There was mention in the MML Electrification thread about the possible future 4 tracking of the MML between Leicester station and Wigston Junctions. I have not been able to find any detail about what is being planned, but I have been giving some thought to the implications.
Way back, this route was originally 4 track throughout, so at first glance reinstating it should not be impossible. The Coalville branch connection at Knighton Junction originally had both north facing and south facing curves. The north facing curve has been removed, and the land above it built up to become part of Freemans Common Industrial estate (Screwfix is just above where the north curve commenced.)
I have watched countless freight movements coming off the Coalville branch, invariably they need to head north, and so the shunt arrangements are quite complex and time consuming.
The freight coming of the Coalville branch first has to wait for a clear path to cross both main lines to enter a south facing refuge siding on the east side (adjacent to the up main). The loco then uncouples and runs forward (south) to wait for a path to cross both main lines to enter a refuge loop at Wigston. The driver then changes ends and then awaits a path up the main back to Knighton junction and take refuge on the Coalville branch. Driver then changes ends again and waits for a path to cross over both main lines to re-enter the refuge siding to couple up to the rear of freight. Once coupled and ready to go, it then has to wait a path to cross the up main in order to proceed north on the down main. It all takes about an hour.
The ideal solution would be to restore Knighton Junction north curve, that would eliminate all the shunt movements. In the real world, I can't see that happening, it would involve relocating a good number of industrial premises from the Freemans Common estate, the cost would be enormous.
Failing that, the next best improvement would be to create a refuge siding on the west side of the main lines, alongside the down main. This would allow the freight to enter the refuge siding without needing to cross the main lines at all. The loco run round would only need to use the down main.
However, regardless of whether the refuge siding is situated on the west or the east, there is insufficient room at this location for 4 main lines plus refuge siding. It would have to be 3 mains plus a refuge siding, or not have a refuge siding at this location at all, the Coalville freights would then have to run south to Wigston Junctions, where there is a refuge siding already (not sure if it would be long enough though).
Can anyone shed any light on the 4 tracking plans or proposals, and how the Coalville line freight will be handled?
Way back, this route was originally 4 track throughout, so at first glance reinstating it should not be impossible. The Coalville branch connection at Knighton Junction originally had both north facing and south facing curves. The north facing curve has been removed, and the land above it built up to become part of Freemans Common Industrial estate (Screwfix is just above where the north curve commenced.)
I have watched countless freight movements coming off the Coalville branch, invariably they need to head north, and so the shunt arrangements are quite complex and time consuming.
The freight coming of the Coalville branch first has to wait for a clear path to cross both main lines to enter a south facing refuge siding on the east side (adjacent to the up main). The loco then uncouples and runs forward (south) to wait for a path to cross both main lines to enter a refuge loop at Wigston. The driver then changes ends and then awaits a path up the main back to Knighton junction and take refuge on the Coalville branch. Driver then changes ends again and waits for a path to cross over both main lines to re-enter the refuge siding to couple up to the rear of freight. Once coupled and ready to go, it then has to wait a path to cross the up main in order to proceed north on the down main. It all takes about an hour.
The ideal solution would be to restore Knighton Junction north curve, that would eliminate all the shunt movements. In the real world, I can't see that happening, it would involve relocating a good number of industrial premises from the Freemans Common estate, the cost would be enormous.
Failing that, the next best improvement would be to create a refuge siding on the west side of the main lines, alongside the down main. This would allow the freight to enter the refuge siding without needing to cross the main lines at all. The loco run round would only need to use the down main.
However, regardless of whether the refuge siding is situated on the west or the east, there is insufficient room at this location for 4 main lines plus refuge siding. It would have to be 3 mains plus a refuge siding, or not have a refuge siding at this location at all, the Coalville freights would then have to run south to Wigston Junctions, where there is a refuge siding already (not sure if it would be long enough though).
Can anyone shed any light on the 4 tracking plans or proposals, and how the Coalville line freight will be handled?
