ryan125hst
Established Member
I have travelled between Retford and Sheffield quite a lot over the last couple of years due to the fact that I am a student at Sheffield Hallam University. One thing that I have noticed and, as yet, have failed to get a photo of, is a green cable that seems to run for most of the way and isnt buried at all. Im assuming its part of the signalling system? Its puzzled me for a while, particularly given how exposed it appears to be as well as the fact that it just seems to be dumped where it lies. It doesnt look like it has been neatly laid with any thought at all really.
Does anyone what it is? Ill be heading back to Sheffield in a couple of weeks so I might be able to get a photo then if it helps, although I dont know how well itll take.
And while on the topic of signal cable management, why have they chosen not to use troughs for cabling when they upgraded the signalling in the Retford area (Lincoln to Sheffield line). The cabling on the ECML seems to be in troughs as I remember seeing them when standing on platform 2 (they may have moved it now though due to the alterations for the new Network Rail Track Maintenance Train that is stabled in Retford down sidings). I went on a walk with my Mum last week which goes in parallel with the line (just near Retford Golf Course) and what look like fairly flimsy bits of wood can be seen all the way along the track carrying several cables. Given the issue of copper theft plus the fact that any damage to the cable would cause disruption, why has it been decided to do this? Surely the fees caused by delays alone would make it a viable extra cost to make the cables a bit more hidden?
I have attached photos below that I took of this while on the same walk last year.
Does anyone what it is? Ill be heading back to Sheffield in a couple of weeks so I might be able to get a photo then if it helps, although I dont know how well itll take.
And while on the topic of signal cable management, why have they chosen not to use troughs for cabling when they upgraded the signalling in the Retford area (Lincoln to Sheffield line). The cabling on the ECML seems to be in troughs as I remember seeing them when standing on platform 2 (they may have moved it now though due to the alterations for the new Network Rail Track Maintenance Train that is stabled in Retford down sidings). I went on a walk with my Mum last week which goes in parallel with the line (just near Retford Golf Course) and what look like fairly flimsy bits of wood can be seen all the way along the track carrying several cables. Given the issue of copper theft plus the fact that any damage to the cable would cause disruption, why has it been decided to do this? Surely the fees caused by delays alone would make it a viable extra cost to make the cables a bit more hidden?
I have attached photos below that I took of this while on the same walk last year.