Great Western Coffee Shop

So, it seems, after an already long wait that the much mooted Penryn passing loop will now not be re-instated in 2008.

Anyone know when it will be happening?

The A393 and A39 roads are already grid locked during the rushes, and pretty slow going through out the day.

Also, there was discussion about opening a p&r station at Tresluswell (where the A393 and A39 meet) - anyone know more about this?

Some information on the Treluswell Park an ride idea.

http://db.cornwall.gov.uk/ltp/marchannex4/section_613155919445.html

http://www.bertbiscoe.co.uk/archive_004_pic_desc1.htm

It would be an ideal place apart from the gradient for a Park and Ride for both Truro and Falmouth.

A more recent date:

Truro - Falmouth Rail Improvement. During 2006/07 the necessary documentation has been developed in conjunction with Network Rail in order to facilitate the implementation of this project for 2008/09.

Found in:

http://db.cornwall.gov.uk/LTP/APR2007/section_1102610299697.html

From the Cornwall CC link it looks as if Treluswell will be in 2010 (Phase 3).

Phase 1 has already commenced, with the construction of the p&r car park at Threemilestone (outside Truro).

Isn't that referring to the Penryn loop? - the report is a bit vague.
The last Network Rail business plan indicated it would be finished in 2007/2008, and not 2008/2009, but, of course these things change!

Back to Treluswell, although the track runs parallel to the Penryn-Truro road, I can't see where a p&r car park could be installed, and, as you say, it is far from a level surface!

The reason for the delay in the Penryn scheme is funding.  As can be seen from the link posted by Far West, the scheme is mostly being funded by sources outside the railway and the funding wasn't in place when Network Rail needed to press the button to get it done last Autumn.  One of those things.

The funding still isn't quite there but it's looking very promising - Cornwall County Council, the prime movers of the scheme, are still extremely committed so I would expect the work to happen by the end of March next year.

I'm really looking forward to the new half-hourly service sometime in 2009.
 
Richard Burningham
Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership

Thanks for clarifying that Richard.

Cllr Bert Biscoe also mentions proposals for p&r at Chiverton Cross (near to  the roundabout/A390/A30 jct) & Roseland (for St. Mawes), which I presume be near Probus.

Both these, of course, are on the Cornish mainline, with the disadvantage that two extra stops would already slow down what already lengthy journey times.

While I could see potential for Treluswell, and it being easily accommodated with the proposed 2tph on the Maritime Line, I cannot see it working on the Cornish mainline.

What do others think?

The Chiverton Cross/Threemilestone P & R is at present being constructed and is for buses.

The P & R east of Truro at Probus would also be buses.

The only P & R that will use rail that is presently under consideration is the Treluswell idea on the Falmouth branch. This would presumably be somewhere near to the village of Ponsanooth.

FGW have also earmarked the Class 153 unit that used to run the Southampton-Westbury shuttle services (before SWT introduced new services south of Salisbury in December 2007) for use on the proposed extra Falmouth line services. (see e-mail below, 20/10/2007) :

The point work for the loop at Penryn has arrived at Truro yard, according to a Network rail source, the whole project has been brought FORWARD!! work to start this autumn apparently!

Great news. The phrase "Truro yard" brought back memories of how it used to be...  :'(

This Autumn, along time considering it is already there, I suppose they can't do it in the height of summer.

No, it wouldn't be wise at all to close Cornwalls busiest branch in the height of summer!!!

That means they'll probably close it in the second week of August then.  >:(

What is the layout is two platforms or one long platform with loop half way?

Will loop be long enough for an HST? The original loop was 25 chs.

If it's two platforms how is disabled access managed?

The one platform with halfway  loop  gives disabled access in both directions.

On the Falmouth branch???

Truro Yard is about 2 sidings these days!

No Engine Shed, No West Signal Box, No Platform 4, No through Goods Loop, No Down side Goods shed, but at least Truro still has Trains and it's one of very few stations with 2 (yes 2) public foot bridges.

One platform with halfway loop. An HST would be able to pass a stationary train, anyway. I think the original 2nd platform is still there, lost among the undergrowth.
 
 

Yep... I always felt it was a mistake to block off the line through platform 4. Isn't Par now the only station on the main line which has a third platform forming a loop?

Correct!

It 'wouldnt be wise', so they'll probably do it.... In fact theres an ideal weekend to close it in September, think Falmouth Tall Ships 2008........

It wouldnt surprise me. They shut down the Portsmouth area during the Great South Run.

They regularly shut down the railway around Twickenham during a rugby game.  :D

Thankfully the line will be open for tall ships, they'll probably close it during October half term again to coincide with the beer festival and about 10 other events in falmouth! Mind you, Newquay is closed this Friday, Saturday and monday, about the busiest weekend of the year! (there's no service on sundays anyway)

AFAIK the possession is already booked - I'll get the dates later today.

Rightyho, possessions for the Falmouth Docks branch are showing as follows:

06/04/08 0001 - 1105 SUN - S&C Retimber (300m 52ch and 301m 2ch), Rail Adjusting (301m 25ch and 312m 64ch), Remove Rail Defects (301m 25ch and 313m 4ch), Patrolling (301m 25ch and 312m 46ch) & Structures Work (309m 62ch and 310m 47ch)
13/04/08 0600 - 1105 SUN - Patrolling (301m 25ch and 312m 46ch)
20/04/08 0600 - 1105 SUN - Patrolling (301m 25ch and 312m 46ch)
17/08/08 0500 - 1000 SUN - Patrolling (301m 25ch and 312m 46ch)
24/08/08 0500 - 1000 SUN - Patrolling (301m 25ch and 312m 46ch)
31/08/08 0500 - 1000 SUN - Patrolling (301m 25ch and 312m 46ch)
07/09/08 0500 - 1000 SUN - Patrolling (301m 25ch and 312m 46ch)
13/10/08 0600 MON THRU TO 17/10/08 1600 FRI - Showing as critical maintenance on entire line, and track renewals at Ponsanooth
20/10/08 0600 MON THRU TO 24/10/08 1600 FRI - As above.
03/11/08 0600 MON THRU TO 07/11/08 1600 FRI - As above.

Half term is an ideal time to close it.  ::)

Trains are never packed with kids or anything.......

Last three possessions are for Amey Colas relaying on the branch.  Unlikely that the other work will be done by then.

Seems unusual to be shut for 3 weeks?

Those last three possessions I've just been forwarded an update on and possession two and three are the preliminary dates for when the loop will go in.

What 3 weeks of Enginering works for what?
The loop can be put in whilst other work takes place IF somebody did their homework.
If would haven taken BR a WEEKEND to install a loop at Penryn and a second weekend to install and test all Signal and point work ready to commence the new operation.

Health and Safety rules I'm guessing...

(posting on board a unrefurbished Mk3 HST on NXEC to Newcastle)

Even though there were not the hoops to jump through then as there are today, it would have been impossible to install and test the signalling equipment in one weekend.  S&T Engineers are good but we're not miracle workers! P-Way is generally the 'easier'  part of a scheme like this and could have,and presumably will be, done in one weekend.  ;D

There is other relaying going on aswell.

Aye, there is other engineering work going on but if it is organised correctly you can move relay equipment in and have several relaying sites ALL working at once on a branch line.
 
Simple Maths, 1 work site  equals 3 weeks work
Then             3 work sites equals 1 weeks work.

But what if ther is three weeks of work on one site?

Good point but there are multiple work areas booked for the Falmouth Branch.

And what sort of Branch line work will be likely to take 3 weeks at 1 location?
It's possible to install a Brand new viaduct on a line with just a weekend closure! (After building the new next to the old.)

Installing a some major new trackwork and buildings, rerouting the rails could take a long time.
As for a weekend for a new viaduct, I wouldn't travel on that branch again. :P

There's rerailing going on, the new loop, rebuilding the platform, renewals i.e. CWR replacing jointy track (at last!!!) so yes there is 3 weeks work going on, the Falmouth branch always seems to have loads of work done during blockades.

What does the platform rebuilding entail, Vacman? Extension (it's already pretty long, isn't it?) and/or resurfacing the part that has not been used for a while?

The track level at the Truro end has been raised about 1 1/2 feet so the platform will have to be heightened, and general resurfacing which will have to be done during a possession.

anybody noticed the new addition in Penryn station? never thought i'd see the day!

I'm due a trip to Falmouth  8)
Still don't understand why the loop isn't at Perranwell.
I wonder how many locals are aware of the service to come - the Packet doesn't appear to be covering it. 

It's not at perranwell because it's not in the middle time-wise and with it being at Penryn the "recovery" time will be at Falmouth allowing a margin at Truro for waiting for connections or being delayed by main line trains.

If anyone has the chance to take a photo, I'd love to see it!

I think you're being a bit unfair. The following appeared on October 15 on their website: http://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/news/fpfalmouth/3758093.Falmouth_rail_link_given_boost/ (http://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/news/fpfalmouth/3758093.Falmouth_rail_link_given_boost/)

Some long passing loop, better than a short loop mind.

I find it very strange that Penryn platform is having an extension (around a Curve) when it's one of the longest in Cornwall and dead straight.

Anyway if Penryn can have an Extension around a bend it should silence all the H & S nuts who say all NEW platforms must be straight.

Not quite true, new platforms can be built on curves but there is a minimum radius.

Arrived at Penryn today in a taxi - mid morning refurbished 153 broke down on way to Truro.

The loop is huuuuuuge (has to start inside the platform due to the bridge)....extends past the Network rail yard and around the approach bend.

Staff say it's not to be used for a while until signaling is finished and presumeably a unit is found to run on it.
 
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They've got the unit already, the current 2x153's will be split to form 2 trains.

Thanks for the photos, chrisoates: it looks great, a real sign of the success of the branch. Penryn station needs some "friends" to make the disused second platform look a bit less forlorn.

I first saw this type of loop on the Rostock Wismar line some 8 or so years ago. By extending the platform and having the loop start half way it means that you have disabled access for trains in both directions and you don't have to provide lifts or ramps to cross the line. Previously on this line although the platforms are at ground level the staion loop lines had separate platforms so in one direction or the other you had to cross the running lines.

I must admit it's quite interesting to be sitting in the front of a train and come head on towards the other train standing in the platfrom. Then start straight towards it only to swing away and onto the loop. I have a video sequence.

It's good to see Networkrail adopting such ideas. Where there is space it's an obvious solution to reinstating loops, it requires exactly the same amount of signalling but provides disabled access at considrably less cost than providing lifts or ramps.

Very neat idea, though I can't see what the protection is against the train pulling up in the loop overshooting (particularly at this time of year) and hitting the train standing in the other part of the station. But there must be one. 

DB has Indusi which is an induction train stop, which although the driver can acknowledge he cannot overide it like AWS, it will always stop the train. Also their DMUs tend to have hydrodynamic brakes to bring the speed down without skidding.

The only danger is the train arriving in the platform towards the trailing loop points. If they SPAD then they could crash the points. The train coming the other way will just swing onto the loop. It tends to be that the timetable is arranged so that trailing direction train arrives first and is last to leave.

Did someone say they had a video?

I think I tried to say that the danger was only in one direction, but not so accurately as you did!  I don't think relying on a timetable is particularly foolproof though. Maybe the entrance to the loop is slow enough to make it a low enough risk.

Today the Falmouth branch was served by 150121 rather than a pair of 153s.  150121 obviously gets around as I last saw it at Chippen ham on Nov 1st heading for Melksham.
At Penryn station Amey have today cleared their site cabins from what is to become the car park and placed them on the site of the former car auction premises - from where they have started to extend the platform in a southerly direction.   The rest of the planned car park area is currently being cleared of old ballast etc by the Helston Railway Preservation co for re-use at Trevarno.

Hello, there, grandsire - and welcome to the Coffee Shop forum!

Thanks very much for the local information about Penryn - it's good to hear that progress is being made on improvements to the service.

Yes, thanks for the information - and welcome. Nice to read that the excess ballast is being put to good use, too!

Yep I've got a 19 second .avi file but it's huge. don't know how to promulgate it. It's part of a 100 minute video called Alun goes to Germanywhich is mastered on DV tape.