Transpennine Route Upgrade and Electrification updates

[Foggycorner]

I took a trip from manchester Picc to Stalybridge today and not only was the sun shining but the glare from the new contact wire now completed at guide bridge was a welcome sight so now it's live both from guide bridge and victoria to stalybridge

 

[snowball]

I took a trip from manchester Picc to Stalybridge today and not only was the sun shining but the glare from the new contact wire now completed at guide bridge was a welcome sight so now it's live both from guide bridge and victoria to stalybridge

I never knew until now that the gleam of new copper was dependent on it being live.

 

[jonesy3001]

Good stuff, wonder what they'll use to test the overhead wires before the June timetable change.
Apparently there's overnight engineering works from the 12th march for a few nights could that be the last of the overhead works?

 

[billh]

I never knew until now that the gleam of new copper was dependent on it being live.

It will be the class 92 being used as a test load bank in Avenue sidings making the wires glow

 

[jonnyfan]

Good stuff, wonder what they'll use to test the overhead wires before the June timetable change.
Apparently there's overnight engineering works from the 12th march for a few nights could that be the last of the overhead works?

There was a notice at our depot for volunteer drivers to take a Class 331 from Longsight MID to Victoria and back some hours later during March. I've forgotten the exact date, so I'd take a punt on a Class 331 to test out the wires.

 

[Jamesrob637]

The freight line over the respective Ashton roads won't be electrified, will it?

 

[jonesy3001]

There was a notice at our depot for volunteer drivers to take a Class 331 from Longsight MID to Victoria and back some hours later during March. I've forgotten the exact date, so I'd take a punt on a Class 331 to test out the wires.

The 331s have pantograph cams, they'll probably use it to check the wires on both ashton and guide bridge lines.

 

[CAF397]

I never knew until now that the gleam of new copper was dependent on it being live.

Well it's brand new metal so will be shiny, but the official notice is enough to convince people that it's live.

In the current Weekly Operating Notice that Guide Bridge West Jn to Stalybridge is to be energised and treated as live from 0001 Sunday 3rd March.

 

[jonesy3001]

Just seen this post on LinkedIn and it looks like there could be a test train next week to test the wires on the stalybridge lines.
I've taken screenshots of the post as well.
Credit to the TRU west alliance.

TRU West Alliance on LinkedIn: #westalliance #energisation #teamwork

One Step Closer ....... The West Alliance Electrification Test & Commissioning Stage 7, 8A, 8B Entry into Service was completed this week as planned. This is…

www.linkedin.com

 

[59CosG95]

Looks like there could be a test train next week to test the wires on the stalybridge lines.
I've taken screenshots of the post as well.
Credit to the TRU west alliance.

TRU West Alliance on LinkedIn: #westalliance #energisation #teamwork

One Step Closer ....... The West Alliance Electrification Test & Commissioning Stage 7, 8A, 8B Entry into Service was completed this week as planned. This is…

www.linkedin.com

Literally beat me to it by seconds! I've got a feeling it won't be a 390 as they are most definitely not cleared up that way.
A smaller unit or perhaps (fingers crossed) a loco would be more likely.

 

[jonesy3001]

Literally beat me to it by seconds!

Great minds think alike.
I had to screenshot the post though as I have an old phone.
I'll let you look on realtimes.
Post 7625 further up the page says it could be a 331.

 

[59CosG95]

Realtime Trains | 1Q18 1852 Crewe to Longsight Car. M.D. | 13/03/2024

Real-time train running information for 1Q18 1852 departure from Crewe to Longsight Car. M.D. on 13/03/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Well this might be one! 1Q18 services are almost always OLE testing related, although normally this involves 2 diesels top-and-tailing a consist of coaches including "MENTOR". No sign of any EMU paths yet AFAIK.

 

[jonesy3001]

Probably run it in the paths that have a rail replacement bus.

 

[Geeves]

99.9 percent sure it's 331 as the test electric train. They are asking for volunteers and it was a requirement to sign them

 

[td97]

Realtime Trains | 1Q18 1852 Crewe to Longsight Car. M.D. | 13/03/2024

Real-time train running information for 1Q18 1852 departure from Crewe to Longsight Car. M.D. on 13/03/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Well this might be one! 1Q18 services are almost always OLE testing related, although normally this involves 2 diesels top-and-tailing a consist of coaches including "MENTOR". No sign of any EMU paths yet AFAIK.

It is highly unlikely that OLE testing would take place at 9pm when the line is open to passenger traffic. The OLE test has to be done in special isolated conditions. I would have thought that path is more likely track recording, or possibly could include an aspect of OLE imaging/recording, but this is unlikely to be drawing power.

 

[bengley]

It is highly unlikely that OLE testing would take place at 9pm when the line is open to passenger traffic. The OLE test has to be done in special isolated conditions. I would have thought that path is more likely track recording, or possibly could include an aspect of OLE imaging/recording, but this is unlikely to be drawing power.

1Q18 (PLPR1/Mentor) does record wired routes in the middle of the day. Perfectly normal.

On this occasion, however, the train will lower the pantograph at Manchester Victoria and will not be recording the new wires.

 

[Geeves]

Potentially testing related next week.

On the 13th and 14th of March there's a 5I64 at 0345 from Victoria to Manchester International depot (Bank St) that doesn't usually run. I can't see any trains coming from the depot or going to Staly so I'm going assume the whole lot is under some kind of engineering possession and the units come in on the last one from Liverpool to Vic at 0027 the night before.

Edit units come in from Blackpool N at 2340 1Y64. . Friend just pointed it out.

 

[GraphitProjekt]

Where do we think they'll move to next since Stalybridge and Church Fenton electrification schemes are nearing completion. In my view, it would make a lot of sense to focus on the Church Fenton to Leeds section since it's not a very long route with mostly plain line (although there are about 20 overbridges) and there are a few services that would be able to switch to electric - nova 1s go through there and the York Leeds stopping train could be switched to using 331s. On the MML, they're in a similar position with kettering to wigston now almost complete, but over there it's been implied that it the team will disband for a few years unfortunate.

 

[jonesy3001]

I think they'll do the leeds to church fenton next before they do leeds to huddersfield, then huddersfield to stalybridge.

 

[59CosG95]

Where do we think they'll move to next since Stalybridge and Church Fenton electrification schemes are nearing completion. In my view, it would make a lot of sense to focus on the Church Fenton to Leeds section since it's not a very long route with mostly plain line (although there are about 20 overbridges) and there are a few services that would be able to switch to electric - nova 1s go through there and the York Leeds stopping train could be switched to using 331s. On the MML, they're in a similar position with kettering to wigston now almost complete, but over there it's been implied that it the team will disband for a few years unfortunate.

Piling has already started between Leeds & Micklefield.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

I think they'll do the leeds to church fenton next before they do leeds to huddersfield, then huddersfield to stalybridge.

Full wiring of Leeds to Huddersfield won't happen until the four-tracking and grade separation at Thornhill is completed. You could wire to Dewsbury but only TPE's 802s would benefit. If the wires were there a Dewsbury to Leeds shuttle could go electric while the blockade is in place, but you'd have to train crews on the stock and/or the route, and only Northern have suitable pure EMUs in the area- so that probably goes in the "more trouble than it's worth" pile.

 

[willgreen]

They also need to complete four-tracking at some point between Leeds and Church Fenton, to allow stoppers to be looped. A Leeds Council document I saw the other week seemed to suggest this loop would start at Cross Gates and end somewhere before Garforth.

 

[snowball]

There is an application for a Transport & Works Act order, submitted last July and not yet decided, for various works, mostly about bridges, between Leeds and Micklefield.

There have also been mentions, light on detail and not yet subject to a TWAO application (if one is needed), of viaduct works in Leeds east of the station.

There was a TWAO application for a new road and bridge near Church Fenton to enable the closure of three level crossings: Rose Lane, Adamsons and Poulters. I've just discovered on the DfT website that this gained approval in November. I don't think this approval has been mentioned on here until now.

There's also, of course, the need to realign the track near Neville Hill, which must come before electrification in that area and which is presumably dependent on completion of the alternative stabling sites at Shipley and Temple Mills. (Edit: sorry, I meant Healey Mills. Thanks, Bob55G.)

 

[Bob55G]

There is an application for a Transport & Works Act order, submitted last July and not yet decided, for various works, mostly about bridges, between Leeds and Micklefield.

There have also been mentions, light on detail and not yet subject to a TWAO application (if one is needed), of viaduct works in Leeds east of the station.

There was a TWAO application for a new road and bridge near Church Fenton to enable the closure of three level crossings: Rose Lane, Adamsons and Poulters. I've just discovered on the DfT website that this gained approval in November. I don't think this approval has been mentioned on here until now.

There's also, of course, the need to realign the track near Neville Hill, which must come before electrification in that area and which is presumably dependent on completion of the alternative stabling sites at Shipley and Temple Mills.

Surely alternative stabling sites at Shipley & Healey Mills?

As seen on Sunday 10th March, part of the Crossley scrapyard site (to the South of the Valley Road overbridge) is almost completely cleared - presumably good progress toward the setting up of the Shipley stabling point.

 

[deltic08]

Piling has already started between Leeds & Micklefield.

There is piling between CF and Micklefield

 

[59CosG95]

There is piling between CF and Micklefield

Whoops! That's what I meant.

 

[jonesy3001]

Looks like the test train on the ashton line ran this morning, wonder what the outcome was, after testing the wires.

Realtime Trains | 5I64 0345 Manchester Victoria to Longsight Excursion Plat | 13/03/2024

Real-time train running information for 5I64 0345 departure from Manchester Victoria to Longsight Excursion Plat on 13/03/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Same again tomorrow morning.

Realtime Trains | 5I64 0345 Manchester Victoria to Mchester International Dep | 14/03/2024

Real-time train running information for 5I64 0345 departure from Manchester Victoria to Mchester International Dep on 14/03/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[skyhigh]

As seen on Sunday 10th March, part of the Crossley scrapyard site (to the South of the Valley Road overbridge) is almost completely cleared - presumably good progress toward the setting up of the Shipley stabling point.

Pretty much the entire site was clear the last time I went past.

 

[jonesy3001]

Pretty much the entire site was clear the last time I went past.

I'd go for a look but the baildon line is shut for another month and it takes ages to get to shipley on the bus these days especially from where I live.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Piling has already started between Leeds & Micklefield.

And between Wigan and Lostock, which looks like the extension of the Stalybridge team's work.

The 1Q18 diagram you linked visits almost every nook and cranny around Manchester, but not Guide Bridge-Stalybridge...