Taking stock: Reflections midway through WCL’s work on the TransPennine Route Upgrade
Company News
We’re just over halfway in our recent work to deliver the TransPennine Route Upgrade (TRU) works, in support of Network Rail. It’s a great time to review progress made and WCL successes on this multibillion pound project.
WCL has been involved in the TRU West network improvement programme for the past 3 years, supporting both Amey and Network Rail. Our company’s work on this nationally important project is continuing until 2028.
TRU West is an essential part of the overall TransPennine Route Upgrade works, focusing on connections and infrastructure between Manchester and Leeds. The completed project will deliver a slew of new stations, linespeed improvements and 4 tracking of the railway to the region, unlocking new growth opportunities and enhanced travel experiences for communities and businesses across the north.
WCL is providing engineering support to Network Rail, covering two main workstreams:
Automatic Power Change Over (APCO)
We are delivering APCO functionality to the network by integrating of overhead line and signalling systems, consulting with the operators for Signal sighting, SORAT and Driveability, and producing balise sighting forms and packet 44 data to support.
Operational interface management
We’re delivering excellence with respect to driver training and RS800 assessments, cultivating the expertise needed to see TRU West achieve its full potential. WCL delivers ongoing management of all map book production, along with route videos, and yellow notices. We’re also consulting with civils engineers to deliver guidance on completing construction phases that minimise or entirely avoid disruptions to existing railway operations.
Overall, the picture is one of success. Electrification commissioning on the first part of the network is on track completion in November 2024 , while 2 out of 3 full packs of training materials have been delivered to operators already.
We’re proud to continue delivering excellent outcomes for the TRU upgrade project, and look forward to our ongoing collaboration with Network Rail in transforming infrastructure for the future.
