Hope Valley Capacity Scheme updates

[Killingworth]

Many thanks Killingworth. The first photo is the area behind the Industrial hamlet and Beauchief Gardens. Am I right in thinking that the bridge over the Sheaf is just out of shot at the bottom on the photo?

In this temporary layout the Down line appears to be going to the Up platform, I guess this will be re-aligned as the project progresses.

You're correct in that realignment is happening each weekend to allow weekday running before it's all connected up in final positions, like the diagram displayed at the station in a fancy touch screen interactive display!

Here's how it looked on 2nd July at the start of this phase. You can see the bridge more clearly to compare. It's only about 40 years since there were 4 tracks from here into Sheffield.



== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 21 Jul 2022 ==

Thanks a million for the updates Killingworth, don't suppose you happen to know what the works are at the Hazel Grove end?

I've not seen specific details of that but I've heard the work suffered during the last strike and completion is likely to be delayed for 6 months to get a new possession.

In all the bits and pieces I've accumulated this may be a clue; "Buxton freight points. Installation of a set of points on the line to Buxton to allow direct access to the CNB1/2/3 lines from the BEJ lines" "This will provide a diverse route into this area for freight customers. This enhancement provides value to all customer stakeholders in the area and FOC’s as a key part of their business."

Due for implementation 2022 so looks to be part of it. I've been concentrating on the Hope Valley bits so may have more buried deep in the files. Will go excavating when I have a spare hour!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 21 Jul 2022 ==

That's a rather large Platform 2! Future-proofed?

Platform 1 is to be restored to roughly it's original length, truncated in 1985. Platform 2 will be roughly the same length as island Platforms 2 and 3 removed in 1985. There is passive provision for a (very unlikely, not least due to the proximity of the River Sheaf)) restoration of Platforms 3 and 4. The width of the new platform is a local bone of contention as it's supposedly too narrow to allow more than the slimmest of small bus shelter type structures.

It's not rather large when maybe 100 Manchester bound commuters or 50+ Saturday morning leisure users wait for delayed trains!




But the days of a W H Smith's shop between Platforms 2 and 3 are long gone.

 

[D365]

Platform 1 is to be restored to roughly it's original length, truncated in 1985. Platform 2 will be roughly the same length as island Platforms 2 and 3 removed in 1985. There is passive provision for a (very unlikely, not least due to the proximity of the River Sheaf)) restoration of Platforms 3 and 4. The width of the new platform is a local bone of contention as it's supposedly too narrow to allow more than the slimmest of small bus shelter type structures.

It's not rather large when maybe 100 Manchester bound commuters or 50+ Saturday morning leisure users wait for delayed trains!


View attachment 118037

But the days of a W H Smith's shop between Platforms 2 and 3 are long gone.

View attachment 118039

My mistake. I really shouldn't have been caught out by that misleading rectangle on the track diagram.

 

[Geeves]

Thanks all for the responses, nice to see all the naysayers proved wrong and the program finally going ahead to fix the last round of penny pinching at both ends of the Hope Valley!

Just looking at the map, I am wondering if the various letter codes BEJ Buxton Edgely Junction? I wonder if the points will mean a connection from the Buxton lines directly onto the line over to Northenden Junction?

 

[Estrella709]

Thanks all for the responses, nice to see all the naysayers proved wrong and the program finally going ahead to fix the last round of penny pinching at both ends of the Hope Valley!

Just looking at the map, I am wondering if the various letter codes BEJ Buxton Edgely Junction? I wonder if the points will mean a connection from the Buxton lines directly onto the line over to Northenden Junction?

No, it will be a facing crossover just past Buxton signal box to allow trains to run straight out from the Dowlow branch towards Stockport as was temporarily put in at great expense during the Dove holes tunnel blockade about 10 years ago and then removed.
The intention being to run southbound freight via Stockport/Heaton Norris/Guide Bridge/Hope Valley.and so take pressure off the route via Peak Forest which is becoming increasingly busier.

 

[Greybeard33]

In all the bits and pieces I've accumulated this may be a clue; "Buxton freight points. Installation of a set of points on the line to Buxton to allow direct access to the CNB1/2/3 lines from the BEJ lines" "This will provide a diverse route into this area for freight customers. This enhancement provides value to all customer stakeholders in the area and FOC’s as a key part of their business."

No, it will be a facing crossover just past Buxton signal box to allow trains to run straight out from the Dowlow branch towards Stockport as was temporarily put in at great expense during the Dove holes tunnel blockade about 10 years ago and then removed.
The intention being to run southbound freight via Stockport/Heaton Norris/Guide Bridge/Hope Valley.and so take pressure off the route via Peak Forest which is becoming increasingly busier.

The ELRs CNB1/2/3 collectively comprise the freight line from Chinley North Junction to Buxton via Peak Forest, not the Dowlow branch (which has ELR BUX). So I think the "Buxton freight points" would be a facing connection at Buxton from the Up Main into the sidings. This would enable a freight (empties or a light engine) to be routed from Stockport to Buxton on the passenger line, then proceed directly towards the Tunstead or Dove Holes quarries. The current track layout requires a reverse shunt move into the sidings over the existing trailing connection.

I believe the passenger line from Buxton is unsuitable for regular use by loaded freight trains because of the steep gradient and a weak underbridge.

 

[ohgoditsjames]

I'm guessing the new bridge has been designed to have enough clearance for overhead wires should the line ever see electrification in the next 100 years, that would be an oopsie if not!

 

[M60lad]

I'm not well up on this side of things but out of interest considering that work on this has been delayed why is there such a long delay (6 months) for another possession to finish things off? Why can't the engineering works just continue until their complete? 6 Months takes us into winter time and if we have a bad winter surely this will delay the project even further?

 

[Mat17]

I'm not well up on this side of things but out of interest considering that work on this has been delayed why is there such a long delay (6 months) for another possession to finish things off? Why can't the engineering works just continue until their complete? 6 Months takes us into winter time and if we have a bad winter surely this will delay the project even further?

I assume other agreed projects/jobs will be happening between now and then. If something falls through due to weather/strikes then it goes to the back of the queue, would this be correct?

 

[edwin_m]

I assume other agreed projects/jobs will be happening between now and then. If something falls through due to weather/strikes then it goes to the back of the queue, would this be correct?

Not necessarily to the back of the queue, but it will need to be co-ordinated with possessions elsewhere so diversionary routes remain available. There's also the need for engineers and operators to have time to plan, and availability of people or plant might sometimes be a constraint.

 

[Killingworth]

I assume other agreed projects/jobs will be happening between now and then. If something falls through due to weather/strikes then it goes to the back of the queue, would this be correct?

Despite public appearances to the contrary blockades for major schemes are planned many months in advance and there is co-ordination between them. As an example, this work at Dore has coincided with new track at Chesterfield during the same possessions of the MML.

Obviously any damage to infrastructure will require unplanned possessions. There are finite resources of equipment and men to do the work too.

An example was that Volker's Kirov crane needed a spare part earlier this month and it had to come from Germany to be fixed. Fortunately another crane was available and could be brought to the site. Without it the required slewing would have been delayed.and the project might have slipped.

The team working on the TP upgrade work are also controlling this project. Timetables are planned a long way in advance to allow TOCs and FOCs to make alternative arrangements.

 

[jamess]

From Edgeley Junction to Hazel Grove:
Down linespeed increase to 60mph (from 40)
Up linespeed increase to 55mph (from 35)
Resignalling throughout (boxes remain, not a ROC transfer). Of significance is a new platform signal at Woodsmoor P2.
OLE modifications over whole route
Track renewal through Woodsmoor station P2.
Reballasting from Hazel Grove Station area to the sidings. Full track renewal of the mainlines adjacent to the sidings and towards Woodsmoor.
New track drainage throughout Hazel Grove area.
Most likely no construction will be happening until next year as the June NR strike meant the start of the Hazel Grove work was deferred.

Dore P2 will be extended and P1 will be built so both are compatible with 6x24m train lengths.

(Edited platform numbering)

Has some of the signaling work commenced? I notice on Open Train Times, routes across Edgeley Jnc had ceased to show a few weeks ago, but are now showing again

 

[edwin_m]

An example was that Volker's Kirov crane needed a spare part earlier this month and it had to come from Germany to be fixed. Fortunately another crane was available and could be brought to the site. Without it the required slewing would have been delayed.and the project might have slipped.

However I heard from a colleague due to work elsewhere that theirs was cancelled due to a Kirow defect, probably the same one. I assume there's some prioritisation going on and Hope Valley isn't quite at the back of the queue!

 

[Killingworth]

However I heard from a colleague due to work elsewhere that theirs was cancelled due to a Kirow defect, probably the same one. I assume there's some prioritisation going on and Hope Valley isn't quite at the back of the queue!

They got hold of a Colas Kirov to cover so I assume whatever it was due to be doing slipped down the priority list that weekend.

 

[vic-rijrode]

View attachment 118039

In the "before" photo it looks as though the weedkilling train has not visited the lines for some years, possibly since early Victorian years. Not a new phenomenon then...

 

[Killingworth]

Update from 24th July. Looks like most of the job at Dore Station Junction may be done for now. It was suggested by one of the team that he'd been alerted that there may be no work here during next weekend's blockade due to impact of strikes - not verified.

From Abbey Lane bridge looking south


From Beauchief Gardens looking towards Abbey Lane bridge


From Twentywell Lane bridge

 

[Mugby]

I see the Sheffield end of the platform line at Dore Station has been slewed away from the platform wall'

Is that to allow a faster speed through for non-stop trains?

 

[Killingworth]

I see the Sheffield end of the platform line at Dore Station has been slewed away from the platform wall'

Is that to allow a faster speed through for non-stop trains?

It hasn't significantly. That's the foreshortening effect of the telephoto lens.

 

[M60lad]

Considering this past weekend will probably the last blockade for now have we any idea when the next blockades will be? Also is the work continuing to time?

 

[Killingworth]

Considering this past weekend will probably the last blockade for now have we any idea when the next blockades will be? Also is the work continuing to time?

According to original plans the next major blockades were to be in October and January with an 8 day finale in April. Those involved in the project will know more. The original contract went to September 2023 but that has already been extended to November. I understand that was due to signaling issues.

There's still a lot to do beside a live railway so much night work is likely. Strikes will have unpredictable effects and won't help.

 

[td97]

From Twentywell Lane bridge

The "S" shape of the track alignment (and hence platform edge) is emphasised here - which actually makes a very challenging platform and track design.

I see the Sheffield end of the platform line at Dore Station has been slewed away from the platform wall'

In fact towards the existing platform at the Sheffield end.

Is that to allow a faster speed through for non-stop trains?

The line speed will unchanged at 50mph.

Considering this past weekend will probably the last blockade for now have we any idea when the next blockades will be? Also is the work continuing to time?

Remaining at Dore and Bamford:
2022: 31/07, 30/10, 06/11.
2023: 2 additional possessions in each of January and April 2023 before a 9 day blockade starts 22/04/23.
Remaining at Hazel Grove/New Mills area:
2022: 16/10
TBC to make up for June NR strike weekend

There is not a pause in work from next weekend until October - work will be ongoing overnight and in safe areas that do not require possession access.

 

[Killingworth]

Thanks td97. The old track through the station left a massive gap at the Sheffield end although those in the know knew that the south end was much better. I've seen dogs hauled back up by their leads after falling through the gap. It seems to be much better now.

Looks like the originally planned October blockades have been pushed back a week or two. Not unexpected.

From that point work should be beginning on the footbridge foundations and lift towers followed by the platforms - existing to be extended back to its original length marked by the starting signal.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

MML electrification will somehow have to be threaded through this new Dore layout, with some wiring overlap towards the Hope Valley.
Hopefully there is an integrated plan.
Will the south curve be wired I wonder?

 

[Killingworth]

MML electrification will somehow have to be threaded through this new Dore layout, with some wiring overlap towards the Hope Valley.
Hopefully there is an integrated plan.
Will the south curve be wired I wonder?

MML electrification? HS2?

Supposedly the former into Sheffield by 2030 and services connected from the latter when connected up to East Midlands. Done properly and fully future proofed through Sheffield I'd estimate 2035 more realistic for wires - and who knows for HS2?

From about 1900 4 tracks ran from Dore into Sheffield until the late Beeching/Serpel period of track reductions. The HS2 spur through Chesterfield to Sheffield was supposed to include a 3rd track down the valley. Hopefully the extra would be bi-directional but might the supposed 3rd track just be extension of the current loops? MML electrification may follow that plan.

Others on the MML electrification thread may know about the likely over-run wiring but I think for HS2 it was to extend to Dore & Totley station, presumably both for safety and to give contingency options.

I don't recall seeing mention of the Dore curve, although it makes sense to wire it too. But how much further would that take it? Maybe to the new Dore West Junction and beyond almost to Totley Tunnel. Mission creep then towards Hazel Grove! One day.....

 

[Jozhua]

Travelled between Nottingham and Sheffield on the weekend. Coming up on Friday the train moved quite slowly across the tracks. I guess some temporary stuff was put in between the weekend work?

Coming back on the Sunday was a treat as we went round the diversionary route initially going north out of Sheffield. Had me panicked for a moment! Trip didn't take too long - skipped Chesterfield due to trackwork there (nice to see engineering works lining up!). Was nice they managed to keep some regular service running - still much faster than a rail replacement

Any info on line speed improvements for the main midland mainline route at Dore? Pretty sharp curve there!

PS: I have some GPS tracks of the Hope Valley line pre-upgrade, so might be able to export the data and find out!

 

[Killingworth]

Travelled between Nottingham and Sheffield on the weekend. Coming up on Friday the train moved quite slowly across the tracks. I guess some temporary stuff was put in between the weekend work?

Coming back on the Sunday was a treat as we went round the diversionary route initially going north out of Sheffield. Had me panicked for a moment! Trip didn't take too long - skipped Chesterfield due to trackwork there (nice to see engineering works lining up!). Was nice they managed to keep some regular service running - still much faster than a rail replacement

Any info on line speed improvements for the main midland mainline route at Dore? Pretty sharp curve there!

PS: I have some GPS tracks of the Hope Valley line pre-upgrade, so might be able to export the data and find out!

The diagram below was sent to me some time ago so may not be up to date. Nothing I've heard since suggests it has materially changed, although there may have been difficulty getting the desired points for a slightly quicker turnout to/from the Hope Valley?



the linecspeed across thedcturnoutsmay only be50 mph

 

[IanXC]

Timetables are planned a long way in advance to allow TOCs and FOCs to make alternative arrangements.

Although of course this doesn't stop a certain operator from cancelling their entire planned diverted service at hours notice.

 

[johnnychips]

Although of course this doesn't stop a certain operator from cancelling their entire planned diverted service at hours notice.

Unfortunately, but predictably at the moment, this could be TPE, EMR, XC or Northern. Which one was it?

 

[M60lad]

I'd like to hazard at a guess that its TPE, and I think some of their cancellations are down to route knowledge of the diversion via Wakefield as some of the cancellations haven't been planned cancellations.

 

[IanXC]

I'd like to hazard at a guess that its TPE, and I think some of their cancellations are down to route knowledge of the diversion via Wakefield as some of the cancellations haven't been planned cancellations.

Indeed. Hourly Sheffield - Manchester via Huddersfield and vice versa reduced to one out and back trip....

 

[Killingworth]

Indeed. Hourly Sheffield - Manchester via Huddersfield and vice versa reduced to one out and back trip....

The rail replacement services for these blockades was....... very poor and deserves a separate thread. Yes, TPE said they'd divert via Huddersfield but last Sunday only managed that one return service.

During July I've seen and experienced passengers being left at Dore because the bus out of Sheffield was already full on leaving there - as was the next an hour later. The bus can be held in traffic around Grindleford and can miss the connection at Hope. And at least one Northern connection was cancelled leaving users stranded half a mile from the village in the car park. Apparently there's been a shortage of buses available for these services due to a shortage of drivers. Some have been provided by a firm from Kendal.