Transpennine Route Upgrade and Electrification updates

[Bill50023]

Looks like a huge amount of trackwork is well in progress at Deighton. The latest video from Sarah Bell shows how the lines have been removed, and also shows some piling machines on site for OLE. Worth a watch.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Yes. I think I will make my next trip in July when a huge amount of progress will have been made. This is getting really exciting.

 

[YorkshireBear]

Looks like a huge amount of trackwork is well in progress at Deighton. The latest video from Sarah Bell shows how the lines have been removed, and also shows some piling machines on site for OLE. Worth a watch.

Even barriers to separate the fast lines area to allow progress. Excellent to see.

 

[yorkie]

Just a gentle reminder this is a current infrastructure updates thread only.

We do welcome discussion regarding timetabling, traction & rolling stock, historical matters and anything else related, but these belong in separate dedicated threads, in the appropriate forum sections, please.

People are welcome to link to any such thread from here, and likewise to link back to this thread when creating (or posting on) any thread elsewhere, as appropriate.

Thanks in advance

 

[neil65]

According to a notice inside the foyer at Huddersfield Station the subway stairs will soon be closed and the new overbridge right at the end of the platform will be opened, hope nobody is late for their train because it's a heck of a trek!!
Lift will still be in use

Huddersfield & Crewe 18th May 2026 - Railway-Photography

railway photographs from the last 100 years

railway-photography.smugmug.com

Some photos taken this morning on my phone
Footbridge

Huddersfield & Crewe 18th May 2026 - Railway-Photography

railway photographs from the last 100 years

railway-photography.smugmug.com

Huddersfield & Crewe 18th May 2026 - Railway-Photography

railway photographs from the last 100 years

railway-photography.smugmug.com

Huddersfield & Crewe 18th May 2026 - Railway-Photography

railway photographs from the last 100 years

railway-photography.smugmug.com

Huddersfield & Crewe 18th May 2026 - Railway-Photography

railway photographs from the last 100 years

railway-photography.smugmug.com

Huddersfield & Crewe 18th May 2026 - Railway-Photography

railway photographs from the last 100 years

railway-photography.smugmug.com

New roof supports on P3

Huddersfield & Crewe 18th May 2026 - Railway-Photography

railway photographs from the last 100 years

railway-photography.smugmug.com

Huddersfield & Crewe 18th May 2026 - Railway-Photography

railway photographs from the last 100 years

railway-photography.smugmug.com

New roof supports on P2 still shrouded in scaffolding

Huddersfield & Crewe 18th May 2026 - Railway-Photography

railway photographs from the last 100 years

railway-photography.smugmug.com

Neil

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Absolutely great photos showing amazing progress since I was last there.

As an aside (but slightly OT sorry), Having Tim post YouTubes very regularly and Sarah Bell YouTubes and all the correspondents partaking on this thread, I do feel we are really blessed on this project with regular updates. (It did not seem that way on GWML project for example)

 

[YorksLad12]

According to a notice inside the foyer at Huddersfield Station the subway stairs will soon be closed and the new overbridge right at the end of the platform will be opened, hope nobody is late for their train because it's a heck of a trek!!
Lift will still be in use

Huddersfield & Crewe 18th May 2026 - Railway-Photography

railway photographs from the last 100 years

railway-photography.smugmug.com

With my comms professional hat on... what an abysmal poster. The important bit is four paragraphs down, in the smallest font size. Is the "end of May" Sunday 31 May or Monday 1 June? Or something else? Harrumph...

On the other hand... looking forward to trying the new footbridge out

 

[MboroFC]

Yesterday I spotted some blue wrap all along the parapet fencing on Dewsbury Viaduct. It wasn't there a few weeks ago. Does anyone know what purpose that serves to the electrification, if it serves any?

 

[TheoBald]

Looks like a huge amount of trackwork is well in progress at Deighton. The latest video from Sarah Bell shows how the lines have been removed, and also shows some piling machines on site for OLE. Worth a watch.

I've enjoyed watching progress in a couple of dozen of these videos now and must thank those who provide the links. But I'd like to know if I'm being overly critical with an observation: that over half of the (wo)man hours we're seeing are clearly being wasted. In picture after picture, video after video, so many of the workers are simply idle. Sitting, standing, watching phones, seemingly waiting to be assigned tasks. Is the management so poor?

I'm not someone who expects people doing often heavy manual work, to do so without break, but these videos suggest to me that labour costs are out of control. By contrast, I follow Wandering Northerner's excellent drone footage of the Black Cat roadworks. In his occasional work day videos (most are over rest days - weekends) I am struck by just how active the workforce appear.

Am I being unkind? Or is oversight out of control? And why am I the first to ask?!

 

[GRALISTAIR]

It was pointed out to me privately how many appear to be standing around doing nothing. I think you are the first on this thread to point it out.

 

[YorkshireBear]

The problem you have is that so much is mechanised, those small parts that aren't need people on them, but are few and far between. That does not justify it at all and I think it frustrates many people to see so many, including myself. But there will always be things we aren't aware of.

 

[swt_passenger]

The problem you have is that so much is mechanised, those small parts that aren't need people on them, but are few and far between. That does not justify it at all and I think it frustrates many people to see so many, including myself. But there will always be things we aren't aware of.

Heavy Engineering generally has longstanding historic trade boundaries, electrical, mechanical and constructive/civils, and they won’t do any of each other’s work. Separate tradesmen will have different supervisors. Technicians will not do labouring. Crane operators have controllers and lookouts, a road truck driver needs a banksman; etc etc.

 

[Zomboid]

It was pointed out to me privately how many appear to be standing around doing nothing. I think you are the first on this thread to point it out.

It looks that way, but we're not privvy to what everyone's reason for being there was or what exactly was happening at the time they the video was taken, so it wouldn't be wise to jump to conclusions.

 

[Spartacus]

The problem you have is that so much is mechanised, those small parts that aren't need people on them, but are few and far between. That does not justify it at all and I think it frustrates many people to see so many, including myself. But there will always be things we aren't aware of.

The mechanisation's one big reason for how it appears but quite often those who look like they're doing nothing will be banksmen or lookouts, and while certain stuff's moving people will be sometimes required to stop whatever else they're doing, because when you've people moving around, their mind on their own thing, and others having to watch out for them, not the heavy machinery moving around, that's when accidents tend to happen.

No, there's been enough accidents because of things like that that I don't mind the belt & braces approach to safety like that, though in my opinion the reaction to minor infractions can be a bit over the top for me.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

It looks that way, but we're not privvy to what everyone's reason for being there was or what exactly was happening at the time they the video was taken, so it wouldn't be wise to jump to conclusions.

I agree about not being privy to all the information and not jumping to conclusions - but -- As was pointed out though - it does not appear to be a one-off.

I've enjoyed watching progress in a couple of dozen of these videos now and must thank those who provide the links. But I'd like to know if I'm being overly critical with an observation: that over half of the (wo)man hours we're seeing are clearly being wasted. In picture after picture, video after video, so many of the workers are simply idle. Sitting, standing, watching phones, seemingly waiting to be assigned tasks. Is the management so poor?

 

[Phillipimo]

Am I being unkind? Or is oversight out of control? And why am I the first to ask?!

You're not the first person to observe this about construction workers, I would suggest googling this question to read interesting answers from construction workers which may help clear some things up. I don't believe private contractors would employ any more people than is necessary, wouldn't that be bad business?
Also dare is say despite your observation, every day they seem to make excellent progress rebuilding the railway, so someone must be doing the work!

 

[KevinTurvey]

Part of the issue is when we were younger we used to take drawings (or photocopied extracts) out on site with us - a way of working which I still prefer to do, to help see the bigger picture on an A0 sheet. Nowadays most drawings/documents are accessed electronically, often via a tablet or mobile phone and so don't blow away in the wind, however you cant tell who is looking at project information, and who is posting on facebook when a good proportion of the workforce appear to be "playing with their phones".

Also some operations (eg a crane lift) will require several people doing nothing and standing around at any one time - banksmen, slingers, erectors, engineer and chain man, safety/lifting supervisor while each stage is completed, plus Client and general contractors management often come out for a look too! It does on the face of it look like two workers working for every ten workers watching them, but it has to happen like this.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

So it looks like the blockade ends Monday.

⚠️ Upcoming Closures and changes to services

Upgrading the Transpennine main line is a huge job. This means that, at times, we’ll need to close certain parts of the railway so we can make it more reliable and greener. When this happens, we’ll get you to where you’re going on a diversion route, or on a high quality bus or coach with comfy...

thetrupgrade.co.uk

Saturday 2 May until Monday 25 May 2026
Trains between Manchester, Huddersfield and Leeds
What's happening?
Works are progressing across the Bradley Junction area, between Deighton and Mirfield, where teams are carrying out track and drainage renewals to improve reliability. As part of these upgrades, the Whitacre Street bridge deck is being installed, alongside ongoing signalling work and testing in the area.
At Deighton, construction continues on the station rebuild, helping to deliver a more accessible and improved experience for passengers.
In Huddersfield, work is ongoing to extend the station canopy, with scaffolding in place to support the upgrades. Strengthening of the Huddersfield viaduct is also nearing completion, with teams focusing on final snagging works.
Elsewhere, bridge works are underway at Wheatley’s Bridge in Mirfield, as part of the wider programme to replace the existing structure with a new bridge.
How are train services affected?
Services through Huddersfield will be reduced, with no direct trains running east towards Leeds or the Calder Valley.
Services between Manchester to Leeds will be diverted via the Calder Valley, with some journeys requiring a change of trains.
Rail replacement buses will run between Huddersfield and Brighouse, Lockwood and Wakefield Kirkgate for onward connections.
Rail replacement buses will run between Marsden and Mirfield, calling at all stations including Huddersfield.
On Sunday 24 May, Brighouse and Mirfield stations will be closed, with rail replacement buses in operation.

 

[Jamesrob637]

So it looks like the blockade ends Monday.

⚠️ Upcoming Closures and changes to services

Upgrading the Transpennine main line is a huge job. This means that, at times, we’ll need to close certain parts of the railway so we can make it more reliable and greener. When this happens, we’ll get you to where you’re going on a diversion route, or on a high quality bus or coach with comfy...

thetrupgrade.co.uk

Until the next one in June!

 

[Phillipimo]

Until the next one in June!

On the following dates, there will be no trains departing Huddersfield towards Dewsbury and Leeds. Services between Manchester and Leeds will be diverted via Hebden Bridge:

Saturday 6 & Sunday 7 June
Saturday 13 & Sunday 14 June
Saturday 20 & Sunday 21 June

On the following dates, there will be no trains through Dewsbury. Services will be diverted between Huddersfield and Leeds via Wakefield Kirkgate:

Monday 1 to Friday 5 June
Monday 8 to Friday 12 June
Monday 15 to Friday 19 June
Monday 22 to Friday 26 June

I guess the weekday closures will see the removal of the Batley underpass and infamous bump?

 

[Jamesrob637]

Absolutely no trains through Huddersfield on the 1st of June:

Realtime Trains | Departures from Huddersfield all day on 01/06/2026

Train information at Huddersfield all day on 01/06/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[josh-j]

Absolutely no trains through Huddersfield on the 1st of June:

Realtime Trains | Departures from Huddersfield all day on 01/06/2026

Train information at Huddersfield all day on 01/06/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

It looks like they've been updated now - trains are showing. The TRU website doesn't suggest a full blockade on the 1st.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

It looks like they've been updated now - trains are showing. The TRU website doesn't suggest a full blockade on the 1st.

That is what I thought. The 1st is a Monday.

 

[Railsecrets]

Few updates on the Dewsbury blockade in June, the whole station and footbridge will close for bridge strengthening works, track renewals and canopy extensions as the west end of P2, and at the west and eastern ends of P1 as indicated by the white markers. Plus at batley the subway will be removed and new track laid.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 May 2026 ==

 

[fishwomp]

Few updates on the Dewsbury blockade in June, the whole station and footbridge will close for bridge strengthening works, track renewals and canopy extensions as the west end of P2, and at the west and eastern ends of P1 as indicated by the white markers.

How iniquitous that the townsfolk of Dewsbury get canopy extensions - and yet those of Mirfield are not worthy of a canopy at all.

Wonder how it was it determined which stations would entitle passengers to a drenching!

 

[Peterthegreat]

How iniquitous that the townsfolk of Dewsbury get canopy extensions - and yet those of Mirfield are not worthy of a canopy at all.

Wonder how it was it determined which stations would entitle passengers to a drenching!

Well Dewsbury does have three times the number of passengers than Mirfield.

 

[fishwomp]

Well Dewsbury does have three times the number of passengers than Mirfield.

The overhead rain cover at Mirfield is certainly not 1/3rd of that at Dewsbury. It's not possible to get to the waiting room ('bus shelter') without getting wet (If it is raining).

 

[noddingdonkey]

Understand there is a bit of a farce at Slaithwaite this morning with trains booked to call but access to platform 2 blocked by security fencing with signs saying it will reopen early on Monday. Luckily those who departed the train were were able to alert the guard before the train left and they were stranded on the platform

 

[MboroFC]

Few updates on the Dewsbury blockade in June, the whole station and footbridge will close for bridge strengthening works, track renewals and canopy extensions as the west end of P2, and at the west and eastern ends of P1 as indicated by the white markers. Plus at batley the subway will be removed and new track laid.

Does this include any electrification works as well please?

 

[Phillipimo]

Looks like the line reopened on time after the latest blockade, well done to all involved on a successful operation! Now the slow lines are in place we should start to see the new fast lines emerging soon.