Transpennine Route Upgrade and Electrification updates

[takno]

Quoting from much earlier this year (April).

According to Modern Railways Trackwatch December, the Diggle loop was resignalled to allow turnbacks as part of the works in September. Turnbacks there can use a new crossover at Uppermill.

Traksy says the loop is OOU.

I can't see anything that actually paused there in practice, today a 4Z51 was scheduled to but went straight through on the mainline.

I suspect the OOU label is a hangover from pre-resignalling. I don't offhand remember any infrastructure that's currently OOU but has been resignalled

 

[_toommm_]

Quoting from much earlier this year (April).

According to Modern Railways Trackwatch December, the Diggle loop was resignalled to allow turnbacks as part of the works in September. Turnbacks there can use a new crossover at Uppermill.

Traksy says the loop is OOU.

I can't see anything that actually paused there in practice, today a 4Z51 was scheduled to but went straight through on the mainline.

I'm pretty sure the track to the loop has been disconnected, although the points may be still be there (albeit connected to nothing)

 

[neil65]

The loop is still intact and signalled at Diggle and what looks like new points motors, i passed it today on way to Manchester Victoria from Huddersfield

 

[GRALISTAIR]

The loop is still intact and signalled at Diggle and what looks like new points motors, i passed it today on way to Manchester Victoria from Huddersfield

Yes me too. As a general point, I travelled Man Vic to York today and back with a break at Huddersfield on the way back. I was amazed at the amount of progress though I did not make notes. I will post photos when I get bandwidth restored. Masts and wires everywhere. I even saw some signs of work (signaling? ) between Stalybridge and Huddersfield section. As I am retired now I will post regular updates.

 

[KN94]

Supports for the masts/gantries (not the technical term) are being installed on Dewsbury viaduct. Nothing sticking up yet, just on the sides. First OHLE infrastructure I've noticed that side of Morley tunnel

 

[Charlie978]

Supports for the masts/gantries (not the technical term) are being installed on Dewsbury viaduct. Nothing sticking up yet, just on the sides. First OHLE infrastructure I've noticed that side of Morley tunnel

Not much point electrifying east of there at the moment when the majority of the track layout from Dewsbury station into Huddersfield is still yet to undergo wholesale changes.

 

[D6130]

Not much point electrifying east of there at the moment when the majority of the track layout from Dewsbury station into Huddersfield is still yet to undergo wholesale changes.

Err....I think you mean West of there!

 

[Charlie978]

Err....I think you mean West of there!

So I do. Good catch

 

[neil65]

OHLE installed at Bradley and Deighton rather haphazardly and 2 new lines installed on approach to Deighton from Huddersfield for about 100+ yards

 

[1D53]

What's haphazard about it?

 

[Geeves]

Don't forget there's the finished item including wires at Hillhouse Sidings near Huddersfield too.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Don't forget there's the finished item including wires at Hillhouse Sidings near Huddersfield too.

Yes noticed that. Looked really good with all the wires etc.

 

[Jamesrob637]

Don't forget there's the finished item including wires at Hillhouse Sidings near Huddersfield too.

They're now visible on Google maps too.

 

[S101]

The loop is still intact and signalled at Diggle and what looks like new points motors, i passed it today on way to Manchester Victoria from Huddersfield

The loop is most definitely out of use. It was re-signalled, but never given back, apparently due to condition of track. It also does not feature on the new track plans for when the project is complete. Shame, because it would save having to follow the Wakefield stopper all the way from Stalybridge to Mirfield at 25mph when the express is a few mins late.

 

[fishwomp]

The loop is most definitely out of use. It was re-signalled, but never given back, apparently due to condition of track. It also does not feature on the new track plans for when the project is complete.

The mystery deepens..

Shame, because it would save having to follow the Wakefield stopper all the way from Stalybridge to Mirfield at 25mph when the express is a few mins late.

Of course, it's only that bad temporarily: the new platforms in Huddersfield should be back in use in 2027 (?) - for a slightly earlier looping opportunity.

Agreed the stopper to be more of a pain than the freights (being flat then downhill from the start of the tunnel) vs two stops on the stoppers.

When we discussed the loop some while back there was a lot of talk of it not seeing much use historically - and I guess it was at that time only approved for freight - yet it seems that it ought to be more use for those stoppers. OTOH - wasn't there mention that the loop (with platform) at Marsden sees very little use even if things are out of kilter - but it does see freight looped. that's a bit curious in the asymmetry: the westbound Drax's get looped frequently at Marsden (empties) - but loaded never get looped at Diggle.. dunno why, loop length perhaps, or just Manchester's congestion?

The split distant (wrong term?) signal added mid-tunnel must have been a big help though compared to 3-mile section prior to September - won't let you enter the tunnel until it's clear but does let you accelerate when the mid-tunnel signal changes aspect.

 

[S101]

The mystery deepens..

Of course, it's only that bad temporarily: the new platforms in Huddersfield should be back in use in 2027 (?) - for a slightly earlier looping opportunity.

Agreed the stopper to be more of a pain than the freights (being flat then downhill from the start of the tunnel) vs two stops on the stoppers.

When we discussed the loop some while back there was a lot of talk of it not seeing much use historically - and I guess it was at that time only approved for freight - yet it seems that it ought to be more use for those stoppers. OTOH - wasn't there mention that the loop (with platform) at Marsden sees very little use even if things are out of kilter - but it does see freight looped. that's a bit curious in the asymmetry: the westbound Drax's get looped frequently at Marsden (empties) - but loaded never get looped at Diggle.. dunno why, loop length perhaps, or just Manchester's congestion?

The split distant (wrong term?) signal added mid-tunnel must have been a big help though compared to 3-mile section prior to September - won't let you enter the tunnel until it's clear but does let you accelerate when the mid-tunnel signal changes aspect.

The loop is on a RT3187 signed out, we've been told it will never come back. It doesn't help that nobody used it, because now its probably seen as not really required, and it is. Useless length for freight, but would be handy for passengers. I guess it definitely won't be needed when the bi-di slow line comes in between Marsden and Hudds. Until then though, it would be nice. Its going to be soul destroying for a lot of years now that there is no opportunity for a fast to get in front of a slow between Stalybridge and Mirfield/Dewsbury, in times of disruption. And also, the cost of the whole project, re-signalling something that is then signed out from day one......

Signals in the tunnel have made it loads better, especially westbound as trains can leave Marsden Loop before the train that passed it has exited the tunnel. The signals are now stop signals in the tunnel, and the signalling system will allow a 2nd train into the tunnel (eg, out of marsden loop) so long as the 1st train (eg, the one that passed the 2nd in the loop) has a clear signal out of the tunnel. Does that make sense, not very good at putting it into words.

 

[Charlie978]

Is the Guide bridge to Stalybridge section still unelectrified and if so is there a plan for that bit. Otherwise it seems like the stopper would have to be a bimode of sorts due to 1 little gap in an otherwise fully electric route.

 

[1D53]

Is the Guide bridge to Stalybridge section still unelectrified and if so is there a plan for that bit. Otherwise it seems like the stopper would have to be a bimode of sorts due to 1 little gap in an otherwise fully electric route.

That section is electrified and commissioned.

 

[Elecman]

Is the Guide bridge to Stalybridge section still unelectrified and if so is there a plan for that bit. Otherwise it seems like the stopper would have to be a bimode of sorts due to 1 little gap in an otherwise fully electric route.

Yes it’s electrified, commissioned and available for use.

 

[fishwomp]

The loop is on a RT3187 signed out, we've been told it will never come back.

Sigh.. the entry in Trackwatch (modern railways) said it was signalled to allow turnbacks over the new crossover at Uppermill - so perhaps it will only return to life when the 3-tracking east of the Standedge makes that necessary

Signals in the tunnel have made it loads better, especially westbound as trains can leave Marsden Loop before the train that passed it has exited the tunnel. The signals are now stop signals in the tunnel, and the signalling system will allow a 2nd train into the tunnel (eg, out of marsden loop) so long as the 1st train (eg, the one that passed the 2nd in the loop) has a clear signal out of the tunnel. Does that make sense, not very good at putting it into words.

Thanks for the explanation - that's way more flexible than I expected - is that a first for UK tracks ? The Severn Tunnel has (IIRC) the more restrictive early repeater or split distant or whatever it might be called but that doesn't allow stopping in the tunnel. Happy to be corrected here - this is not something I can see from the passenger carriage!

 

[S101]

Sigh.. the entry in Trackwatch (modern railways) said it was signalled to allow turnbacks over the new crossover at Uppermill - so perhaps it will only return to life when the 3-tracking east of the Standedge makes that necessary

Thanks for the explanation - that's way more flexible than I expected - is that a first for UK tracks ? The Severn Tunnel has (IIRC) the more restrictive early repeater or split distant or whatever it might be called but that doesn't allow stopping in the tunnel. Happy to be corrected here - this is not something I can see from the passenger carriage!

The loop under current track plans that also show the 3 track between Marsden and Hudds do not show Diggle Loop, it's going completely, as of plans right now. It is signalled at present to allow turn backs from the loop, but has, and never will be used. Turn backs can also be done off the mainline at the crossover, but not ideal if trains are behind waiting for the crossover movement to change ends, and indeed await a gap in traffic to go back towards Manchester.

Regards the tunnel signals, it's also the same in Morley Tunnel, on the same Signalling Workstation. Can't speak for the rest of the country, but it's that system at Standedge and Morley in both directions.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Sorry, belatedly posting photographs from Friday December 5th of Huddersfield station work. These are to compare in future - looking east and seeing when that huge bend gets ironed out.

 

[swt_passenger]

Sorry, belatedly posting photographs from Friday December 5th of Huddersfield station work. These are to compare in future - looking east and seeing if that huge bend gets ironed out.

Isn’t the ‘bend’ known to be a temporary alignment, because AIUI the lines through P2/P3 are designed to align with the future fast pair, to be fitted on the east side of the viaduct, but they’re temporarily slewed over to form an end on connection to what will become the slow lines, and at that time they will be re-aligned with the future P4/P5/P6

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Isn’t the ‘bend’ known to be a temporary alignment, because AIUI the lines through P2/P3 are designed to align with the future fast pair, to be fitted on the east side of the viaduct, but they’re temporarily slewed over to form an end on connection to what will become the slow lines, and at that time they will be re-aligned with the future P4/P5/P6

Exactly! I will be going regularly now I live back in the UK. I will do (post photos) of "before and after" and in between as necessary.

 

[swt_passenger]

Exactly! I will be going regularly now I live back in the UK. I will do (post photos) of "before and after" and in between as necessary.

Oh right. Perhaps I read too much into your writing ‘if’ rather than ‘when’…

 

[hwl]

These are to compare in future - looking east and seeing if that huge bend gets ironed out.

It will, the future fast lines though the platforms are attached to the future slow lines just to the east.

It won't change until they get the other platforms sorted and have the 4track alignment to Heaton Lodge sorted.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Oh right. Perhaps I read too much into your writing ‘if’ rather than ‘when’…

It will, the future fast lines though the platforms are attached to the future slow lines just to the east.

It won't change until they get the other platforms sorted and have the 4track alignment to Heaton Lodge sorted.

I changed the “if” in my op to “when” to avoid confusion.

 

[59CosG95]

Sorry, belatedly posting photographs from Friday December 5th of Huddersfield station work. These are to compare in future - looking east and seeing when that huge bend gets ironed out.

View attachment 193708View attachment 193709

You can see a *massive* gravity pad foundation for an OLE structure on the left of both pictures.

 

[Tim_UK]

It will, the future fast lines though the platforms are attached to the future slow lines just to the east.

It won't change until they get the other platforms sorted and have the 4track alignment to Heaton Lodge sorted.

So the Curve is not as bad as it looks in the picture. The current temporary lines do go over the fast line bridge. Indeed platform 2 is on the bridge.

Sorry for a facebook link, but this video shows the alignment and crossovers at east end of Huddersfield station.

167 reactions · 14 comments | Huddersfield’s Grade I listed station was built in 1847 by architect James Pigott Pritchett, and its six-column portico is considered one of the best in Europe. #trains #huddersfield #sunrise #town #home | Marc Roberts

Huddersfield’s Grade I listed station was built in 1847 by architect James Pigott Pritchett, and its six-column portico is considered one of the best in Europe. #trains #huddersfield #sunrise #town...

www.facebook.com

Shows a 185 leaving platform 3 at Huddersfield eastbound towards Leeds. The train goes over the new bridge on the south side (platform 2 and 3 when done)

After the bridge, the track curves to go into 2 tracks in the middle of the viaduct. There is room for at least 1 extra track on each side.

There are a 2 sets of crossovers, so both ways.

You can see the south side of the Bradford road span is still missing.

The distance is a signalling portal span over al the tracks.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

You can see a *massive* gravity pad foundation for an OLE structure on the left of both pictures.

I must have been blind!Well spotted.