Transpennine Route Upgrade and Electrification updates

[WAO]

The image in #30 on the Speculation > TPU 4track through Cross gates discussion may be of interest.
WAO

 

[mister-sparky]

When is it all due to be complete?

 

[Tobberz]

Chancellor just confirmed an additional 3.5bn towards the upgrade/electrification. Curious whether this will genuinely secure future of the TRU, or whether it was money already committed.

 

[croggy95]

The image in #30 on the Speculation > TPU 4track through Cross gates discussion may be of interest.
WAO

I was walking over the bridge in Cross Gates yesterday and immediately noticed what looked like two tracks in the middle of the existing ones. I knew there was talk of 4-tracking but wasn’t aware it would apply to Cross Gates - thought it would only be through Thorpe Park.

 

[YorkshireBear]

I was walking over the bridge in Cross Gates yesterday and immediately noticed what looked like two tracks in the middle of the existing ones. I knew there was talk of 4-tracking but wasn’t aware it would apply to Cross Gates - thought it would only be through Thorpe Park.

It's a crossover that appears to have been left there pending Installation elsewhere. I haven't worked out where it would be installed though.

 

[KN94]

Cross Gates, Station Road Bridge

thetrupgrade.co.uk

I read this as not all of the bridge is being demolished in one go and that the footpath on one side will remain open? I'm not too familiar with the bridge or the area so it might make more sense to locals.


== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Jun 2025 ==

I was walking over the bridge in Cross Gates yesterday and immediately noticed what looked like two tracks in the middle of the existing ones. I knew there was talk of 4-tracking but wasn’t aware it would apply to Cross Gates - thought it would only be through Thorpe Park.

The plan is for four tracking from slightly West of Cross Gates to immediately West of Garforth.

 

[Monkeyhead]

Ah yes, that makes sense, either they’re not demolishing all of the bridge, or they’re sticking a temporary one over. Will wait and see.

 

[skyhigh]

It's a crossover that appears to have been left there pending Installation elsewhere. I haven't worked out where it would be installed though.

West of Cross Gates new turnback signals have been installed, so I presume it'll be to go in there.

 

[quantinghome]

Ah yes, that makes sense, either they’re not demolishing all of the bridge, or they’re sticking a temporary one over. Will wait and see.

They are replacing only the part of the bridge on the station side. That's an older bit which doesn't have clearance for electrification. The rest of the bridge was built later and has room.

 

[D Mylchreest]

I'm wondering if this technology couldn't be used to save the bridges

 

[The exile]

I'm wondering if this technology couldn't be used to save the bridges

Thing is that many bridges are probably approaching the end of their natural life anyway (or at least in need of a lot of expensive tlc) so the “saving” may only be on the cost of bringing future work forward.

 

[Spartacus]

I'm wondering if this technology couldn't be used to save the bridges

Looking at some photos of it on the GWML I'm guessing it might not have bene suitable for a low arched bridge bridge like the one at Cross Gates.

Thing is that many bridges are probably approaching the end of their natural life anyway (or at least in need of a lot of expensive tlc) so the “saving” may only be on the cost of bringing future work forward.

Very true, the line, and presumable this low bridge, are approaching 200 years old.

 

[Nottingham59]

I'm wondering if this technology couldn't be used to save the bridges

I'm sure they would have considered it.

 

[LittleAH]

Chancellor just confirmed an additional 3.5bn towards the upgrade/electrification. Curious whether this will genuinely secure future of the TRU, or whether it was money already committed.

Wasn’t two thirds of the money committed. This would be great if it’s new money

 

[hwl]

I'm wondering if this technology couldn't be used to save the bridges

No need to wonder - All the bridges on the route have been assessed and this benefitted circa 20 bridges, there was no option apart from major rebuild or start again for many though.

 

[John R]

No need to wonder - All the bridges on the route have been assessed and this benefitted circa 20 bridges, there was no option apart from major rebuild or start again for many though.

Exactly. I would have thought it would be a standard procedure to assess each bridge for the options available both for cost effectiveness and the disruptive aspect of a complete reconstruction. It’s good to see that a major cost in electrification schemes is being managed effectively using technology that was only being trialled a few years ago.

 

[D Mylchreest]

No need to wonder - All the bridges on the route have been assessed and this benefitted circa 20 bridges, there was no option apart from major rebuild or start again for many though.

OK so does that mean that 'Voltage controlled clearance technology' is being used on this project

 

[Nottingham59]

OK so does that mean that 'Voltage controlled clearance technology' is being used on this project

Here's one case study:

Dewsbury Station Footbridge Voltage Controlled Clearances

www.amey.co.uk

The design proposal demonstrated that Overhead Line Equipment could be installed beneath Dewsbury Station Footbridge without costly civils intervention work to lift the soffit of the bridge. As the bridge is a Grade II listed structure, consents would also have been difficult to obtain.

The approximate cost of installing surge arrestors, secondary insulation and GLS insulating paint is in the region of £50k. The estimated cost of the bridge works to achieve a compliant electrical clearance is in excess of £2m.

 

[duffield]

Here's one case study:

Dewsbury Station Footbridge Voltage Controlled Clearances

www.amey.co.uk

Interesting (well, quite stunning) figures.

I wonder what another comparison looks like - track lowering vs bridge rebuilding, in cases where surge arrestors etc. are not enough? I'd guess it's a lot more than £50k but still cheaper than £2m. This is being done on the MML but - to make it on topic - is track lowering being used for any bridges covered by TRU?

 

[The exile]

Interesting (well, quite stunning) figures.

I wonder what another comparison looks like - track lowering vs bridge rebuilding, in cases where surge arrestors etc. are not enough? I'd guess it's a lot more than £50k but still cheaper than £2m. This is being done on the MML but - to make it on topic - is track lowering being used for any bridges covered by TRU?

It’ll depend on local conditions (what’s under the track, how high is the water table etc) and of course has knock on effects if there are station platforms etc nearby.

 

[duffield]

It’ll depend on local conditions (what’s under the track, how high is the water table etc) and of course has knock on effects if there are station platforms etc nearby.

Yes, I was just wondering if there were any concrete examples available like the Dewsbury one above.

 

[Frankton Junct]

Yes, I was just wondering if there were any concrete examples available like the Dewsbury one above.

The recent electrification of the branch to East Kilbride is a good case study. Each bridge was assessed and a solution designed; these solutions include full replacement, track lowering and/or surge arrestors. See the separate thread for details.

 

[Dave S 56F]

I noticed today coming back from Bradford int to Huddersfield on the train near red doles Lane former jct and Bridge after I had been for a day out on the K.V.W.R. there has been some piles for cable masts put in on the Deighton to Huddersfield section of line on the up line side.
can anyone confirm this if there also on the down side as well as I wasent sat on the train nearest to the canal side If so how far do the piles go going toward Heaton Lodge jct and Mirfield?

 

[YorkshireBear]

I noticed today coming back from Bradford int to Huddersfield on the train near red doles Lane former jct and Bridge after I had been for a day out on the K.V.W.R. there has been some piles for cable masts put in on the Deighton to Huddersfield section of line on the up line side.
can anyone confirm this if there also on the down side as well as I wasent sat on the train nearest to the canal side If so how far do the piles go going toward Heaton Lodge jct and Mirfield?

Yes those have been there a while.

Not sure how far towards midfield they go, the focus in that area is the four tracking project which is complex round there.

Lots of piles Dewsbury to Leeds now where the route upgrade element is less complex.

 

[superkev]

Didn't Rachael Reeves say last week that that 50% of the electrification between Yofk and Huddersfield would be complete this year which presumably means all but the complex bits around Neville hill, Ravensthorpe, Heaton Lodge and Huddersfield.
Completion and in use seem to be widely differing dates so it will be interesting to see if trains actually use the completed sections befire the rest.
K

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

There are only 3 electric sections which make sense operationally: Church Fenton-Neville Hill, Copley Hill-Huddersfield and Huddersfield-Stalybridge.
I think they will probably go live in that order, but dates are unclear.
"50% complete" is meaningless without knowing which 50% they are talking about.

 

[Bald Rick]

Didn't Rachael Reeves say last week that that 50% of the electrification between Yofk and Huddersfield would be complete this year which presumably means all but the complex bits around Neville hill, Ravensthorpe, Heaton Lodge and Huddersfield.

I haven’t seen the quote, but it could easily mean 50% of the electrification work, i.e. 50% of the spend.

 

[YorkshireBear]

I have t seen the wuote, but it could easily mean 50% of the electrification work, i.e. 50% of the spend.

That would probably make sense considering Leeds York will mostly be done, Leeds to Huddersfield will be well on the way, and Huddersfield to Stalybridge hasn't been started.

 

[LittleAH]

I have t seen the wuote, but it could easily mean 50% of the electrification work, i.e. 50% of the spend.

Think it was 25 percent. Which is Stalybridge to Manchester and Chrich Fenton to York.

 

[themiller]

N

Think it was 25 percent. Which is Stalybridge to Manchester and Chrich Fenton to York.

York to Colton Junction was already done as part of the ECML electrification!