bite your hand off to take that!

It's not just about the houses overlooking the line. Part of the proposals is to move Mossley station to the north, where there is space to provide a longer eastbound platform and provide disabled access, which can't be done in the present location. Of course, one of the cost savings could be to dispense with the idea of making all stations along the route fully accessible, but that would rightly meet with a lot of influential opposition.

 

[snowball]

A reminder that, as announced in #8192, the detailed proposals for Mossley, and the Stalybridge - Diggle section more generally, are due to go online tomorrow at the following address, with drop-in events on Wednesday to Friday:

Stalybridge to Diggle (Saddleworth) scheme - Network Rail

As part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade, we are proposing a number of changes between Stalybridge and Diggle (Saddleworth). This...

www.networkrail.co.uk

 

[HSTEd]

How much is the alternative - plus a life time of the niggle of the discontinuous electrification.

Well.... given that most TPE trains will need secondary propulsion systems for the forseable in any case, probably not much to simply forget it!

£10m would be £1m per house, and that would be a heck considerably beyond the norm for that street., people would bite your hand off to take that!

It is likely that at least some of the residents would fight on principle, and you will spend an awful lot of money fighting them.

 

[nr758123]

It is likely that at least some of the residents would fight on principle, and you will spend an awful lot of money fighting them.

Not just money, time as well. A contested Compulsory Purchase Order doesn't happen quickly.

 

[Snow1964]

Network Rail has launched new consultation on TRU Stalybridue to Saddleworth plans (includes video and virtual links)

More images have been released showing the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) changes coming to the railway and stations between Stalybridge tunnel and Diggle (Saddleworth).

The public consultation on this area of the route is now open and will close on 25 October 2024. A virtual consultation room and feedback form is available at www.networkrail.co.uk/stalybridgetodiggle.

Further images show the relocated Mossley station, and the upgraded Greenfield station. Both will see accessibility improvements for the first time in their history.

Images have also been released of how overhead line equipment (OLE) will be sensitively installed on the historic Uppermill Viaduct, also known as Saddleworth Viaduct. The locations of the OLE masts have been considerately designed to avoid the most visible areas of the viaduct where possible.

Oldham Road Bridge will be reconstructed by TRU, to facilitate the installation of OLE and to allow larger freight trains to pass through. New images show a footbridge is to be constructed from Oldham Road to Shaw Hall Bank Road adjacent to the existing Oldham Road Bridge. This will separate pedestrians from traffic and improve safety

More images released as public consultation opens on TRU Stalybridge to Saddleworth plans

More images have been released showing the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) changes coming to the railway and stations between Stalybridge tunnel and Diggle (Saddleworth).

www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk

 

[Transilien]

Does anyone know why they are using two different types of electrification masts at the Stalybridge and Church Fenton ends of the route? The Church Fenton ones seem to differ from all other recent electrification projects and use more conventional looking masts.

 

[59CosG95]

Does anyone know why they are using two different types of electrification masts at the Stalybridge and Church Fenton ends of the route? The Church Fenton ones seem to differ from all other recent electrification projects and use more conventional looking masts.

Different Network Rail Route Asset Manager (RAM) preference for maintenance.
The North West route RAM (part of the North West & Central Region) prefers "Series 2" style registrations (i.e. mainly Bonomi Omnia), while the North & East Route RAM (part of the Eastern Region) prefers the "Siemens SICAT SA" registrations - presumably as they have more MkIII-style electrified routes, and SICAT isn't that dissimilar for maintenance purposes.

 

[Transilien]

Different Network Rail Route Asset Manager (RAM) preference for maintenance.
The North West route RAM (part of the North West & Central Region) prefers "Series 2" style registrations (i.e. mainly Bonomi Omnia), while the North & East Route RAM (part of the Eastern Region) prefers the "Siemens SICAT SA" registrations - presumably as they have more MkIII-style electrified routes, and SICAT isn't that dissimilar for maintenance purposes.

Interesting, I thought the choice of mast design would be project based not region based.

 

[quantinghome]

How much is the alternative - plus a life time of the niggle of the discontinuous electrification. £10m would be £1m per house, and that would be a heck considerably beyond the norm for that street., people would bite your hand off to take that!

The obvious solution has always been a neutral section of OHL along that section. The problem has been that the station is too close to the section so stopping trains wouldn't be able to coast through it as they do elsewhere. However, as the station needs to be moved up the line for other reasons, the obvious solution can now go ahead without expensive and drawn out CPO or an expensive structural barrier.

 

[edwin_m]

The obvious solution has always been a neutral section of OHL along that section. The problem has been that the station is too close to the section so stopping trains wouldn't be able to coast through it as they do elsewhere. However, as the station needs to be moved up the line for other reasons, the obvious solution can now go ahead without expensive and drawn out CPO or an expensive structural barrier.

It does however, I assume, need an expensive and drawn out TWA order...

 

[swt_passenger]

The obvious solution has always been a neutral section of OHL along that section. The problem has been that the station is too close to the section so stopping trains wouldn't be able to coast through it as they do elsewhere. However, as the station needs to be moved up the line for other reasons, the obvious solution can now go ahead without expensive and drawn out CPO or an expensive structural barrier.

There’s a section in the linked NR page entitled Mossley Cottages that includes the following summary, it seems to me they’ll be relying on some sort of barriers:

“To improve safety and security along the railway, we will be undertaking some modification work to the boundary walls and barriers along the line next to the Mossley Cottages.

The main work includes:

• Modifications to the boundary walls and barriers between the railway line and properties on Manchester Road.
• Modifications to the footbridge staircase on Manchester Road to improve security and prevent trespassing.
• Works to embankments along the railway in the Mossley area will be required, to facilitate overhead line equipment (OLE).”

Stalybridge to Diggle (Saddleworth) scheme - Network Rail

As part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade, we are proposing a number of changes between Stalybridge and Diggle (Saddleworth). This...

www.networkrail.co.uk

 

[snowball]

They say the highway and footpath at Roughtown Road bridge will be unaltered, but seem not to have noticed that there is no footpath.

 

[quantinghome]

There’s a section in the linked NR page entitled Mossley Cottages that includes the following summary, it seems to me they’ll be relying on some sort of barriers:

Stalybridge to Diggle (Saddleworth) scheme - Network Rail

As part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade, we are proposing a number of changes between Stalybridge and Diggle (Saddleworth). This...

www.networkrail.co.uk

Hard to see exactly what they're planning but from the limited information available they don't look like the sort of barriers that would be needed to protect the properties (and their occupants) from a 25kV OHL. I suspect it's taking the opportunity to make the barriers more robust and prevent trespass.