Electric services between Manchester Victoria and Stalybridge operated by Northern began running in August – a huge first step for the programme’s work to fully electrify the 70-mile route – with TransPennine Express services to follow by the end of the year.
To the east of the Pennines, test trains successfully ran on the newly energised stretch of railway between York and Church Fenton in September with passenger services expected to begin by mid-2025.
The electrification of the route is part of the programme’s wider plans to transform rail travel between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York, enabling faster, cleaner, more frequent trains on a greener, more reliable railway.
Gordon Kells, Interim TRU Managing Director, said:
“It was highly encouraging to hear in last week’s budget announcement that the Government has pledged their full support for the programme.
“Yesterday’s visit provided the Chancellor, Transport Secretary and Mayor Andy Burnham with an opportunity to see firsthand the significant progress being made by our teams along the 70-miles of Transpennine Route, including the electrification upgrades between Manchester and Stalybridge.”
