Friars Junction - a tangential discussion

[whole diary]

[SandTEngineer]

IIRC^▸ ('if I recall/remember/read correctly') Friars Junction used to be a slightly grander affair before the layout was modified to leave just the two sets of points. Now just used for access from the Relief Lines to the Reception Line (or whatever it's called).

Friars Junction now consists of a trailing crossover between the Up and Down Relief lines and a facing connection on the Up Relief onto the Bi-Directional 'RECEPTION LINE 1'.

Now, in the golden olden days, Friars Junction consisted of TWO double junctions between the Main and Relief lines, a double junction leading to the Up and Down Goods Lines and a connection from the Avoiding Line to the Down Main.  Oh those were the days.......

Oh dear I'm getting all misty eyed and will probably be told off by CfN or Grahame for straying into the Thames Valley Infrastructure thread ....

[ellendune]

Now, in the golden olden days, Friars Junction consisted of TWO double junctions between the Main and Relief lines, a double junction leading to the Up and Down Goods Lines and a connection from the Avoiding Line to the Down Main.  Oh those were the days.......

Avoiding what?

[SandTEngineer]

Now, in the golden olden days, Friars Junction consisted of TWO double junctions between the Main and Relief lines, a double junction leading to the Up and Down Goods Lines and a connection from the Avoiding Line to the Down Main.  Oh those were the days.......

Avoiding what?

The 'Avoiding Line' ran alongside the Down Main from Old Oak Common East Junction (through the site of the current North Pole Depot).  It allowed trains coming off the spur from the West London Line to avoid conflict with Old Oak Common West Junction (the junction for the High Wycombe Line).

Oh B****r CfN and Grahame will give me a right telling off now.....

[paul7575]

Avoiding what?

Thames Valley Infrastructure problems?

I'll get my coat...

Paul

[grahame]

Oh B****r CfN and Grahame will give me a right telling off now.....

Don't see why ... you did call it the down main and not the down fast.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Agreed - no reason for a telling off: I've simply split these posts off into a little topic of their own. 

[paul7575]

Agreed - no reason for a telling off: I've simply split these posts off into a little topic of their own. 

It would have been nice to have left the first half (assuming that can easily be done) of my original post in the 387 thread though, as it also recorded the first significant testing of the 387s on the GW^» (Great Western - used as an abbreviation for the area / lines under the Great Western franchise, as opposed to FGW which includes "First", the company operating them too. For tickets - about)...   

Paul

[Chris from Nailsea]

Fair comment, Paul: it wasn't easy, but it's now done. 

[SandTEngineer]

Thanks for creating this thread CfN.

Now I can go on a bit without being told off, have a look at this: http://www.gettyimages.nl/pictures/mr-alfred-j-gibson-goes-on-duty-for-the-last-time-at-friars-news-photo-81002520#mr-alfred-j-gibson-goes-on-duty-for-the-last-time-at-friars-junction-picture-id81002520