Healey Mills Happenings?

[61653 HTAFC]

NR plans to use Healey Mills as a local distribution centre for TRU work from spring 2025. Stock stabling for Northern is planned for a five-road depot at Hillhouse, closer to Huddersfield, with commissioning expected end Sept 2025

Didn't realise Hillhouse was coming on line so quickly, had thought it would be a "post upgrade" thing. Has this been accelerated by the decision not to install a temporary station?

 

[Bob55G]

Didn't realise Hillhouse was coming on line so quickly, had thought it would be a "post upgrade" thing. Has this been accelerated by the decision not to install a temporary station?

I assume it's to allow the relocation of the stabling of DMU's overnight currently in the sidings alongside platform 8. Presumably this is a prerequisite to the preparation for the construction of the new platform and through line/bay which will occupy the position of the existing arrangement.

 

[stibz]

Healey Mill update, ongoing work. this afternoon. 2025

 

[Dumpty]

Healey Mill update, ongoing work. this afternoon. 2025

Thanks

 

[stibz]

progess at Healey Mills 29.01.25 both easterly connection coming, one out onto loop, the other restoring the original entrance. connections to mainline coming soon.

 

[stibz]

Today 11th Feb.

 

[Foggycorner]

Great photos thanks for keeping us up to date with progress it just shows how much money can be waisted by the civcil / Pway engineers when they can get away with it

 

[Flying Claret]

Great photos thanks for keeping us up to date with progress it just shows how much money can be waisted by the civcil / Pway engineers when they can get away with it

Would you like to elaborate..?

 

[Iskra]

I assume it's to allow the relocation of the stabling of DMU's overnight currently in the sidings alongside platform 8. Presumably this is a prerequisite to the preparation for the construction of the new platform and through line/bay which will occupy the position of the existing arrangement.

LNER are taking it on eventually apparently

 

[fishwomp]

LNER are taking it on eventually apparently

This is Hillhouse you're talking about here (context was missing from the quotation).

Here's what I think we know, but happy to be corrected:

Hillhouse: likely stabling/minor servicing of units for TPE/Northern
Healey Mills: the track is laid out with ability to run round (ie. fan-out points at entry and far end of the yard), which wouldn't be necessary for units. Likely for ballast trains.

 

[stibz]

This is Hillhouse you're talking about here (context was missing from the quotation).

Here's what I think we know, but happy to be corrected:

Hillhouse: likely stabling/minor servicing of units for TPE/Northern
Healey Mills: the track is laid out with ability to run round (ie. fan-out points at entry and far end of the yard), which wouldn't be necessary for units. Likely for ballast trains.

Yes, sort of like this below, but now just about all track work is done, just finishing off now March 2025.

 

[fishwomp]

Yes, sort of like this below, but now just about all track work is done, just finishing off now March 2025.

[edited - just read the photo notes] I see a new west-bound exit line - from middle of photo the top right in the first shot - I wasn't expecting that! Good !

 

[stibz]

[edited - just read the photo notes] I see a new west-bound exit line - from middle of photo the top right in the first shot - I wasn't expecting that! Good !

Hi, Yes I did say when I noticed the first tree clearing job over a year ago "They have cleared up the old westerly exit line", but we thought wait and see, but then when we noticed them lifting the track up there and digging out the old ballast and replacing with new, the penny dropped and we know it was going to happen. btw, I'll try in a min to send you a pm.

 

[stibz]

Info for you guys. The whole yard was commissioned early Sunday morning 23.03 and then apart from some snagging it will be operational from 22/04/25

 

[KN94]

This is Hillhouse you're talking about here (context was missing from the quotation).

Here's what I think we know, but happy to be corrected:

Hillhouse: likely stabling/minor servicing of units for TPE/Northern
Healey Mills: the track is laid out with ability to run round (ie. fan-out points at entry and far end of the yard), which wouldn't be necessary for units. Likely for ballast trains.

Current discussions suggest Healey Mills will be used by LNER during the significant Neville Hill blockade, pencilled in for 2028 sometime.

 

[stibz]

Current discussions suggest Healey Mills will be used by LNER during the significant Neville Hill blockade, pencilled in for 2028 sometime.

That is a fact from a contact onsite. I asked if he was moving on now the jobs complete. Staying onsite to make the new sidings for the azumas next to the new sidings just completed, was the answer.

 

[fishwomp]

That is a fact from a contact onsite. I asked if he was moving on now the jobs complete. Staying onsite to make the new sidings for the azumas next to the new sidings just completed, was the answer.

Blimey. So they have to pick from avoiding servicing the 801s with the single engine for a while, putting up wires, or pottering along at slow speed from Hare Park Jct or Westgate.

 

[YorkshireBear]

Blimey. So they have to pick from avoiding servicing the 801s with the single engine for a while, putting up wires, or pottering along at slow speed from Hare Park Jct or Westgate.

It might be that they only look after 800s there and focus 801s at Doncaster, bounds green and Craigentinny?

Certainly when I pass Neville Hill alot of the LNER azuma stock there is 800s.

 

[fishwomp]

It might be that they only look after bi-modes there and focus 801s at Doncaster, bounds green and Craigentinny?

Expect so. It's a lot of wires, or lot of miles with just one engine otherwise..

 

[Foggycorner]

I went past HM yard today and saw that there is a new Position Light Ground Signal in place at the new east direction exit from the sidings ,it was lit but I was unable to see the number I suspect it is an old signal reactivated for the exit from the sidings
I also went past in the west direction and spotted that the exit signal from the sidings has been reactivated this time I saw that the number was HM147 and it was lit, so progress indeed

 

[stibz]

I went past HM yard today and saw that there is a new Position Light Ground Signal in place at the new east direction exit from the sidings ,it was lit but I was unable to see the number I suspect it is an old signal reactivated for the exit from the sidings
I also went past in the west direction and spotted that the exit signal from the sidings has been reactivated this time I saw that the number was HM147 and it was lit, so progress indeed

Hi, If you mean the one in the middle of my photo, beside new track, it's not been there long, I was watching them putting that in some weeks ago. photo from 26.03.25

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Blimey. So they have to pick from avoiding servicing the 801s with the single engine for a while, putting up wires, or pottering along at slow speed from Hare Park Jct or Westgate.

Or drag them to/from HM paired up with an 800. They run in passenger service between Leeds and Harrogate like that, so getting to the sidings wouldn't be too much of a headache.

 

[stibz]

Healey Mills "handover this weekend 19th-20th April. From someone who knows "The HM sidings will be entered into service on Monday 21st, but there will be no fanfare, just a few forms being handed over".

 

[stibz]

Hi, Quiet a few trains in and out of healey mills in the next week, even loaded onwards to engineering possessions not far away Transpennine route upgrade work.

 

[Leeds1970]

3 rakes of wagons in there at teatime today (30/05/25) one from a work site at Cottingley - came in mid afternoon

 

[KN94]

That is a fact from a contact onsite. I asked if he was moving on now the jobs complete. Staying onsite to make the new sidings for the azumas next to the new sidings just completed, was the answer.

Has your contact heard anything about LNER now not wanting to utilise Healey Mills?
I've heard a rumour today, but not sure how credible it is.

 

[stibz]

I'll email him asap. waiting for reply.

 

[Trainman40083]

Has your contact heard anything about LNER now not wanting to utilise Healey Mills?
I've heard a rumour today, but not sure how credible it is.

I wonder where LNER will use, when Neville Hill access isn't possible due to OHLE works.

 

[stibz]

Has your contact heard anything about LNER now not wanting to utilise Healey Mills?
I've heard a rumour today, but not sure how credible it is.

Contact replied, saying the "rumor was incorrect, As for spades in the ground we would hope to be on site January 2026".

 

[KN94]

Contact replied, saying the "rumor was incorrect, As for spades in the ground we would hope to be on site January 2026".

Thought as much - thank you for checking!