Bradford FS 4th Platform (Construction updates)

[Halifaxlad]

I thought I should create a thread on this (for updates) as clearance works for the 4th platform appear to have already started!

 

[Halifaxlad]

Another two shots from the 27th April, it appears various services are currently being rerouted!

 

[Bantamzen]

Some good early photos there, cheers. I particularly like the one with VP in the background, you can almost see my seat in the Kop (at the very bottom right of the 'R')!!.

But good to see some progress, and it should be clearer for people wondering how the platform will fit in and how it will be accessed.

 

[td97]

The first new OLE structure was installed this weekend (photos in link)

Bradford Station seen the first main part steel being installed across the station footprint following a continued challenging shallow bedrock foundation programme.

Paul Kealy on LinkedIn: Busy weekend for the team as we mobilised at York and Bradford Forster…

Busy weekend for the team as we mobilised at York and Bradford Forster square station with a squeezed 3 hours working time. Bradford Station seen the first…

www.linkedin.com

 

[Old Yard Dog]

Some good early photos there, cheers. I particularly like the one with VP in the background, you can almost see my seat in the Kop (at the very bottom right of the 'R')!!.

But good to see some progress, and it should be clearer for people wondering how the platform will fit in and how it will be accessed.

I remember seeing you lot getting hammered 6-1 by Newcastle in the FA Cup in the early 1960s. Specials from Newcastle disgorged their supporters at Manningham (your former name) but an announcement was made during the match that return workings would start from the (old) Forster Square station, which was rather further from VP. This much postponed game was my first ever “all-ticket” game.

 

[skyhigh]

The new OHLE masts are now in use with the old headspans having been removed.

 

[MichaelTrains]

New platform completion date is June 2025.

 

[Halifaxlad]

Just seen a post on FBook

Sleepers have been laid!

 

[MichaelTrains]

That’s the latest from this morning.

Platforms 3 and 0 will hold four cars, 1 and 2 will be the new LNER platforms.

Similar to how Grand Central operate at the Interchange with 1 and 2 used by Grand Central and Northern using 3 and 4.

 

[YorksLad12]

Similar to how Grand Central operate at the Interchange with 1 and 2 used by Grand Central and Northern using 3 and 4.

Real Time Trains would disagree with you on that point: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...4/0600-2000?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt&toc=NT

(Link shows Northern trains utilising all four platforms at Interchange.)

 

[reecestrains]

That’s the latest from this morning.

Platforms 3 and 0 will hold four cars, 1 and 2 will be the new LNER platforms.

Similar to how Grand Central operate at the Interchange with 1 and 2 used by Grand Central and Northern using 3 and 4.

Don't forget about the 6 car Northern diagrams that will operate eventually too on 3 and 0.

 

[MichaelTrains]

Real Time Trains would disagree with you on that point: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...4/0600-2000?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt&toc=NT

(Link shows Northern trains utilising all four platforms at Interchange.)

Of course Northern use one and two outside of Grand Central running hours but they can't when Grand Central have departing and incoming services.

Us Bradfordian’s call them the GC platforms.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Sep 2024 ==

Don't forget about the 6 car Northern diagrams that will operate eventually too on 3 and 0.

Have they showed plans to how they are extending platform three? It’s very tight as it currently is mate?

 

[Halifaxlad]

A view from the platform taken today!

 

[jpaul81]

Are there any plans for how the new platform will look once completed?

Can’t find anything on Network Rail website or Bradford Council planning website

 

[xotGD]

Are there any plans for how the new platform will look once completed?

Can’t find anything on Network Rail website or Bradford Council planning website

I expect it to be bleak, windswept and lacking in passenger facilities. So comparable to the existing platforms.

 

[Halifaxlad]

I expect it to be bleak, windswept and lacking in passenger facilities. So comparable to the existing platforms.

Considering the rest of the station is/was getting rebuilt I hope this new platform is left as a blank canvas.

 

[jpaul81]

A couple of photos from today

 

[MichaelTrains]

Two more from this morning.

As you can see Platform three is going to remain it’s current length. There is little they can do to lengthen it.

 

[YorksLad12]

Two more from this morning.

As you can see Platform three is going to remain it’s current length. There is little they can do to lengthen it.

They could square off the end, which would add a couple of metres. Not much, but the Sectional Appendix I have from June 2023 says that it's 101m, which is enough for four cars anyway.

 

[BantamMenace]

They could square off the end, which would add a couple of metres. Not much, but the Sectional Appendix I have from June 2023 says that it's 101m, which is enough for four cars anyway.

Where does the sectional appendix measure from? If its flush from the buffers this is rarely where trains stop. A metre or two is lost with the space from the buffers

 

[YorksLad12]

Where does the sectional appendix measure from? If its flush from the buffers this is rarely where trains stop. A metre or two is lost with the space from the buffers

Good question. No idea, but would assume that it's useable platform. The entry for Sheffield shows some platform lengths with a note saying how much is unusable.

 

[InkyScrolls]

Where does the sectional appendix measure from? If its flush from the buffers this is rarely where trains stop. A metre or two is lost with the space from the buffers

(Trains should always stop at least six feet from the buffers.)

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 13 Sep 2024 ==

Two more from this morning.

As you can see Platform three is going to remain it’s current length. There is little they can do to lengthen it.

They really are cracking on! I drove into BDQ for the first time in a few weeks yesterday and I was impressed - the junction for P0 is already in.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 13 Sep 2024 ==

Don't forget about the 6 car Northern diagrams that will operate eventually too on 3 and 0.

There are no plans for Bradford to see six car services.

 

[MichaelTrains]

(Trains should always stop at least six feet from the buffers.)

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 13 Sep 2024 ==


They really are cracking on! I drove into BDQ for the first time in a few weeks yesterday and I was impressed - the junction for P0 is already in.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 13 Sep 2024 ==


There are no plans for Bradford to see six car services.

Are the Bradford services going to be self-contained then?

Eg: just do Bradford to Leeds and Bradford to Skipton etc?

 

[InkyScrolls]

Are the Bradford services going to be self-contained then?

Eg: just do Bradford to Leeds and Bradford to Skipton etc?

That is correct, yes.

 

[Halifaxlad]

Two more from this morning.

As you can see Platform three is going to remain it’s current length. There is little they can do to lengthen it.

Im not sure about that:

Within Network Rails 'Continuous Modular Strategic Planning' document entitled '
How can forecast growth and partners’ aspirations be accommodated in the Leeds Area up to 2043?' dated April 2020 it does identify 'Restricted platform capacity at Bradford Forster Square.' as a constraint and does propose to 'Extend Platform 3 to 160m.' as an intervention. Now I don't know whenever this new platform has superseded this, since this new platform is for future services. I suppose if they are doing they will after this new platform has been constructed not before.

Interestingly it also says...

'An extension of Platform 3 at Bradford Forster Square to enable 6 car units
to turn round would improve operational flexibility, performance and
reduce overcrowding as raised in the NRPS.'

 

[YorksLad12]

Are the Bradford services going to be self-contained then?

Eg: just do Bradford to Leeds and Bradford to Skipton etc?

That is correct, yes.

Interesting - I thought it was just the Leeds-Bradford FS services that were being disentangled from the rest of the Leeds North West services.

Im not sure about that:

Within Network Rails 'Continuous Modular Strategic Planning' document entitled '
How can forecast growth and partners’ aspirations be accommodated in the Leeds Area up to 2043?' dated April 2020 it does identify 'Restricted platform capacity at Bradford Forster Square.' as a constraint and does propose to 'Extend Platform 3 to 160m.' as an intervention. Now I don't know whenever this new platform has superseded this, since this new platform is for future services. I suppose if they are doing they will after this new platform has been constructed not before.

Interestingly it also says...

'An extension of Platform 3 at Bradford Forster Square to enable 6 car units
to turn round would improve operational flexibility, performance and
reduce overcrowding as raised in the NRPS.'

P0 probably replaces the P3 extension.

 

[IanXC]

Are the Bradford services going to be self-contained then?

Eg: just do Bradford to Leeds and Bradford to Skipton etc?

They are already separated for most of the day.

 

[quantinghome]

P0 probably replaces the P3 extension.

I believe the scope includes both the new P0 and extending P3. Presumably P0 is getting done first so they still have three platforms available when P3 gets worked on.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

They are already separated for most of the day.

In the days before electrification, everything interworked on the "triangle" with units going Leeds-Ilkley-Bradford-Skipton-Leeds or v.v. though there were no Leeds-Bradford services in those days. Presumably this is no longer the case, with many of the Bradfords being reduced to 3-car.

 

[quantinghome]

In the days before electrification, everything interworked on the "triangle" with units going Leeds-Ilkley-Bradford-Skipton-Leeds or v.v. though there were no Leeds-Bradford services in those days. Presumably this is no longer the case, with many of the Bradfords being reduced to 3-car.

The Ilkley-Bradford services are now only hourly outside peak times so won't be interworked with the half-hourly Leeds services.

My understanding is that interworking was introduced following electrification. I read somewhere (can't find the link) that prior that, Bradford services only went as far as Guiseley and Keighley. There was apparently some complicated manoeuvring to clear the platform for the connecting Leeds train.