Swindon to Kemble re-doubling - ongoing discussion and updates

[whole diary]

[Chris from Nailsea]

Both Nailsea & Backwell and Kemble stations are manned, albeit on a part-time basis.

No, I rather meant that they each have a certain charm all of their own, continuing as mere shadows of their former bustling glory ... 

[swrural]

@CfN
You misunderstood, I was referring to the idea that the crossing cabins at Minety would not escape graffiti, once it became unmanned.  I assumed from BobM's story that once doubling takes place, the crossing would be replaced with an automatic half barrier.

Will it?  Perhaps I got that wrong.

[JayMac]

I was referring to the idea that the crossing cabins at Minety would not escape graffiti, once it became unmanned.  I assumed from BobM's story that once doubling takes place, the crossing would be replaced with an automatic half barrier.

Will it?  Perhaps I got that wrong.

The cabins will escape graffiti when the crossing becomes an AHB. For the simple reason that they will no longer be there.

[TonyK]

In defence of the people of Swindon...

A sentence I don't think I have ever seen before.

One can therefore hope that Minety crossing is a walk to far for those with their aerosol cans.

Oh dear. The correct spelling is of course a***hole, as any fule kno. I blame that Gove cove.

[swrural]

I was referring to the idea that the crossing cabins at Minety would not escape graffiti, once it became unmanned.  I assumed from BobM's story that once doubling takes place, the crossing would be replaced with an automatic half barrier.

Will it?  Perhaps I got that wrong.

The cabins will escape graffiti when the crossing becomes an AHB. For the simple reason that they will no longer be there.

Why is that BNM?  They seem to have them everywhere else.

[SandTEngineer]

The level crossings will be as follows:

Purton Collins Lane - AHBC^▸ (Automatic Half Barrier Crossing)(X)
Purton Common - Footpath and MSL^▸ (Miniature Stop Lights (foot crossing))
Minety - MCB^▸ (Miniature Circuit Breaker) CCTV^▸ (Closed Circuit Tele Vision) with single boom each side

Acronyms:
AHBC(X) = Automatic Half Barrier Crossing Bi-Directional
MSL = Miniature Stop Lights
MCB-CCTV^▸ (Manned Controlled Barrier with Closed Circuit Television ) = Manned Controlled Barrier with Closed Circuit Television

Also of interest is that a new facing crossover will be provided at the London end of Kemble station to allow Down trains to terminate in the Up platform and also to allow Up trains to terminate, crossover to the Down line in outside Kemble tunnel and reverse back into the Down platform.

[bobm]

Also of interest is that a new facing crossover will be provided at the London end of Kemble station to allow Down trains to terminate in the Up platform and also to allow Up trains to terminate, crossover to the Down line in Kemble tunnel and reverse back into the Down platform.

So will the driver have to change ends in the tunnel? 

[grahame]

The level crossings will be as follows:

Purton Collins Lane - AHBC^▸ (Automatic Half Barrier Crossing)(X)
Purton Common - Footpath and MSL^▸ (Miniature Stop Lights (foot crossing))
Minety - MCB^▸ (Miniature Circuit Breaker) CCTV^▸ (Closed Circuit Tele Vision) with single boom each side

Many thanks ... and I have added the acronymns (helpful list, thank you) to that page.

[JayMac]

Why is that BNM?  They seem to have them everywhere else.

I'm not aware of Portakabins^ fully connected to utilities at any locations other than where they are needed. When Minety is double-tracked and converted to an Automatic Half Barrier crossing I contend that Network Rail will remove the Portakabins^.

[bobm]

I agree.  I suspect they will be replaced by location cabinets to hold the equipment for the crossing but I believe for the reasons I outlined earlier their ..err.. location will not make them a target for the taggers.

[SandTEngineer]

Not so.  Most (but not all) new level crossings have REB equipment rooms.

BNM: As per my post above, Minety will be MCB^▸ (Miniature Circuit Breaker)-CCTV^▸ (Closed Circuit Tele Vision) not AHBC^▸ (Automatic Half Barrier Crossing).

Acronyms:
REB = Relocatable Equipment Building (aka Portacabin)

[SandTEngineer]

Also of interest is that a new facing crossover will be provided at the London end of Kemble station to allow Down trains to terminate in the Up platform and also to allow Up trains to terminate, crossover to the Down line in Kemble tunnel and reverse back into the Down platform.

So will the driver have to change ends in the tunnel? 

No.  The turnback signal on the Down line is at the Swindon end of the tunnel so the actual reversal point will be outside of the tunnel.  Original post edited accordingly

[eightf48544]

Interesting article in May's Modern railways on the East Coast with a comment to the effect that:

"Why are we are we spending money on redoubling Swindon Kemble when there's still the Welwyn bottle neck."

The answer semed to be because it's easier and cheaper and wouldn't involve trying to close a station.

[swrural]

Not so.  Most (but not all) new level crossings have REB equipment rooms.

BNM: As per my post above, Minety will be MCB^▸ (Miniature Circuit Breaker)-CCTV^▸ (Closed Circuit Tele Vision) not AHBC^▸ (Automatic Half Barrier Crossing).

Acronyms:
REB = Relocatable Equipment Building (aka Portacabin)

Thanks, S and T E.  If they were clad in less inviting material for graffiti taggers, would that be so expensive?  Is there such a material?  I began to think (for instance) of creosoted timber but that could just be seen as potential firewood, I suppose.

On a serious note, NR^» (Network Rail - home page)'s exemption from many planning rules does lead to some appalling eyesores in As'ONB (Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty) such as the structures at Purton (see BobM's post) and that's without the graffiti added.

Yes I know Purton is not in the AONB^▸ (Areas Of Natural Beauty) (unless it is    ).   

[SandTEngineer]

......how about this for starters....

That is supposed to be anti-graffiti paint


Image (c)2013 SandTEngineer