Are there still level crossings on the East Coast Main Line?

[rail-britain]

I'm unsure if I'd be able to see a train coming 6 miles away

When I worked on InterCity I was advised the maximum visible limit was 4 miles
However the use of headlights increased this to nearly double that
I am sure I have timed some trains on the ECML and at typically 2 miles per minute the 8 miles seems about right, but there aren't many places completely straight for that long

 

[flymo]

Out of curiosity, how long does it take to travel 1 mile at 125mph?

I think 3600[seconds per hour]/125[miles per hour] = 28.8 seconds per mile. If you say the maximum sighting was 4 miles then that is 4 x 28.8 = 115.2 seconds or less than 2 minutes.

Not much time all in all.

Just FYI.

 

[David Dunning]

Would that be the two footpaths shown here? I've been looking for somewhere to watch trains on the ECML, may have to give the a try. Anyone ever been across them? Which one has a better view along the line?

I use the Tollerton one a lot , as its part of a round trip walk from the village to the pub . Its a good place to watch the trains or take photos
very quiet .

 

[GB]

Out of curiosity, how long does it take to travel 1 mile at 125mph?

I think 3600[seconds per hour]/125[miles per hour] = 28.8 seconds per mile. If you say the maximum sighting was 4 miles then that is 4 x 28.8 = 115.2 seconds or less than 2 minutes.

Not much time all in all.

Just FYI.

How much time do you think it takes for the average person to cross a four track line....certainly alot less then 2 minutes in my opinion.

That'S all well and good assuming they have good vision. I'm unsure if I'd be able to see a train coming 6 miles away

You don't need to see the train 6 miles away, two miles would still give sufficient time to cross.


As for whistle boards, they have a maximum effective range of around 400m -600m, so I can't really see the point of them on a crossing with excellent visibilty.

 

[stut]

I regularly use the bridleway crossings (on bike, sometimes on foot) either side of Biggleswade - there's one links the two sides of the common (although there's a tunnel further up for access with cattle) and there's one that crosses over to Langford. Both at fairly well appointed - good visibility, signals, very non-slip rubber... But it still makes me nervous.

That said, they're a lot easier handled than the paths and bridleways that cross the A1 on the level... Speedophiles aplenty!

 

[142094]

I use the Tollerton one a lot , as its part of a round trip walk from the village to the pub . Its a good place to watch the trains or take photos
very quiet .

The two in Copmanthorpe before Colton Junction are also good spots, however it does say that they are for farm access only so I have not used it to cross the line. Been a few times to take pictures, didn't get any hassle.

 

[scotsman]

The East Coast Main Line continues all the way to Aberdeen. Have they all been removed North of Edinburgh in recent years?

I can give you all the CCTV and AHBs from Edinbrugh - Dundee.

Halbeath CCTV (On the Dunfermline side of the circle, so only diverts would cross this)

Springfield AHB, just south of Springfield station

Howe of Fife, between Cupar and Leuchars (IIRC)

 

[Railsigns]

I can give you all the CCTV and AHBs from Edinbrugh - Dundee.

Halbeath CCTV (On the Dunfermline side of the circle, so only diverts would cross this)

Springfield AHB, just south of Springfield station

It's called "Hospital Mill" and it's a Miniature Red/Green Lights type crossing, not an AHBC.

Howe of Fife, between Cupar and Leuchars (IIRC)

Bow of Fife.

 

[scotsman]

It's called "Hospital Mill" and it's a Miniature Red/Green Lights type crossing, not an AHBC.

Bow of Fife.

Shows what I know!

I was getting mixed up with the local rugby team!

 

[Kneedown]

After Peterborough there's 7 LCs on the 125mph lines, the first is Woodcroft followed by 6 more before the 10 mile clear run up Stoke Bank.

In order from Woodcroft... Helpston, Maxey, Lolham, Tallington and Greatford are the ones with barriers.
Helpston and Maxey both span across 6 lines. Out of interest are there any other crossings in the country that span more lines?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

The only one on the WCML is in bewteen Quintinshill and Carstairs

Scuse my ignorance, i've not been on the WCML for years, but have Banbury Lane (Northants) and Hademore and Coton (Staff's) crossings been ripped out then?

 

[The Planner]

Yep, no LCs on that part of the WCML now. Banbury Lane is bridged, as are Hademore and Coton.

 

[Kneedown]

Yep, no LCs on that part of the WCML now. Banbury Lane is bridged, as are Hademore and Coton.

Well i never, you learn something new everyday. Cheers for that!

 

[LE Greys]

Cadwell Crossing, just north of Hitchin, always seemed rather dangerous to me. It happened to be on a slight curve near a crest. You would probably have about twelve seconds' warning of a down express approaching when crossing from the east (the down fast of course being the third line you cross). However, I did not mind much when I used it back then, a low view of an HST in full cry was quite something. There's a bridge now (of course) but I'm astonished that it lasted as long as it did. However, there is still a foot crossing a bit further on, just beyond Ickleford. Can't remember what it's called.

 

[driver9000]

The only one on the WCML is in bewteen Quintinshill and Carstairs cant remeber where though. Think they are still rife on the EC. AMny are footpaths though

Don't forget the two between Lancaster and Carnforth MCB crossing at Hest Bank and an AHB at Bolton-le-Sands.

 

[Tomnick]

Don't forget the two between Lancaster and Carnforth MCB crossing at Hest Bank and an AHB at Bolton-le-Sands.

And Floriston, just north of Carlisle - until recently, unique in that it was an AHB crossing more than two running lines, I believe. Now CCTV from Carlisle.

Bolton-le-Sands is also CCTV, by the way, from Hest Bank in that case.

 

[TGV]

Helpston crossing just North of Peterborough and South of Tallington is a monster of a crossing. Must be the longest road level crossing in the UK (or at least one of them) - crosses 6 tracks with a large "island" between the ECML main 4 tracks and the 2 Stamford lines. There must be about 80yds between the opposing barriers on the road - and as there is a pedestrian route through it - it begs the question what happens to an elderly person if they get caught in the middle when the siren sounds as it's quite feasible they'll not make it to the barrier on either side in time. There is somewhere for them to safely stand in the middle, but it's not got any barriers or fences separating it from the tracks on either side (check it on googlemaps streetview).

On the WCML - yes the crossing at Lanark Junction is called Cleghorn crossing - noted for having it's fair share of incidents over the years. It used to be an AHB crossing, but with the introduction of enhanced tilting speeds with pendolinos it now has a full barrier.

 

[Railsigns]

Helpston crossing just North of Peterborough and South of Tallington is a monster of a crossing. Must be the longest road level crossing in the UK (or at least one of them) - crosses 6 tracks with a large "island" between the ECML main 4 tracks and the 2 Stamford lines. There must be about 80yds between the opposing barriers on the road - and as there is a pedestrian route through it - it begs the question what happens to an elderly person if they get caught in the middle when the siren sounds as it's quite feasible they'll not make it to the barrier on either side in time. There is somewhere for them to safely stand in the middle, but it's not got any barriers or fences separating it from the tracks on either side (check it on googlemaps streetview).

Since this is a manually controlled level crossing and not an automatic one, there isn't really a safety issue here. The crossing has to be visually observed as being clear of obstructions before the protecting signals can be cleared. So there may be a delay to trains, but no danger to slow crossing users.

On the WCML - yes the crossing at Lanark Junction is called Cleghorn crossing - noted for having it's (sic) fair share of incidents over the years. It used to be an AHB crossing, but with the introduction of enhanced tilting speeds with pendolinos it now has a full barrier.

And it's now manually controlled from Motherwell SC and supervised by CCTV.

 

[TGV]

I figured there would be some mitigation for its unusual length. Actually thinking about it, I knew it was a manual crossing... duh. Ignore what I said!

I once manually controlled cleghorn crossing from the barriers themselves - many years ago. I caused quite a traffic jam.

 

[Kneedown]

Yep, no LCs on that part of the WCML now. Banbury Lane is bridged, as are Hademore and Coton.

Been thinking a bit further, there are, or used to be a few LC's on the WCML bit via New St, i Think Tile Hill, Canley, Cosely and Tipton maybe? are they still there? Also i think there were a few on the route via Stoke. I know Hixon has gone but sure there were some more. They may not be on the main WCML Trent Valley route via Crewe, but are still surely on the WCML if still there?

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I think they were all taken out during the upgrade.