The Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) is a multi-billion-pound project transforming rail travel across the Transpennine route (Manchester - York). The engineering work to tracks and stations across the North will bring our customers more frequent trains that run on a cleaner, more reliable railway.
Funded by the Department for Transport and delivered by Network Rail, our TRU team works closely with Network Rail and Northern colleagues to deliver the improvements, which will help enhance the performance, reliability, and sustainability of the route and minimise disruption to customers whilst doing so.
A summary of the work completed is provided below, showcasing the highlights over the last six months:
• Five days of major upgrades in Morley and Dewsbury completed: In February engineers worked around the clock in Morley and Dewsbury to complete key upgrades. Over the five-day period, engineers upgraded drainage, completed cabling work and installed a new telecommunications mast.
• New rail link for Castleford launched: In December a new rail service linking Castleford with York and Manchester was launched at an event which saw the official opening of the station’s new fully accessible second platform with an accessible footbridge. The rail link, operated by TPE with four return journeys a day, benefits the town of Castleford and includes a regular direct link to York for the first time since the 1970s.
• Major upgrade works completed in and around Huddersfield: Between March and April major rail upgrades were completed between Huddersfield and Ravensthorpe. Working around the clock, engineers completed mining remediation work in Ravensthorpe and Huddersfield, upgraded over 700m of track in Deighton and Mirfield and installed a new bridge deck on Huddersfield viaduct. Engineers also commenced work on the roof canopy, removing six panels on the Manchester-side of the station.
As part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade, the station will get two new platforms, while the existing platforms are being extended, improving capacity. Accessibility will also be improved with a new footbridge, new lifts, and step-free access from the front entrance. The iconic trainshed roof – one of the few remaining Euston roofs in the country – will also be restored.
• First electric train completes test between Manchester and Stalybridge: An electric train completed a test run between Manchester and Stalybridge for the first time as part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU). This achievement follows work completed last year to install overhead line electrification (OLE) between Manchester Victoria, Stalybridge and Guide Bridge stations, the replacement of track to allow faster speeds, 25 new signals for closer spacing of trains and a higher-speed railway junction at Stalybridge. Many of these key upgrades were completed in March and April last year.
Electric trains are set to run between Manchester and Stalybridge from the end of 2024, bringing greener, faster and more reliable journeys to the route. This will be the first section of line to be electrified as part of TRU, with the remainder of the route between Manchester and York set to be electrified in the future.
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