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Transpennine Route Upgrade and Electrification updates

Tim_UK

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One of the things I took from this video (which you can see in the image in the original post) is just how close to the boundary fencing the sleepers were being laid. It feels as if there will be a large(ish) gap between the fast and slow lines at that point.
I think the drainage is down the middle.

Some of the views might be distorted by zoom lenses.

Given the lack of signal gantries everywhere, there will have to be some some signal posts in between the tracks too. Signals not shown on the consultation plans.
 
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josh-j

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14 Sep 2013
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A few photos from the back this evening showing the work, looks like all sleepers laid from just after Deighton to just before the viaduct. Looks like the UF has both rails laid the whole distance, and there’s the odd bit of rail laid for the DF.

Edit: no safety critical work done while these photos were being taken :)
Wow that's great progress, thanks for sharing those!
 

YorksLad12

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I think the drainage is down the middle.

Some of the views might be distorted by zoom lenses.

Given the lack of signal gantries everywhere, there will have to be some some signal posts in between the tracks too. Signals not shown on the consultation plans.
You could be right. On the photos above, I can see a concrete box with a blue cover between the two sets of tracks.

Main thing is, it's coming along nicely!
 

zwk500

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You could be right. On the photos above, I can see a concrete box with a blue cover between the two sets of tracks.
the blue cover is usually a catch pit for the drainage.
Given the lack of signal gantries everywhere, there will have to be some some signal posts in between the tracks too. Signals not shown on the consultation plans.
From the photos there doesn't seem to be space on much of the alignment for signals in the 10ft. Also, signals in the 10ft would definitely be a not preferred option due to the issues getting access for maintenance (particularly during a fault). Could be wrong though, I've also not seen any plans showing signal locations.
 

Tim_UK

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There are also at least 5 electrification mast brackets on the South side of Huddersfield viaduct. Just metal frames bolted to the stone work. (I drove past on Thursday)

Went past again and had time for pictures.
There are 6 brackets on south side of Huddersfield viaduct. Note above the picture






This one is bigger, and to the left (west) of the Fitzwilliam street arch.


IMG_5629.jpeg


Same one again, but from underneath. 2 of this style.

IMG_5627.jpeg


IMG_5628.jpeg


Further east they are more triangle shaped.

IMG_5622.jpeg



IMG_5630.jpeg




IMG_5621.jpeg

Full view down the street. Fitzwilliam street arch is still closed off.

IMG_5623.jpeg


Zoomed in picture of the eastern 2

IMG_5626.jpeg
 

59CosG95

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Went past again and had time for pictures.
There are 6 brackets on south side of Huddersfield viaduct. Note above the picture






This one is bigger, and to the left (west) of the Fitzwilliam street arch.


View attachment 208088


Same one again, but from underneath. 2 of this style.

View attachment 208087


View attachment 208083


Further east they are more triangle shaped.

View attachment 208081



View attachment 208084




View attachment 208085

Full view down the street. Fitzwilliam street arch is still closed off.

View attachment 208086


Zoomed in picture of the eastern 2

View attachment 208082
I know the triangular brackets are already in the UK Master Series design range (and Series 2, UK1, OLEMI Mark III etc before that), so they must be for portals from that range too; either the standard portal profile (e.g. like those seen on Digswell Viaduct on the ECML), or the hexagonal castellated ones on the Leeds approach.

As for the rectangular ones, I don't know - they might be Series 1 style.
 

kmc1962

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Some news on work west of Huddersfield Station - I've had a letter from Network Rail saying that bases for the OHLE masts will be installed between the Huddersfield and Gledholt tunnels, and immediately west of Gledholt tunnel on Saturday and Sunday 1st and 2nd of August, the purpose of the letter being to apologise for the resultant noise (as I live quite close to the sites).
 

GRALISTAIR

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Some news on work west of Huddersfield Station - I've had a letter from Network Rail saying that bases for the OHLE masts will be installed between the Huddersfield and Gledholt tunnels, and immediately west of Gledholt tunnel on Saturday and Sunday 1st and 2nd of August, the purpose of the letter being to apologise for the resultant noise (as I live quite close to the sites).
Sorry for the noise you will have to endure but great news. Bases are a great step forward.
 

zwk500

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What are the proposed track alterations West of Huddersfield, when they get round to doing them?
The best diagrams are probably on this thread: https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/etcs-rollout-on-transpennine-route-upgrade.299035/

Image copied across for ease of showing track layouts, refer to the thread for the ETCS discussion:
screenshot-2026-02-24-155113-png.198955
 

ABB125

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The best diagrams are probably on this thread: https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/etcs-rollout-on-transpennine-route-upgrade.299035/

Image copied across for ease of showing track layouts, refer to the thread for the ETCS discussion:
screenshot-2026-02-24-155113-png.198955
I note that the lines in the drawings have directional arrows. I was under the impression (perhaps mistakenly) that with ETCS you can basically have as much bidirectional working as you like "free of charge" (ok, there might be a bit more too it than just ticking a box in the software, but nowhere near as difficult as with conventional signalling). Is this not the case? What's proposed here?
 

zwk500

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I note that the lines in the drawings have directional arrows. I was under the impression (perhaps mistakenly) that with ETCS you can basically have as much bidirectional working as you like "free of charge" (ok, there might be a bit more too it than just ticking a box in the software, but nowhere near as difficult as with conventional signalling). Is this not the case?
No, it's absolutely not the case. Bi-Directional Signalling under ETCS is easier and cheaper than with conventional signalling as you don't have to account for signal sighting (as much*), but it's absolutely not 'free of charge' to write all the additional interlocking logic, or provide all the additional crossovers, axle counter sections, etc...
What's proposed here?
Having said the above, it is possible that the diagrams above show only the 'normal' intended usage, and that Block Markers & routes will be provided to use tracks in both directions, but with a lower capacity in the 'wrong' direction (as is quite common around the network with conventional signalling).

(*) Despite being in-cab signalling, the stop & location markers still need to be identifiable during degraded working.
 
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D6130

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The question was west of Huddersfield, wasn't it?
Yes.... you're correct. Slowit to Marsden is to the West of Huddersfield, but as I was saying 'the West' in Trans-Pennine terms has always referred to the section of line to the West of the summit in Standedge Tunnel and the former (North) Eastern Region/London Midland Region boundary.
 

Geeves

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Yes.... you're correct. Slowit to Marsden is to the West of Huddersfield, but as I was saying 'the West' in Trans-Pennine terms has always referred to the section of line to the West of the summit in Standedge Tunnel and the former (North) Eastern Region/London Midland Region boundary.

There's not a chance in hell of the lines on the opposite side of the valley ever reopening so that narrows down what you can improve on the west side as impressive as that would've been!
 

edwin_m

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There's not a chance in hell of the lines on the opposite side of the valley ever reopening so that narrows down what you can improve on the west side as impressive as that would've been!
With only two stops between Stalybridge and Standedge the stoppers should be able to keep ahead of the fasts, especially as they are likely to be EMUs. Three tracks from Marsden down to Huddersfield provides some opportunity for overtaking but will need careful timetabling to make that happen.

I agree there's very little physical opportunity to do anything with this section, as it clings to the slopes of the Tame Valley. I do wonder about loops in the Greenfield-Uppermill area (remains of sidings west of Greenfield and the Delph branch was a third track past Uppermill) or on the quadruple trackbed between Diggle and where the Micklehurst loop diverted into Butterhouse Tunnel. But considering they appear to be abandoning the loop at Diggle I guess they've decided nothing is needed.
 

76020

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I travelled between Leeds and York yesterday and I was very surprised to see how much electrification work has been completed.
Here are the details, starting at just north of the Neville Hill depot, electrification bases are installed up to about half a mile further north, then the masts and steelwork are all, or very nearly all, installed all the way up to the current limit of electrification, which is just north of Church Fenton.
There is also wires through East Garforth, I guess only one wiring run, then the wires start again about a half a mile south of Micklefield to just south of Church Fenton.
I know the bridge at Church Fenton is due for demolition later this year, but the footbridge on the platform seemed a bit low to me, does anybody know if this is going as well?
 

MboroFC

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Before the long blockade I believe there was a Temporary Speed Restriction through the Dewsbury area. There was always a T sign marking the end of the TSR at the Huddersfield end of platform two. Does anyone know why this was implemented? And what speed it was.
Thanks
 

Pit_buzzer

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I was at Crossgates today, got to say the 4 track portals looked very impressive, just waiting for the two additional tracks now
 

fat_boy_pete

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16 Mar 2015
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Apologies to those that can't access this, but Network Rail have posted a video on Facebook showing that the last girders of the Baker viaduct over the river have been lifted into place. It's part of a general promotional video for the Transpennine Route Upgrade programme, so nothing else is new content. It appears that the completion of the viaduct spans has prompted this renewed promo to the general public.



YouTube link of same video for those that can't access Facebook.

 
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zwk500

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Is that going to be bi-di on the centre line all the way from Slaithwaite to Marsden then?
Unclear. I would assume that's the case because otherwise the eastern crossover makes no sense, but assuming things because the alternative makes no sense is not as reliable as it should be when the railway's involved.
 

Jamesrob637

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Sarah Bell's latest video is up and displays some fantastic progress:

The Transpennine Route Upgrade is bringing major changes to Ravensthorpe, West Yorkshire. On Wednesday, July 29, 2026, a landmark moment arrived when new beams were lifted into place by crane on Baker Viaduct, meaning it spans the River Calder. TRU bosses heralded it as a 'milestone' for the £11.5 billion railway project to improve linespeed and capacity between York and Manchester via Leeds, Dewsbury and Huddersfield.
 
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josh-j

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14 Sep 2013
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Wow that's really good to see. It feels like once the groundwork was sorted they've made quick progress on the actual bridge!
 

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