It has been the familiar limbo between Christmas and New Year. Yet, even as the festive season unfolded, Network Rail’s Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) project carried on regardless. The project extends well beyond the early days of January, into 2024 and beyond. The multi-billion-pound initiative aims to revolutionise rail connectivity between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds, and York. However, the festive focus fell on the somewhat more homely surroundings of Mirfield. The station may be a mere stop, midway between Leeds and Mancehster, but in railway terms it is at the heart of the busiest section of the route.