UK Rail: Ravensthorpe Station Relocation Speeds Transpennine Route

Ravensthorpe station is being relocated as part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade, featuring a new viaduct and bridge. This four-track expansion boosts capacity and cuts journey times.

January 29, 2026 3:39 pm

🛑 Key Takeaways:

Ravensthorpe station is being relocated as part of a major infrastructure upgrade to enable four-track running on the Transpennine route.
The project involves significant civil works, including a new viaduct, bridge, and approximately 260,000m³ of earthworks.
The upgrades will segregate rail traffic, allowing faster services to overtake stopping trains, increasing capacity and reducing journey times across the North.

RAVENSTHORPE, UK – Network Rail’s Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) is advancing with the construction of a new Ravensthorpe station, located 200 metres west of the existing facility. The project is coupled with the construction of a new viaduct and bridge, critical components for expanding the railway to a four-track alignment in the area.

Category	Specification / Detail
Project	Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) – Ravensthorpe Area
Key Stakeholders	Network Rail
Station Relocation	200 metres west of current site
Earthworks Volume	Approx. 260,000m³ (130,000m³ in 2025, similar volume in 2026)
Baker Viaduct Progress	16 of 18 support columns complete
Calder Road Bridge	20 pre-cast concrete beams installed; parapet installation underway
Value / Budget	Not specified in available data

Operational & Technical Details

The new Ravensthorpe station will feature an extended island platform to accommodate longer trains. Step-free access will be provided via a new footbridge with lifts. The project also includes a new station forecourt and drop-off facilities.

The core of the upgrade is the expansion to four tracks. This is enabled by two major structures. The new Calder Road bridge, supported by 20 concrete beams, and an underlying box junction will carry the new alignments. The Baker Viaduct, with 16 of 18 columns now built, will cross the Calder & Hebble Navigation Canal and the River Calder. These two structures will be linked by a grade-separated flyover. The entire section will be equipped with new overhead line equipment (OLE).

Market Impact Analysis

The four-tracking at Ravensthorpe is a strategic intervention to remove a significant bottleneck on the Transpennine route. By creating parallel tracks, the upgrade allows faster, direct services to bypass local stopping services. This segregation of traffic is fundamental to increasing line capacity, improving timetable reliability, and enabling more frequent passenger and freight services. The project directly supports the wider government objective of enhancing rail connectivity and economic productivity across the North of England by modernising a critical east-west artery.

FAQ: Quick Facts

What is the primary goal of the Ravensthorpe upgrade?

The main goal is to install a four-track railway alignment. This will increase capacity, allow faster trains to overtake slower ones, and reduce journey times. The new station is part of this larger project.

When is the expected completion date?

A specific completion date has not been announced. Network Rail has stated that works will continue through a “busy 2026”.