Hope Valley line
{{Short description|Trans-Pennine railway line in Northern England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2022}}
{{Update||date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox rail line
| name = Hope Valley line
| image = BamfordStation.jpg
| image_width = 321px
| caption = The line at {{rws|Bamford}} in the Hope Valley
| type = Heavy rail
| system = National Rail
| status = Operational
| locale = {{ubl|Greater Manchester|Derbyshire|South Yorkshire}}
| start = {{stn|Manchester Piccadilly}}
| end = {{stn|Sheffield}}
| stations = 28
| daily_ridership =
| open = {{ubl|6 November 1893 (goods)|1 June 1894 (passengers)}}
| close =
| owner = Network Rail
| operator = {{ubl|East Midlands Railway|Northern Trains|TransPennine Express}}
| character =
| depot = Longsight
| stock = {{ubl|{{brc|150}}|{{brc|156}}|{{brc|158}}|{{brc|170}}|{{brc|185}}|{{brc|195}}}}
| linelength =
| tracklength =
| tracks = Double-track
| gauge = {{RailGauge|uksg|allk=on}}
| electrification = 25 kV AC OHLE (Western part), from Manchester Piccadilly to {{rws|Hazel Grove}}, {{rws|Ashburys}} and {{rws|Guide Bridge}}
| speed = {{convert|90|mph|abbr=on}}
{{convert|125|mph|abbr=on}} (Manchester Piccadilly to {{rws|Stockport}})
{{convert|40|mph|abbr=on}} ({{rws|Hazel Grove}} to Edgeley Junction)
| elevation =
| map = 321px
(Click to expand)
| map_state = expanded
}}
{{Hope Valley Line|collapse=yes}}
The Hope Valley line is a trans-Pennine railway line in Northern England, linking Manchester with Sheffield. It was completed in 1894.
Passenger services on the line are operated by Northern Trains, East Midlands Railway and TransPennine Express, while the quarries around Hope, producing stone and cement, provide a source of freight traffic.
From {{stn|Sheffield}}, the line follows the Midland Main Line through the south-west of the city to {{rws|Dore & Totley}}, where the Hope Valley line branches off to run through the Totley Tunnel, the fourth-longest tunnel in England. It emerges in the Hope Valley area of Derbyshire, where it passes through the stations of {{rws|Grindleford}}, {{rws|Hathersage}}, {{rws|Bamford}}, {{rws|Hope|England}} and {{rws|Edale}} before entering the two-mile-long Cowburn Tunnel. From the western portal of the tunnel, the line runs through Chinley, then splits. The northern branch runs via {{rws|New Mills Central}} towards {{stn|Manchester Piccadilly}}. The southern branch passes through the Disley Tunnel before merging with the Buxton line just south of {{rws|Hazel Grove}} and then heading to {{rws|Stockport}} to join the West Coast Main Line to Manchester.
History
=Sheffield and Midland Joint Section=
This section was built by the Sheffield and Midland Railway Companies' Committee as part of the Midland Railway's drive to reach Manchester with its line from London via {{rws|Ambergate}} and {{rws|Millers Dale}}. Initially, in 1867, it joined the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway at Hyde Junction, running into Manchester London Road, but in 1875 a more direct route was built through {{rws|Bredbury}}. When {{rws|Manchester Central}} was opened by the Cheshire Lines Committee, a new line was built through {{rws|Heaton Mersey}}. This third route was closed along with Manchester Central, apart from the section through Disley Tunnel to {{rws|Hazel Grove}}, where it now joins the old LNWR line into {{rws|Stockport}}.
=Dore and Chinley=
In 1872, the Midland Railway's only route from Sheffield to Manchester was via Ambergate. It had originally proposed a line to run from Dore to Hassop, meeting its extension from Rowsley to {{rws|Buxton}}. However, the "Dore and Chinley Railway" was floated independently in 1872 and, unsuccessfully, until the Midland took an interest, since it would provide a more direct route, connecting through Chinley into Manchester.{{sfn|Joy|1984|p=171}} The line was authorised in 1884 and work began in 1888.{{sfn|Joy|1984|p=267}}
The {{convert|21|mi|km|0|adj=on}} line took five years to build, opening to goods traffic in November 1893, with passenger traffic being carried from June 1894.{{cite book |last1=Body |first1=Geoffrey |title=Railways of the Eastern Region. Vol. 1, Southern operating area |date=1986 |publisher=Guild Publishing |location=London |isbn=0850597129 |page=142}} The terrain through Hope Valley and the Vale of Edale was easy enough by Midland standards, but at each end there were formidable obstacles, negotiated by means of the Totley and Cowburn Tunnels.
=20th century=
At the time of the Beeching review, the line was running in competition with the recently modernised and faster Woodhead Line and its closure was suggested.{{cite web|url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1965/jul/27/passenger-services-proposed-closures|title = Passenger Services (Proposed Closures) (Hansard, 27 July 1965)}} On appeal, British Rail was required to keep the Hope Valley line open to passenger traffic; it was decided that the Woodhead route would be closed to passenger traffic instead{{cite news |last1=Blackledge |first1=Richard |title=Take an 'armchair journey' through the Peak District by rail with book's fascinating pictures – Beauty and strategic importance – these are the watchwords of the Hope Valley railway line between Sheffield and Manchester |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=AWNB&t=&sort=_rank_%3AD&fld-base-0=alltext&maxresults=20&val-base-0=%22Hope%20valley%20line%22&docref=news/17A83CE52D9FB3E8 |access-date=4 July 2020 |work=infoweb.newsbank.com |date=22 April 2020|url-access=subscription}} and then subsequently to all traffic in 1981, due to the high cost of further upgrading the line to modern standards.{{cite news |date=26 January 2018 |title=Closing Woodhead line a total disgrace |url=https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/closing-woodhead-line-a-total-disgrace-438528 |work=Sheffield Star |access-date=12 March 2024}}{{cite web |title=The end of the Woodhead line 40 years on |url=https://www.questmedianetwork.co.uk/news/glossop-chronicle/the-end-of-the-woodhead-line-40-years-on/ |access-date=12 March 2024 |website=Quest Media Network }}{{cite web |title=The Woodhead Electric|url=https://live.dovetailgames.com/live/train-simulator/articles/article/the-woodhead-electric |access-date=12 March 2024 |website=live.dovetailgames.com }}
=Metrolink proposals=
In the early 1980s, proposals were put forward to convert the Piccadilly–Belle Vue–Rose Hill/Marple section of the Hope Valley line to light rail operation for the proposed Manchester Metrolink system. While construction of Metrolink went ahead, the Hope Valley line was not included in the system which was completed in 1992.{{citation |author=Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive |title=Light Rapid Transit in Greater Manchester |publisher=GMPTE |year=1984}} – publicity brochure When in 2000, proposals for a large-scale extension of Metrolink were announced by the government, these still did not include conversion of the Hope Valley line; but, subsequently, planning documents from Network Rail and from the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority have suggested that this route might be appropriate for tram-train operation, and, as such, it was suggested to the Department for Transport as a possible location for a national tram-train pilot.{{cite web |title=Tram Trains Mooted for Glossop Line by TfGM for 2020+ Onwards |url=http://www.friends-of-glossop-station.co.uk/1/post/2013/11/tram-trains-mooted-for-glossop-line-by-tfgm-for-2020-onwards.html |access-date=9 June 2022 |website=Friends Of Glossop Station }}
=2019 closure=
On 1 August 2019, the line was closed between Marple and Sheffield amid fears that the dam at Toddbrook Reservoir would collapse, following heavy rain, which would flood the town of Whaley Bridge. The Buxton line, between Hazel Grove and Buxton, was also closed because of this. The line was re-opened on 7 August 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_disruptions/227802.aspx|title=National Rail Enquiries – Service Alteration Details|website=www.nationalrail.co.uk|access-date=2 August 2019}}
{{clear}}
Services
The following passenger services traverse all or part of the Hope Valley Line:
| class="wikitable"
! Route !! {{abbr|tph|trains per hour}} !! Calling at !! Stock | |||
| {{rws|Manchester Piccadilly}} to {{rws|Sheffield}} | 1 | {{rws|Reddish North}}, {{rws|Brinnington}}, {{rws|Bredbury}}, {{rws|Romiley}}, {{rws|Marple}}, {{rws|New Mills Central}}, {{rws|Chinley}}, {{rws|Edale}}, {{rws|Hope|England}}, {{rws|Bamford}}, {{rws|Hathersage}}, {{rws|Grindleford}} and {{rws|Dore & Totley}} *Some services do not call at some or all of {{rws|Edale}}, {{rws|Bamford}}, {{rws|Hathersage}}, {{rws|Grindleford}} and {{rws|Dore & Totley}} giving some 2-hour gaps between services at these stations. | rowspan="3" |{{plainlist|*{{brc|150|n}}
|
| {{rws|Manchester Piccadilly}} to {{rws|Rose Hill Marple}} | {{abbr|{{fract|4|3}}|4 trains every 3 hours}} | {{rws|Gorton}}, {{rws|Fairfield|England}} (1tph), {{rws|Guide Bridge}}, {{rws|Hyde North}} (1tph), {{rws|Hyde Central}}, {{rws|Woodley}} and {{rws|Romiley}} | |
| {{rws|Manchester Piccadilly}} to {{rws|New Mills Central}} | 1 | {{rws|Ashburys}}, {{rws|Belle Vue}} (irregular), {{rws|Ryder Brow}}, {{rws|Reddish North}}, {{rws|Brinnington}}, {{rws|Bredbury}}, {{rws|Romiley}}, {{rws|Marple}} and {{rws|Strines}} ({{abbr|1tp2h|1 train every 2 hours}}) |
| class="wikitable"
! Route !! {{abbr|tph|trains per hour}} !! Calling at !! Stock | |||
| {{rws|Liverpool Lime Street}} – {{rws|Norwich}} | 1 | {{cslist|{{rws|Liverpool South Parkway}}, {{rws|Widnes}}, {{rws|Warrington Central}}, {{rws|Manchester Oxford Road}}, {{rws|Manchester Piccadilly}}, {{rws|Stockport}}, Sheffield (trains reverse), Chesterfield, {{rws|Alfreton}}, Nottingham, {{rws|Grantham}}, {{rws|Peterborough}}, {{rws|Ely}} (trains reverse), {{rws|Thetford}}}} | {{plainlist|*{{brc|158|n}}
}} |
| class="wikitable"
! Route !! {{abbr|tph|trains per hour}} !! Calling at !! Stock | ||
| {{rws|Liverpool Lime Street}} to {{rws|Cleethorpes}} | 1 | {{cslist|{{rws|Liverpool Lime Street}}, {{rws|Liverpool South Parkway}}, {{rws|Warrington Central}}, {{rws|Irlam}}, {{rws|Urmston}}, {{rws|Manchester Oxford Road}}, {{rws|Manchester Piccadilly}}, {{rws|Stockport}}, {{stn|Sheffield}}, {{rws|Meadowhall Interchange}}, {{rws|Doncaster}}, {{rws|Scunthorpe}}, {{rws|Barnetby}}, {{rws|Habrough}}, {{rws|Grimsby Town}}}}
| align="center" | {{brc|185|n}} |
Upgrade
In 2005 planning applications for various parts of a capacity and modernisation scheme were submitted.{{cite web |title=05/02599/PNR {{!}} Provision of a new platform and footbridge (Application for determination if approval required for design and siting) {{!}} Dore & Totley Station Abbeydale Road South Dore Sheffield S17 3LB |url=https://planningapps.sheffield.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=IJO6SVNYKB000 |access-date=10 June 2022 |website=planningapps.sheffield.gov.uk}} In 2015, a consultation pack on the capacity enhancement of the line was released by Network Rail.{{cite web |date=January 2015 |title=Hope Valley Capacity Scheme consultation pack |url=https://consultations.networkrail.co.uk/communications/hopevalley/supporting_documents/Hope%20Valley%20Consultation%20Pack%20%20Jan15.pdf |website=Network Rail}}
Nottinghamshire County Council and the Department for Transport have investigated the possibility of adding another service that does not call at Sheffield in order to improve the journey time between Nottingham and Manchester. Stopping (and changing direction) in Sheffield, the fastest journey is 110 minutes (in 2019), but the council has estimated bypassing Sheffield would cut the time to 85 minutes. Suggested improvements on a {{convert|2+1/2|mi|0|adj=on}} stretch near Stockport may reduce journey times by 2–3 minutes.{{cite news |title=125mph trains to cut journey times |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=AWNB&t=pubname%3ANEP1%21Nottingham%2BPost%2B%2528England%2529/year%3A2008%212008/mody%3A0412%21April%2B12&action=browse&format=text&docref=news/1200BCDF90372F20 |access-date=4 July 2020 |work=infoweb.newsbank.com |date=12 April 2008|url-access=subscription}}{{cite web |title=Nottinghamshire Local Transport Plan 2011–2026 |url=https://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/media/123040/local-transport-plan-strategy.pdf |publisher=Nottinghamshire County Council |access-date=25 July 2019 |page=78}}
Network Rail, in partnership with South Yorkshire ITA, will redouble the track between Dore Station Junction and Dore West Junction, at an estimated cost of £15 million. This costing is based on four additional vehicles in traffic to deliver the option, however, this will depend on vehicle allocation through the DfT rolling stock plan. This work will be programmed, subject to funding, in conjunction with signalling renewals in the Dore/Totley Tunnel area.
In 2018, proposals were published for works in order to fit in an all-day (07:00–19:00) hourly Manchester–Sheffield via New Mills Central stopping service, by extending an existing Manchester–New Mills Central service.{{cite web|url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/yorkshire%20and%20humber/appendices/appendix%204%20-%20options%20appraisal.pdf|title=Yorkshire & Humber RUS Appendix 4 – Options Appraisal|publisher=Network Rail}} Planning permission for the upgrade was granted in February 2018, but delays mean that this will now not be completed until 2023.{{cite news |last1=Jeeves |first1=Paul |title=Fury as vital rail link is delayed by 4 more years |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=AWNB&t=&sort=_rank_%3AD&page=2&fld-base-0=alltext&maxresults=20&val-base-0=%22Hope%20valley%20line%22&docref=news/17657949DD605708 |access-date=4 July 2020 |work=infoweb.newsbank.com |date=3 October 2019|url-access=subscription}} The TWAO was also published in 2018.{{cite web |title=Hope Valley capacity: Transport and Works Act order |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/network-rail-hope-valley-capacity-order |access-date=10 June 2022 |website=GOV.UK }} These changes to allow three fast trains, a stopping train and freight trains each hour were also supported in a Transport for the North investment report in 2019, together with “further interventions” for the Northern Powerhouse Rail programme.{{cite web|url=https://transportforthenorth.com/wp-content/uploads/final-draft-strategic-transport-plan.pdf|title=Strategic Transport Plan|website=Transport for the North}}
In March 2021, it was announced by Minister of State for Transport, Andrew Stephenson, that £137 million would be used to upgrade the line.{{cite news |title=Mayor welcomes Sheffield to Manchester rail upgrade |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-56362937 |access-date=11 March 2021 |work=BBC News |date=11 March 2021}} The local MP Robert Largan claimed he had campaigned hard for this upgrade.{{cite web |title=Robert Largan MP welcomes the return of Hope Valley Explorer bus to Peak District |url=https://www.robertlargan.co.uk/news/robert-largan-mp-welcomes-return-hope-valley-explorer-bus-peak-district |access-date=9 June 2022 |website=Robert Largan MP |date=30 July 2021 }} A joint venture between Volker Rail and Story Contracting was awarded an £80 million contract for the delayed Hope Valley upgrade.{{cite web |title=Hope Valley Monthly Newsletter – May 2022 |url=https://email.unionroom.co.uk/t/ViewEmail/r/C4AB558BFB867BA92540EF23F30FEDED/37D1C63FA87260A6E5AF16FB8D2446D0?alternativeLink=False |access-date=9 June 2022 |website=email.unionroom.co.uk}} The work included creating a {{convert|3600|ft}} passing loop between Bamford and Hathersage, extending the extant platform at Dore to cope with six-coach trains, and adding a second track and platform at Dore and Totley station.{{cite news |editor-last=Mitchinson|editor-first=James|title=£137m upgrade for Hope Valley Line gets approval |work=The Yorkshire Post |date=12 March 2021 |page=1|issn=0963-1496}} This has allowed passenger trains to pass slower-moving freight and will allow three fast trains per hour between Manchester and Sheffield.{{cite web |title=Dore and Totley Station to close on Sundays over next few weeks for rail improvement work |url=https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/transport/dore-and-totley-station-to-close-on-sundays-as-work-starts-on-sheffield-to-manchester-rail-link-3704770 |access-date=9 June 2022 |website=www.thestar.co.uk |date=23 May 2022 }} There will also be improvements to the Jaggers Lane Bridge in Hathersage. Work started on 29 May 2022{{cite journal | title = Hope Valley upgrade under way | journal = Modern Railways | page = 29 | publisher = Key Publishing Ltd. | date = July 2022 | issn = 0026-8356 }} and was completed by early April 2024.{{cite web |title=Rail Minister marks completion of £150m Hope Valley Railway Upgrade |url=https://www.railmagazine.com/news/2024/04/10/minister-marks-completion-of-hope-valley-railway-upgrade |website=www.railmagazine.com |access-date=26 May 2025 |language=en}}
Freight
File:View from the Bridge - geograph.org.uk - 1221841.jpg
Around 66% of the works output ({{convert|1,000,000|tonne}} per year) of cement from Hope Cement Works a year is taken away by rail from the seven-road Earle's Sidings at Hope.{{cite web |last1=Falconer |first1=Words and Photos: Robert |title=90 years of the Hope Valley Cement Works |url=https://www.derbyshirelife.co.uk/out-about/places/hope-valley-cement-works-1-6241333 |website=derbyshirelife.co.uk |access-date=24 November 2020 }}{{cite web|url=http://sinfin.net/railways/hope/index.html|title=Hope Cement Works Railway|website=sinfin.net|access-date=3 April 2016}} When G & T Earle opened Earle's Cement works in 1929, it was linked to the Hope Valley Line by a {{convert|1|mi|52|chain|abbr=on}} single track railway, which was worked by steam until 1963.{{cite web|url=http://ingrowlocomuseum.com/?page_id=15|title=1704 Nunlow -1938 steam loco preserved at Ingrow Loco Museum & Workshop|website=ingrowlocomuseum.com|access-date=3 April 2016}}{{cite book |last1=Kelman |first1=Leanne |title=Railway Track Diagrams; Midland |date=2018 |publisher=Trackmaps |location=Beckington, Frome |isbn=978-1-9996271-1-9 |edition=4|at=44C}} Most of the cement now travels over it in trains hauled by {{brc|20}} locomotives{{cite web|last=Bendall|first=Ian|date=September 2017|title=Industrial Railway Society Bulletin No.1000|url=https://www.irsociety.co.uk/Downloads/Bulletin%201000%20September%202017.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210814214444/https://www.irsociety.co.uk/Downloads/Bulletin%201000%20September%202017.pdf|archive-date=14 August 2021|access-date=14 August 2021|website=The Industrial Railway Society}} to Earle's Sidings, where it is taken over by Freightliner.{{cite web|url=https://www.freightliner.co.uk/location/earles-sidings-train-crew-depot/|title=Earles Sidings Train Crew Depot - Freightliner|website=Freightliner|access-date=3 April 2016}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
=Sources=
{{commons category|Hope Valley Line}}
{{Attached KML|display=title,inline}}
- {{cite book|last=Joy|first=David|title=A Regional History of the Railways of Great Britain, Volume 8: South and West Yorkshire|year=1984|publisher=David & Charles|location=Newton Abbot|isbn=0-946537-11-9|edition=2}}
{{Railway lines in North West England}}
{{Railway lines in Yorkshire and the Humber}}
Category:Rail transport in Derbyshire
Category:Rail transport in Sheffield
Category:Transport in the Metropolitan Borough of Stockport
Category:Railway lines in North West England