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Title: Busiest single track lines Post by: simonw on April 21, 2017, 14:21:45 Purely out of the curiosity, what are the busiest (trains/passengers) single track rail lines, and should they be upgraded?
Over the past two weeks I have heard references to regarding Melksham, Worcester Parkway and Severn Beach line and was wondering should these lines be upgraded, and when. Title: Re: Busiest single track lines Post by: SandTEngineer on April 21, 2017, 14:24:55 Purely out of the curiosity, what are the busiest (trains/passengers) single track rail lines, and should they be upgraded? Over the past two weeks I have heard references to regarding Melksham, Worcester Parkway and Severn Beach line and was wondering should these lines be upgraded, and when. In our region I would suggest the St.Erth to St.Ives line. Half hourly service most of the day, only two or three minute turnaround at each end, four car trains jam packed in the summer (and reasonably busy two car trains in the winter). Title: Re: Busiest single track lines Post by: bobm on April 21, 2017, 15:05:19 Henley branch would qualify now it has a half hourly service much of the day. Windsor branch has a pretty intensive service too - every 20 minutes at times.
Title: Re: Busiest single track lines Post by: Timmer on April 21, 2017, 15:14:20 Moreton to Dorchester South on the Weymouth to Waterloo line. 4 Trains an hour.
Title: Re: Busiest single track lines Post by: grahame on April 21, 2017, 15:21:28 Plenty of half-hourly services on single track lines already mentioned ... and others such as the Falmouth branch and also Weston Milton to Weston-super-mare.
In terms of capacity enhancement needs, it comes down to how long the single line section is, and whether intermediate signals allow trains to follow each other. Title: Re: Busiest single track lines Post by: LiskeardRich on April 21, 2017, 15:38:09 Purely out of the curiosity, what are the busiest (trains/passengers) single track rail lines, and should they be upgraded? Over the past two weeks I have heard references to regarding Melksham, Worcester Parkway and Severn Beach line and was wondering should these lines be upgraded, and when. In our region I would suggest the St.Erth to St.Ives line. Half hourly service most of the day, only two or three minute turnaround at each end, four car trains jam packed in the summer (and reasonably busy two car trains in the winter). Falmouth more so all year round Title: Re: Busiest single track lines Post by: bobm on April 21, 2017, 15:40:13 Although Falmouth is a single line with a passing loop which makes it different to the others quoted.
Title: Re: Busiest single track lines Post by: John R on April 21, 2017, 16:02:18 Cardiff Bay has 5tph in each direction but it's not an issue as its one train shuttling up and down. As soon as you introduce regularly used passing places then 2tph rapidly becomes the maximum that can reliably be run. A good example is the Rhondda branch where any delay will soon have knock on implications that could last for hours.
Title: Re: Busiest single track lines Post by: phile on April 21, 2017, 16:09:35 Purely out of the curiosity, what are the busiest (trains/passengers) single track rail lines, and should they be upgraded? Over the past two weeks I have heard references to regarding Melksham, Worcester Parkway and Severn Beach line and was wondering should these lines be upgraded, and when. In our region I would suggest the St.Erth to St.Ives line. Half hourly service most of the day, only two or three minute turnaround at each end, four car trains jam packed in the summer (and reasonably busy two car trains in the winter). No need. The same unit/s shuttles up and down. Title: Re: Busiest single track lines Post by: rower40 on April 21, 2017, 16:49:22 Elsewhere, I believe the most congested single line is the mile-long single-bore tunnel under the runway at Stansted Airport. 4 Stansted Express each way per hour, 1 all-stations stopper to Stratford, 1 Cross-country to Birmingham New Street, and (newly-introduced) all-stations to Cambridge. Platform space at the Airport is also an issue, but the tunnel itself is the main headache for the train planners.
Title: Re: Busiest single track lines Post by: grahame on April 21, 2017, 17:42:03 20 trams per hour (10 in each direction) at Navigation Road's single tram platform ...
Title: Re: Busiest single track lines Post by: simonw on April 21, 2017, 20:03:41 My idle question has provided a very interesting response.
I would imagine that most single track lines, these days where once dual tracked, and are unlikely to be re-doubled tracked unless the benefits of smart signals, and passing points, including multiplatform stations can add the capacity needed. So, I wonder if NR/DfT have a list of single track lines due to be upgraded, and the reason for the upgrade (mixed use, ie commute, freight, high speed, etc) Title: Re: Busiest single track lines Post by: John R on April 21, 2017, 20:28:17 There has been quite a lot of redoubling over the last 15 years, and we can even see some requadrification happening close to home. Though I suspect the current financial position of NR may make future schemes a little less likely, particularly as many of the obvious candidates have been done.
Title: Re: Busiest single track lines Post by: Chris from Nailsea on April 21, 2017, 23:43:13 My idle question has provided a very interesting response. Thanks for posting your topic here, simonw. :) In my experience, there is no such thing on the Coffee Shop forum as an 'idle question'. Any such query will generally produce a wide range of replies from our very knowledgeable members, and thus enhance our collective understanding. Thanks again for your contribution to that process. ;) Title: Re: Busiest single track lines Post by: The Grecian on April 22, 2017, 00:13:10 Whilst not the busiest in terms of numbers, I think Tisbury loop is used by almost all services all week i.e. almost everything is booked to pass there. As the loop couldn't be put at the station when installed in 1986 due to the westbound platform having been sold, it means about half of the total services between London Waterloo and Exeter are booked to spend a few minutes sitting in a field (well next to one) in Wiltshire. Redouble Wilton to Tisbury including Tisbury station and you could probably shave a fair few minutes off journey times as that's the biggest pinch point between Salisbury and Exeter. You could probably revise the journey times given west of Salisbury the only other line to fit in with is the Exmouth branch for about 1.5 miles from Exmouth Junction to St Davids. But I digress...
Title: Re: Busiest single track lines Post by: John R on April 22, 2017, 07:52:38 A list of all the passenger line redoubling projects that I can think of over the last 20 years, including dynamic passing loops of up to around 3 miles (DPL). I'm sure I've missed a few, so please add as necessary.
Probus - Burngullow Axminster DPL Duffryn West - Cockett West (Gowerton) Merthyr Vale DPL Swindon - Kemble North Cotswolds (part) Oxford North - Bicester Aynho Jn - Princes Risborough Welshpool DPL Alvechurch DPL Coventry - Gibbet Hill Darwen DPL Annan - Gretna Jn Kirkconnel - Thornhill Stewarton - Dunlop Bathgate - Newbridge Jn And currently under way or planned Ebbw Valley branch (part) Felixstowe branch (part) Kettering - Corby Aberdeen - Inverurie Title: Re: Busiest single track lines Post by: Rhydgaled on April 22, 2017, 14:58:22 Depends how you define 'busiest'; the single line token section from Pembroke Dock to Tenby is occupied almost constantly during the day Monday-Saturday, but the service frequency is only every two hours and doesn't really have a case for improvement.
A list of all the passenger line redoubling projects that I can think of over the last 20 years, including dynamic passing loops of up to around 3 miles (DPL). I'm sure I've missed a few, so please add as necessary. This one was not alone, a new passing loop was also put in at Dovey Junction, which together with the Welshpool dynamic loop was necessary for even-hour departures from Aberystwyth.[snip] Welshpool DPL Title: Re: Busiest single track lines Post by: eightf48544 on April 22, 2017, 15:10:41 Moreton to Dorchester South on the Weymouth to Waterloo line. 4 Trains an hour. Although not technically a single line the single line section in the throat at Weymouth would seeextra GWR trains over and above the 4 an hour mentioned above. There are a number of single line pinch points near stations like York on the Scarborough line and Malton station where trains have to use the same platform in each direction. Then there's all the single lead junctions like Hanwell and now West Ealing. RE Windsor branch with a 20 minute service it is worked to capacity 6 minute run 4 minute turnround 6 minute run 4 minute turnround =20 minutes What about the purple people eater, every 10 minutes. Title: Re: Busiest single track lines Post by: phile on April 22, 2017, 16:04:58 There is the little stretch of single line just outside Penzance station
Title: Re: Busiest single track lines Post by: John R on April 22, 2017, 17:26:45 Depends how you define 'busiest'; the single line token section from Pembroke Dock to Tenby is occupied almost constantly during the day Monday-Saturday, but the service frequency is only every two hours and doesn't really have a case for improvement. Yes but that's only a loop, not a stretch of double track running line as you see with dynamic loops, so didn't make the list.A list of all the passenger line redoubling projects that I can think of over the last 20 years, including dynamic passing loops of up to around 3 miles (DPL). I'm sure I've missed a few, so please add as necessary. This one was not alone, a new passing loop was also put in at Dovey Junction, which together with the Welshpool dynamic loop was necessary for even-hour departures from Aberystwyth.[snip] Welshpool DPL Title: Re: Busiest single track lines Post by: Rhydgaled on April 22, 2017, 17:47:10 Depends how you define 'busiest'; the single line token section from Pembroke Dock to Tenby is occupied almost constantly during the day Monday-Saturday, but the service frequency is only every two hours and doesn't really have a case for improvement. Yes but that's only a loop, not a stretch of double track running line as you see with dynamic loops, so didn't make the list.A list of all the passenger line redoubling projects that I can think of over the last 20 years, including dynamic passing loops of up to around 3 miles (DPL). I'm sure I've missed a few, so please add as necessary. This one was not alone, a new passing loop was also put in at Dovey Junction, which together with the Welshpool dynamic loop was necessary for even-hour departures from Aberystwyth.[snip] Welshpool DPL Title: Re: Busiest single track lines Post by: ChrisB on April 22, 2017, 18:32:09 Worcester(shire) Parkway doesn't (yet) exist, so hard to comment...but that section may be behind the Eastern end of the Cotswold Line
Title: Re: Busiest single track lines Post by: simonw on April 22, 2017, 20:40:21 Yes, but the plan for Worcestershire is two platforms on the Bristol Birmingham, and one for the single track Worcester to London line.
That was one of the points that sparked my interest in this subject. How can I line that links the South Midlands via Oxford to London be a single track by Worcester? I accept that the bulk of the economy in that area will be Birmingham Bristol corridor, but the link to towards London is important. Title: Re: Busiest single track lines Post by: ChrisB on April 23, 2017, 15:25:03 Basically because its a County Council (vanity) project & they wouldn't pay for it to be doubled
Title: Re: Busiest single track lines Post by: John R on April 23, 2017, 17:44:36 How can I line that links the South Midlands via Oxford to London be a single track by Worcester? I accept that the bulk of the economy in that area will be Birmingham Bristol corridor, but the link to towards London is important. Part of it is down to history (i.e. it was largely singled in the 1970s), but the real reason is demand. Worcester and Hereford are the only two significant centres of population, and even they don't add up to much more than 250,000. So the business case for full redoubling and a better service is not yet compelling. The southern stretch of single track is probably more likely to be done once in the next few years, but that is probably as much to improve the service from Hanborough into Oxford as for wider gain further west. Title: Re: Busiest single track lines Post by: TonyK on April 23, 2017, 18:37:01 20 trams per hour (10 in each direction) at Navigation Road's single tram platform ... And it's the park and ride destination for anyone heading from the West Country to Old Trafford. Title: Re: Busiest single track lines Post by: grahame on April 23, 2017, 19:57:25 The question of single track capacity is a fascinating one .. and typically far higher utilisation is possible for a regular service than an irregular one. Trying the art of the possible (and looking at hypothetical stuff) it gets very hard to thread an irregular single track:
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/sl_odd.jpg) than an even one: (http://www.wellho.net/pix/sl_even.jpg) Title: Re: Busiest single track lines Post by: smokey on April 26, 2017, 19:09:44 Busiest Single Track line has to be the Stourbridge Junction to Stourbridge Town line with a train every 10 minutes each way.
Or put another way 12 TPH Title: Re: Busiest single track lines Post by: TonyK on April 26, 2017, 19:53:03 Busiest Single Track line has to be the Stourbridge Junction to Stourbridge Town line with a train every 10 minutes each way. Or put another way 12 TPH The busiest in terms of TPH maybe, but at 1.3 KM long, the Class 139's don't rack up the passenger miles. (Sorry, mixed units there) Title: Re: Busiest single track lines Post by: grahame on August 28, 2018, 13:08:21 A list of all the passenger line redoubling projects that I can think of over the last 20 years, including dynamic passing loops of up to around 3 miles (DPL). I'm sure I've missed a few, so please add as necessary. .... And currently under way or planned ... Felixstowe branch (part) ... Update from National Rail - http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_disruptions/116354.aspx#Christmas Quote Felixstowe branch line improvements A £60.4m programme of works is underway to transform the single track branch line to the Port of Felixstowe. This will allow more freight to be transported by rail to and from the port. A 1.4km track loop will be installed near Trimley station, giving the flexibility needed to run more freight trains as well as improve the reliability of existing passenger services. The work will support up to 10 additional trains in each direction to move goods to and from the Port of Felixstowe. With each additional freight train taking the equivalent of up to 76 lorries off the roads, the upgrade works will help to reduce congestion and pollution for the local community and the wider region. In addition to the track re-doubling, a new bridleway bridge is to be built on the site of the existing Gun Lane level crossing. This will provide an alternative safe route across the railway for walkers, horse riders and cyclists to access the countryside. To allow this work to take place, during most weekends from 18:50 on Saturday and all day on Sunday, trains will be cancelled. A replacement bus service will operate between Ipswich and Felixstowe, calling at all stations. Posted here with an eye on the cost and benefit. Would be very interesting to know how the costs are split between the loop, signalling, the new bridge, and perhaps other items not listed in this short piece. Title: Re: Busiest single track lines Post by: stuving on August 28, 2018, 16:32:08 Posted here with an eye on the cost and benefit. Would be very interesting to know how the costs are split between the loop, signalling, the new bridge, and perhaps other items not listed in this short piece. I found a quote for the most recent TWAO, which is just for the six (or thereabouts) crossing closures, new bridge, and highway works - total £4.7M. I think most of the £60M is coming from the Port Company, so it's not accounted in the same way (though there was a ministerial order for a grander version of it earlier). The trail start with this more detailed page (https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/our-routes/anglia/felixstowe-branch-line/). It has a link to information on the TWAO within the archive, where there is the usual comment about "future migration to the new website". Is that actually happening yet, or are they still using this archive as bit of overspill space with poor links to it? Title: Re: Busiest single track lines Post by: grahame on August 28, 2018, 16:59:53 I found a quote for the most recent TWAO, which is just for the six (or thereabouts) crossing closures, new bridge, and highway works - total £4.7M. I think most of the £60M is coming from the Port Company, so it's not accounted in the same way (though there was a ministerial order for a grander version of it earlier). The trail start with this more detailed page (https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/our-routes/anglia/felixstowe-branch-line/). It has a link to information on the TWAO within the archive, where there is the usual comment about "future migration to the new website". Is that actually happening yet, or are they still using this archive as bit of overspill space with poor links to it? The £4.7 million pounds - and the diagrams showing all the works in that figure - make must more sense. The website - stating it was archived in January 2017 and "is not updated" then goes on to state Quote Please note: information in this section is continuing to be updated before future migration to the new website at www.networkrail.co.uk. Documents may take a long time to load. and contains documents and references from December 2017. This makes rather less sense and there's no way to tell how current or not the page is. The link to that page is from a page which is undated - have't a clue it it's current as I write (28th August 2018)Title: Re: Busiest single track lines Post by: stuving on August 28, 2018, 23:34:19 The website - stating it was archived in January 2017 and "is not updated" then goes on to state Quote Please note: information in this section is continuing to be updated before future migration to the new website at www.networkrail.co.uk. Documents may take a long time to load. and contains documents and references from December 2017. This makes rather less sense and there's no way to tell how current or not the page is. The link to that page is from a page which is undated - have't a clue it it's current as I write (28th August 2018)If you have found this document set (http://archive.nr.co.uk/browseDirectory.aspx?root=&dir=%5cImprovements%5cFelixstowe%20-%20Level%20Crossings%20Closure), it's current in the sense that it approved the aspects of the current work that need it. Mainly that's land acquisition - a new order was needed as the first one in 2008 lapsed in 2013 because they hadn't done anything. There are changes: the twin track at Trimley is shorter and they have rethought some of the details of how to deal with the footpaths. They say the new track will only have trains waiting on it during disruption, not planned operation, but I'm not convinced. But even it is rare, it is still probably enough to force all the level crossings to be closed. The original plan also included a new yard at Ipswich, which I suspect is the bulk of the money. It is not clear if that's going ahead, as the old order still works for that and if it's not public money they don't have to say. It may even have been done already - something was - though I'm not sure without hunting down the TWAOA documents. This page is printed from the "Coffee Shop" forum at http://gwr.passenger.chat which is provided by a customer of Great Western Railway. Views expressed are those of the individual posters concerned. Visit www.gwr.com for the official Great Western Railway website. Please contact the administrators of this site if you feel that content provided contravenes our posting rules ( see http://railcustomer.info/1761 ). The forum is hosted by Well House Consultants - http://www.wellho.net |