Derby Resignalling - 22 July - 7 October 2018

[jhy44]

On a purely personal, selfish point, it's typical that this should occur just as I find out that I'm being relocated from the Nottingham office to the Derby one April-October. What should have been a much easier commute from Birmingham has now turned into what will no doubt be a much longer one.

For Northbound services, could they not have put on a Birmingham/Crewe-Willington, or even to Peartree service on?

Burton-Derby is a 30 minute drive in good traffic. Willington-Derby can be done in about 17. Peartree is actually in Derby so would be very convenient.
Traffic in Burton can be awful.

For Southbound services, could they not stop at Ilkeston?! Chesterfield-Derby is a very long bus journey.

 

[martinr1]

They certainly seem to be getting on with the project:-

 

[civ-eng-jim]

On a purely personal, selfish point, it's typical that this should occur just as I find out that I'm being relocated from the Nottingham office to the Derby one April-October. What should have been a much easier commute from Birmingham has now turned into what will no doubt be a much longer one.

For Northbound services, could they not have put on a Birmingham/Crewe-Willington, or even to Peartree service on?

Burton-Derby is a 30 minute drive in good traffic. Willington-Derby can be done in about 17. Peartree is actually in Derby so would be very convenient.
Traffic in Burton can be awful.

In the long run, Birmingham to Derby is a far shorter commute than Birmingham Nottingham so a bit of short term pain won't hurt.

Pear Tree has short platforms and no suitable adjacent parking for rail replacement buses. Wouldn't be ideal parking buses on that busy part of the ring road. Willington is equally problematic. Burton at least has the long platforms and a station forecourt area for buses.

In addition, Pear Tree station is within the worksite for the track and signalling (although the track through Pear Tree isn't being replaced Melbourne Junction is and the turnouts for the Sunnyhill loops). Engineering trains will be frequently trundling though Pear Tree.

As a Derby to Birmingham commuter I'll be sharing your pain too in the summer. 2 month Sabbatical? Work from home?

 

[jhy44]

As a Derby to Birmingham commuter I'll be sharing your pain too in the summer. 2 month Sabbatical? Work from home?

the project in Derby is only a 6 month one, so taking 2 months off isn't feasible unfortunately. I'm having discussions to see if I can work remotely or from a West Midlands office for most days for that period but there will be some inevitable times when I have to travel.

My work location is actually in Spondon, so it won't even just be a case of dealing with the bus from Burton to Derby, I'll then need to find a way to get from Derby to Spondon too

I'd offer to car pool but it seems we're going in different directions!

Pear Tree has short platforms and no suitable adjacent parking for rail replacement buses. Wouldn't be ideal parking buses on that busy part of the ring road. Willington is equally problematic. Burton at least has the long platforms and a station forecourt area for buses.

Both very valid points, thanks for clearing it up, I don't know either area very well.

 

[cuccir]

Looking at Open Train Times and Realtime Trains all XC trains from the North East will stop at Chesterfield and Burton-on-trent rather than just some of them (presumably because of the buses that go to Derby) , and the termini of the routes are getting mixed up. http://www.opentraintimes.com/location/CHD/2018-08-14/13:00?empty_passenger=on&non_passenger=on&passenger=on&show_call=on&show_pass=on&show_stp=on&show_var=on&show_wtt=on&utf8=✓ It shows routes like Glasgow Central - Southampton Central.

Aberdeen-Guildford: I can't imagine there's been a service with those as terminals before!

 

[cuccir]

My work location is actually in Spondon, so it won't even just be a case of dealing with the bus from Burton to Derby, I'll then need to find a way to get from Derby to Spondon too

Not ideal but I think there's a Long Eaton - Spondon bus; from what I can tell the Birmingham to Long Eaton trains should only not be running in August.

 

[xc170]

Two photos showing the work on what I assume is the new platform this evening

 

[swt_passenger]

I wonder if the footbridge details were originally designed with this new platform already allowed for?

 

[xc170]

I wonder if the footbridge details were originally designed with this new platform already allowed for?

I did wonder that myself, even if it wasn't, it looks to be a pretty simple structure so modifying it shouldn't be too difficult.

On a different note, passing through Derby today, I couldn't help but notice how dirty the glass/metal canopys are around the stairs down onto the platforms, bird mess and grime everywhere you look, pretty nasty really, though I appreciate with all the building work going on there will be more dust than usual...

 

[edwin_m]

Not ideal but I think there's a Long Eaton - Spondon bus; from what I can tell the Birmingham to Long Eaton trains should only not be running in August.

The diversionary route towards Birmingham diverges at Sheet Stores Junction so if a train can serve Long Eaton it can serve Derby too. Indigo buses pass both Long Eaton and Spondon but the westrn part of the Indigo is actually several separate routes and the same bus doesn't pass both.

If the train isn't serving either Long Eaton or Derby I think you'd have to go on the train to Beeston (assuming they are calling there) then walk half a mile to the bus station and get the Indigo back towards Derby. That would take much longer than just sticking with the rail replacement bus into Derby and getting a service bus out to Spondon.

 

[edwin_m]

I did wonder that myself, even if it wasn't, it looks to be a pretty simple structure so modifying it shouldn't be too difficult.

They should just be able to remove a panel each side. The possible problem is that this part of the bridge was added as an extension to serve the Pride Park exit, and is only about half the width of the bridge connecting the current problems, so there is a possible problem with passenger flow where the steps meet the bridge (there are currently barriers in approximately this location too). I don't know if there is any plan to widen it.

 

[xc170]

With the new platform, I noticed towards the London end of the platform, the new platform curves towards the current platform 6 and doesn't look wide enough to be double track, with this in mind, will they be altering platform 6 to move it over to give you space for double track and if so what will that mean for the bay platform, will that have to go?

 

[Raul_Duke]

With the new platform, I noticed towards the London end of the platform, the new platform curves towards the current platform 6 and doesn't look wide enough to be double track, with this in mind, will they be altering platform 6 to move it over to give you space for double track and if so what will that mean for the bay platform, will that have to go?

The bay is going and I believe at least some of the platforms are being straightened as part of the increase to 45mph

 

[xc170]

The bay is going and I believe at least some of the platforms are being straightened as part of the increase to 45mph

Makes sense, can't recall when I last saw the bay actually being used...

 

[Raul_Duke]

Makes sense, can't recall when I last saw the bay actually being used...

It’s used fairly often.

 

[edwin_m]

Looks like the current platform 6 (which will presumably become platform 5) will be cut back from or even before the end of the current canopy so that both tracks are parallel with the edge of the new platform. This will create a longer but gentler curve which should be better for stepping distance as well as speed.

 

[martinr1]

Much activity on the new platform construction yesterday:-

 

[theblackwatch]

I see that a pair of Class 50s (Hercules and Defiance from the Class 50 Alliance) are being hired by Cross Country for route learning in connection with the Derby resignalling.

 

[Mugby]

On a different note, passing through Derby today, I couldn't help but notice how dirty the glass/metal canopys are around the stairs down onto the platforms, bird mess and grime everywhere you look, pretty nasty really, though I appreciate with all the building work going on there will be more dust than usual...

I agree. The canopies are a poor design, my main issue with them is they have no edging valances to fend off biting winds, driving rain or both.

I'm really surprised though, that the horizontal support beams provide so many level surfaces and open ended retreats for pigeons, it's almost as if they were designed to encourage them and the resultant bird mess is increasing in volume noticeably.
If there is to be clean up when the work is complete, perhaps the opportunity fit some spikes on the surfaces and block off the unintended nesting boxes!

 

[civ-eng-jim]

Looks like the current platform 6 (which will presumably become platform 5) will be cut back from or even before the end of the current canopy so that both tracks are parallel with the edge of the new platform. This will create a longer but gentler curve which should be better for stepping distance as well as speed.

All existing platforms, with the exception of Platform 1, are either being modified at the ends in some way. Bit of a shame considering the surfacing hasn't been there that long.

 

[civ-eng-jim]

I see that a pair of Class 50s (Hercules and Defiance from the Class 50 Alliance) are being hired by Cross Country for route learning in connection with the Derby resignalling.

Which lines aren't already used by XC as diversionary routes? Presume Sheet Stores Jnc to Stenson Jnc isn't?

 

[edwin_m]

Which lines aren't already used by XC as diversionary routes? Presume Sheet Stores Jnc to Stenson Jnc isn't?

Diversion from Stenson to Sheet Stores and onwards via the Erewash is relatively common for XC. I imagine the route learning is needed for the re-modelled Derby area itself.

 

[lammergeier]

Which lines aren't already used by XC as diversionary routes? Presume Sheet Stores Jnc to Stenson Jnc isn't?

Diversion from Stenson to Sheet Stores and onwards via the Erewash is relatively common for XC. I imagine the route learning is needed for the re-modelled Derby area itself.

Stenson - Sheet stores is currently signed by Leicester depot only so you'll not have seen voyagers or HST's using it. Leeds, Derby and one or more links at New St are learning the route for the blockade, hence the loco.

 

[G0ORC]

Makes sense, can't recall when I last saw the bay actually being used...

Once a day, if memory servces.

Also being used short-term to stable locos off engineering trains

 

[G0ORC]

Good article and track plan here...

https://www.railengineer.uk/2017/08/25/79-days-at-derby-in-2018/

 

[Senex]

The diagram in Rail Engineer shews that there will be no connections at the south end between the new platforms and the B&DJ (Tamworth) lines. So does anyone know why the new platform (to judge from the photographs) curves inwards towards London Road Jn at the south end and so will have a reverse curve for traffic in the Spondon direction. Was there anything to prevent a smooth curve from the south end of the new platform towards Spondon?

 

[louis97]

The diagram in Rail Engineer shews that there will be no connections at the south end between the new platforms and the B&DJ (Tamworth) lines. So does anyone know why the new platform (to judge from the photographs) curves inwards towards London Road Jn at the south end and so will have a reverse curve for traffic in the Spondon direction. Was there anything to prevent a smooth curve from the south end of the new platform towards Spondon?

The depot site itself and the other lines in the area (Bypass and Pilot lines) prevent this.

 

[Class 170101]

Seems a very restrictive layout at its north end. No parallel moves between 3,4 and 5 nor between 6 and 7. It also looks like only a pair of lines can be maintained at its southern end at any one time, Platforms 1 and 2, 3 to 5 or 6 and 7.

 

[OxtedL]

Seems a very restrictive layout at its north end. No parallel moves between 3,4 and 5 nor between 6 and 7. It also looks like only a pair of lines can be maintained at its southern end at any one time, Platforms 1 and 2, 3 to 5 or 6 and 7.

Don't think there is a platform 7?

Still a massive improvement on the current situation though. It's no worse at the north end than today, with a complete untangling of the southern end.

Platforms 3 and 4 are mainly for reversing trains, so the lack of parallel moves out of those platforms heading north isn't going to be a big problem.

 

[Class 170101]

Don't think there is a platform 7?

Still a massive improvement on the current situation though. It's no worse at the north end than today, with a complete untangling of the southern end.

Platforms 3 and 4 are mainly for reversing trains, so the lack of parallel moves out of those platforms heading north isn't going to be a big problem.

Reference Platform 7 fair enough - the little numbers on the diagram aren't easy to read.
Don't forget the station has to be maintained though so for example closing Platforms 1 and 2 for said maintenance leaves only 3 and 4 to / from the Tamworth direction. Thus it becomes limiting at the north end.