Crewe-Shrewsbury Resignalling

[LNW-GW Joint]

I noticed today that the new modular signalling (still with plastic bags over it) is laid out for reversible working all the way from Nantwich to Shrewsbury.
I think crossovers remain only at Wem and Nantwich so the sections are quite long, but there are some intermediate signals as well.

Reversible signalling, whilst very valuable, seems rather over the top for a quiet 2tph-ish line.
Maybe this comes as standard with the new modular technology, or perhaps NR is trialling it for more general rollout?
Anybody know when it is due to be commissioned?

 

[The Planner]

Later this year around autumn was the last i heard. It is seriously over deadline, lots of issues with the obstacle detection on the level crossings apparently.

 

[Bald Rick]

It's the test bed for bi-di modular. Ely - Norwich was the other option but longer and more awkward level crossings and therefore much more expensive.

 

[DaveHarries]

Commissioning of the Shrewsbury - Crewe modular scheme has been put on hold. The latest date for this job is now thought to be October 2013.

It seems, from this item in the Shropshire Star newspaper, that the changes to workings of the level crossings is causing a degree of controversy. In addition the fiasco over the Ely - Norwich resignalling has also had a hand in delaying the implementation of the Crewe - Shrewsbury scheme:
http://www.shropshirestar.com/news/2013/02/22/remote-control-shropshire-rail-crossing-plan-on-hold/

In addition the RMT have decided to have their say as well: this statement is on their website...
http://rmt.live.rss-hosting.co.uk/Templates/Internal.asp?NodeId=170853

HTIOI,
Dave

 

[eps200]

They identify legit problems then think "how can we exploit this".

 

[a good off]

There aren't any facing crossovers with appropriate signalled moves to get onto the bi-di either end of the Crewe - Shrewsbury line. Traffic can regularly bunch up on the line due to late running passenger trains and freight and the new signalling actually has LESS signals than the current signalling whch will become apparent especially in the Wrenbury area. The fact that there are no new signals going in at Whitchurch is another bone of contention as it leaves no room for future traffic growth.

 

[Proud Salopian]

Sounds like another "done on the cheap" job... brilliant.

Shrewsbury-Crewe(-Manchester) could be made into a busy passenger route, with journey times from Shrewsbury into central Manchester being comparable with that into central Birmingham.

But no. That would be too forward thinking.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

There aren't any facing crossovers with appropriate signalled moves to get onto the bi-di either end of the Crewe - Shrewsbury line. Traffic can regularly bunch up on the line due to late running passenger trains and freight and the new signalling actually has LESS signals than the current signalling whch will become apparent especially in the Wrenbury area. The fact that there are no new signals going in at Whitchurch is another bone of contention as it leaves no room for future traffic growth.

There are new junction signals with feathers at Nantwich and Wem in place to reach the "wrong" track.
Aren't there facing points both ways at Wem?

 

[The Informer]

There are new junction signals with feathers at Nantwich and Wem in place to reach the "wrong" track.
Aren't there facing points both ways at Wem?

Yes there is a double crossover at Wem.

We're hearing christmas may be more likely for the commissioning!!!

 

[a good off]

There are new junction signals with feathers at Nantwich and Wem in place to reach the "wrong" track.
Aren't there facing points both ways at Wem?

Once you have got your train onto the bi-di at Nantwich, what next?

 

[JoeGJ1984]

It looks like the sign giving the name of Harlescott Crossing signalbox has been removed (it leaves a paler bit of wood underneath). Is that now out of use? And I thought the signalbox at Whitchurch was already demolished or out of use?

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Once you have got your train onto the bi-di at Nantwich, what next?

I'm just observing that it seems you could run wrong line Wem-Shrewsbury, at least, in either direction, under full signalling control.
I didn't notice the details at Nantwich, other than the single trailing crossover is signalled.
There must be a purpose for the wrong-line signals east of Wem.
I freely admit I know very little about signalling.

 

[moggie]

Possibly to signal off the 'wrong line' for trains departing an engineering posession with no 'signalled' moves towards it?

 

[The Informer]

It looks like the sign giving the name of Harlescott Crossing signalbox has been removed (it leaves a paler bit of wood underneath). Is that now out of use? And I thought the signalbox at Whitchurch was already demolished or out of use?

Whitchurch box has been demolished. It's now in a pile on private land next to where it once stood.