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TRIVIA: Operational mainline-connected turntables

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Muzer

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A few weeks ago I was on the SRPS tour with Union of South Africa to Aberdeen and my friend and I went down to photograph the loco being turned on the newly-reinstated turntable. This got me thinking - how many places have turntables which are mainline-connected and could theoretically be used for turning a locomotive for a mainline steam railtour? For the avoidance of doubt, I am including places like heritage railways which have mainline connections that a tour could therefore use at least in theory.
 
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74A

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I passed Yeovil Junction few days ago and thought I saw one there.
 

181

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Fort William, I think.

Does the SVR have one at Kidderminster and/or Bridgnorth?
 

30907

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Scarborough, Tyseley and Carnforth.

Kidderminster (but not Bridgnorth)

The WSR has a purpose built triangle at Norton Fitzwarren, but no turntables

However, the York one isnt practically useable for the suggested purpose!
Corrected, see below.
 
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30907

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Why is the york one not usable?
The one I'm thinking of is inside the NRM - Google earth doesn't show up another, have I missed one? There was a triangle IIRC but it has been built over by NR.


Swanage I believe

Only a 50ft table (does that make it a unique survivor?) so not much use for a mainline job (4-4-0s and 2-6-0s would be the largest).
 

DarloRich

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The one I'm thinking of is inside the NRM - Google earth doesn't show up another, have I missed one? There was a triangle IIRC but it has been built over by NR.

there is one next to former carriage works at Holgate: https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/resources/minister-14

Network Rail said:
Rail Minister Simon Burns and Network Rail Route Managing Director Phil Verster see work start on the new Route Operating and Workforce Development Centres and officially open the turntable which has been brought in to replace the old York engineer's triangle.
 

Midnight Sun

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The one I'm thinking of is inside the NRM - Google earth doesn't show up another, have I missed one? There was a triangle IIRC but it has been built over by NR.

Only a 50ft table (does that make it a unique survivor?) so not much use for a mainline job (4-4-0s and 2-6-0s would be the largest).

The 50ft turntable is from LT Deport at Neasden. Swanage do have in storage the 70ft turntable from Old Oak Common which will be installed at Furzebrook.

Also a turntable at Yeovil junction
 

Mills444

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Only a 50ft table (does that make it a unique survivor?) so not much use for a mainline job (4-4-0s and 2-6-0s would be the largest).
fair enough I am fairly sure that we have squeezed on an couple of the smaller 4-6-2s but without the tender but maybe not
 

Brush 4

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There were tables at Ferme Park and Perth but not sure if they are still there or usable.
 

bishdunster

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Scarborough, Tyseley and Carnforth.

Kidderminster (but not Bridgnorth)

The WSR has a purpose built triangle at Norton Fitzwarren, but no turntables

However, the York one isnt practically useable for the suggested purpose!
Corrected, see below.
I can assure you there is a turntable at minehead, it was in use on Sunday to turn the 7F !
 

mailbyrail

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Wasn't one of the main reasons that St Blazey kept its turntable was to turn Royal Mail TPO coaches from time to time?
 

eastdyke

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Nene Valley has one, the main-line connection is there but clearly not very convenient.
At 76' is it the longest in the UK? Edit: see below!
The turntable, located behind the new station building, was built by Ransomes & Rapier of Ipswich in 1933. Originally 60 foot long it was installed at Bourne in Lincolnshire for use on the Midland & Great Northern Joint Railway. In 1959, Bourne shed closed and the turntable was moved to Peterborough East; its last duties being to turn Travelling Post Office (TPO) coaches for use on the East Anglian TPO.
In 1977 the turntable moved to Wansford where it was extended to 76 foot and was re-commissioned in September 1978. The turntable has been in use ever since ..........
https://nvr.org.uk/article.php/27/wansford-station

Edit:
It is very probable that 76' is a typo for 67'.
Here is the data from Railway Heritage Register (Turntable Survey) website:
http://www.tt.rhrp.org.uk/ts/turnInfo.asp?Ref=20
There is more data generally on the Railway Heritage Register website:
[Open the Location dropdown to choose site and select gauge]
http://www.tt.rhrp.org.uk/ts/tsearch.asp
 
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Taunton

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Wasn't one of the main reasons that St Blazey kept its turntable was to turn Royal Mail TPO coaches from time to time?
Possibly was used for that (although I can't recall a mail service terminating anywhere close) but it was/is the only access on a tight site to the roads of the part-roundhouse loco shed, an unusual layout in Britain although more common on The Continent, and a few other stub sidings.
 

mailbyrail

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The Penzance-Bristol TPO was latterly stabled at St Blazey with empty running to and from Penzance adding to the costs of the train
 
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