Castleford station improvement updates

[achmelvic]

Taken this morning

 

[xotGD]

Taken this morning

A bit more substantial than the old footbridge.

 

[Iskra]

A bit more substantial than the old footbridge.

Substantial? It’s like the Deathstar if it were a bridge!

 

[vic-rijrode]

Substantial? It’s like the Deathstar if it were a bridge!

...and one can see the weak spot underneath which the X-wing fighter could attack!

 

[johntea]

It is pretty eye opening how the rail (and bus) stations have evolved from how they looked 10 years ago, shame the same can't really be said for the rest of the town centre! (it would be handy if they had a spare bulldozer going to get rid of the eyesore that is the old Poundstretcher building which sadly hasn't seen any further action since the Russians were forced to pull out of turning it into a supermarket!)

Do you think there will ever be plans to replace the structures at stations such as Woodlesford and Normanton with a footbridge and lifts or would it be too cost prohibitive?

 

[YorksLad12]

Do you think there will ever be plans to replace the structures at stations such as Woodlesford and Normanton with a footbridge and lifts or would it be too cost prohibitive?

Don't they 'just' need the lifts adding? The ramps are pretty extensive (like Glasshoughton), but I can't tell if they have the flat bits every several metres so you can pause before tackling the next bit. Apperley Bridge has a similar issue, the Leeds-bound platform apparently doesn't meet the latest regulations but did at the time it was built.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Don't they 'just' need the lifts adding? The ramps are pretty extensive (like Glasshoughton), but I can't tell if they have the flat bits every several metres so you can pause before tackling the next bit. Apperley Bridge has a similar issue, the Leeds-bound platform apparently doesn't meet the latest regulations but did at the time it was built.

Both had the at-grade pedestrian crossings removed and replaced by ramped bridges several years ago.

I'm not sure what the advantage would be of adding lifts, other than being warm and dry compared to open ramps... but the ramps tend not to break down!

 

[lachlan]

Both had the at-grade pedestrian crossings removed and replaced by ramped bridges several years ago.

I'm not sure what the advantage would be of adding lifts, other than being warm and dry compared to open ramps... but the ramps tend not to break down!

Ramps can be tiring for some disabled people to use (those who struggle with stairs and walking long distances). I suppose the ideal would be to have both ramps and lifts.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Ramps can be tiring for some disabled people to use (those who struggle with stairs and walking long distances). I suppose the ideal would be to have both ramps and lifts.

Stations already cost a ridiculous amount to open or refurbish to modern standards, so the additional cost of having to provide both would be a good way of making sure nothing new gets built and nothing gets improved. Outside of the busiest locations, providing both would be prohibitively expensive and unnecessary.

 

[507020]

How is Platform 2 at Castleford intended to be used? There is no through running of passenger services, so is something likely to be extended to York, including TPE diversions during Neville Hill - Church Fenton electrification, or will both lines be bi-directional, with units terminating on the previously unserved side?

 

[lachlan]

Stations already cost a ridiculous amount to open or refurbish to modern standards, so the additional cost of having to provide both would be a good way of making sure nothing new gets built and nothing gets improved. Outside of the busiest locations, providing both would be prohibitively expensive and unnecessary.

I never suggested we add both, merely pointed out why ramps are not ideal for accessibility.

 

[zwk500]

...and one can see the weak spot underneath which the X-wing fighter could attack!

Thankfully, Proton torpedoes are rare in that part of the world!

Great to see the second platform back, are there additional crossovers to allow flexibility in the Leeds-Cas-Knottingley services or is it just for a service coming from the Milford direction?

 

[skyhigh]

Great to see the second platform back, are there additional crossovers to allow flexibility in the Leeds-Cas-Knottingley services or is it just for a service coming from the Milford direction?

There will be, yes

 

[YorksLad12]

How is Platform 2 at Castleford intended to be used? There is no through running of passenger services, so is something likely to be extended to York, including TPE diversions during Neville Hill - Church Fenton electrification, or will both lines be bi-directional, with units terminating on the previously unserved side?

No through running... yet. TPE will (read: have said that they will) extend the Manchester-Huddersfield service to Kirkgate, Castleford and York. When you add in any diversions, excursions and freight on top of the existing services, one platform was never going to be enough.

 

[Roger B]

No through running... yet. TPE will (read: have said that they will) extend the Manchester-Huddersfield service to Kirkgate, Castleford and York. When you add in any diversions, excursions and freight on top of the existing services, one platform was never going to be enough.

Can we expect this in May '23 - or are we likely to have to wait longer?

 

[YorksLad12]

Can we expect this in May '23 - or are we likely to have to wait longer?

That was the line, but in the current situation I'd say all bets are off, unless they already have drivers trained on the route and a spare 185 or two to cover the extra mileage.

Back on topic: the new lift and bridge remind me of mines, which would be appropriate for the area. Those conveyors they have/had. Why does everything have to be so... grey?

 

[johntea]

I came across the following article yesterday

Castleford set to receive £720,000 of station improvement funding

The town was earmarked for the funding as part of Network Rail's "first and last mile" project.

www.bbc.co.uk

Castleford set to receive £720,000 of station improvement funding​

A West Yorkshire town looks set to receive £720,000 to fund improvements to its railway station and surrounding areas.

Castleford has been earmarked for the financial boost as part of Network Rail's "first and last mile" project.

The scheme aims to increase train use, improve passenger experience, reduce emissions and improve air quality.

Members of Wakefield Council's cabinet are expected to accept the funding at a meeting later.

It is proposed that the funding be split across four sites, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

This includes £140,000 for improvements to the Beancroft Road subway, £190,000 for the railway station and road link and £150,000 for Tickle Cock bridge, where work will include a lighting upgrade, new public artwork and installation of CCTV.

Welbeck Street and Carlton Street would also receive £240,000 for lighting upgrades, replacement of bollards and public art.

In 2021 Castleford received £23.9m of government funding to improve transport, regeneration, digital infrastructure, connectivity, skills and culture.

A report said: "The first and last mile programme will have significant impact and added value to ongoing work programmes in Castleford as well as accelerating the long-term strategy for the town."

Commenting on the plans, Michael Graham, the council's cabinet member for regeneration and economic growth, said: "It is important that as part of our regeneration plans for Castleford we reconnect key parts of the town.

"Making it easier, safer, and more pleasant to walk from the train station to the town centre is central to us doing that," he added.

Never heard of the Network Rail "first and last mile" project, it seems to relate to a partnership with National Highways although I couldn't seem to find any information if Network Rail are funding any other stations at the moment other than Castleford

All slightly confusing as it seems to be a totally different pot of money to the funding from the past few years on all the other station improvements (and they're yet to finish off some of those including the second platform and lift!)

They've previously already tried to spruce up the Beancroft Road subway, the trouble is there is a lot of anti social behaviour in the town and they managed to rip off half the new panels shortly after they were installed!

 

[johntea]

Seems like the new second platform and footbridge are nearly complete now, they seem to have started clearing up a bit and laying some tarmac around bits they dug up anyway!

On another note a (not in passenger service) TPE Nova was parked up on Platform 2 for a short while around 9am this morning

 

[Steve1984]

Castleford today

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Castleford today

Is there supposed to be an image visible in that posting?

 

[Freightmaster]

Is there supposed to be an image visible in that posting?

Perhaps it was really foggy?



MARK

 

[YorksLad12]

Tomorrow, the world!

There have been TPE sets running via the old Midland route (leaving Leeds around 6pm), so I'm guessing there was some driver training going on?

 

[johntea]

I think all the construction work is now finished, Yvette Cooper is probably champing at the bit to visit for a photo opportunity and to officially 'open' the new platform

 

[johntea]

The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has now authorised into service the newly upgraded Castleford railway station (whatever that means!)

Moderator note: Fares discussion moved to:

TPE pricing oddities from Castleford

Moderator note: Split from https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/castleford-station-improvement-updates.212113/page-3#post-6520732 The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has now authorised into service the newly upgraded Castleford railway station (whatever that means!) On a related note, I decided...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[Pinza-C55]

Taken this morning

It's quite appropriate, given the number of coal mines which used to be in the area, that the footbridge looks like it is a repurposed former coal waste conveyor.

 

[johntea]

It looks like a handful of Knottingley - Leeds Northern services will be departing from Platform 2 from next week rather than Platform 1, not quite sure why

 

[xotGD]

It looks like a handful of Knottingley - Leeds Northern services will be departing from Platform 2 from next week rather than Platform 1, not quite sure why

It would make sense to have one platform dedicated to services to Leeds and the other platform for services to elsewhere.

Several times I've seen people on the wrong train, especially when one going "the other way" is running late.

 

[johntea]

Well in true Transpenine style the first services didn’t quite run on time…

07:25 to Manchester - departed 7 minutes late at Castleford and arrived 11 minutes late at Manchester

08:14 to York - departed 6 minutes late at Castleford but arrived only 1 minute late at York so seems there is quite a generous padding allocated for that journey

Apparently the likes of Yvette Cooper decided on the 09:25 to Manchester which only departed Castleford 3 minutes late but looks to have got delayed further en route and arrived in Manchester 14 minutes late…

Meanwhile I caught the 08:13 Northern to Leeds from Platform 2 and it’s actually quite a bit of a trek from the station entrance through the bridge and then a walk to the far end of the platform to board a 2 carriage 153!

 

[Tractor37]

Meanwhile I caught the 08:13 Northern to Leeds from Platform 2 and it’s actually quite a bit of a trek from the station entrance through the bridge and then a walk to the far end of the platform to board a 2 carriage 153!

Is this a typo, and should it be a 150 or 158 as we haven’t had any 153’s in Yorkshire for quite a while now - apart from the 3 Network Rail ones.

 

[Crossover]

Is this a typo, and should it be a 150 or 158 as we haven’t had any 153’s in Yorkshire for quite a while now - apart from the 3 Network Rail ones.

Maybe a class 155?

As an aside, has anyone got any pics of the refurbished station with the footbridge etc?

Also, RTT was showing some Northern services as reversing in the new platform - has the track layout changed to allow this or is it a data error?