New images of Transpennine Route Upgrade at Mirfield and Ravensthorpe

The new platform structure is taking shape at Mirfield Station, where a team of workers and heavy machinery have been hard at work to change the layout of the station.

Meanwhile, massive earthworks have been taking place at Heaton Lodge Junction to prepare the land for a new section of curved track designed to increase linespeed and capacity.

The earthworks to shave away part of the embankment at Heaton Lodge Junction to make way for a new stretch of 'curve' track (Image: T&A) The TRU programme will transform the main line from Manchester to York, via Leeds, Dewsbury, Mirfield and Huddersfield, into a high performing electrified railway with more frequent and faster journeys.

Some sceptics have questioned the cost and practicality of electrifying the whole route due to engineering challenges such as the Standedge Tunnel, which runs under the Pennines for over three miles from the Marsden area of West Yorkshire to the Diggle area of Saddleworth.

However, in its latest press about the scheme, the Department for Transport reaffirmed its commitment to full electrification, stating: “Once complete, the full 70-mile TRU route will be fully electrified, helping save 87,000 tonnes of carbon each year.”

Work has progressed significantly at Ravensthorpe, near Dewsbury, where the station is being relocated and a new grade-separated junction is being created (Image: T&A) Parts of the route have already been electrified in the works that have taken place so far.

Electric services between Manchester Victoria and Stalybridge operated by Northern began running in August, with TransPennine Express services to follow by the end of the year.

To the east of the Pennines, test trains successfully ran on the newly-energised stretch of railway between York and Church Fenton in September with passenger services expected to begin by mid-2025.

A visualisation of the relocated station at Ravensthorpe with the 'flyover' junction visible in the background (Image: Network Rail planning document) Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Transport Secretary Louise Haigh visited the scheme recently to see the progress made so far, with the Chancellor saying the TRU would “bring our key northern economic centres closer together.”

Gordon Kells, Interim TRU Managing Director, said it was “highly encouraging” to hear in the recent budget announcement that the Government had pledged its full support for the programme.

The new island platform taking shape at Mirfield Station earlier this week (Image: T&A) Mr Kells added: “The visit provided the Chancellor, Transport Secretary and Mayor Andy Burnham with an opportunity to see firsthand the significant progress being made by our teams along the 70-miles of Transpennine Route, including the electrification upgrades between Manchester and Stalybridge.”

That leaves the section between Stalybridge and Church Fenton as a non-electrified section of railway, although the current weekday closures between Dewsbury and Leeds are partly to allow overhead line equipment foundations to be installed, with masts to carry the electric wires to follow.

Another view of the work to create an extended island platform as part of a revamp of Mirfield Railway Station (Image: T&A)

The West Yorkshire part of the scheme also involves large-scale works to Huddersfield Station’s roof, track realignment that has seen a large section of embankment dug away at Deighton, and work to relocate Ravensthorpe Station and create a new grade-separated junction nearby, otherwise known as a fly-over.

At Mirfield, the reconfigured station will service both slow lines via an island platform. Reconstruction of the island platform, which was well underway when the T&A visited the site this week, will extend the existing platform to 150 metres, with future provision to further extend this to 200 metres.

A visualisation of new island platform at Mirfield Station, with the fast lines visible to the right (Image: Network Rail planning document)

The work involves removing the current platform three to make way for the fast lines. The island platform will be provided with two waiting shelter seating areas at 50 metre intervals.

Accessibility of the station will be improved by providing step-free access to the new platform. The station entrance will be moved to the eastern side of Station Road, with steps and a 16 person three stopping lift providing access to the platform and footbridge.

The existing car park will be reconfigured to provide a drop off area, in addition to the existing three blue badge parking bays and 56 standard parking bays. A footbridge will be provided from the drop off area and car park to the platform accessed via steps and a 16-person through lift.