Upgrades to capacity on Leeds to Micklefield route

[HST43257]

Electrification isn't stopping more services going through Leeds; it's the lack of capacity between Leeds and Micklefield.

This post from the thread linked below got me thinking. What exactly needs to happen to make the Leeds to Micklefield section have less capacity issues?

Electric services thru leeds

When the non-wired section from Leeds to York is completed, wouldnt it make sense to have some electric through trains from bradford fsq/ilkleyskipton to York? I know not many as the route east of Leeds is rather full, but it would free up some platform space and avoid changes for some people.

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[30907]

At least 1 of:
Quadrupling through 2 consecutive stations (so that stopping trains are not delayed by being looped).
Fast-accelerating units on stopping trains (this is how DB started some S-Bahns without additional tracks).
Rationalising the Leeds-York fast service.

But IIRC the transport authority would like 4tph stopping not just 2...

 

[Bigman]

Quadrupling all the way from Richmond Hill cutting to Thorpe Park. Track bed is already wide enough.

 

[30907]

Quadrupling all the way from Richmond Hill cutting to Thorpe Park. Track bed is already wide enough.

Are they planning a station at TP? If so yes, see my 1st point, if not it's a bit marginal.

 

[quantinghome]

4-tracking some or all of the route will certainly help. Signalling modernisation may allow the gap between trains to be reduced as well, but ultimately if you've got different stopping patterns on the same track it will kill capacity.

A station at Thorpe Park is being planned. Hopefully with some allowance for future 4-tracking.

 

[30907]

A station at Thorpe Park is being planned. Hopefully with some allowance for future 4-tracking.

Thanks. In that case, quadrupling Cross Gates to Thorpe Park would work.

 

[HST43257]

Thanks. In that case, quadrupling Cross Gates to Thorpe Park would work.

What about all the way from Neville Hill to just before Garforth, so they can stop at Garforth just after the fast has gone through? I don’t think there is space for 4 tracks through Garforth unfortunately.

 

[30907]

What about all the way from Neville Hill to just before Garforth, so they can stop at Garforth just after the fast has gone through? I don’t think there is space for 4 tracks through Garforth unfortunately.

You certainly want decent speeds in and out of the loops - Garforth on the down would bring the most benefit.

 

[quantinghome]

Fortunately HS2's route bypasses Garforth so the 2 fast tracks from Leeds could connect into that, leaving the 2 slow tracks to carry on as they do now, but with lots more trains on.

 

[30907]

Fortunately HS2's route bypasses Garforth so the 2 fast tracks from Leeds could connect into that, leaving the 2 slow tracks to carry on as they do now, but with lots more trains on.

Only if the fast trains all go onto HS2 the problem is mitigated if not solved as there are only 2 stations not 4-5 on the busiest stretch (which is to Micklefield).

 

[Glenn1969]

We have to hope they go ahead with HS2 in full then. Although I wish something could be done by 2030 not 2040 lol

 

[EastisECML]

That very small section of HS2 could be built very early on for Leeds to York fast services and simply be joined up with the rest of HS2 at a later date. Perhaps a branch could be added from the intended HS2 line through just south of Austhorpe near Temple Newsam and rejoin the existing line at Neville Hill?

 

[Halifaxlad]

Instead of four tracking part or the whole route to Micklefield a tunnel could be built (about 3.3 miles) from Neville Hill to this new line that is to be built as part of HS2!



(Four tracking to Neville Hill is aspired anyway!)

That should be able to take off all the fast services to York and beyond!

As for the fast services to Hull, put a chord in branching off this new alignment, around the top of Micklefield before rejoining the line at South Milford.

By building effectively a new route you wouldn't have to rebuild Garforth, East Garforth or Micklefield. East Garforth wouldn't have to close, (which it might to mitigate stopping at Thorpe Park) Garforth's original station building wouldn't have to be demolished. I don't have a personal opinion on it but I bet some of the locals might!

Once services are off the existing line, you could even put a chord in above Sherburn in Elmet to give that a decent rail connection to Leeds, then possibly extend some services to Castleford or as far as Wakefield or even Huddersfield once TRU is done!

The best thing about it is that you could then build another station at Killingbeck with ease, the alignment over Selby Road is wide enough although it might not be if it was four tracked. The entire line to Micklefield is ideal for a clock face service!