Leeds Bradford: Airport Parkway Proposed

[JRP]

I drive trains for Northern and one of my route is the Harrogate line
Currently the line speed is 60mph, the signalling between Leeds and Harrogate was set up so the could run at 75mph but it was never implemented, also the signalling is a distant signal then a stop signal and some quite long sections between so to run more services would probably need the signaling upgrading, we currently have extra service at rush hour and they often get held at red signals due to this
Platform wise they can run 4 car class 150 as they fit all platforms, 4 car class 158 won’t fit at most due to the carriages been longer than the class 150, the current class 170 units are planned to come off the Harrogate line soon as they are not suited to this slow speed line and are better suited to run at higher speed lines, the only reason they were ever put on the Harrogate line was due to ex Northen directors living in Harrogate and wanting a nice tram on there and not a rattler

 

[LBAYORKIE]

I drive trains for Northern and one of my route is the Harrogate line
Currently the line speed is 60mph, the signalling between Leeds and Harrogate was set up so the could run at 75mph but it was never implemented, also the signalling is a distant signal then a stop signal and some quite long sections between so to run more services would probably need the signaling upgrading, we currently have extra service at rush hour and they often get held at red signals due to this
Platform wise they can run 4 car class 150 as they fit all platforms, 4 car class 158 won’t fit at most due to the carriages been longer than the class 150, the current class 170 units are planned to come off the Harrogate line soon as they are not suited to this slow speed line and are better suited to run at higher speed lines, the only reason they were ever put on the Harrogate line was due to ex Northen directors living in Harrogate and wanting a nice tram on there and not a rattler

What will replace them?

 

[White Heather]

It's behind a pay wall.

But my two cents are - the whole line or at least up to Harrogate for now needs electrifying. They need desperately to get on with this LBA train station as it would act as a relief for Horsforth as many Cookridge residents would be able to walk to the new parkway station. Could argue it would create demand at Horsforth as new customers would now use Horsforth as they can get parked.

Horsforth needs a pedestrian bridge over the railway lines instead of the busy little road bridge.

The headway needs increasing to every 15 minutes to Harrogate, 30 minutes to York. Alternate calling - so Harrogate train calls at Burley but not Headingley, York call at Headingley but not Burley for now. New units increased to 4 carriages, Bi modal. The LNER services fit a few minutes in front of one of the departures (so if it's 1314 departure for Northern, LNER departs at 1312 for example).

Eventually they need to reopen the Ripon branch, and you could have Leeds-Harroagte-Ripon (30 mins) / York (30 mins).

Not behind a paywall for me?

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

What will replace them?

That’s my worry. The 170’s absorb the demand and then some on this line.

Also where will they go?

Replacing them with some clapped out shite from back of the depot simply will not do. Replacing them with 3 carriage 195’s will do. If the plan is 2 carriage that’s a step backward. And given how vocal the customer director, who used to be MD for transdev, is about reaching 30 million journeys by 2030 a stepward back on this line is not required.

If the signalling needs upgrading. Do it alongside electrification. Platforms need extending. Get on with it. This country is hell bent on destroying itself rather then forward thinking decades into the future.

 

[JRP]

Original plan was 3 car 195, but then are saying now potential 3 car 158

The 170’s are to go on the Nottingham and Lincoln’s

What will replace them?

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

Original plan was 3 car 195, but then are saying now potential 3 car 158

The 170’s are to go on the Nottingham and Lincoln’s

I think a 3 car 195 would be just as good as 170. Based on doors (making it easier for disembarking / boarding).

That makes sense. Thank you for that info.

 

[Bigman]

Ideally the long block sections need removing and fully automatic 4 aspect signalling replacing it. One issue not mentioned is that 195's will absolutely piss it up the hills compared to 150's. 195's also give you the option of operating longer sets with SDO being used for shorter platforms

 

[White Heather]

Our wonderful actress Mayor us too busy with her bus and cycle lane obsession to worry about a train station for the region's airport. Just as a tram to a shopping centre and Bradford, both of which are already well served by trains and buses was more important than the airport and North West Leeds which as usual is just left out of the equation.

 

[Aviador]

That’s my worry. The 170’s absorb the demand and then some on this line.

Also where will they go?

Replacing them with some clapped out shite from back of the depot simply will not do. Replacing them with 3 carriage 195’s will do. If the plan is 2 carriage that’s a step backward. And given how vocal the customer director, who used to be MD for transdev, is about reaching 30 million journeys by 2030 a stepward back on this line is not required.

If the signalling needs upgrading. Do it alongside electrification. Platforms need extending. Get on with it. This country is hell bent on destroying itself rather then forward thinking decades into the future.

There is a failed airport to reopen!

 

[Len Fish]

“A lack of tangible progress”
nicely sums up the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and the Mayor when it comes to a fit for purpose, integrated transport system in the region.

 

[YorkshireLad]

Original plan was 3 car 195, but then are saying now potential 3 car 158

The 170’s are to go on the Nottingham and Lincoln’s

Where are they going to get the 158s from? Even just operating S&C alongside would surely take too many units. 195s would be a straight swap from Lincoln (albeit with some re-jigging of the sets from 2/4 to 3 cars or vice versa elsewhere)

 

[Bigman]

We might get some cascaded 170's from Cross Country with a bit of luck. They are picking up the ex Avanti West Coast 221's which I believe means that some 4 car 220's will replace the 170's on the Nottingham to Birmingham and Cardiff corridor. Also the electrification of the Glasgow Central to East Kilbride should release some 156's which may end up with Northern over the hill