Busiest single track lines

[whole diary]

[John R]

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

[Rhydgaled]

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. 

[snip]
Welshpool DPL

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.

[eightf48544]

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^▸ (Great Western Railway) 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^▸ (Religious Education) 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.

[phile]

There is the little stretch of single line just outside Penzance station

[John R]

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. 

[snip]
Welshpool DPL

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.

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.

[Rhydgaled]

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. 

[snip]
Welshpool DPL

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.

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.

Ah, ok. Sorry, misunderstood your post (I thought you were including normal passing loops).

[ChrisB]

Worcester(shire) Parkway doesn't (yet) exist, so hard to comment...but that section may be behind the Eastern end of the Cotswold Line

[simonw]

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.

[ChrisB]

Basically because its a County Council (vanity) project & they wouldn't pay for it to be doubled

[John R]

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.

[TonyK]

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.

[grahame]

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:



than an even one:

[smokey]

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^▸ (trains per hour)

[TonyK]

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^▸ (trains per hour)

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)

[grahame]

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

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.