Penrith platform 3

[adamedwards]

Is this ever used by a passenger service? Curious after catching the train from Penrith yesterday.

 

[Mag_seven]

I don't think its long enough to hold one from memory although a TPE class 185 may fit?

 

[Condor7]

This is a photo taken two years ago of a Paignton - Carlisle charter at the platform but I cannot recall if it was just held there or if passengers got off.
https://condor7.smugmug.com/Transport/Locations/CarlislePenrith-300916/i-KtjFgJw

I do however remember a passenger charter within the last two years stopping for a mid journey break where passengers had time to get off and explore Penrith, but again the details now allude me. I cannot recall hearing of a scheduled service using the platform though for many years but it may have happened. It is used to hold freight trains from time to time to allow passenger trains to pass.

 

[DelW]

I was on a charter train at the end of July which disembarked passengers for coaches to Ullswater and Alston at platform 3 (the train continued to Carlisle). IIRC only about the front two or three coaches were at the platform, so a lot of us had to walk forward through the train.

My travelling companion, who finds stairs difficult, was unimpressed by the absence of lifts at the subway as well.

 

[civ-eng-jim]

My travelling companion, who finds stairs difficult, was unimpressed by the absence of lifts at the subway as well.

There's been a footbridge with lift access since the middle of last year - I'm sure it was in by July (But may not have been open for use when you visited on the charter train)

 

[driver9000]

Yes it is used occasionally and I have called there with a passenger train several times. It will hold a single 350 easily but an 8 car has to have the rear set doors out of use if it has to use platform 3 similar to how they were worked at Manchester Oxford Road.

 

[railjock]

I assum3 it was originally the platform for Keswick?

 

[route101]

Yes it is used occasionally and I have called there with a passenger train several times. It will hold a single 350 easily but an 8 car has to have the rear set doors out of use if it has to use platform 3 similar to how they were worked at Manchester Oxford Road.

When did that happen ?

 

[driver9000]

When did that happen ?

Last time I went through 3 was maybe 6 months ago. The Signallers are aware of the 8 car restrictions so shouldn't signal one in unless it's a last resort.

 

[driver9000]

I assum3 it was originally the platform for Keswick?

If you look between 2 and 3 next to the footbridge you can see the remains of a bay platform which was used by Keswick shuttles.

 

[30907]

I assume it was originally the platform for Keswick?

Down Keswick Passenger according to the no. 2 box diagram. The Eden Valley bay was inset into the island - and as driver9000 says was used by the Keswick dmus.
https://www.s-r-s.org.uk/html/lmsdiagrams.htm#XA

 

[DelW]

There's been a footbridge with lift access since the middle of last year - I'm sure it was in by July (But may not have been open for use when you visited on the charter train)

Ah, we didn't spot that - I think we were probably in sheep mode, just following everyone in front of us.
We boarded the return train at Appleby, which also involved stairs to cross to the up platform. Fortunately a good dinner on the return journey got me out of trouble

 

[WessexEclectic]

The loop that Platform 3 is on has a 25mph PSR on entry and the signal overlap of the P2 platform starter means that nothing can be signalled into P2 if something is leaving P3. These restrictions probably make it difficult to signal regular service trains into P3 without incurring time penalties but make it perfect for recessing a charter or freight train.

 

[TBSchenker]

When did that happen ?

I have also used Platform 3 at Penrith, due to late running a footplate swap was done there, instead of Carlisle, with a southbound service.

Some TPE services are also regulated there to allow Virgin services past.

 

[takno]

Around 1 in 60 of the northbound trains goes through the platform 3 loop. I would guess that most of these are looped freight or similar rather than passenger trains though

 

[TBSchenker]

There are no regular passenger trains booked in P3, but it is a fully serviceable platform that is available for a passenger train to use (as long as it can fit)

 

[Killingworth]

Memories! When DMUs were new my father took me from Newcastle to Carlisle with front seat views of line ahead all. Then the same down to Maryport and Workington to take the Keswick line to Penrith. Steam hauled via Appleby and Kirby Stephen over Stainmore to Darlington and then afternoon tea on the late running Pullman back up to Newcastle. A long wait at Penrith when I got this shot with a box Brownie camera. A different world! Presumably two bays at Penrith then.