Transpennine Route Upgrade and Electrification updates

[CAF397]

This is the problem with TOC PDPs. The information is all there in downloads, and is often used as a tool to beat drivers. Rule book says 20mph 200 yards from a red signal (ie usually AWS magnet). PDP says 15. Go over it at 17mph and you get spoken to after a download.

I believe some freight companies mandate stopping a loco length from a red signal. That's not the driver being arsey, that's them abiding to company instructions. If it means standing foul of the points in rear then that's just unfortunate.

Back to the point at Stalybridge, it's not causing a delay, it's a minor inconvenience of sorts to drivers. But as a driver you will be driving for the OTMR and not using your skills stopping at a station as normal.

 

[Trothy]

Oh I agree, PDP's are totally a tool to beat drivers, as you say no chance of tripping OSS if you drive according to the standard because the speed is set so low, drive within the limits of the unit and trip the OSS immediately get a talking too for breaching the PDP.

Ah, I understand the Freight instruction, a loco length on a 600m freight train, fair enough - EMR specify a coach length which is 23m or so which on a 4 car train feels excessive. Especially as other TOC PDP's mention signals that may have controls that require a closer stopping distance before clearing should then be approached at 5mph. That's not in EMR instructions annoyingly.

Sorry for dragging this a little off topic, it is possible within parameter sets to adjust the rules for Stalybridge - sadly it's not as simple as you might hope.

Oh and the ARS the other week routed a DRAX bound freight into Platform 1 at Stalybridge - and that's still not the worst thing it's managed to do since coming live on the North Workstation.

 

[snowball]

Pictures of the Stalybridge - Guide Bridge line by Freel07 on SSC:

Electrification

So the much needed electrification of routes out of Manchester will after all take place, despite the Spending Review, though there is some anger that the time for the work has been extended so that it won't be finished until 2016 at the earliest. More details here...

www.skyscrapercity.com

 

[Revaulx]

There are many words to describe the rail replacement bus operation during the 26 day Stalybridge closure. Slick is not one of those words.

Really?

I was furious to have missed it the first time I got it from Greenfield thanks to it having left a couple of minutes early. Lesson learned.

From then on I thought it ran pretty well. The driver was helpful handling large pieces of luggage in the hold, and the dispatch staff at Piccadilly were pleasant and capable.

Good to have the trains back though!

 

[Batley Lad]

Batley - Former Adwalton line at Lady Anne Crossing.

Still working to grade and shape the embankment and area around the new footbridge. More of a defined outline for the new pathway seen in the 2nd / 3rd pictures.



Rutland Road.

Started to back-fill the bridge landing and surrounding area. Additionally, with the use of a long reach excavator, they have been shaping or digging the embankment. (No photo to clearly show the work) 2nd picture just shows a pile of dirt under the arm of the excavator.



I did notice on the TRU list of closures for May that the Leeds / Huddersfield line will close on two consecutive weekends - May 6th / 7th and 13th / 14th. I didn’t notice any mention of what work and where.

 

[snowball]

Apologies if this is already known but according to Modern Railways May p. 25, the new crossover at Batley will be installed between 17 and 24 June.

Two TPE trains per hour will run via Wakefield from 19 June (I assume it means for the rest of the closure) "but on 17-18 June alternative plans are being devised as trains will be unable to pass through Wakefield".

 

[LittleAH]

Apologies if this is already known but according to Modern Railways May p. 25, the new crossover at Batley will be installed between 17 and 24 June.

Two TPE trains per hour will run via Wakefield from 19 June (I assume it means for the rest of the closure) "but on 17-18 June alternative plans are being devised as trains will be unable to pass through Wakefield".

Given TPE are planning on using it from Tuesday 20th June, I think it will be installed on the weekend of 17/18

 

[Tractor37]

Apologies if this is already known but according to Modern Railways May p. 25, the new crossover at Batley will be installed between 17 and 24 June.

Two TPE trains per hour will run via Wakefield from 19 June (I assume it means for the rest of the closure) "but on 17-18 June alternative plans are being devised as trains will be unable to pass through Wakefield".

The crossover has already been installed, just waiting for all the signals to be erected from the current horizontal positioning but will be brought into use in June.

 

[Batley Lad]

Batley - Former Adwalton line at Lady Anne Crossing.

Some overnight work - a new signal base installed on the up Huddersfield line opposite the already installed signal on the down Huddersfield line nr the footbridge location. Also, some more work on the new pathway.



There appears to be another signal base at Batley station waiting to be installed. This would make four new signals in the area between Lady Anne Crossing and Batley station.
So far, one new signal on down Huddersfield line between Batley station and Soothill bridge. One on the same line, just after the new footbridge and before Lady Anne crossing. On the up Huddersfield line one yet to be installed nr the the new footbridge.

Photos below of the installed but not yet commissioned signals below - Batley station first on the down Huddersfield line:



Edit: hope I got the directions correct?

 

[61653 HTAFC]

I always thought the "Up" side on the route was towards Manchester rather than Leeds. Is that only the case on the former Lancashire & Yorkshire sections?

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

I always thought the "Up" side on the route was towards Manchester rather than Leeds. Is that only the case on the former Lancashire & Yorkshire sections?

The line designations (between Ravensthorpe and Leeds Whitehall Jn) are Down/Up Huddersfield, Up being towards Manchester Vic.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

The line designations (between Ravensthorpe and Leeds Whitehall Jn) are Down/Up Huddersfield, Up being towards Manchester Vic.

Thought so, was just thrown by the "Up Leeds" descriptor above. Thanks for clarifying.

 

[sjpowermac]

Batley - Former Adwalton line at Lady Anne Crossing.

Some overnight work - a new signal base installed on the up Huddersfield line opposite the already installed signal on the down Huddersfield line nr the footbridge location. Also, some more work on the new pathway.

View attachment 133656View attachment 133657View attachment 133658

There appears to be another signal base at Batley station waiting to be installed. This would make four new signals in the area between Lady Anne Crossing and Batley station.
So far, one new signal on down Huddersfield line between Batley station and Soothill bridge. One on the same line, just after the new footbridge and before Lady Anne crossing. On the up Huddersfield line one yet to be installed nr the the new footbridge.

Photos below of the installed but not yet commissioned signals below - Batley station first on the down Huddersfield line:

View attachment 133659View attachment 133660

Edit: hope I got the directions correct?

Many thanks again for your outstanding work in documenting the progress of this project.

Is there still a clear view of the crossing box (looking towards Leeds from the location of your fifth image)?

 

[Batley Lad]

Many thanks again for your outstanding work in documenting the progress of this project.

Is there still a clear view of the crossing box (looking towards Leeds from the location of your fifth image)?

Thank you for the kind words.

The signal box is still there with an unrestricted view form Rutland Road. Although, the box is due to be decommissioned in May or June and it’s future is uncertain.

I hope it stays but I suspect it will be either given to a heritage railway or demolished to prevent vandalism.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Just realised that in August, this thread will have been running for ten years. Interesting to see how hopes in those early days on the thread have progressed.

 

[BrianW]

Just realised that in August, this thread will have been running for ten years. Interesting to see how hopes in those early days on the thread have progressed.

Wondering if that will that come before posting on this thread #6666?

For comparison, what is the longest, or longest running, thread- mods??

 

[ainsworth74]

For comparison, what is the longest, or longest running, thread- mods??

We obviously have threads going back to 2005 when the Forum was founded but in terms of a thread that's still active the Stagecoach East Scotland from August 2009 in the Buses & Coaches section is probably the oldest. But I've not undertaken a detailed search!

 

[Jamesrob637]

We obviously have threads going back to 2005 when the Forum was founded but in terms of a thread that's still active the Stagecoach East Scotland from August 2009 in the Buses & Coaches section is probably the oldest. But I've not undertaken a detailed search!

That one is only 120 pages. Football is closer to 1000, though I appreciate there are many fans of the sport on here.

 

[ainsworth74]

That one is only 120 pages. Football is closer to 1000, though I appreciate there are many fans of the sport on here.

I took longest to be in terms of time considering the context. The football thread dates back only to April 2011 sadly!

 

[jonesy3001]

Anyway, back on topic.
What progress have they made on the manchester to stalybridge lines during this weekends blockade?

 

[sjpowermac]

Thank you for the kind words.

The signal box is still there with an unrestricted view form Rutland Road. Although, the box is due to be decommissioned in May or June and it’s future is uncertain.

I hope it stays but I suspect it will be either given to a heritage railway or demolished to prevent vandalism.

Thank you so much for the information, that’s really appreciated.

Yes, sadly I think you will be right about the box.

 

[Snapper]

I’ve been busy visiting various TRU sites this past month to compile picture blogs on progress.

Here’s part 1 which includes Batley, Morley and Cottingley, visited on the 20th April

A look at the Trans-Pennine Route upgrade and other works between Batley and Cottingley. | Paul Bigland

Some major works happening here in preparation for electrification. On this section it includes the physical relocation of two stations The first is Morley, the second is Cottingleywhere the new station will be renamed White Rose. Although happening during the TRU work, this replacement station had been planned for some time. Other works include the closure of Lady Anne crossing...

Part 2 includes Lady Ann Crossing (Batley) and Castleford visited yesterday but also includes some gratuitous HST shots at Leeds!

Rolling blog. More TRU and other West Yorkshire wandering… | Paul Bigland

...My next stop was at Castleford, a town I’ve not visited for a dozen years. The single platform station is having its second reinstated along with a new footbridge with lifts to link the two. Track improvements and resignalling have added to the package of improvements so that the station can be a useful diversionary stop away from the main Trans-Pennine route whilst its closed for upgrade work...

 

[Batley Lad]

Batley - Former Adwalton line at Lady Anne Crossing.
Work here has a change of pace with more heavy plant and machinery in play. The shape of the embankment and new footpath at the side of the up Huddersfield line is more advanced. The former abutment trackside foundation is being removed. (1st and last pic below)


Rutland Road

Still working here but with a restricted view, it is hard to work out what work has taken place. In the last photo below you can just about make out a cut in the trackside embankment running trackside and upwards to the roadway above. If correct, then this would explain the piles of newly excavated rubble in and around the work site above and on Rutland Road. Doesn’t explain the reason for the cut - maybe more piling work to be done within the embankment before the footbridge is installed.

 

[snowball]

Press release

Passengers urged to check before they travel as work continues at Morley station

Passengers travelling between Huddersfield and Leeds are being reminded to check before they travel on 6-7 May and 13-14 May as major upgrades continue at Morley station.

www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk

Passengers travelling between Huddersfield and Leeds are being reminded to check before they travel on 6-7 May and 13-14 May as major upgrades continue at Morley station.

Over the two weekends, engineers working on Transpennine Route Upgrade will renew drainage around the station, complete signalling testing and install a new footbridge at Lady Anne level crossing. This work is all in preparation for nine days of upgrades in June.

Natalie Hewitt, Senior Sponsor for the Transpennine Route Upgrade, said: “We want to remind passengers that our engineers will be undertaking some important preparation work at Morley station and in Batley over two weekends in May.

“We know how crucial it is to keep people moving, so we have worked closely with our colleagues at Northern and Transpennine Express. In instances where trains are unable to run via diversionary routes, buses will keep passengers on the move.

“We’re really grateful for the patience and understanding of our passengers while this work takes place, and we look forward to opening the new station later this year.”

Transpennine Express and Northern will keep passengers on the move by a mixture of diversionary routes and rail replacement buses. Some trains will be diverted via Wakefield while some services between Huddersfield / Brighouse and Leeds via Dewsbury will be replaced by buses.

Those planning to travel should check their journey before setting off via National Rail Enquiries or their train operator’s website.

Chris Nutton, Major Projects Director for TransPennine Express, said: “As major upgrade work to transform Morley station takes place, including improved accessibility at the station, which will provide huge benefits for customers travelling between York and Manchester, there will be some service alterations for TransPennine Express services.

“Customers are advised to check carefully for the latest service alterations before they travel on our website www.tpexpress.co.uk/travel-updates/changes-to-train-times; updates will also be available on our social media channels.”

This preparatory work is in advance of the next stage of Morley station upgrades, scheduled to take place from 17-25 June.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Apr 2023 ==

automerged post


Since he was last mentioned here, Freel07 has made several more posts on SSC with pictures of the Ashton-u-Lyne area:

Electrification

So the much needed electrification of routes out of Manchester will after all take place, despite the Spending Review, though there is some anger that the time for the work has been extended so that it won't be finished until 2016 at the earliest. More details here...

www.skyscrapercity.com

 

[59CosG95]

Press release

Passengers urged to check before they travel as work continues at Morley station

Passengers travelling between Huddersfield and Leeds are being reminded to check before they travel on 6-7 May and 13-14 May as major upgrades continue at Morley station.

www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Apr 2023 ==

automerged post


Since he was last mentioned here, Freel07 has made several more posts on SSC with pictures of the Ashton-u-Lyne area:

Electrification

So the much needed electrification of routes out of Manchester will after all take place, despite the Spending Review, though there is some anger that the time for the work has been extended so that it won't be finished until 2016 at the earliest. More details here...

www.skyscrapercity.com

Those latest pictures mean that all the wiring is now (as far as I can tell) run from Man Vic to the overlap beyond Katherine St Tunnel. Of course, they're already live as far as the Neutral Section at Baguley Fold...

 

[Batley Lad]

Batley - Former Adwalton line at Lady Anne Crossing.

Still working on the embankment shape and grade here. The new footpath is slowly being defined and marked out at a trackside level.



Rutland Road

Working adjacent to the down Huddersfield line and the Rutland Road embankment. The rebar cage for the new footbridge support is being installed at this location. Photo below a reminder of what it looks like. Additionally, Traf73 in post #6528 kindly detailed how it would be installed.




The opposite side on the former Adwalton line is much the same and shows little change from a couple of weeks ago.



== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 1 May 2023 ==

Monday 1st May

Work has progressed over the bank holiday weekend. The new footpath level and design is now more visible.



Rutland Road

Still installing the line side foundation for the footbridge support - Huddersfield down.

In the photo below and if you squint really hard, the outline of the foundation support is just about visible!



Batley Station

Nothing happening here at the minute - just a notice for the upcoming closure.

 

[sjpowermac]

Batley - Former Adwalton line at Lady Anne Crossing.

Still working on the embankment shape and grade here. The new footpath is slowly being defined and marked out at a trackside level.

View attachment 134088View attachment 134089View attachment 134090

Rutland Road

Working adjacent to the down Huddersfield line and the Rutland Road embankment. The rebar cage for the new footbridge support is being installed at this location. Photo below a reminder of what it looks like. Additionally, Traf73 in post #6528 kindly detailed how it would be installed.


View attachment 134091

The opposite side on the former Adwalton line is much the same and shows little change from a couple of weeks ago.

View attachment 134092

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 1 May 2023 ==

Monday 1st May

Work has progressed over the bank holiday weekend. The new footpath level and design is now more visible.

View attachment 134203View attachment 134204View attachment 134205

Rutland Road

Still installing the line side foundation for the footbridge support - Huddersfield down.

In the photo below and if you squint really hard, the outline of the foundation support is just about visible!

View attachment 134206

Batley Station

Nothing happening here at the minute - just a notice for the upcoming closure.



View attachment 134210

Many thanks again for the excellent set of images and very informative post. As mentioned previously, all very much appreciated.

Apologies if this is something that I’ve missed, but where will the actual footbridge cross the line in relation to the current crossing? Same position or slightly further west?

I’m just wondering if for a short period the footbridge and ‘box might be in situ with some unique photo opportunities in late May?

 

[Batley Lad]

Many thanks again for the excellent set of images and very informative post. As mentioned previously, all very much appreciated.

Apologies if this is something that I’ve missed, but where will the actual footbridge cross the line in relation to the current crossing? Same position or slightly further west?

I’m just wondering if for a short period the footbridge and ‘box might be in situ with some unique photo opportunities in late May?

Not sure I can post Google map images here?

If you pull up a map image of Rutland Road Batley and it’s relationship with St Thomas’s church (on your left) and the hairpin bend towards Lady Anne signal box. Just beyond the bend (on your right) is a telegraph pole - this location is the start of the new footbridge.

From the opposite landing point, the new footpath follows the Huddersfield up line by using the former Adwalton embankment towards Lady Anne crossing.

I’m not sure of the timeline to fit the new bridge and decommissioning of the signal box. I assume June’s blockade may be the best bet for the commissioning of the footbridge and associated footpaths. Just appears a lot of work to get done within the two consecutive weekends of 6th/7th and 13th/14th May.

As for photos from the new footbridge, I suppose modern regulations may not lend themselves to photography but we will see when the bridge is up and running!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 May 2023 ==

Many thanks again for the excellent set of images and very informative post. As mentioned previously, all very much appreciated.

Apologies if this is something that I’ve missed, but where will the actual footbridge cross the line in relation to the current crossing? Same position or slightly further west?

I’m just wondering if for a short period the footbridge and ‘box might be in situ with some unique photo opportunities in late May?

 

[snowball]

Not sure I can post Google map images here?

You can post links into Google maps, for example

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

www.google.co.uk

I'm always surprised people don't do it more often. People on SABRE do it constantly. And readers of the post can move around within the scene.

 

[zwk500]

You can post links into Google maps, for example

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

www.google.co.uk

I'm always surprised people don't do it more often. People on SABRE do it constantly.

It's done very frequently on here too, tbf.