Transpennine Route Upgrade and Electrification updates

[YorkshireBear]

Given the historic services patterns and the level of through journeys it would not be unreasonable to detach the York to Hull service from Bridlington. Plus if Leeds to Bradford Interchange wiring is still on the agenda(?) then it would be entirely reasonable to turn the Hull - Halifax service into a Hull - Bradford service. Add to that Hull Trains and LNER going electric, and with TPE being electric capable following TRU and it looks a lot more reasonable.

When you align that with how few overbridges there are to contend with, I struggle with the idea it would be an exceedingly expensive scheme (Hull station itself not withstanding).

When I recently did York to Beverley I was astounded by the number of people doing York to Beverley although it was a summer Friday afternoon so not sure if it is indicative or not.

In the video linked above it was mentioned that discussions are being had about making Cross Gates to Thorpe Park four track, including the two stations.

I am skeptical that will come to anything as it would be a huge undertaking. No doubt would add benefits though as a big long dynamic loop with two station calls.

 

[Halifaxlad]

Given the historic services patterns and the level of through journeys it would not be unreasonable to detach the York to Hull service from Bridlington. Plus if Leeds to Bradford Interchange wiring is still on the agenda(?) then it would be entirely reasonable to turn the Hull - Halifax service into a Hull - Bradford service. Add to that Hull Trains and LNER going electric, and with TPE being electric capable following TRU and it looks a lot more reasonable.

It would entirely be reasonable to leave the Hull to Halifax service alone! Considering it is a Northern service not a Transpennine one.

Even with additional wiring Northern are currently procuring bi-modes. Future terminating at Bradford is also questionable if it is made into a through station.

 

[Andyh82]

With the Dewsbury block starting today I’m wondering if Brighouse might end up getting a raw deal from these works

All trains to Leeds are replaced by buses, but it’s debatable if Brighouse will actually see any benefit from the works?

The Leeds to Wigan will presumably remain once an hour diesel under the wires when the TRU is finished?

Of note is that Arriva recently increased the frequency of their 254 service bus to half hourly citing the upcoming TRU works as a reason. The service bus is actually quicker than the all stations replacement bus, and course only costs £2

 

[D6130]

With the Dewsbury block starting today I’m wondering if Brighouse might end up getting a raw deal from these works

All trains to Leeds are replaced by buses, but it’s debatable if Brighouse will actually see any benefit from the works?

The Leeds to Wigan will presumably remain once an hour diesel under the wires when the TRU is finished?

Brighouse will still be accessible from Leeds via Bradford Interchange during the blockade.

 

[modernrail]

Seeing the enormous amount of earthworks and work required from even the smallest parts of this project is really giving me an appreciation of how impressive the original building of these various bits of line is, even taking into account the cheap labour used at the time.

It is a shame we can’t get a project manager from that time up and running to compare notes.

 

[Spartacus]

Seeing the enormous amount of earthworks and work required from even the smallest parts of this project is really giving me an appreciation of how impressive the original building of these various bits of line is, even taking into account the cheap labour used at the time.

It is a shame we can’t get a project manager from that time up and running to compare notes.

I think an issue of worker welfare might be a sticking point. Their care usually only extended to paying for a plot & service in a local churchyard.

 

[zwk500]

Seeing the enormous amount of earthworks and work required from even the smallest parts of this project is really giving me an appreciation of how impressive the original building of these various bits of line is, even taking into account the cheap labour used at the time.

It is a shame we can’t get a project manager from that time up and running to compare notes.

Their first reaction would be to ask what the heck a ground condition survey was.

 

[billio]

When I recently did York to Beverley I was astounded by the number of people doing York to Beverley although it was a summer Friday afternoon so not sure if it is indicative or not.

Perhaps not so surprising from Bridlington when you look at the difference in fares between the route via Hull and that via Seamer - £11.90 against £30.60. The Seamer route is not that much quicker, 20 to 30 minutes but requiring a wait at Seamer to connect with a TPE to York. And Seamer is one of the most uncomfortable stations to wait.

A difference even more so from Beverley.

 

[Killingworth]

Seeing the enormous amount of earthworks and work required from even the smallest parts of this project is really giving me an appreciation of how impressive the original building of these various bits of line is, even taking into account the cheap labour used at the time.

It is a shame we can’t get a project manager from that time up and running to compare notes.

Part of the difference is that back then they weren't trying to run active services through their work sites. They used sub contractors for parts of the work and men were expected to work long hours, often livng in lodging houses and rows of accommodation huts, most likely 6 days a week. Not like today when a site near me had 450 men working for several days to get a section finished on time. None of them came by train but lots of cars from all over Britain almost every day. Lots of different groups, some of whom had never worked together before.

What with ecolgical surveys before a public inquiry and again before work starts and all health and safety precautions our ancestors might not have got further from Darlington than York or Newcastle. But cheap labour was normal in all areas of society back then and early death was quite normal, particularly among men.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

It would entirely be reasonable to leave the Hull to Halifax service alone! Considering it is a Northern service not a Transpennine one.

Even with additional wiring Northern are currently procuring bi-modes. Future terminating at Bradford is also questionable if it is made into a through station.

The operator of any given service is neither here nor there really.

Unless something has happened recently that I've missed, there are no plans for Bradford Interchange to become a through station aside from occasional mention on here. Though the layout has no real impact on what services could or should be offered. It's currently a dead-end station but only the GC and the Huddersfield services actually terminate there.

 

[Meerkat]

I am skeptical that will come to anything as it would be a huge undertaking. No doubt would add benefits though as a big long dynamic loop with two station calls.

Not that massive if it is planned early enough. Cross Gates used to have through lines (obvs might be modern standards issues...), Thorpe Park will be new, its less than a couple of miles between them, and the only bridge is being rebuilt anyway (anyone remember if Austhorpe Rd is planned with passive provision for four tracks??).

 

[Spartacus]

Their first reaction would be to ask what the heck a ground condition survey was.

They did have them, of sorts, but often amounted to little more than an educated guess. At best an error might lead to spiralling costs and late completion. Usually that cost would be borne by the contractor, and felt most by the labourers who might have to work longer hours for less pay and rations reduced, at least in quality. At worst it would mean whatever was constructed was at risk of falling down (a shockingly common occurrence with early viaducts) or at least needing constant maintenance throughout it's lifetime.

 

[fishwomp]

With the Dewsbury block starting today I’m wondering if Brighouse might end up getting a raw deal from these works

Any idea of what is to be achieved during the blockades? I noticed that the blocks don't include weekend - and are for midweeks for the next few weeks.

All that they say is "recovering cables" and "renewing track"

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Any idea of what is to be achieved during the blockades? I noticed that the blocks don't include weekend - and are for midweeks for the next few weeks.

All that they say is "recovering cables" and "renewing track"

I tried and failed to find any concrete (no pun intended) information on this blockade too. Had thought it might see use of the new(ish) crossover at Batley, but clearly not.
Traffic in the Heavy Woollen district even worse than usual this week, even with the RRBs running and it being half-term.

 

[dodecahedron67]

This month blockade is for OHLE piling & works between Morley and Copley Hill as far as I know

 

[stibz]

This month blockade is for OHLE piling & works between Morley and Copley Hill as far as I know

I was at Copley Hill yesterday, checking what they where doing, ALL I could see was a train getting loaded with old ballast on a section where track had been removed, not too far from the Dragon pub towards Morley. Nothing else I could see.

 

[Batley Lad]

In relation to TRU work - Lady Ann Crossing and Footbridge Batley

The line side vegetation has been given a short back and sides from Batley train station, through Lady Anne and towards Morley tunnel.

In the same areas, new rail has been placed on both up / down Huddersfield lines in preparation of future works.(I don’t know when track replacement will take place)

Re Lady Anne Crossing:

The now closed signal box is still in situ although the vehicular roadway has just been removed.

Additionally, the redundant footbridge between Lady Anne Crossing and Morley tunnel is also still in situ.

Can’t be long before these two local landmarks are erased from history?

From the previous week:


A few from today



I’ve not noticed any pilling or associated works.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

In relation to TRU work - Lady Ann Crossing and Footbridge Batley

The line side vegetation has been given a short back and sides from Batley train station, through Lady Anne and towards Morley tunnel.

In the same areas, new rail has been placed on both up / down Huddersfield lines in preparation of future works.(I don’t know when track replacement will take place)

Re Lady Anne Crossing:

The now closed signal box is still in situ although the vehicular roadway has just been removed.

Additionally, the redundant footbridge between Lady Anne Crossing and Morley tunnel is also still in situ.

Can’t be long before these two local landmarks are erased from history?

From the previous week:
View attachment 167951View attachment 167952

A few from today

View attachment 167958View attachment 167959

I’ve not noticed any pilling or associated works.

A couple of years ago I took a short video of a TPE Nova3 set passing the signal box at Lady Anne crossing...
If you'd told me the signal box would outlive the loco-hauled operations, I probably wouldn't have believed you!

 

[dodecahedron67]

Can confirm that piling has started between Copley Hill (Dragon Pub) and Morley. OHLE foundations visible on the Up Hudds to the low A62 Gelderd Road bridge before Cottingley Station and vegetation clearance has taken place to clear space for more OHLE piles

 

[GRALISTAIR]

That is good news.

 

[158801]

There's currently around 50 foundations in place for overhead wires (a mixture of concrete foundations and metal piles) between Morley and Cottingley.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

How does the currently incomplete White Rose station factor into these latest developments. Have plans had to be altered to accommodate the station?

 

[Halish Railway]

How does the currently incomplete White Rose station factor into these latest developments. Have plans had to be altered to accommodate the station?

I think the OLE piles have already been driven in anticipation of the forthcoming electrification.

 

[YorkshireBear]

I think the OLE piles have already been driven in anticipation of the forthcoming electrification.

I believe they were the first piles as part of TRU West and much fanfare was made when installed so yeah I think that has already been done.
Hopefully the electrification didn't assume cottingley would be closed and demolished by time they installed.

Does anyone know if the current blockades are being utilised for piling? In a 5 day window with nothing to stop you I'd hope they could get an awful lot of piling done.

 

[GhostManDN91]

Are there any planned speed limit improvements between Dewsbury and Leeds?

 

[YorkshireBear]

Are there any planned speed limit improvements between Dewsbury and Leeds?

I think the only major one planned was the Morley one which is already complete.

 

[modernrail]

There's currently around 50 foundations in place for overhead wires (a mixture of concrete foundations and metal piles) between Morley and Cottingley.

Absolutely crazy that the core of one of the most important bits of railway in the country has waited so long for this moment but boy is that good to hear. Finally the Transpennine route is starting to become what it should always have been.

How does the currently incomplete White Rose station factor into these latest developments. Have plans had to be altered to accommodate the station?

I am still struggling with this station. Poor location for passengers and clogging up the route.

IMO money would have been better spent on unlocking a site on route where there was a potential to create a much better modal shift and so get some cars off the roads in a very congested Leeds.

 

[td97]

This month blockade is for OHLE piling & works between Morley and Copley Hill as far as I know

Track renewals are also being undertaken

Week 30 was the first of five consecutive 120 hour blockades happening on TRU west through October/November.

During week 30, our track delivery team along with our supply chain partners have completed close to 1K of track renewals safely without accident or incident

Wesley Lydiate on LinkedIn: Week 30 was the first of five consecutive 120 hour blockades happening on… | 12 comments

Week 30 was the first of five consecutive 120 hour blockades happening on TRU west through October/November. During week 30, our track delivery team along… | 12 comments on LinkedIn

www.linkedin.com

 

[superkev]

Interesting youtube from Sarah bell showing some nightime engineering trains and some footage of the mass of scaffolding on Huddersfield station roof. This doesn't look much different than a few months ago so progress may be hidden.
Anyone have an update on progress on the roof.
See

.

Also drove past Leeds Road bridge on the A62 near the Honda garage and there seemed to be one digger working although the carpark was full next to the stack of TPU office portacabins.
K

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Interesting youtube from Sarah bell showing some nightime engineering trains and some footage of the mass of scaffolding on Huddersfield station roof. This doesn't look much different than a few months ago so progress may be hidden.
Anyone have an update on progress on the roof.
See

.

Also drove past Leeds Road bridge Hudds and there seemed to be one digger working although the carpark was full next to the stack of TPU office portacabins.
K

Which bridge are you referring to here? Leeds Road in Huddersfield (the A62, confusingly the same number is designated to the ring road) does not cross the railway until Bradley which is well over a mile out of town, beyond Deighton station. Is this road-over-rail bridge the bridge in question?