The services that are using either East Depot Goods Loop or the adjacent area of the Up Main to reverse are the CrossCountry services and the occasional Bristol Parkway to Bristol Temple Meads ‘shuttle’.
The Great Malvern route availability aspect has started the discussion. Castle Diagram here:-
Well the HST that is out today isn't on that diagram, but not to worry!
I would hardly call the hourly shuttle "occasional"
Hourly from 0600ish-2300ishI was not aware it is hourly
And also using the Up Main.
Most freight will go via Westbury around the Bristol Loops, Bathampton, Westbury and onwards from there.
Well, they may be route cleared, but the driver of the 12xx CDF - GMV refused to take it further than WOF as there is no walkway at Malvern Wells!
And?
It appears the train is booked to reverse at Malvern Wells. Is the platform there too short to accommodate a 2+4 HST perhaps?
www.realtimetrains.co.uk
www.realtimetrains.co.uk
Not every train requires a walking route to change ends.
If at any point we need to leave the train to change ends - so things like a HST, non-corridor stock in multiple, locos etc, we need to have a safe, authorised walking route provided in order to do so safely.
There is no platform. Its a case of get out and walk.
They may have happened on the sidings back then but these days anything else that is too long for the signal section proceeds onto the single track to change end, examples of which are the NMT or whatever covers for it such as a pair of 37's.
Thanks. I'm not familiar with the area and didn't realise a walk along the ballast was required until you and a previous poster told us.There is no platform. Its a case of get out and walk.
Of course, this issue could be averted if trains were able to enter the Loop at Malvern Wells (with a walkway provided), back out and use a crossover onto the up line. But of course when they renewed the points at the Wells they stuck the crossover inside the loop area if you understand that, and this cant be done.
They may have happened on the sidings back then but these days anything else that is too long for the signal section proceeds onto the single track to change end, examples of which are the NMT or whatever covers for it such as a pair of 37's.
I know this isn't directly related to the forum title but just giving answers
Indeed, and it may be the case that after they've done it and gone back to depot and had a chat with someone about it, should there be a walking route, should I have done it etc it's come to light there isn't one and it was refused on the Wednesday.
Yep, 158956 is on the Castle Diagram.
I wouldn't be surprised, apparently there is only a very small number of Gloucester drivers that have sufficient knowledge/training that enables them to take a 255 to GMV.
Yep. And Bristol is struggling as covid has put 2+4 training way behind and lots are being used on Tauntons and Westons, so the GCR signing 2+4drivers are working to Weston with units on the Malvern. They'd diagrammed units on the weston, the lower link drivers could work them, freeing up drivers to go to GCR on 2+4s or work other trains freeing up GCR crews to go to GMV
No available drivers. But useful as there's 2+4courses on this week
So is there a long term plan to regularly send 2+4s's to GMV, or is the training just for odd jobs like at present or an emergency allocation?
Couldn't tell you.
I would presume because of the issues at Malvern Wells?
