Transpennine Route Upgrade and Electrification updates

[Blockman]

Was the loop from platform 3 15mph before? That will feel massively different! A class 331 there will feel very different to any sprinters before.

It was 15 mph from the points at the end of the P3 to the points in the Up Leeds. The loop up to there was (and is) 40 mph in the Up direction.

 

[KN94]

Just passed though Dewsbury this evening and noticed the ticket barriers have been removed.

I wonder if this TRU related or to do with the station front redevelopment?

Neither - gates were rarely in operation, especially on platform 1 (Leeds-bound). Gateline staff have been re-deployed to Huddersfield.

 

[Starmill]

Neither - gates were rarely in operation, especially on platform 1 (Leeds-bound). Gateline staff have been re-deployed to Huddersfield.

Installing those gates at the end of 2017 did seem like very dubious value. I heard the hardware was being recovered so some of it could be re-used elsewhere, although I don't know where. It probably makes sense given how rarely they were actually in use.

 

[Railsecrets]

Neither - gates were rarely in operation, especially on platform 1 (Leeds-bound). Gateline staff have been re-deployed to Huddersfield.

Quite surprised about that. Until last year I passed through there regularly and it was the case that P2 (Huddersfield bound) was gated in the morning and afternoon peaks, but often found most of the time P1 (Leeds bound) was rarely gated, but when it was very inconsistent.

 

[Jamesrob637]

Summary of latest line speed improvements:

Micklefield junction
Increase from 80 to 90mph on route to and from Church Fenton.

Church Fenton
Northbound, increase from 80 to 90mph around curve south of the station.

Southbound, 125mph extended from River Wharfe viaduct to Church Fenton North junction, then 85mph through station and around curve - up from 70mph through the curve.

Loop from platform 3, 50mph round curve and joining mainline towards Leeds.

Speeds from latest Sectional Appendix.

Would I have gone through Church Fenton at 90 last Tuesday? And sped up to 125 until the Wharfe Bridge? Or do these new speeds not yet take effect?

 

[D6130]

Would I have gone through Church Fenton at 90 last Tuesday? And sped up to 125 until the Wharfe Bridge? Or do these new speeds not yet take effect?

What type of train were you travelling on?

 

[superkev]

Summary of latest line speed improvements:

Micklefield junction
Increase from 80 to 90mph on route to and from Church Fenton.

Church Fenton
Northbound, increase from 80 to 90mph around curve south of the station.

Southbound, 125mph extended from River Wharfe viaduct to Church Fenton North junction, then 85mph through station and around curve - up from 70mph through the curve.

Loop from platform 3, 50mph round curve and joining mainline towards Leeds.

Speeds from latest Sectional Appendix.

Strange that the northbound curve is 90mph but the outer lager radius southbound curve is 85.
K

 

[D6130]

Strange that the northbound curve is 90mph but the outer lager radius southbound curve is 85.
K

There was a similar differential previously....80 on the Down (Northbound) and 70 on the Up (Southbound). Possibly something to do with a reduced cant to accommodate the trailing points from the platform loop?

 

[Jamesrob637]

What type of train were you travelling on?

185 northbound, 802 southbound.

 

[Monkeyhead]

The cast iron bridge between Cross Gates and Garforth seems to have been reinstalled over the past days or so

 

[superkev]

There was a similar differential previously....80 on the Down (Northbound) and 70 on the Up (Southbound). Possibly something to do with a reduced cant to accommodate the trailing points from the platform loop?

Perhaps they haven't made the recent loop extension long enough.
K

 

[Phillipimo]

There was a similar differential previously....80 on the Down (Northbound) and 70 on the Up (Southbound). Possibly something to do with a reduced cant to accommodate the trailing points from the platform loop?

The loop now extends around the curve and joins up on the straight, so this won't be the reason.

 

[Senex]

The loop now extends around the curve and joins up on the straight, so this won't be the reason.

I wanted to ask about this too. The northbound line through the platform has the 90, the southbound non-platform line only 85, which is the reverse of what one might expect if a cant limit through a platform we’re the reason. And the points to and from the platform loop seem comfortably clear of the curve in both directions. So is it signalling? But if so, why, on a new installation?

 

[Spartacus]

Installing those gates at the end of 2017 did seem like very dubious value. I heard the hardware was being recovered so some of it could be re-used elsewhere, although I don't know where. It probably makes sense given how rarely they were actually in use.

Weren't they install as part of some sort of guarantee for funding for something?

The position on platform 2 in particular always seemed dubious, and effectively cut off the shop from over half it's potential custom at the busiest times, leading to it's closure. In theory passengers could ask to use the shop, but in reality how many people were going to do that, and there was always previous regular custom from non rail users such as people using the footbridge to get to town, waiting taxi drivers, and seemed to be effectively used as a small corner shop by some of those living near the station, who were cut off entirely.

 

[KN94]

Installing those gates at the end of 2017 did seem like very dubious value. I heard the hardware was being recovered so some of it could be re-used elsewhere, although I don't know where. It probably makes sense given how rarely they were actually in use.

They've gone into storage to act as spares, I believe.

 

[MboroFC]

Does anyone know what date the masts will be put up around Dewsbury?

 

[brad465]

Invoice in the post

Did John Williams send you an invoice for playing The Imperial March with the train horn on one of your other videos?

 

[Railsecrets]

Just passed though Dewsbury this evening and noticed the ticket barriers have been removed.

I wonder if this TRU related or to do with the station front redevelopment?

A update on this:
TPE have confirmed they have permanently removed them, but no reason why.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Well there are so many good updates from the likes of Sarah Bell I feel my updates are a little superfluous. I took a trip today to view with my own eyes.

1. After Stalybridge tunnel heading east but before Mossley there is a work compound on the north side. It could be for a more extensive route survey.
2. I noticed after Mossley the embankments are very steep. My view is some pinning an earthwork stabilisation will be required.
3. There is a Balfour Beaty compound set up at Slaithwaite.
4. Around Church Fenton there is loads of kit missing - and not just wires.
5. At Huddersfield station, I have never ever in my life seen so much scaffolding crammed into so little space. Overall at Huddersfield there was loads of orangemen.

I will post photos in a day or two.

EDIT - OT but -I learned Slaithwaite is pronounced slough -it !

 

[MboroFC]

Well there are so many good updates from the likes of Sarah Bell I feel my updates are a little superfluous. I took a trip today to view with my own eyes.

1. After Stalybridge tunnel heading east but before Mossley there is a work compound on the north side. It could be for a more extensive route survey.
2. I noticed after Mossley the embankments are very steep. My view is some pinning an earthwork stabilisation will be required.
3. There is a Balfour Beaty compound set up at Slaithwaite.
4. Around Church Fenton there is loads of kit missing - and not just wires.
5. At Huddersfield station, I have never ever in my life seen so much scaffolding crammed into so little space. Overall at Huddersfield there was loads of orangemen.

I will post photos in a day or two.

Thanks, are there any electrification masts around Dewsbury yet?

 

[1D53]

Around Church Fenton there is loads of kit missing - and not just wires

Until the road bridge is replaced at Church Fenton the remaining work can't be finished.

 

[Alexd]

Well there are so many good updates from the likes of Sarah Bell I feel my updates are a little superfluous. I took a trip today to view with my own eyes.

1. After Stalybridge tunnel heading east but before Mossley there is a work compound on the north side. It could be for a more extensive route survey.
2. I noticed after Mossley the embankments are very steep. My view is some pinning an earthwork stabilisation will be required.
3. There is a Balfour Beaty compound set up at Slaithwaite.
4. Around Church Fenton there is loads of kit missing - and not just wires.
5. At Huddersfield station, I have never ever in my life seen so much scaffolding crammed into so little space. Overall at Huddersfield there was loads of orangemen.

I will post photos in a day or two.

EDIT - OT but -I learned Slaithwaite is pronounced slough -it !

Pronounced Slawit by locals, I live very close. ( sla as in slap)

 

[The Mercian]

I learnt the Slawit pronunciation info in the Stalybridge Buffet Bar from a friendly local. I think the on board train announcements have also been changed to reflect this.

 

[QueensCurve]

I learnt the Slawit pronunciation info in the Stalybridge Buffet Bar from a friendly local. I think the on board train announcements have also been changed to reflect this.

I have known that since I bought a suit there in the 1980s.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Anyone know what this is on Huddersfield Station? I suppose it could be an electrification gantry base - surely not for a signal or is it? It has appeared since I last visited in December.

 

[swt_passenger]

Anyone know what this is on Huddersfield Station? I suppose it could be an electrification gantry base - surely not for a signal or is it? It has appeared since I last visited in December.

A staircase or footbridge support leg? Is it possible to give a more specific location with respect to the existing station?

 

[GRALISTAIR]

A staircase or footbridge support leg? Is it possible to give a more specific location with respect to the existing station?

Just to the right in the attached picture.

 

[zwk500]

Just to the right in the attached picture.

From this document: https://gat04-live-1517c8a4486c4160...field_station_design_and_access_statement.pdf

This document suggests it might be for the new footbridge rather than OLE gantry? (If that's at the north end of P1)

 

[GRALISTAIR]

From this document: https://gat04-live-1517c8a4486c4160...field_station_design_and_access_statement.pdf

This document suggests it might be for the new footbridge rather than OLE gantry? (If that's at the north end of P1)

Thanks. That makes sense. I was getting too excited that OLE gantries could be going up sooner rather than later.

On another note - I was absolutely bamboozled by the amount of scaffolding in the station. See attached:

 

[zwk500]

Thanks. That makes sense. I was getting too excited that OLE gantries could be going up sooner rather than later.

Not to worry. From the same design document it looks like most of the OLE is mounted to the roof or canopy in some way, to mitigate the impact of lots of masts around the station. So they may go up quite late.

The December Enhancements Delivery Plan shows the Huddersfield section of TRU to be On-Target for February2030 Entry into service, so visible signs of OLE may be a while away yet. There may be an updated EDP soon - it comes out about every quarter for England & Wales. Note that the date given is for EIS of all elements, so it's possible OLE could be delivered earlier (although OLE is likely to be one of the later things, after as much track and signalling work is complete to avoid needing to come back and amend things).

On another note - I was absolutely bamboozled by the amount of scaffolding in the station. See attached:

Looks like a crash deck - Bristol Temple Meads has only just got rid of it's one, they do make themselves felt don't they!