Mordac
Established Member
Looking at the sectional appendix for the WCML between Gretna and Carstairs, I noticed that a few, but not all, loops require through trains not using them to reduce to 95 or even 90 between the two ends of the loop. Now some other ones don't require any speed reductions for through trains, so is there any particular reason why these restrictions are there? Is it something to do with the points, or what? It seems like conversing all loops to allow through trains to go at normal speed would be a very cheap way of reducing journey times, so I'm guessing there must be something I'm missing?
NB: As a couple of examples, the loop at Quintishill requires reduction to 95 while having EPS speeds of 125 or 120 on either side, while the loop at Beattock doesn't require any changes.
NB: As a couple of examples, the loop at Quintishill requires reduction to 95 while having EPS speeds of 125 or 120 on either side, while the loop at Beattock doesn't require any changes.