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LeedsYork Rail Upgrade Completed After 32-Day Blockade

The Church Fenton works advance the Transpennine Route Upgrade toward higher-capacity, electrified services.

Overview

  • Crews remodelled track, re-aligned platforms 3 and 4 at Church Fenton, and added a new passing loop to enable overtaking and raise line speeds.
  • Project teams installed 70 new signals, renewed 3 km of track, upgraded 11 switches and crossings, and advanced overhead line equipment for future electric services.
  • During the 32 days, more than 1,600 train journeys were diverted via Castleford and roughly 1,400 replacement bus trips supported passengers.
  • The blockade relied on 879 rail wagons, 45 engineering trains, three large cranes and three tamping trains to deliver the works.
  • The wider programme is reported to cost about £11 billion with phased electrification, and some media project full completion around 2041.