Non-London frieght on GEML south

[Ianno87]

oops my bad. But how does one get away with that it must make operating Peterborough more challenging.

It will make sense once Werrington Grade separation is built!

 

[Tobbes]

It was renewed in a way that means adding in the extra bits for a double junction can be done without taking up the existing. It’s proposed for CP6, at which point Norwich becomes the end of a branch line.

Many thanks, @Bald Rick

 

[GB]

I'll add to your list of constraints...

Stowmarket down loop too short for most liners to be recessed. ..
Single lead Haughley Junction...
Bury up loop to short to recess liners...
Only space for one liner to be recessed at Ely...
Up+Down loops at March too short for liners...

The lack of loops long enough for liners is a major issue when there's disruption...

The absolute block sections Manea-Stonea and Three Horseshoes-Whittlesea-Kings Dyke aren't a major issue providing the trains are 5+ minutes apart, though I accept they do limit overall capacity...

As an aside when ECML services and all (usually via London) container trains were diverted all weekend via March/Ely back in February 2017 there were 196 movements through Whittlesea on the Saturday between 0600 & 2200... You would struggle to fit many more trains in...

Ipswich it’s self is a bottle neck for cross country freight. The curve is all well and good but if there is a train sitting on it waiting it’s path onwards then you run into problems as since the yard remodelling you can only run round on two lines.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

It was renewed in a way that means adding in the extra bits for a double junction can be done without taking up the existing. It’s proposed for CP6, at which point Norwich becomes the end of a branch line.

Good - you know the story ..

 

[Tobbes]

Ipswich it’s self is a bottle neck for cross country freight. The curve is all well and good but if there is a train sitting on it waiting it’s path onwards then you run into problems as since the yard remodelling you can only run round on two lines.

Fair enough. There should be enough room north of Bramford for 775m loops to go in, albeit the river valley may make the engineering more challenging.

 

[LAX54]

Another issue with the BFC is crew relief for Freightliner traffic, this was planned for the BFC, but never came to fruition, and is now done at Stowmarket, which must the the worst place you can do a crew change, only needs one diver late or not turn up, then that's the Up Main blocked with trains diverted via the Down Platform, or if on the Down, then nothing moves towards Haughley !
GB / DBS all take their trains through to the Ports, or Peterborough, which makes life a lot easier for the Signallers trying to regulate.
Maybe FL will switch to Derby Rd next year when the loop becomes bi-di ?

The ' new improved' yard, is anything but !

Extending Stow loop, I think would need taking some land from ICI ?

 

[TheBigD]

Another issue with the BFC is crew relief for Freightliner traffic, this was planned for the BFC, but never came to fruition, and is now done at Stowmarket, which must the the worst place you can do a crew change, only needs one diver late or not turn up, then that's the Up Main blocked with trains diverted via the Down Platform, or if on the Down, then nothing moves towards Haughley !
GB / DBS all take their trains through to the Ports, or Peterborough, which makes life a lot easier for the Signallers trying to regulate.
Maybe FL will switch to Derby Rd next year when the loop becomes bi-di ?

The ' new improved' yard, is anything but !

Extending Stow loop, I think would need taking some land from ICI ?

There was an incident last year where the freightliner driver got on the wrong train at Ipswich and ended up in Diss... He arranged his own taxi back from Diss to Stowmarket just after he passed Stowmarket at speed!!!

Job was stopped for about 40 minutes!!!

 

[Class 170101]

Extending Stow loop, I think would need taking some land from ICI ?

Some liners do go inside at Stowmarket DGL but not many. It would probably assist if either Stowmarket or Claydon could be lengthened to recess freight.

 

[Bald Rick]

Good - you know the story ..

Indeed I do!

 

[LAX54]

Some liners do go inside at Stowmarket DGL but not many. It would probably assist if either Stowmarket or Claydon could be lengthened to recess freight.

None are booked in there now, they are all 'C' stops at Stowmarket, Gatebox gets quite worried on the Up Rd, does not want to clear signal if no driver, for fear of blocking 2 level crossings !

The 'wrong train' problem has happened more than once ! Driver jumps on 1Pxx...fast at Stow, gets off a Diss, to get first one back, sadly this too was fast at Stow, so ended up back where he started ! luckily it was a shorter freight that did fit in the loop, not sure any fit in there now

 

[Class 170101]

None are booked in there now, they are all 'C' stops at Stowmarket,

One to Leeds FLT Tuesday to Friday mornings, 06:04 to 06:14 at Stowmarket DGL
(Assuming RTT is correct)