Transpennine Route Upgrade and Electrification updates

[snowball]

The bit about the concrete infill is probably a mistake. I think I may have got it from a comment by somebody on Robert Stenhouse's Flickr several months ago.

 

[edwin_m]

The bit about the concrete infill is probably a mistake. I think I may have got it from a comment by somebody on Robert Stenhouse's Flickr several months ago.

You just put that in to make it harder

 

[swt_passenger]

The bit about the concrete infill is probably a mistake. I think I may have got it from a comment by somebody on Robert Stenhouse's Flickr several months ago.

They might have wrongly thought it was a general use case in unused arches, I remember seeing it mentioned regarding the two unused arches at Colne Bridge Road, where they are down to infill them with foamed concrete hidden behind a matching stone facade.

 

[D9006]

Having watched many videos on TRU there seems to be no progress on any masts going up between Stalybridge and Huddersfield, is there any plans for this, also will the current Piccadilly to Leeds stopping service going to be converted to EMUs good use of 350s perhaps

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Having watched many videos on TRU there seems to be no progress on any masts going up between Stalybridge and Huddersfield, is there any plans for this, also will the current Piccadilly to Leeds stopping service going to be converted to EMUs good use of 350s perhaps

Stalybridge to Huddersfield will be the last bit of the jigsaw to complete the TRU job. The project plan is still out for consultation, so it won't start for a couple of years at least.

They have resignalled the route (and removed the box at Diggle).

Rolling stock other than the 802s is still to be decided (was intended to be new build).

 

[snowball]

Having watched many videos on TRU there seems to be no progress on any masts going up between Stalybridge and Huddersfield, is there any plans for this, also will the current Piccadilly to Leeds stopping service going to be converted to EMUs good use of 350s perhaps

In November 2025 Network Rail submitted an application to the DfT for an Order under the Transport and Works Act to authorise necessary works between Stalybridge and Diggle. NR's page on the application is here. It includes moving Mossley station and various works to bridges etc. In Stalybridge and Scout tunnels the tunnel floor will be lowered and slab track installed. Past the cottages at Mossley the wire over the up (=downhill) track will have a permanently earthed section.

There will also be an order for Standedge to Gledholt (Huddersfield) but it has not yet been formally submitted to the DfT. There has been a public consultation on it and NR's page on it is here. A third track will be reinstated between the east end of Standedge tunnel and the west end of the tunnels approaching Huddersfield.

I believe the tunnels approaching Huddersfield will be wired as part of the current works.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Attached is a map of W2C section- Huddersfield to Marsden approximately. It shows probable interventions.

 

[Tim_UK]

In November 2025 Network Rail submitted an application to the DfT for an Order under the Transport and Works Act to authorise necessary works between Stalybridge and Diggle. NR's page on the application is here. It includes moving Mossley station and various works to bridges etc. In Stalybridge and Scout tunnels the tunnel floor will be lowered and slab track installed. Past the cottages at Mossley the wire over the up (=downhill) track will have a permanently earthed section.

Agreed. The west side is just a couple of years ahead. There also just seem to be things happening - compounds in use when you drive past. (like in 2020, you'd see stuff for the Huddersfield to Westown scheme - a drilling rig here, somebody measuring a bridge, some trees chopped, an access point refresh)

I also think the consensus is that Diggle loop was resignalled, but the track not currently good enough to use. (and it's potentially coming out, not green on the plans)

There will also be an order for Standedge to Gledholt (Huddersfield) but it has not yet been formally submitted to the DfT. There has been a public consultation on it and NR's page on it is here. A third track will be reinstated between the east end of Standedge tunnel and the west end of the tunnels approaching Huddersfield.

I agree. The stuff out has been kind of vague - a signalling diagram showing a third track. And some station visualisations. It's just way less detailed than all the plans which appeared with the Huddersfield to Westown consultation or Stalybridge to Diggle. I've not noticed much activity around Slaithwaite/Marsden.

I suspect the detail will come out, it's just going to be later.

Also nothing about Standedge tunnels. Both ends of both the aboves just show 2 tracks to the existing tunnel.

I believe the tunnels approaching Huddersfield will be wired as part of the current works.

Yes - there were detailed plans of the Huddersfield tunnels in the first consultation. And somewhere further upthread there was a thing about a notification of works in the tunnels. And there is a TPRU compound off Longroyd lane. Which via a track has road access to Gledholt junction.

 

[Geeves]

Regards to the west side as others have said its a work in progress but there has been works like the relaying and installation of a new cross over at Saddleworth, of course remember we have had ALOT of work between Manchester Victoria and Stalybridge over the years

Next work on the track at Huddersfield including a big block will be Saturday, September 19 to Sunday, October 4, 2026, including works on the Huddesfield station tunnels

Contract for the slab tracks has also been put out recently

https://bidstats.uk/tenders/2026/W24/872087940#notice-descrip

Decision on Mossley station expected Spring 27 and if work is approved Summer 28 for works to start

More images released as public consultation opens on TRU Stalybridge to Saddleworth plans

More images have been released showing the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) changes coming to the railway and stations between Stalybridge tunnel and Diggle (Saddleworth).

www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk

 

[fat_boy_pete]

Another OntrackwithTim YouTube video released this morning. As well as showing the completed Calder Road and Colne Bridge Road layouts from the air, it has a complete drone fly past from the start of the Baker Viaduct, over the new grade separation structure to the Calder Road bridge.

Just 24 hours after Demolition Saturday, we return to the TransPennine Route Upgrade to see what has changed across some of the most dramatic engineering sites in West Yorkshire.

This follow-up begins at the Baker Viaduct East Abutment, where embankment works continue to rise towards the new alignment. From there, we revisit Baker Viaduct itself, looking at the completed steel structure, ongoing concrete deck installation and the wider grade-separation works taking shape nearby.

Attention then turns to Calder Road Bridge, where the former structure has now been removed. With virtually no trace of the old bridge remaining, the space created for the future railway alignment is far clearer, and engineers can continue stabilising the embankment and preparing the route for the next stages of construction.

The final section revisits Colne Bridge Road Bridge, another structure removed during the previous day’s major possession. Its curved replacement is now fully visible, while the cleared railway formation shows how much additional space has been created for the future fast lines and overhead line equipment.

This video documents the immediate aftermath of one of the busiest demolition weekends on the TransPennine Route Upgrade and shows how quickly the landscape can change in just 24 hours.

Do we know approximately when the Wakefield line junction will be shifted to run underneath the new structure, to allow the new fast line embankment down to the Calder Road bridge to be constructed?

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Here are the likely interventions on route section W2B.

 

[KN94]

Neville Hill block is Summer 2028.

Not one to start the rumour mill, but there are murmurings that this might move. Plenty of discussions ongoing within TRU at the moment.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Not one to start the rumour mill, but there are murmurings that this might move. Plenty of discussions ongoing within TRU at the moment.

Brought forward or moved back?

I would be OK if it were moved back provided it was to focus resources on W2B and W2C. (Sorry - speculative)

 

[Geeves]

Shipley depot completion is set for 2027 allowing electric traction continued access to maintenance while Neville Hill is disconnected. Presumably that means the works coming forward which is brilliant because once the wires are up Northern benefits immediately with Leeds York stoppers being able to use electric traction.

 

[59CosG95]

Brought forward or moved back?

I would be OK if it were moved back provided it was to focus resources on W2B and W2C. (Sorry - speculative)

I suspect the resources (i.e. labour) for W2B/W2C may well be different to the current alliances on W3/W4 and E234.

 

[Tim_UK]

Decision on Mossley station expected Spring 27 and if work is approved Summer 28 for works to start

There was a load of plant in the space where the new Mossley station when I drove past last week (Tuesday 4th I think). I didn't what they were doing.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Aug 2026 ==

Do we know approximately when the Wakefield line junction will be shifted to run underneath the new structure, to allow the new fast line embankment down to the Calder Road bridge to be constructed?

See this from further up the thread.

16 days at Gledholt Tunnel (immediately West of Huddersfield station) in September 2026
9 days at Common Lane (Church Fenton) in October 2026
37 days at Huddersfield ("Huddersfield #2") in January 2027 (from Xmas 2026)
37 days at Thornhill LNW Jn in June 2027
There are two sets of 9 days and lots of weekends at Mirfield in 2027
After Huddersfield #2 is finished in January, nothing really happens there (Stalybridge - Heaton Lodge Jn) until the following Christmas. Plenty of preparatory weekends happening in 2026 however.
East of Leeds weekends happening throughout 2026 and 2027 also.

So I'm presuming June 2027 ?? And all in one go? As the current middle line pointwork is basically under calder road bridge.

Does anybody know if this means the the new Ravensthorpe station will be one of the last things?

 

[KN94]

Brought forward or moved back?

I would be OK if it were moved back provided it was to focus resources on W2B and W2C. (Sorry - speculative)

Moved back.

Certain Operators are very resistant to any change in the plan, whilst others are a bit more indifferent.

It will likely come to nothing as it would require quite the re-write of both the TRU plan and the National Access plan, but there certainly have been conversations about it. Decision likely due in the Autumn.

 

[LittleAH]

Stalybridge to Huddersfield will be the last bit of the jigsaw to complete the TRU job. The project plan is still out for consultation, so it won't start for a couple of years at least.

They have resignalled the route (and removed the box at Diggle).

Rolling stock other than the 802s is still to be decided (was intended to be new build).

Rumour has it TPE will announce their preferred manufacturer in the next two weeks

 

[fat_boy_pete]

So I'm presuming June 2027 ?? And all in one go? As the current middle line pointwork is basically under calder road bridge.

Does anybody know if this means the the new Ravensthorpe station will be one of the last things?

Thanks for that. Well that will a busy month!

 

[Snow1964]

Amey has produced an article on electrification of TPE TransPennine (west)

Quite a lot of background info, and facts and figures, and some features, and photos.

Not really a practical document to quote

Electrifying TRU West | Projects & Insights | Amey

Case studies and project examples showcasing infrastructure delivery across sectors.

www.amey.com

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Not really a practical document to quote

I HAVE PARTIALLY QUOTED A BRIEF SUMMARY:

Amey’s work has helped TRU West maintain momentum across a demanding electrification programme. By combining early integration, practical design input, efficient logistics and progressive assurance, the OLE team made strong use of a limited 28-day access window and supported the wider programme objective of a more reliable, higher-capacity and lower-carbon railway.

• Achieved around £18 million of accrued efficiency to date across the OLE contribution and wider Rail Systems / Alliance activity.
• Delivered a £5 million saving through value engineering and selection of more time- and cost-efficient foundation types.
• Progressed installation activity across more than 1,000 OLE foundations, fabricated steelwork, fixings, viaduct and tunnel attachments, and route-wide bonding and immunisation requirements.
• Supported future installation of approximately 140,000 metres of main line and auxiliary wiring.
• Helped enable electric trains that can reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality, supporting the programme’s aim to save up to 87,000 tonnes of carbon emissions each year.
• Contributed to proposals that could support up to 15 more freight trains per day and remove more than 1,000 lorries from roads each day.

 

[D Mylchreest]

I HAVE PARTIALLY QUOTED A BRIEF SUMMARY:

Oh wow aren't they wonderful? The usual self serving, self congratulatory corporate crap

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Oh wow aren't they wonderful? The usual self serving, self congratulatory corporate crap

I think Amey are entitled to promote their contribution to the TRU project, but it does need Network Rail to confirm the project is now running early and under budget as a result.
NR has been having difficulty with electrification estimates and costs since they got the go-ahead (nationally) 17 years ago.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

NR has been having difficulty with electrification estimates and costs since they got the go-ahead (nationally) 17 years ago.

I totally agree. NR being upfront especially with positive news would be really good and not do them any harm.

 

[CdBrux]

I totally agree. NR being upfront especially with positive news would be really good and not do them any harm.

If I were NR I would not make too much noise on this, at least externally, until the project is much closer to completion. Especially if you already know there could be doubts on keeping to the timing for Neville Hill work

 

[YorksLad12]

I totally agree. NR being upfront especially with positive news would be really good and not do them any harm.

If I were NR I would not make too much noise on this, at least externally, until the project is much closer to completion. Especially if you already know there could be doubts on keeping to the timing for Neville Hill work

I think that if you live near Whitacre Street, you might have a different opinion on how well things are going.

 

[xdbjacx]

I think that if you live near Whitacre Street, you might have a different opinion on how well things are going.

Possibly, but that is a very small number of people in the scheme of things and they don't get to arbitrate on the delivery of the overall programme. And it is not as though that is the only route either.

 

[Narrowgauge725]

Possibly, but that is a very small number of people in the scheme of things and they don't get to arbitrate on the delivery of the overall programme. And it is not as though that is the only route either.

I have to say I am very glad I don’t live there and I am sure you are too!

 

[xdbjacx]

I have to say I am very glad I don’t live there and I am sure you are too!

Yes. Of course it will have been much worse when the railway was built, but with less perceived impact because people weren't making constant 'vitally important' 1/2 mile trips in SUVs.

 

[YorksLad12]

Yes. Of course it will have been much worse when the railway was built, but with less perceived impact because people weren't making constant 'vitally important' 1/2 mile trips in SUVs.

I didn't mention car travel, SUVs or otherwise. The worksite is on people's doorsteps. I had the inconvenience of noise during the construction of P0 at Leeds, this is much worse for much longer.