Transpennine Route Upgrade and Electrification updates

[Halish Railway]

Christmas 2025 isn't it, was re-announced in the Budget "Church Fenton" to York will be completed in early 2026.

I’m assuming that they’re waiting until it’s wired up to Cross Gates. That was mentioned as being completed in early 2026.

 

[Nottingham59]

Christmas 2025 isn't it, was re-announced in the Budget "Church Fenton" to York will be completed in early 2026.

"further electrification of services between Church Fenton and York by 2026" presumably means just adding the wires to bridge the gap at Colton Junction.

 

[800001]

"further electrification of services between Church Fenton and York by 2026" presumably means just adding the wires to bridge the gap at Colton Junction.

It’s already wired and trains have been tested in OHL

 

[Halish Railway]

It’s already wired and trains have been tested in OHL

I think it would be reasonable to assume that they’re just waiting for the rest of the wiring to Cross Gates to be completed in Spring 2026, delayed from Christmas 2025 to put the wires into service. Until then the wires between Church Fenton and Colton Junction will remain live to deter theft.

It does seem like an astonishingly long time considering that most of the wiring was done by summer 2022.

 

[Nottingham59]

It’s already wired and trains have been tested in OHL

A post upthread suggests that, despite the OHLE being energised, there is still some wiring work to be done at Colton junction.

According to the May issue of Modern Railways, summarised by me in #7868, in this case initial energisation comes before the final reconfiguration of the wires at Colton Junction. It seems a bit odd to me but I assume they know what they're doing. Presumably it enables them to fully test the wires, except for the immediate Colton area, in advance of final completion, which will probably require an ECML possession. Also deters theft.

 

[YorkshireBear]

I think it would be reasonable to assume that they’re just waiting for the rest of the wiring to Cross Gates to be completed in Spring 2026, delayed from Christmas 2025 to put the wires into service. Until then the wires between Church Fenton and Colton Junction will remain live to deter theft.

It does seem like an astonishingly long time considering that most of the wiring was done by summer 2022.

I wasn't aware cross gates by early 2026 was the official target. Lot of work to do in 2025 to achieve that including around Church Fenton station itself.

If it is 2026 it will be a great shame to then wait a number of years for Neville Hill to allow it to link up!

 

[Halish Railway]

I wasn't aware cross gates by early 2026 was the official target. Lot of work to do in 2025 to achieve that including around Church Fenton station itself.

If it is 2026 it will be a great shame to then wait a number of years for Neville Hill to allow it to link up!

This date was mentioned in this video, which came out 6 months ago.

Skip to 13:10 to see the talk about timeframes.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

I wasn't aware cross gates by early 2026 was the official target. Lot of work to do in 2025 to achieve that including around Church Fenton station itself.

If it is 2026 it will be a great shame to then wait a number of years for Neville Hill to allow it to link up!

I am happy that it is getting done - even if it will be ages before full completion.

 

[YorkshireBear]

I am happy that it is getting done - even if it will be ages before full completion.

Indeed. My concern as per the MML thread, resource skills and retention.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Indeed. My concern as per the MML thread, resource skills and retention.

Absolutely! No question it is a concern.

 

[Cletus]

Sorry doesn't seem to allow pdf files. The Sarah bell video linked on recent post 8660 shows it better.
K

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 13 Dec 2024 ==

Another excellent Youtube from Sara Bell showing current works at Mirfield and Heaton lodge. At Mirfield Sta the road under is to be temp closed ro allow the steps up to the platform to be enlarged and modernised.
Work at Mirfiekd seems tk have been going on for a long time now.
See

K

Sarah Bell’s videos are very good visuals of what is going on. Better than what I’ve been reading on this thread tbh.

 

[Snow1964]

DfT has amongst its pre Christmas flurry announced Transport and Works Order for Leeds to Micklefield enhancements

Leeds to Micklefield scheme: Transport and Works Act order

Approval for Leeds to Micklefield enhancement works TWA order.

www.gov.uk

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

It’s already wired and trains have been tested in OHL

Then you would have thought TPE would be using it even if its only a few miles its one less diesel train at York.

 

[Halish Railway]

Then you would have thought TPE would be using it even if its only a few miles its one less diesel train at York.

The 802s no longer change power modes at York station but by the Park and Ride facility on the outskirts of York. That does give the train enough time to reach the current linespeed of 100mph on electric.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

The 802s no longer change power modes at York station but by the Park and Ride facility on the outskirts of York. That does give the train enough time to reach the current linespeed of 100mph on electric.

Thanks for clarity so if they can do out there should just be matter of moving the kit down towards Church Fenton now. Also whats happening down at the Staylbridge end?

 

[Halish Railway]

Thanks for clarity so if they can do out there should just be matter of moving the kit down towards Church Fenton now. Also whats happening down at the Staylbridge end?

The 802s have started using the OLE, although when I was on one the other day it still left Stalybridge on diesel and only put its pantograph up partway between Ashton-under-Lyne and Miles Platting.

 

[John R]

Thanks for clarity so if they can do out there should just be matter of moving the kit down towards Church Fenton now. Also whats happening down at the Staylbridge end?

Post #8675 suggests that isn’t the case, as the configuration at Colton is not complete despite the wires having been energised.

 

[InOban]

But presumably the issues at Colton Junction would affect only the ECML and Normanton line and would/might not affect the Leeds lines?

 

[childwallblues]

The 802s have started using the OLE, although when I was on one the other day it still left Stalybridge on diesel and only put its pantograph up partway between Ashton-under-Lyne and Miles Platting.

Clayton Bridge

 

[Richard123]

Post #8675 suggests that isn’t the case, as the configuration at Colton is not complete despite the wires having been energised.

Complete, but to be modified to tangential running for higher reliability at 125mph in the future I believe.

 

[Nottingham59]

Complete, but to be modified to tangential running for higher reliability at 125mph in the future I believe.

What is tangential running, please?

 

[swt_passenger]

Clayton Bridge

Which was the location mentioned in post #8599 3 weeks ago, the discussion then meandered off towards Askham Bar, and eventually returned to the west. AIUI any APCO location has to be a significant distance from the end of the wires, to allow room for the manual procedure if auto fails?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 21 Dec 2024 ==

What is tangential running, please?

I tried to explain here:

Transpennine Route Upgrade and Electrification updates

I assume the plan is still for the former Hillhouse shed site to be used as a temporary station for Huddersfield while the big work is taking place in the station area? I'm no longer sure. The initial plans had it being used in 2024 for one shutdown and then again in 2025. Well, they have...

www.railforums.co.uk

…but it’s probably best to follow the link to the drawings in Garry Keenor’s electrification guide.

 

[Tim_UK]

In Huddersfield.
There are a load of concrete bridge sections on trucks in the old technical college card park, next to New North Road. They were there on Thursday and still there today. I'm not sure where they are for, but they are clearly labelled Transpennine Route Upgrade in a giant banner.
(sorry, not had a camera or I've been driving)

 

[superkev]

Another excellent Sarah Bell video showing the christmas bridge work at Neville hill as well as progress with mast planting east of Micklefield and between Cottingley and Mörley.
Interestingly some of the single mast arms look much like the great western ones. See:-

K

 

[GRALISTAIR]

I took a trip to York today. Not much further to report though the beer in the Tap Room on York station is fantastic. Progress everywhere except Stalybridge to Huddersfield. Loads of masts and compounds Especially this beaut at Huddersfield.

 

[absolutelymilk]

Don't suppose anyone knows what the timeline is for each part of the Transpennine Upgrade? I'd like to make a table showing this on the Wikipedia page (so will need references!)

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Don't suppose anyone knows what the timeline is for each part of the Transpennine Upgrade? I'd like to make a table showing this on the Wikipedia page (so will need references!)

I will see what I can do. However, there has been a change in government as you know in the last 6 months so I suggest waiting until March when the chancellor and Secretary of State give an update.

 

[nr758123]

Don't suppose anyone knows what the timeline is for each part of the Transpennine Upgrade? I'd like to make a table showing this on the Wikipedia page (so will need references!)

The agenda papers for the Rail North Committee of 3rd September 2024 include a "State of Play" gantt chart. Item 5, Appendix 1. Link is RNC 030924. Others will be better qualified than me to assess how realistic this is. One thing I noted was that TRU Marsden to Huddersfield does not appear on the chart at all.

 

[Roast Veg]

Thornhill Road, just south of Dewsbury station, has digital signs up promising a closure from January to June 2025. This is immediately adjacent to the TRU compound there.

 

[absolutelymilk]

The agenda papers for the Rail North Committee of 3rd September 2024 include a "State of Play" gantt chart. Item 5, Appendix 1. Link is RNC 030924. Others will be better qualified than me to assess how realistic this is. One thing I noted was that TRU Marsden to Huddersfield does not appear on the chart at all.

Thanks! I've added this to the Wikipedia article - agree it's weird that Marsden to Huddersfield doesn't feature!