Transpennine Route Upgrade and Electrification updates

[GRALISTAIR]

You say they are into OLE, but I thought that work was already done?

 

[YorkshireBear]

You say they are into OLE, but I thought that work was already done?

North of Church Fenton to Colton Junction was done. And a couple of wiring runs between Micklefield and Church Fenton were done (away from the track works and new signals), but majority wasn't done. Wires now going up through Church Fenton Station.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

North of Church Fenton to Colton Junction was done. And a couple of wiring runs between Micklefield and Church Fenton were done (away from the track works and new signals), but majority wasn't done. Wires now going up through Church Fenton Station.

OK - thanks for that clarification and information.

 

[FrodshamJnct]

North of Church Fenton to Colton Junction was done. And a couple of wiring runs between Micklefield and Church Fenton were done (away from the track works and new signals), but majority wasn't done. Wires now going up through Church Fenton Station.

Just been through Church Fenton on my way to Newcastle - absolute hive of activity this morning with all sorts going on.

 

[swt_passenger]

The latest Sarah Bell video is mainly about the Church Fenton area. I saw there were some YouTube commenters asking about the platforms, the video seems to show the coping slab removal stage of what ever is happening, but a reply reckons they’re being installed:

 

[Jamesrob637]

Can't wait to see the progress on the 3rd of March when I pass by en-route to the NE of England.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Can't wait to see the progress on the 3rd of March when I pass by en-route to the NE of England.

I am planning middle of February. Progress seems to have gone from nice and steady to very good.

 

[YorkshireBear]

The latest Sarah Bell video is mainly about the Church Fenton area. I saw there were some YouTube commenters asking about the platforms, the video seems to show the coping slab removal stage of what ever is happening, but a reply reckons they’re being installed:

They were removed, as they need reinstalling due to slight changes to track alignment. I believe they are on with putting them back now. Will try get a better look tonight but won't be passing till after sunset.

Good to see the loop complete, Leeds bound Church Fenton services will feel completely different once that is open!

 

[Freightmaster]

I am planning middle of February. Progress seems to have gone from nice and steady to very good.

Out of curiosity, what is the next 'big' job once Micklefield to Church Fenton reopens?



MARK

 

[YorkshireBear]

Definitely copers being reinstated on P3 on my way home. P4 not started.

Seemed to be lots of tidying up from the track renewal being done so would expect to see it move towards other works now. (Such as OLE).

 

[1D53]

Out of curiosity, what is the next 'big' job once Micklefield to Church Fenton reopens?



MARK

Lots of work at Bradley Jn this year and station works at Dewsbury and Batley. Offline build of the Baker Viaduct this year will be a biggie too.

 

[Charlie978]

Drove over the line between Deighton and Heaton lodge jn in the light for the first time in a while and they appeared to have the OLE spans in on the lines that will become the slows.

 

[GraphitProjekt]

Does anyone know what Track Sectioning Cabins are planned between Stalybridge and Leeds?
I'd imagine they'd be one around Huddersfield, probably another to separate the Ravensthorpe and Heyrod supplies but any actual insights would be appreciated.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Out of curiosity, what is the next 'big' job once Micklefield to Church Fenton reopens?

MARK

Sections E2 and E3 are already in progress so when they are done it will be electric all the way Leeds to York. I class that as a “ big job”. In the meantime Huddersfield to Ravensthorpe will continue to progress then the really big job of W2b and W2c - Stalybridge- Marsden-Huddersfield will get the formal go ahead after TWAO etc.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Won't the Neville Hill remodelling come next, so that Leeds-York can be completed and switched on fairly soon?

 

[YorkshireBear]

Won't the Neville Hill remodelling come next, so that Leeds-York can be completed and switched on fairly soon?

Leeds to York entry into service lines up with Huddersfield to Leeds entry into service which I believe is 2030 sometime.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Won't the Neville Hill remodelling come next, so that Leeds-York can be completed and switched on fairly soon?

I will have to find the timeline. I am pretty sure that is one of the last project parts to get done.

 

[zwk500]

I will have to find the timeline. I am pretty sure that is one of the last project parts to get done.

According to the December 2025 Enhancements Delivery Plan: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/wp-co...-Enhancements-Delivery-Plan-December-2025.pdf

E1 Church Fenton to York - Current Entry into Service (EIS) Target: April 2026
W3 Huddersfield to Ravensthorpe - Current EIS Target: February 2030
W4 Ravensthorpe to Leeds - Current EIS Target: February 2030
E234 Leeds to Church Fenton: Current EIS Target: April 2030

 

[3RDGEN]

Won't the Neville Hill remodelling come next, so that Leeds-York can be completed and switched on fairly soon?

THE new Shipley Depot needs to be opened first to remove work from Neville Hill before the blockade can happen, the Shipley site is due open in early 2028;

"https://thetrupgrade.co.uk/shipleydepot/" - The Transpennine Route Upgrade is investing around £100million in a new rail depot in Shipley. Initially, the rail depot will be used to house and maintain Northern’s fleet of electric trains on the Airedale and Wharfedale Lines while access in and out of their Neville Hill depot in Leeds is restricted during a future phase of TRU.

So Neville Hill blockade late 2028 perhaps?

 

[Jamesrob637]

According to the December 2025 Enhancements Delivery Plan: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/wp-co...-Enhancements-Delivery-Plan-December-2025.pdf

E1 Church Fenton to York - Current Entry into Service (EIS) Target: April 2026
W3 Huddersfield to Ravensthorpe - Current EIS Target: February 2030
W4 Ravensthorpe to Leeds - Current EIS Target: February 2030
E234 Leeds to Church Fenton: Current EIS Target: April 2030

So Church Fenton to York should be live in the coming weeks, possibly by the 3rd of March.

 

[YorkshireBear]

So Church Fenton to York should be live in the coming weeks, possibly by the 3rd of March.

Already live, the 802s use electric on that stretch.

 

[Jamesrob637]

Already live, the 802s use electric on that stretch.

3 or more months ahead of target!

 

[zwk500]

Already live, the 802s use electric on that stretch.

Isn't the last bit into Church Fenton station itself still waiting for sign-off (which obviously can't be given until the completion of all works)?

 

[3RDGEN]

Isn't the last bit into Church Fenton station itself still waiting for sign-off (which obviously can't be given until the completion of all works)?

Correct, the previous claims of electrification to Church Fenton was actually some distance further towards York not the actual station. The station should be completed during the current blockade once the track layout changes are made so once tested it should be available from April for the hourly TPE Newcastle service once the traction changeover point is moved.

 

[GraphitProjekt]

So just for total clarification:
- Colton Jnc to Church Fenton was energised 03/02/25
- it reached EiS sometime later except for the the last distance into Church Fenton
- TPE 802s still currently change power north of Colton Junction (near some Tescos I heard)
Correct?

 

[3RDGEN]

So just for total clarification:
- Colton Jnc to Church Fenton was energised 03/02/25
- it reached EiS sometime later except for the the last distance into Church Fenton
- TPE 802s still currently change power north of Colton Junction (near some Tescos I heard)
Correct?

Depends what you call Church Fenton, it was about a third to half a mile North of Church Fenton station on the York side. I think the changeover was moved to near Ulleskelf station for the Newcastle services, when 802's ran to Scarborough not sure they ever used the overheads?

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Correct, the previous claims of electrification to Church Fenton was actually some distance further towards York not the actual station. The station should be completed during the current blockade once the track layout changes are made so once tested it should be available from April for the hourly TPE Newcastle service once the traction changeover point is moved.

So just for total clarification:
- Colton Jnc to Church Fenton was energised 03/02/25
- it reached EiS sometime later except for the the last distance into Church Fenton
- TPE 802s still currently change power north of Colton Junction (near some Tescos I heard)
Correct?

I think the Tesco you mention is close to the old ECML junction at Chaloner Whin, which is just 2 miles south of York.

Powering up through Church Fenton depends on completion of the power supply system and installation of an associated changeover point.
I would have thought a 5-mile stretch from north of Church Fenton to north of Micklefield would be next, but it depends on the technical setup.

 

[zwk500]

So just for total clarification:
- Colton Jnc to Church Fenton North Jn (Excl.) was energised 03/02/25
- it reached EiS 26 June 2025 (ORR letter is available)

Correct?

Some changes in bold.

https://www.orr.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2025-07/network-rail-eastern-region-tru-project-e1-energy-subsystem-authorisation-2025-06-26.pdf

Gives the following points:

This authorisation is for the placing in service of Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) Project E1 Overhead Contact System between the East Coast Main Line (Engineer’s Line Reference – ECM4) at Colton Junction (5 miles 61 Chains), towards Leeds on the Normanton to Colton Junction Lines (Engineer’s Line Reference – NOC), to the northern side of Church Fenton Station (10 miles 5 Chains).

And notes 1.7km of electrification not yet ready:

We noted that there is an approximate 1.7km long section at the southern end of the new electrification which cannot be used for electric traction pending completion of dynamic testing at a later date (CoV 2192-6-SG-2025-ENE-EN-397396_024)

Sectional Appendix shows commencement of Electrification north of Church Fenton North Jn at 10m 27ch, although does not give an explicit Limit of Electrification.

 

[KN94]

THE new Shipley Depot needs to be opened first to remove work from Neville Hill before the blockade can happen, the Shipley site is due open in early 2028;

So Neville Hill blockade late 2028 perhaps?

Neville Hill (14 weeks) is planned for Summer 2028.

As for this year, 24 days at Bradley Jn/Deighton in Spring, 28 days at Dewsbury & Batley towards the Summer, 16 days working in Gledholt Tunnel (and surrounding areas) in September/October, and then another Huddersfield 30 day blockade starting at Christmas which includes/runs alongside a few days in Standedge Tunnel.
(I can't remember the exact dates...)

Plenty of weekend work in between and alongside the above..

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Neville Hill (14 weeks) is planned for Summer 2028.

As for this year —-(snip)——- and then another Huddersfield 30 day blockade starting at Christmas which includes/runs alongside a few days in Standedge Tunnel.

sounds like some preliminary work on W2b/c - great stuff.