Recent content by a good off

Some photos from Shepreth Branch Jn showing the unmodernised pre 1983 layout. https://flic.kr/p/G4sQaX https://flic.kr/p/ZXkkBU https://flic.kr/p/ZhzsBU https://flic.kr/p/Djmdy1

If the line makes it through to Cambridge then I think a Denbigh Hall to Fenny Stratford chord is a no brainer, especially when DIRFT and Northampton Gateway are sending stuff to Felixstowe. While we’re there, provide a south chord at Ely (creating a triangle) enabling trains from the Cambridge...

Pontrilas Down Distant and Henwick up Distant I believe date from the 1950s with rounded tops. The other contenders are at Furlong Drove between Manea and Black Bank which are now 2 aspect autos controlled by Cambridge PSB. These were originally controlled by Furlong Drove box, then repurposed...

The signalling workstation is starting to take shape on the operating floor.

It was actually 1971. My mistake.

The Wolvercot Jn to Norton Jn section was singled in 1973. One now retired railway manager who I used to work with on the patch, told me that the only reason the whole line didn’t close was because Peter Parker who was BR Chairmen from the mid 70s lived nearby and used Charlbury station...

They need to sort out Willenhall too for when we start sending diversions via the West Mids. It’s a joke.

A Denbigh Hall chord combined with through running to Cambridge and Felixstowe would be very useful. If all this actually gets built I’d suggest that Newmarket Tunnel gets rebuilt or a South to East chord gets built effectively creating a south triangle at Ely allowing through running from...

Yep.

Having a flashing aspect from the DM into P1 at Rugby would improve things no end. I’d also make the DF bi-di at Rugby too as it would be of great use when the Up side of the station is under possession and we’ve got freights stood waiting relief in the station. I’d also make the UM at...

And that’s exactly the can’t do attitude that strangles the railfreight industry where no one will even look at slightly tweaking existing services to accommodate, as discussed above. I didn’t notice any nosedive in WCML performance caused by the extra freights. We were all really surprised...

Agreed, but if they didn’t cause many problems to other services (which they didn’t on the WCML) then maybe the compliance rules need revisiting…

It had been noticed by the operators that room was successfully found for all the diverted liners coming via the WCML when Nuneham Viaduct was closed. Admittedly, it was a bit tight at times but I didn’t notice any real issues from a controller perspective and the now vacant diversionary paths...

Northampton Gateway railfreight terminal is about to be plumbed into the Northampton loop. This will also produce traffic requiring paths between MK and Denbigh Hall.

There was an Up loop which pretty much mirrored the formation of the Down. This was removed in the early 70s when Trumpington signal box closed. Never 4 tracks under the bridge.