Axminster Loop redoubling

[whole diary]

[paul7575]

Network Rail have reported start of the work, full info at:

http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=4120&NewsAreaID=2&SearchCategoryID=7

Work has started on the ^20m project to double the track at Axminster
on the Waterloo - Exeter line. Engineers have started clearing three
miles of railway land to make way for the new track.

Work includes:
- Redoubling 1.5miles of track on either side of Axminster station to
create a passing loop
- Improving Axminster station with a new platform, a new footbridge
and lifts
- Strengthening seven bridges and 20 culverts along the route
- Renewing signal equipment by installing 12 new signals, replacing
three miles of signal cables and modernising the signaling panel at
Chard signal box

Paul

[6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01]

great news!

[willc]

Just a shame they aren't putting in a new station at Chard Junction loop while they're at it.

[G.Uard]

Just a shame they aren't putting in a new station at Chard Junction loop while they're at it.

Seconded.  The powers that be need carpeting for that omission.

[autotank]

Good news - I hope they take it further and double the whole route in time

Just to clarify are they doing 1.5 miles either side of the station i.e. 3 miles in total or just 1.5 miles in total with the station in the middle?

[eightf48544]

I think it's either side of the station, With the suggested the extra signals it should be possible to get at least two possibly 3 trains on each loop. One waitng to enter next single line, one in station, possibly one entering loop on each line.

Or am I being too optimistic.Will it be one train in each loop at a time?

[paul7575]

Good news - I hope they take it further and double the whole route in time

Just to clarify are they doing 1.5 miles either side of the station i.e. 3 miles in total or just 1.5 miles in total with the station in the middle?

A poster in the SWT^▸ (South West Trains) yahoo group confirmed the CE trains are delivering to a worksite at 'Axminster Loop 143m 20ch to 146m 13ch', with the station at 144m 41ch, and that is basically the stretch between the two River Axe crossings.

Paul

[DevonTrains2008]

tres bien! 'scuse my french! 

[John R]

I think it's either side of the station, With the suggested the extra signals it should be possible to get at least two possibly 3 trains on each loop. One waitng to enter next single line, one in station, possibly one entering loop on each line.

Or am I being too optimistic.Will it be one train in each loop at a time?

Just a bit too optimistic. It's basically a glorified passing loop, but the recent trend is to make them a bit longer than just a loop in the station, and quite right too. That way, there's a bit more margin for error and hopefully less hanging around if one train is slightly late.

Another recent example is at Merthyr Vale.

[Andy]

It is great news and although I share previous posters' regret that, for the time being, there is no reinstatement of Chard Junction, I am a great believer in encouraging every little step. If greater capacity leads to greater patronage, the impetus for further upgrades will be there.
 

[6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01]

im sorry i dont understand..... why does chard junction need to be reinstated i admit it would be loverly from an enfusiasts point of view however how many people would this actually benifit?

[willc]

im sorry i dont understand..... why does chard junction need to be reinstated i admit it would be loverly from an enfusiasts point of view however how many people would this actually benifit?

Because if you are one of the 12,000 people who live in Chard, just three miles away, it would be a lot more convenient to catch a train there than have to get to Axminster (7.5 miles) or Crewkerne (nine miles) especially when trains stand in the loop at Chard Junction for several minutes anyway waiting for a service going the other way to cross them. They could be dropping off and picking up passengers while doing so!

[signalandtelegraph]

im sorry i dont understand..... why does chard junction need to be reinstated i admit it would be loverly from an enfusiasts point of view however how many people would this actually benifit?

Because if you are one of the 12,000 people who live in Chard, just three miles away, it would be a lot more convenient to catch a train there than have to get to Axminster (7.5 miles) or Crewkerne (nine miles) especially when trains stand in the loop at Chard Junction for several minutes anyway waiting for a service going the other way to cross them. They could be dropping off and picking up passengers while doing so!

But the trains won't now necessarily cross at Chard?  A longer loop that went all the way to Chard was a proposal at one time but this would have required the level crossings at Broom and Axe to be upgraded as well.  As to custom for a re-opened Chard junction, I'm not sure, I think a lot of people from Chard use Taunton as the range of services/destinations is better from there.

[eightf48544]

I think it's either side of the station, With the suggested the extra signals it should be possible to get at least two possibly 3 trains on each loop. One waitng to enter next single line, one in station, possibly one entering loop on each line.

Or am I being too optimistic.Will it be one train in each loop at a time?

Just a bit too optimistic. It's basically a glorified passing loop, but the recent trend is to make them a bit longer than just a loop in the station, and quite right too. That way, there's a bit more margin for error and hopefully less hanging around if one train is slightly late.

Another recent example is at Merthyr Vale.

Oh well another case of spoiling the ship for a ha'pth of tar. With 1.5 miles either side of the station you would think it wouldn't cost too much (although the "boiling frogs" syndrome seems to make everything vastly expensive)  to have two sections. One on either end of the loop for trains to wait to enter the single lines and one with a signal at the end of the platforms at Axminister to allow a second train to wait in the station.

[6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01]

so there are going to be two platforms again?