How many turntables are there on the UK rail network?

[D821]

I take it there are still turntables in use on the UK rail network - how many of them are there still in use?

 

[lincolnshire]

I take it there are still turntables in use on the UK rail network - how many of them are there still in use?

I will start you off 1 @ Scarborough & 1 @ York.

 

[pdeaves]

There's one at Yeovil Junction. Probably owned by the heritage site, but I believe usable by the national network. But then you start blurring boundaries and loads of heritage lines could end up on the list if they have a main line connection!

 

[mcmad]

I will start you off 1 @ Scarborough & 1 @ York.

I thought the one at York got replaced by a triangle recently?

There is one at Fort William that West Coast are bringing back into use, think its the only one in Scotland on NR now.

 

[172007]

I will try and argue that the one at Vintage Trains Tyseley is on the UK network. The land owner is British Railways Board and only leased to Vintage Trains.

 

[Bob figgis]

There was one at Hither Green. I haven’t been for years so I’m not sure if it’s still there.

 

[Cowley]

This subject comes up quite often. There’s a thread from a couple of years ago here:

TRIVIA: Operational mainline-connected turntables

A few weeks ago I was on the SRPS tour with Union of South Africa to Aberdeen and my friend and I went down to photograph the loco being turned on the newly-reinstated turntable. This got me thinking - how many places have turntables which are mainline-connected and could theoretically be used...

www.railforums.co.uk

Quite a few preserved line ones mentioned in that though.

 

[MarkyT]

I thought the one at York got replaced by a triangle recently?

There is one at Fort William that West Coast are bringing back into use, think its the only one in Scotland on NR now.

The other way round. The old triangle was removed from the area immediately to the west of the station to make room for the new ROC building I believe. A replacement turntable has been provided south of the avoiding line in the NR Holgate depot area.

 

[rower40]

St Blazey is a bit on-and-off. Can anyone advise whether it's currently operational?

 

[MarkyT]

St Blazey is a bit on-and-off. Can anyone advise whether it's currently operational?

A new community interest company has been set up to restore the turntable and develop and manage the site as a mainline steam servicing facility. Founders include Mervyn Allcock of Barrow Hill fame.

Home | My Site

www.mpowerkernow.org

ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION SKILLS
LESSONS THAT LAST A LIFETIME
...
MPower Kernow C.I.C. (MPKC) is a new social enterprise established to create a unique technical training centre for STEM, Construction Industry and Environmental Technology Skills.

In Devon, there's a turntable on the Dartmouth Steam Railway at Churston. Mainline steam excursions to Kingswear use this to turn. At Plymouth, there's no turntable, but the Laira depot access arrangements include a triangle that can be used for loco turning. The West Somerset Railway can turn engines on their turntable at Minehead or the triangle at Norton Fitzwarren. Exeter has no turning facility, but steam excursions can arrive from the east on the GWR and return on the LSWR, or vice versa, to avoid the need.

 

[2392]

There is/was one at Heaton Carriage sidings adjacent to the East Coast Mainline. It was used IIRC to turn HST power cars when they were based there. These days Heaton is used by Northern Rail and house their fleet of 158s.......

 

[Tractor37]

If we’re counting depots, Neville Hill in Leeds has an operational turntable

 

[woolos]

Kidderminster svr have one to turn visiting steam tours

 

[jamieP]

I thought the one at York got replaced by a triangle recently?

There is one at Fort William that West Coast are bringing back into use, think its the only one in Scotland on NR now.

The one at Fort William does already work. There is also one at Aberdeen that was finished a couple of years ago and used to turn mainline steam engines http://www.frht.org.uk/projects.html

 

[Neo9320]

Is the one at Carnforth still in situ?

 

[mcmad]

The one at Fort William does already work. There is also one at Aberdeen that was finished a couple of years ago and used to turn mainline steam engines http://www.frht.org.uk/projects.html

When I last saw it a couple of months ago the Fort William one looked more like a swimming pool than a turntable as I don't think DB did much in the way of maintenance in the yard there.

The one at Aberdeen is off NR metals so I didn't include it albeit it is now in regular use

 

[jamieP]

One at Carnforth is still there and used. One at Fort William is owned by WCRC and does work.

 

[Taunton]

One at Carnforth is still there and used. One at Fort William is owned by WCRC and does work.

There's not a lot of point in the steam service operator having a turntable at Fort William unless they have one at Mallaig as well.

 

[jamieP]

There's not a lot of point in the steam service operator having a turntable at Fort William unless they have one at Mallaig as well.

Used to turn locos occastionally to even out tyre wear and was used to turn locos for the annual photo charter that no longer runs. But this discussion is nothing to do with why they have one.

 

[PaulLothian]

There's not a lot of point in the steam service operator having a turntable at Fort William unless they have one at Mallaig as well.

Don't think loco crews would fancy a tender-first trip back to the Central Belt!

 

[Peter Mugridge]

There was one at Hither Green. I haven’t been for years so I’m not sure if it’s still there.

Unfortunately I don't think it is, looking at Google Maps.

Link leads to the image version of the maps showing the depot area.

Hither Green · London SE13 6HE

London SE13 6HE

www.google.com

 

[Ex-controller]

I thought the one at York got replaced by a triangle recently?

There is one at Fort William that West Coast are bringing back into use, think its the only one in Scotland on NR now.

Legend has it that it was once used to turn a 156.

 

[Bob figgis]

Looking at Google maps , the Hither Green one looks to have been filled in.
Google Earth Link


https://earth.app.goo.gl/FTcd56
#googleearth

 

[Farningham]

Looking at Google maps , the Hither Green one looks to have been filled in.
Google Earth Link


https://earth.app.goo.gl/FTcd56
#googleeart

Hither Green turntable has gone to Robertsbridge for the Rother Valley Railway.

 

[P Binnersley]

Kidderminster svr have one to turn visiting steam tours

And a visiting HST power car on 3rd December 2021!

 

[McRhu]

They could save themselves a lot of trouble at Fort William and Mallaig by using Leaders instead of Black 5s and K3s whatever. I'm sure there must be a society somewhere rebuilding one by now.

 

[Mugby]

I presume the one at Barrow Hill is still operational? Does that count?

 

[D6130]

Is the turntable at the South end of Darlington station on the Down side still there? I believe it was used for turning on-track maintenance machines in later years.

 

[MarkyT]

Is the turntable at the South end of Darlington station on the Down side still there? I believe it was used for turning on-track maintenance machines in later years.

A fairly small turntable (50ft) that has now gone on Google Earth imagery dated 2018. The A1 Steam Trust plan to have a new 70ft turntable at their new operating base in the town.

 

[D6130]

A fairly small turntable (50ft) that has now gone on Google Earth imagery dated 2018. The A1 Steam Trust plan to have a new 70ft turntable at their new operating base in the town.

Thanks!