Work is continuing on the upgrade of the main line from York to Leeds and Manchester.
Engineers have been busy preparing the ground ready for the installation of an additional track at Church Fenton, where lines to Leeds and Sheffield split.
This will form a route that will allow faster services to overtake slower ones, enabling quicker, more frequent trains
If you’re travelling to Leeds or Manchester check before you travel as trains are being diverted and some services are replaced by buses.
Across the 70 miles, significant headway has been made on the TRU (Transpennine Route Upgrade) with the roll-out of electrical overhead lines, supporting greener, cleaner rail travel and helping to modernise services for the long term.
In August, Team TRU celebrated a key milestone as 25% of the route was electrified between York and Church Fenton, joining Manchester Victoria to Stalybridge as electrified sections on TRU.
Huddersfield remained a key area for the programme this year, one of the major undertakings being the 30-day station closure in September.
Working around the clock, engineers installed new bridge beams across Span 1 of Huddersfield viaduct, reconfigured platforms and completed vital track and signalling upgrades, all of which will improve reliability and prepare the station for longer trains in the future.
Huddersfield also saw the opening of a train maintenance centre at Hillhouse depot in October, a new £46million facility built to keep trains running for customers across Yorkshire.
James Richardson, Managing Director for the Transpennine Route Upgrade said:
“This year has produced so many achievements and what we’re doing across the programme will not just improve journey times and reliability, but better connect towns and cities across the North.
TRU is a key enabler to unlock potential in our communities and support regional economic growth, and we are looking forward to another successful year in 2026.”
Across the route:
- 40 miles of track was installed, supporting smooth and more reliable journeys
- 12,000 train services were sent via diversionary routes, following a £100m investment, keeping customers on trains and on the move
- 30 miles of cable roughing was laid for signals, increase the reliability and frequency of services as the programme progresses
- 7,721 shifts were worked by the customer team, supporting passengers in getting to where they need to be
- £800m was spent with local businesses, ensuring TRU leaves a long-lasting legacy
- 1000 OLE foundations were constructed, facilitating electric trains along the route in the future
