I think it's something to do with sprung points, but I could be mistaken.The passing loops on the West Highland Line seem to have this. I'm not sure why though...
Excluding multi track lines paired by use (which can appear to be right hand running), how many examples of right hand running are there on the UK mainline network,and which is the longest?
Only if regularly used as such.Are lines signalled for bi-directional movements allowed?
Only if regularly used as such.
I think it was because some of them had sidings off them which became trailing with right-hand running, therefore didn't need to have facing point locks or some RETB-compatible equivalent. The Ffestiniog has right-hand running in its loops, for reasons unknown to me.I think it's something to do with sprung points, but I could be mistaken.
The passing loops on the West Highland Line seem to have this. I'm not sure why though...
I think it's something to do with sprung points, but I could be mistaken.
I think it was because some of them had sidings off them which became trailing with right-hand running, therefore didn't need to have facing point locks or some RETB-compatible equivalent. The Ffestiniog has right-hand running in its loops, for reasons unknown to me.
As mentioned above Axminster had RH running when the dynamic loop was first brought into use a few years ago, it was explained to me on opening day that the position of the existing single tracks either side of the loops meant that the fastest (straighter) route through the points led to the “wrong” side of the doubled section. 85 mph vs 50 mph. So they reasoned that arriving trains, (already running at line speed), could make better use of those speeds than departing trains.
Then after a couple of timetable periods they switched to the usual LH running, so presumably the theoretical benefits didn’t work out, or were found to be unnecessary.
The current online sectional appendix (Feb 2020) still describes Axminster as normally using RH running, the individual page is from 2015. RTT and the OTT track map seem to show LH running is usual...
I don't know whether this meets the OP's criteria, but elsewhere on the system there are some passing loops that are only used when trains need to pass, meaning that non-passing trains in one direction run on the right. If I remember rightly Kenilworth is an example where this happens because the loop is subject to a lower speed limit than the other track, and Gillingham (Dorset) one where it's done so passengers can use the more convenient platform.
Not Gillingham (Dorset) - the default position is that all trains use the up line when the loop isn't in use, but use LH running when it is. However on the same route both Tisbury and Chard Junction loops are set up so that when two trains are scheduled to pass, the first to get there uses the down line(towards Exeter), which is the loop line. The second can then use the up line without stopping. If the Waterloo bound train gets there first, the Exeter bound train will usually pass it at speed, creating the impression of RH running. Admittedly at Tisbury most Exeter bound trains will be slowing for the station anyway, but at Chard Junction you can see trains racing through at speed doing this.
It's only some of the West Highland loops.
I don't know whether this meets the OP's criteria, but elsewhere on the system there are some passing loops that are only used when trains need to pass, meaning that non-passing trains in one direction run on the right. If I remember rightly Kenilworth is an example where this happens because the loop is subject to a lower speed limit than the other track, and Gillingham (Dorset) one where it's done so passengers can use the more convenient platform.
Also some on the Highland Main Line - seemed to be a thing in Scotland in the 1970s and 80s, complete with approach-lit signals which were another Scottish thing. The signal for the loop exit would only light when there was a train waiting in the loop, so as not to confuse the driver of a train taking the straight track which had no signal.There may be a few of them if counted. The loop near the closed IBM on the Wemyss Bay line is such - trains from Glasgow run to the right of the loop towards Wemyss Bay unless they need to pass another train on the line (which is only a few a day)
I think there may be another such example on the East Kilbride line and the Merryton Loop (Larkhall Branch) too
I wonder if the Eurostar platforms at Ashford are RH running?
I wonder if the Eurostar platforms at Ashford are RH running?
Foregate Street is actually another example of two parallel single lines.Half the trains at Worcester Foregate Street?
The passing loops on the West Highland Line seem to have this. I'm not sure why though...
I wonder if the Eurostar platforms at Ashford are RH running?
Not all of them are - Glen Douglas, Arrochar & Tarbet, Crianlarich, Upper Tyndrum and Tulloch are all left-handed, the others are right-handed.
I believe the Muir of Ord station loop is right hand side running as well.
HS1 is left-handed, as are French LGVs and most French Classic lines with the exception of those in Alsace-Lorraine (the railways there were built under German rule originally and Germany is right-hand running).
Correct for the 'main line' to Fort William; on the Mallaig and Oban lines I think they're all left-handed except Taynuilt.
That's one if Kite is correct.