Transpennine Route Upgrade and Electrification updates

[swt_passenger]

New video of works at Huddersfield

More of the new bridge has been installed, including a white and red panels side section (part of the extended platforms over the road).

Also shows works where platforms edges are being rebuilt

Interesting that the painted decorative panel in the video thumbnail is a section cantilevered out beyond the viaduct stonework, (this can be seen at 42s in the video), presumably as said in the captions it’s to carry a platform extension. It looks quite unusual, but I guess it’s only visible from that particular direction.

 

[WesternBiker]

Another visit to see how things are progressing at Huddersfield station on Day 10 of the closure
The first span has been installed over John William St

Trans-Pennine Route upgrade Monday 8th September : Day 10 Huddersfield Closure. 1st new Bridge span over John William St installed - Railway-Photography

railway photographs from the last 100 years

railway-photography.smugmug.com

Still taking the strain!! The first span over John William St was lifted in place Sunday night/Monday morning (Phone Camera Photos) (1)

railway photographs from the last 100 years

railway-photography.smugmug.com

This is what it looked like last Thursday

Trans-Pennine Route upgrade Monday 8th September : Day 10 Huddersfield Closure. 1st new Bridge span over John William St installed - Railway-Photography

railway photographs from the last 100 years

railway-photography.smugmug.com

The big Mammoth crane is still taking the strain while the bridge is properly secured

Trans-Pennine Route upgrade Monday 8th September : Day 10 Huddersfield Closure. 1st new Bridge span over John William St installed - Railway-Photography

railway photographs from the last 100 years

railway-photography.smugmug.com

Trans-Pennine Route upgrade Monday 8th September : Day 10 Huddersfield Closure. 1st new Bridge span over John William St installed - Railway-Photography

railway photographs from the last 100 years

railway-photography.smugmug.com

Back in the station itself work is progressing quickly, platform edges being installed along the new extended what will be Platform 2

Trans-Pennine Route upgrade Monday 8th September : Day 10 Huddersfield Closure. 1st new Bridge span over John William St installed - Railway-Photography

railway photographs from the last 100 years

railway-photography.smugmug.com

The new Platform 2 edges can clearly be seen virtually in the middle of the old layout, and will be extended out over the viaduct

Trans-Pennine Route upgrade Monday 8th September : Day 10 Huddersfield Closure. 1st new Bridge span over John William St installed - Railway-Photography

railway photographs from the last 100 years

railway-photography.smugmug.com

This is what it looked like last Thursday

Trans-Pennine Route upgrade Monday 8th September : Day 10 Huddersfield Closure. 1st new Bridge span over John William St installed - Railway-Photography

railway photographs from the last 100 years

railway-photography.smugmug.com

and today

Trans-Pennine Route upgrade Monday 8th September : Day 10 Huddersfield Closure. 1st new Bridge span over John William St installed - Railway-Photography

railway photographs from the last 100 years

railway-photography.smugmug.com

A freightliner class 66 arrived with empty ballast wagons for removal of old ballast off the viaduct

Freightliner Class 66 brought empty wagons onto the viaduct to collect old ballast (Phone Camera Photos) (1)

railway photographs from the last 100 years

railway-photography.smugmug.com

Neil

Another great set of photographs - thank you.

 

[fishwomp]

Yes it is getting extended at the Leeds end

Shame that the roof canopy was cut back in the mid-80s at the east end isn't it!

 

[superkev]

Looking at page 19 of the proposed station layout NR15a the main through lines from platforms 2 and 3 connect to the southern pair of tracks (future fast lines) on the viaduct.
Not sure what's presently in progress with the 4 tracking and interconnecting point work on the viaduct.
Perhaps some temporary arrangement to the existing pair of tracks to Hillhouse sidings and beyond.
See https://gat04-live-1517c8a4486c4160...field_station_design_and_access_statement.pdf
K

 

[buz33]

Not sure what's presently in progress with the 4 tracking and interconnecting point work on the viaduct.
Perhaps some temporary arrangement to the existing pair of tracks to Hillhouse sidings and beyond.

From 1:05:31 in the PWI presentation referenced in post #5934 shows the interim track layouts after describing the final track layout. The two tracks are slewed across from platforms 2 & 3 onto the slow lines across Huddersfield viaduct. The slides are from a few years ago so still show the Hillhouse temporary platform which will no longer be built.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

This may not be new news, but about 3 miles between Church Fenton and Micklefield now has catenary and earth wires.
Also some bases installed either side of Mirfield.

 

[superkev]

News seems to have dried up over the last couple of days during the Huddersfield closure.
Is the 3rd (final) bridge span now in place? Is any new trackwork layed yet?
Also when us the middle section of the new roof scheduled.to be done.
Thanks
K

 

[neil65]

I went down to have a look how works were proceeding on day 14 of Huddersfield station closure
The new Platform 2 extension was lifted in earlier this week

Huddersfield Railway Station Closure Day 14. Friday 12th September 2025 - Railway-Photography

railway photographs from the last 100 years

railway-photography.smugmug.com

Huddersfield Railway Station Closure Day 14. Friday 12th September 2025 - Railway-Photography

railway photographs from the last 100 years

railway-photography.smugmug.com

Huddersfield Railway Station Closure Day 14. Friday 12th September 2025 - Railway-Photography

railway photographs from the last 100 years

railway-photography.smugmug.com

Various work going on to install the final bridges at the west side of the bridge

Huddersfield Railway Station Closure Day 14. Friday 12th September 2025 - Railway-Photography

railway photographs from the last 100 years

railway-photography.smugmug.com

In the station itself the new Platform 2 has been filled in and looking like it will be surfaced soon

Huddersfield Railway Station Closure Day 14. Friday 12th September 2025 - Railway-Photography

railway photographs from the last 100 years

railway-photography.smugmug.com

Huddersfield Railway Station Closure Day 14. Friday 12th September 2025 - Railway-Photography

railway photographs from the last 100 years

railway-photography.smugmug.com

The new Platform 2 has now got all the edges fitted

Platform 1 has now got all edges installed (camera phone photos) 1

railway photographs from the last 100 years

railway-photography.smugmug.com

Neil

 

[josh-j]

Thanks for the update, progress continues to be very fast!

Looking at the station photos I now wonder about the middle roof section as well. Presumably it is being done at some point?

 

[Tim_UK]

Looking at the station photos I now wonder about the middle roof section as well. Presumably it is being done at some point?

I was wondering if the signalling bridge might need to come out first.

also, at some stage there will be 2 new through platforms on the otherside. They could swap and use those while working on the bridge.

 

[treasury brain]

Thanks for the update, progress continues to be very fast!

Looking at the station photos I now wonder about the middle roof section as well. Presumably it is being done at some point?

similarly, are there any plans to remove/replace the manky shelter over (new) platform 1?

 

[Geeves]

Looks like they are making fast progress at the removal of the Huddersfield box from the great photos posted by Neil above

Treasury Brain, if you track through my posts you'll find a link to the full project. It was saying that the canopies on P1 will be extended up to the station to keep the passengers dry so you'd hope they will give the old bit some love too!

 

[Donny Dave]

Ben Elias has uploaded a new video (shown below) of the route from York to Manchester which shows what work has been done already, plus commentary of various aspects of the TRU.

[Youtube]

 

[Freightmaster]

Current state of play in the Deighton area:

(video shows a drone 'flyover' of the Deighton area, revealing that the platforms
have already been removed)



MARK

 

[rower40]

Weekend of 25th/26th October, I see that York station has no trains to anywhere except Scarborough. All sorts of obscure bus diversions - e.g. XC running direct buses from Leeds to Darlington. (Which makes sense, with York being well off the beaten track A1(M).)

What work is being carried out, that prevents any kind of through service both north and south of York?

 

[Earle Grey]

What work is being carried out, that prevents any kind of through service both north and south of York

The published NR EAS Section 7 - LNE 2025 (Page 748-9/826) quotes worksites at Colton Junction, Earfitt Lane (Colton North) and Holgate to the South with Skelton Junction and Tollerton to the North. Various TRU Projects from S&C Renewal to Plain Line Renewal works which collectively restrict access to York, to all services except those to/from Scarborough.

There is a further caveat to all of this in that the work proposed in the CPPP, from which TOCs bid for access, may have been amended further from that shown in the EAS.

 

[absolutelymilk]

What work is being carried out, that prevents any kind of through service both north and south of York?

If work needs to be done both north and south of York, it probably makes more sense to do both at once rather than close the north-south line for two different weekends?

 

[KN94]

Weekend of 25th/26th October, I see that York station has no trains to anywhere except Scarborough. All sorts of obscure bus diversions - e.g. XC running direct buses from Leeds to Darlington. (Which makes sense, with York being well off the beaten track A1(M).)

What work is being carried out, that prevents any kind of through service both north and south of York?

TRU work between Colton Jn - Holgate Jn and at Earfit Lane, S&C work at Skelton Jn, track renewal between Warehills - Tollerton

25 & 26 October is no route North or South of York (Scarborough lines excepted)
1 & 2 November is no route North or South of York (Scarborough lines blocked Sunday only)
8 & 9 November is no route South of York

 

[GhostManDN91]

I'm curious, whilst the work is going on at Huddersfield this month, are there plans to install OHLE equipment at the station or will this happen at a later date?

 

[superkev]

Ben Elias has uploaded a new video (shown below) of the route from York to Manchester which shows what work has been done already, plus commentary of various aspects of the TRU.

[Youtube]

Interesting to see lots of bases, masts and some wiring between Church Fenton- Crossgates and Leeds Dewsbury
Re Church Fenton is the track layout to remain as now and does the station overbridge need additional clearence.
Thanks

 

[hwl]

I'm curious, whilst the work is going on at Huddersfield this month, are there plans to install OHLE equipment at the station or will this happen at a later date?

later - the closure is about getting the new bridge and two through tracks/platforms + west facing bay back in action.
There is a huge amount of demolition and clearance on the north side that will only start when the current closure is over.

 

[Snow1964]

A new you tube video has been posted showing progress in Huddersfield station area with the platform reconfiguration and new bridges

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Sep 2025 ==

Ravensthorpe will have a direct line to both Leeds and Wakefield, according to the plans I've seen. The track layout shows that the slow line platforms at Ravensthorpe have access to both lines in both directions.
Edit: In fact, all Wakefield bound trains will have to pass through the Ravensthorpe platforms.

See page 10, figure 2, proposed layout, in the linked document:

https://sacuksprodnrdigital0001.blob.core.windows.net/twao-huddersfield-westtown/Huddersfield%20to%20Westtown%20(Dewsbury)/02%20TWAO%20Application%20Documents/NR04%20Statement%20of%20Aims.pdf

Quote (document title):


Notes:
The relevant part of the linked document is figure 2, a track diagram showing the current and proposed layouts at Ravensthorpe, and illustrating that the two slow line only paltforms at Ravensthorpe are accessable from both the Leeds and Wakefield lines.

DfT has advised existing Raventhorpe station will close 13th December 2025, and replacement is expected in 2028

The Department for Transport’s summary of responses and outcome document, published on 23 July 2025, outlined our decision that closure of Ravensthorpe station should proceed, subject to Office of Rail and Road (ORR) ratification.

In September 2025, ORR completed the ratification process. Closure of Ravensthorpe station will take effect, with the end of service on 13 December 2025.

Ravensthorpe railway station closure

Seeks views on Network Rail's proposal to close Ravensthorpe railway station.

www.gov.uk

 

[superkev]

Can't see from the latest Sara Bell video but are all the new spans (is it 3?) in place allowing the hire of the huge crane to finish. Must be costing a fortune.
K

 

[YorksLad12]

BBC News Online reporting that:

Railway station near Dewsbury to close for three years

Ravensthorpe railway station will be demolished and a new station built nearby, the DfT says.

www.bbc.co.uk

Ravensthorpe station near Dewsbury is to be demolished, with a new station planned to open in the summer of 2028, according to the Department for Transport (DfT).
The TRU Upgrade involves re-siting Ravensthorpe station 656ft (200m) west of its current location, just ahead of the Wakefield – Leeds junction, according to the DfT.
A DfT statement said plans for the new station included 500ft (150m) platforms to enable longer trains offering more seats to call at the station.
During the closure of the current railway station a replacement bus operation would run once an hour between Ravensthorpe and Dewsbury and Ravensthorpe and Mirfield, "as per the current rail service", a DfT spokesperson said.

 

[Scotrail88]

Would it be worth extending wires in Plt 4 at york to enable 802 to use wires as much when working to Scarborough.

Speed is a factor but surely emissions would also benefit in the station if those services could benefit at least until arrival

 

[johntea]

BBC News Online reporting that:

Railway station near Dewsbury to close for three years

Ravensthorpe railway station will be demolished and a new station built nearby, the DfT says.

www.bbc.co.uk

A rail replacement bus for 3 years?! (also not a very exciting one for the drivers at that, 2 miles and back again)

Surely they should just come up with an agreement with Arriva or something to allow travel on local bus services instead for the duration

 

[dodecahedron67]

Would it be worth extending wires in Plt 4 at york to enable 802 to use wires as much when working to Scarborough.

Speed is a factor but surely emissions would also benefit in the station if those services could benefit at least until arrival

802s aren't going to Scarborough after December 14th anyway!

 

[KN94]

A rail replacement bus for 3 years?! (also not a very exciting one for the drivers at that, 2 miles and back again)

Surely they should just come up with an agreement with Arriva or something to allow travel on local bus services instead for the duration

They tried - details in the DfT Consultation Outcome above. Northern wanted an agreement with local buses, WYCA disagreed. Some form of compromise has been reached, with rail replacement buses running to Dewsbury only (instead of as well as Mirfield)
From my experience passing through Ravensthorpe, most of the passengers are students travelling to/from Huddersfield for College. They'll likely get the local bus or get dropped off at Dewsbury. It'd likely be cheaper to just pay for a taxi when the occasional passenger turns up.

 

[Sonik]

Can't see from the latest Sara Bell video but are all the new spans (is it 3?) in place allowing the hire of the huge crane to finish. Must be costing a fortune.
K

I think one of the bearings for that span is the precast concrete piece on the back of a truck at 6:47

 

[superkev]

I think one of the bearings for that span is the precast concrete piece on the back of a truck at 6:47

I think the huge crane has now dismantled itself so if there is an outstanding third span over John William Strret it will probably have to be done later.
K