Transpennine Route Upgrade and Electrification updates

[kmc1962]

Some time ago, there was talk that Brighouse Station would need to be upgraded prior to the Huddersfield Station blockades. Now that the Huddersfield closure is almost upon us, has anything actually been done at Brighouse?

 

[skyhigh]

Some time ago, there was talk that Brighouse Station would need to be upgraded prior to the Huddersfield Station blockades. Now that the Huddersfield closure is almost upon us, has anything actually been done at Brighouse?

They are/have been doing work there the last couple of weeks, though I have no idea what.

 

[D6130]

They are/have been doing work there the last couple of weeks, though I have no idea what.

Resurfacing the car park, I believe.

 

[skyhigh]

Resurfacing the car park, I believe.

It's more than that - they were working on the platforms too, last time I was there the poster boards were being removed.

 

[KN94]

Some time ago, there was talk that Brighouse Station would need to be upgraded prior to the Huddersfield Station blockades. Now that the Huddersfield closure is almost upon us, has anything actually been done at Brighouse?

They're putting in a semi-permanent structure, presumably for staff needs and I believe the car park is being closed and only used for the buses and staff.
I'm not sure about any platform work. I'd imagine a lot of that work was done before TPE started calling there. The platform isn't long enough for six cars but that is a bigger fix which probably isn't worth doing.

 

[GhostManDN91]

I'm guessing trains longer than 4 carriages can still call at Brighouse with SDO or whatever trains use for short platforms?

 

[Class 170101]

I'm guessing trains longer than 4 carriages can still call at Brighouse with SDO or whatever trains use for short platforms?

Though it should be pointed out this can increase dwell times as people move forward through the carriages.

 

[_toommm_]

This has probably been mentioned, but with Mirfield station being redone, has the curve from Deighton been straightened out? I remember from commuting my drink would be sent flying at Heaton Lodge Jn.,and after Morley tunnel, but it seems going from Deighton to Mirfield it doesn't fly anymore, but it definitely still does in the opposite direction.

 

[Tim_UK]

This has probably been mentioned, but with Mirfield station being redone, has the curve from Deighton been straightened out?

I don’t think that has changed. The existing lines will be the slow lines on a very similar layout to today.


On the other hand, the new fast lines will have a massive gentle curve.

 

[Starmill]

They're putting in a semi-permanent structure, presumably for staff needs and I believe the car park is being closed and only used for the buses and staff.
I'm not sure about any platform work. I'd imagine a lot of that work was done before TPE started calling there. The platform isn't long enough for six cars but that is a bigger fix which probably isn't worth doing.

A toilet for passengers has also been installed, and there is lots of new paint.

 

[Snow1964]

DfT has issue press release that Church Fenton - York is complete

• electrification and upgrades along the rail line between Church Fenton and York are completed on time and on budget – a major step in rebuilding Britain’s transport infrastructure

Completed upgrades to Church Fenton to York rail line will bring passengers faster trains and more reliable services.

Thousands of passengers are now one step closer to faster, more frequent and reliable trains across the North, as the electrification of the Church Fenton to York rail line is completed today (5 August 2025), part of the £11 billion government-funded Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU).

Faster trains will cut journey times between York and Leeds by 10 minutes and Manchester and Leeds from 50 minutes to 42 minutes, with up to 6 fast services an hour – making it easier for people to get to work, do business and travel across the region.

These upgrades will bring passengers faster trains, whilst a new signalling system and bridge upgrades will make trains more reliable and allow more services to run.

Extensive station improvements along the route will also improve accessibility and facilities at the busiest stations across the North.

Rail boost for the North: Transpennine upgrade one step closer

Completed upgrades to Church Fenton to York rail line will bring passengers faster trains and more reliable services.

www.gov.uk

 

[YorkshireBear]

DfT has issue press release that Church Fenton - York is complete

Rail boost for the North: Transpennine upgrade one step closer

Completed upgrades to Church Fenton to York rail line will bring passengers faster trains and more reliable services.

www.gov.uk

The hyperbole surrounding this part of the project is frankly embarrassing. I get it but, it doesn't need this level of release in my opinion!

 

[zwk500]

The hyperbole surrounding this part of the project is frankly embarrassing. I get it but, it doesn't need this level of release in my opinion!

Gone are the days of government letting anything slide into the 'in other news...' section. But good to see the press release following on reasonably quickly from the ORR authorisation. Does anybody know if TPE have already started panning up at Church Fenton north yet?

 

[dodecahedron67]

Gone are the days of government letting anything slide into the 'in other news...' section. But good to see the press release following on reasonably quickly from the ORR authorisation. Does anybody know if TPE have already started panning up at Church Fenton north yet?

802 APCO now at Ulleskelf/River Wharfe bridge, live since Sunday 03/08

 

[Scotrail88]

802 APCO now at Ulleskelf/River Wharfe bridge, live since Sunday 03/08

Would there be the ability for Scarborough trips on 802 to use it for the short distance between York and Ulleskelf?

Would obviously need to be arr/dep the appropriate platform at York.

 

[edwin_m]

Gone are the days of government letting anything slide into the 'in other news...' section.

However, there has been very little publicity about completing sections of MML. Even before it was "paused".

 

[Paul AC]

From that gov.uk press release:

Today’s upgrade will enable electric TransPennine Express (TPE) trains to run from Manchester Victoria to Stalybridge and Church Fenton to York – electrifying both ends of the route.

Or, more correctly, from Manchester Victoria to a couple of miles short of Stalybridge, and from a mile or so beyond Church Fenton to York.

 

[nr758123]

From that gov.uk press release: Today’s upgrade will enable electric TransPennine Express (TPE) trains to run from Manchester Victoria to Stalybridge and Church Fenton to York – electrifying both ends of the route.

Or, more correctly, from Manchester Victoria to a couple of miles short of Stalybridge, and from a mile or so beyond Church Fenton to York.

From an earlier Network Rail press release, in 2013

The next major improvements will arrive in December 2014, when electric trains will be able to run from Liverpool to Manchester via Newton le Willows and Wigan and from December 2016, when they will run between Preston and Blackpool, Manchester and Preston and Manchester and Stalybridge. This will be followed by the completion of trans-Pennine electrification from Stalybridge through Huddersfield on to Leeds, York and Selby by December 2018.

The North West electrification programme is being delivered in five phases between December 2013 and December 2016:

• Phase 1: Between Castlefield Junction and Newton Le Willows by December 2013
• Phase 2a: Between Liverpool and Newton Le Willows
• Phase 2b: Between Huyton and Wigan
• Phase 2c: Between Ordsall Lane and Manchester Victoria, all by December 2014
• Phase 3: Preston to Blackpool, by May 2016
• Phase 4: Manchester Victoria to Preston (Euxton Junction), by December 2016
• Phase 5: Manchester Victoria to Stalybridge, Guide Bridge to Stalybridge, December 2016

So I make the Stalybridge electrification eight years late, not "on time" as is now being claimed.

 

[Spartacus]

From an earlier Network Rail press release, in 2013


So I make the Stalybridge electrification eight years late, not "on time" as is now being claimed.

That was before the scope changed significantly, changing from a simple electrification of existing infrastructure to a full route upgrade with civil engineering work on varying scales almost throughout. Ineviably timeframes changed too.

 

[darylyates17]

From that gov.uk press release:

Or, more correctly, from Manchester Victoria to a couple of miles short of Stalybridge, and from a mile or so beyond Church Fenton to York.

I wonder when the Neville Hill-Church Fenton section will be completed allowing Leeds-York to be fully electrified?

 

[Starmill]

802 APCO now at Ulleskelf/River Wharfe bridge, live since Sunday 03/08

TPE previously chose, for whatever reason, to spend several years not using the Apco at Colton Jn, north of Newcastle, and later at Stalybridge, even though they were installed and authorised. I interpreted the question as being are they actually doing so rather than is the infrastructure ready, which hasn't been in doubt.

My interpretation of your answer is that they do use all, or at least this particular one, of the relevant Apco points but I'm not certain?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Aug 2025 ==

The hyperbole surrounding this part of the project is frankly embarrassing. I get it but, it doesn't need this level of release in my opinion!

It does seem like a bit of an exaggeration to say:

Electric trains running between York and Church Fenton is a significant step forward in the Transpennine Route Upgrade programme.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Aug 2025 ==

I wonder when the Neville Hill-Church Fenton section will be completed allowing Leeds-York to be fully electrified?

The integrated rail plan suggested 2032 approximately, but that document hasn't been government policy for a long time. The replacement policy is ambiguous. @Bald Rick disagreed with the hypothetical 2032 date as being several years too late even when it was first announced.

 

[1D53]

I wonder when the Neville Hill-Church Fenton section will be completed allowing Leeds-York to be fully electrified?

2028/9.

 

[Manutd1999]

From the outside, civil works between Hudds. and Dewsbury seem to be progressing well and could be mostly complete in 2026(?). Track and wiring could then follow in 2027.

According to this presentation, Neville Hill-Church Fenton is on a similar timeline, so Huddersfield to York could be fully wired by ~2028.

https://www.thepwi.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-0516_Transpennine-Route-Upgrade_David-Broadbent-Andrew-Wooddisse.pdf

That leaves the Stalybridge-Hudds section, which seems to be running slightly further behind. That said, getting a TWAO by2026 should be doable (?). Civil works could then follow on nicely from the Dewsbury section in 2027 onwards.

Completion of the whole scheme by 2030 could/should be feasible.

 

[zwk500]

However, there has been very little publicity about completing sections of MML. Even before it was "paused".

There was a big press release for completion of Kettering-Wigston, it was just rather late! Granted, they didn't make a song and dance about Market Harborough.

 

[3RDGEN]

Replacement of the foot crossing at Copmanthorpe was part of the Church Fenton - York works but I am not aware it's progressed after the planning application was withdrawn? Unless that happens the line speed can't be increased in that area on the Leeds lines can it?

From the outside, civil works between Hudds. and Dewsbury seem to be progressing well and could be mostly complete in 2026(?). Track and wiring could then follow in 2027.

According to this presentation, Neville Hill-Church Fenton is on a similar timeline, so Huddersfield to York could be fully wired by ~2028.

https://www.thepwi.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-0516_Transpennine-Route-Upgrade_David-Broadbent-Andrew-Wooddisse.pdf

That leaves the Stalybridge-Hudds section, which seems to be running slightly further behind. That said, getting a TWAO by2026 should be doable (?). Civil works could then follow on nicely from the Dewsbury section in 2027 onwards.

Completion of the whole scheme by 2030 could/should be feasible.

The NR CP7 Enhancements Plan - June 25 "https://www.networkrail.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/CP7-EDP-June-2025.pdf" has;

Huddersfield - Ravensthorpe - Leeds - Feb 2030.

Leeds - Church Fenton - April 2030.

Stalybridge - Huddersfield will be CP8 I assume so isn't mentioned but 2032 has been quoted.

 

[YorkshireBear]

Leeds to Church Fenton feels like it should be sooner based on progress. I see Neville Hill is starting, with the subgrade for the new alignment of main line and sidings progressing nicely.

 

[43095john]

Would there be the ability for Scarborough trips on 802 to use it for the short distance between York and Ulleskelf?

Would obviously need to be arr/dep the appropriate platform at York.

No, The Scarborough 802 workings still remain on Diesel. Some of these use P4 at York and there is no APCO balises at York Station.

It has happened before during times of disruption where a Newcastle 802 working has had to terminate in Platform 4, but had to stop on Platform 3 to avoid going into P4 with a Pantograph Up

 

[Scotrail88]

No, The Scarborough 802 workings still remain on Diesel. Some of these use P4 at York and there is no APCO balises at York Station.

It has happened before during times of disruption where a Newcastle 802 working has had to terminate in Platform 4, but had to stop on Platform 3 to avoid going into P4 with a Pantograph Up

Would think with some planning it would be possible to use platforms suitable for this.

 

[wilsontown]

The bit that caught my attention there was that they're claiming a time saving of 10 minutes between York and Leeds. Given that the fastest trains now do it in about 22 minutes, where does that come from?

 

[Killingworth]

The bit that caught my attention there was that they're claiming a time saving of 10 minutes between York and Leeds. Given that the fastest trains now do it in about 22 minutes, where does that come from?

Wild optimism if it were true, but it says 10 minutes between York and Manchester, only 2 minutes of that between York and Leeds. It's carefully worded to say 'will cut', but not when. The full glowing announcement is here; https://www.gov.uk/government/news/rail-boost-for-the-north-transpennine-upgrade-one-step-closer

Faster trains will cut journey times between York and Manchester by 10 minutes and Manchester and Leeds from 50 minutes to 42 minutes, with up to 6 fast services an hour – making it easier for people to get to work, do business and travel across the region.