Joseph T
Member
Hou come most EMUs in Scotland are 3-coach sets, e.g. the 318 and 320? What specific requirements are they meeting?
3-car EMUs in Scotland go right back to the late 1950s. Many of the platforms are around 120m long.Hou come most EMUs in Scotland are 3-coach sets, e.g. the 318 and 320? What specific requirements are they meeting?
And I assume the average coach length is 20 metres based on that? And how come most platforms are of this length anyways? Is it coincidental or to do with regulations or some common practice among Scottish rail engineers back in the day?3-car EMUs in Scotland go right back to the late 1950s. Many of the platforms are around 120m long.
Nothing unusual about three car sets. Outside Scotland, many units were/are 3 car.Hou come most EMUs in Scotland are 3-coach sets, e.g. the 318 and 320? What specific requirements are they meeting?
Not sure if they may have been shortened in recent years but Queen St Low Level used to be able to take loco hauled formations of at least 11 Mk1 coaches.As things stand presently, the stations that can, have or could take a 7+ coach EMU - aside from Glasgow Central & Queen Street High Levels ofc - include Helensburgh Central, Dumbarton Central, Dalmuir (platforms 1 & 2 only), Motherwell (both the WCML and Hamilton Loop platforms), Paisley Gilmour St, Ayr (in pre-hotel fire times at least) & Gourock.
Admittedly, the main reason Helensburgh Central leapt out at me in this regard was due to the Class 303 farewell run from Bellgrove. When it terminated at Platform 1, a 334 was already stabled on the same platform. Even allowing for a bit of space between them, all 3 units could just about fit. A hypothetical 9-car 334 formation could fit I think.Not sure if they may have been shortened in recent years but Queen St Low Level used to be able to take loco hauled formations of at least 11 Mk1 coaches.
What are now platforms 1,2,3 at Helensburgh Central (formerly P 2,3,4) all used to regularly stable 9 emu vehicles - maybe still do.
Yep, forgot to add this. 3 cars are enough for the normal traffic levels on most routes and are often upped to 6 during the peak periods or are mostly 6 car sets all day.3-car sets are adequate for the traffic on many routes, and can be, have been, and still are, coupled to form longer formations at busy times.
Did suspect this was the case, but wasn't 100% sure.Whilst platforms 3 and 4 at Ayr, when open, can (and have) take 8 cars, the signalling only really supports 7. To turn back an 8 involves running past the platform end signal.
I am reliably informed that this was one of the reasons for 380s having 3 and 4 car subclasses and Clyde coast running 3, 4 or 7 car trains.
7 cars fit in most but not all Clyde Coast station platforms.
And benefit from class 380s being ASDO fitted at shorter platforms.7 cars fit in most but not all Clyde Coast station platforms.
Not sure if they may have been shortened in recent years but Queen St Low Level used to be able to take loco hauled formations of at least 11 Mk1 coaches.
What are now platforms 1,2,3 at Helensburgh Central (formerly P 2,3,4) all used to regularly stable 9 emu vehicles - maybe still do.
Fair enough, thanks for current info. It certainly used to take 9, I'm guessing perhaps the signal is further back than it was before the 1980s re-signalling? And/or standback from the buffers has been increased.Helensburgh platforms 1 & 2 can take 9-cars. Platform 3 is limited to 6.