Network Rail consultation - railway enhancements Dore/Grindleford

[Andy C 91]

Details here: http://www.networkrail.co.uk/improvements/northern-hub/doregrindleford/

 

There is also a local consultation event coming up at Abbeydale Sports Club 14th-16th November.

 

SUMMARY FROM WEBSITE

 

Improving the railway at Dore and Grindleford

 

As part of our plan to deliver faster, more frequent services across the North – the Northern Hub – we’re developing plans to increase capacity on the Hope Valley line between Manchester and Sheffield

 

Currently, slow moving freight trains and stopping passenger services restrict the speed and capacity of the Hope Valley line.

 

Demand for train travel between Sheffield and Manchester is increasing. Forecasts show that by 2029 demand will be 56 per cent higher than it is today in Sheffield, and 32 per cent higher in Manchester.

 

By investing now we will create capacity that will allow trains to operate effectively on the route in the future.

 

Our plans

 

We’re looking to build new sections of track close to Grindleford, and Dore and Totley stations. This will bring the following benefits:

 

Increased capacity

 

The expansion of the track will create passing loops and provide the height needed for freight trains, allowing faster trains to overtake in each direction.

 

Better services

 

The new sections of track will mean more frequent services can run between Sheffield and Manchester without impacting existing freight and local stopping services.

 

A better station

 

We’ll build a new platform, and install lifts and a new footbridge at Dore and Totley station.

 

Further details

 

For more details about the project, download our leaflet

[No User Name 10]

If it means a service equal to what Leeds has with Manchester (every 15 minutes) then it cant be a bad thing at all.

[Andy C 91]

I think the plan for train paths down the Hope Valley line will be:

 

All stations passenger service - hourly

Express passenger service - 3 per hour

freight - hourly

[No User Name 10]

Yeah it would be tricky to have a 4 per hour express service whilst maintaining the stopper in between them.

[Andy C 91]

For rail passengers it can only be a good thing - extra train an hour to Manchester, less delays and possibly faster journey times.

 

However one of the reasons for consultation is the impact on residents and landowners alongside the railway.

[1978 14]

At last! AndyC posted the following on 13th March 2005; http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=32272&highlight=dore+station

 

"Found this story on railwayscene.co.uk, although cannot find a press release on the Network Rail website or any of the train operators websites!

 

Network Rail will start to ease one of Yorkshire's worst bottlenecks late in May, with the introduction of a double track section at Dore, Sheffield.

 

Currently the single line has up to eight trains an hour vying to use it, and with increased freight traffic to and from the Hope Valley, it is now becoming an increasing problem to operators First TransPennine Express and Central Trains, whose trains often suffer significant delay at this pinpoint.

 

Stuart Middleton, Network Rail Area Operations Manager for the Manchester area was delighted with the investment. "This will have a positive impact from Liverpool right through to Cleethorpes, the Dore single line has for too long been a problem for our express services and this will help significantly."

 

A second platform is to be commissioned at Dore for the westbound services, with the current platform for eastbound services."

 

I attended the consultation at Grindleford yesterday. It's a big project, bigger than we might imagine due to historic land issues. 3 loops are needed to make it all work to give us a better rail service. If they can't do one they won't do it all.

 

Chinley - no problem, all on Network Rail land.

 

Grindleford - about half the land needed belongs to the National Trust - who's property is inalienable (held in trust and can't be sold) and can't be taken by a CPO either. Some delicacy will be required there!

 

Dore - the relief loop to accommodate longer freight trains going south round the Dore curve requires a slice taking from the bottom of Poynton Wood. Nobody knows for certain who owns Poynton Wood! The council think they do but can't adequately prove it. It goes back to the days when Dore and Poynton Woods were in Derbyshire, and the Midland Railway carved a path though the grounds of Abbeydale Park. The house itself became an adult education centre before being sold for development about 20 years ago.

 

Of course the increased demand for trains on the Sheffield - Manchester route will undoubtedly cause more pressure for yet greater parking facilities at Dore. The Park & Ride opened in March this year is already inadequate.

 

---------- Post added 08-11-2013 at 13:33 ----------

 

I think the plan for train paths down the Hope Valley line will be:

 

All stations passenger service - hourly

Express passenger service - 3 per hour

freight - hourly

 

Freight paths hourly would be possible. Hourly freight trains of the longer length they're planning to be able to run would be way beyond the capacity of Hope cement works, and the nearby quarries, to fill!

 

There could be more path capacity than 4 passenger trains each hour if future demand required it.

[Guest]

One thing that occurs to me is does Sheffield station have the space and capacity to cope with the increase in trains as well?

[No User Name 10]

One thing that occurs to me is does Sheffield station have the space and capacity to cope with the increase in trains as well?

 

Should have - there are 5 "through" platforms and 2 bay platforms to the western side (one of which the stopper currently uses) and the through platforms can easily take two trains each, some resignaling may be required to do this though but shouldn't take any extra rebuilding.

Edited November 8, 2013 by No User Name

[kel83 10]

Brilliant! I get the train to Nottingham every day and it always has to stop at Dore to let a train through. Hopefully this will help trains coming from the south as well.

[No User Name 10]

Brilliant! I get the train to Nottingham every day and it always has to stop at Dore to let a train through. Hopefully this will help trains coming from the south as well.

 

Dont see how getting a train to Nottingham affects that as its on the other track. Very odd.

 

Unless you are talking about the return journey, of course.

Edited November 8, 2013 by No User Name

[Hinzy9 10]

Does a 2nd platform at Dore mean that some services on the North-South mainline will stop there as well?

[No User Name 10]

Does a 2nd platform at Dore mean that some services on the North-South mainline will stop there as well?

 

No - the platform will serve the Manchester "line" there and wont serve the Chesterfield "line" like it probably did back in the glory days of the station