Electric train completes first test run

An electric train has travelled for the first time between Manchester Victoria and Stalybridge.

As part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU), engineers have been testing the new electrification equipment installed along the route as part of the multi-billion-pound upgrade to the line between Manchester and York, via Huddersfield and Leeds.

The successful test train run, involving a Northern Class 33, follows work completed by TRU last year, which included the installation of 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.

Electric trains are set to run between Manchester and Stalybridge from the end of the year. The remainder of the route between Manchester and York is set to be electrified in the future.

Neil Holm, Managing Director of TRU said: “This is a big achievement in our plans to bring cleaner, faster and better travel to the people of the North of England.

“People can see that TRU is very much in the delivery phase now and the benefits of all our teams’ hard work is starting to show. I would like to thank passengers and local residents who have supported us throughout the ongoing work.”

TRU says it is also delivering station improvements along the route to enhance customer experience, while a new digital signalling system to improve the reliability of the line will be installed.

Upgrades also include doubling the number of tracks between Huddersfield and Dewsbury to allow for greater capacity, meaning more seats for passengers and opportunities for increased freight.

Electric trains will next be tested on the Eastern section of TRU later in the year, between York and Church Fenton.