Single Lines That Should Be Doubled

[sheff'd victoria]

Roll Up Roll Roll Up

Here is a small list of lines that " Would " benefit from a section of line or the line itself been doubled

Barnsley - Penistone - Huddersfield
Gainsborough Central - Brigg
Kirkham - Blackpool South
Dore Station Junction and Dore West Junction

I'm sure you can add to the list, these can include lines that are in the pipeline for improvements as well, plus what extra services would you have on these lines or would they remain the same, these could include both passenger and freight traffic

 

[fgwrich]

Leamington to Coventry!

Templecombe / Yeovil to Pinhoe - Whilst i'd like to see most of the Mule re-doubled, the above section would be best, allowing in times of disruption (such as now!), a ballance of SWT Services & FGW services on diversion.

 

[tbtc]

Roll Up Roll Roll Up

Here is a small list of lines that " Would " benefit from a section of line or the line itself been doubled

Barnsley - Penistone - Huddersfield
Gainsborough Central - Brigg
Kirkham - Blackpool South
Dore Station Junction and Dore West Junction

The Dore chord I can understand (up to six passenger trains in an hour plus freight), but Gainsborough Central - Brigg? Is there not sufficient capacity for the six passenger trains a week that double tracking is justified?

 

[dk1]

Trowse Bridge would be nice but it isnt going to happen. On the other hand i thought Dore Junction was going to be fully re-doubled.

 

[Buttsy]

The Dore chord I can understand (up to six passenger trains in an hour plus freight), but Gainsborough Central - Brigg? Is there not sufficient capacity for the six passenger trains a week that double tracking is justified?

I think Gainsborough - Brigg hasd a fair amount of freight over it.
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Swindon - Kemble
Oxford - Charlbury
Barnt Green - Redditch

 

[Yew]

Nottingham - Kirkby, The section runs at capacity with only 4tph, and often there can be delays caused by this

 

[Buttsy]

Bletchley - Fenny Stratford & Kempston - Bedford

 

[Sir_Clagalot]

The single line sections of the East Suffolk, and the Felixstowe branch!!

 

[ushawk]

The Marshlink line.....then electrify it !!! Ore terminating services could run through to Ashford then, maybe SE services to/from Hastings too.

 

[NSE]

I'd wager the bit between Moreton and Dorchester South. Seems like just a silly small section that if fixed could just ease headaches during disruption. Also, upping the electrical supply to make 10 car trains able to come through from Poole.

Also, maybe the Kings Lynn line, again, seems silly to just have the small segments. Would help in disruption, and also with Thameslink coming to Cambridge, more through journeys might be happening warranting more Kings Lynn services. It might allow more peak journeys to carry through too.

Also, with long term plans to get rid of the diesels on Uckfield/Marshlink, both of those routes would be a good idea along with electrification. Although, I appreciate most of these are just nice to have ideas, as opposed to essential.

 

[dk1]

The single line sections of the East Suffolk, and the Felixstowe branch!!

East Suffolk Line Beccles loop now open & possible new loop planned for Wickham Market (subject to Sizewell C Nuclear Power Stn).

Felixstowe Branch Plans been afoot for years for doubling Trimley to Derby Road by Hutchinson Ports. Derby Road to Westerfield can only partially be done due to the cost of building a second viaduct.

 

[The Ham]

Slightly off topic, but a possible way of redoubling when in a cutting could be to use cut and cover tunnelling. As it would mean that the width of the land required should not need to increase (unless the embankments are fairly steep and/or not very high) or would limit the extra land required. Also depending on the depth of cutting could enable the land above the line to be used (subject to clearances).

It would also potentially be useful in locations where there is a fairly high risk of land slips to protect the line.

 

[eastwestdivide]

Barnsley - Penistone - Huddersfield
Gainsborough Central - Brigg

In the same general area, a bigger bang for a smaller buck, and arguably a higher priority, would be the Holmes Chord at Rotherham.

 

[fgwrich]

I think Gainsborough - Brigg hasd a fair amount of freight over it.
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Swindon - Kemble
Oxford - Charlbury
Barnt Green - Redditch

Isn't there plans to double Barnt Green to Redditch?

Oxford to Charlbury i'll agree with, although i'd like to see some improvements made up at the Worcester end too.

Swindon to Kemble - according to the BBC News website, Prep work has now started on doubling the route at last.

 

[Class20]

Isn't there plans to double Barnt Green to Redditch?

I think the go-ahead has been given to install a passing loop on the branch allowing the service frequency to be doubled. I dont think doubling the line is likely to happen.

My candidates for doubling in the North West are,
Kirkham - Blackpool South
Rose Grove - Colne
Blackburn - Darwen - Bolton

All three lines are at (or near to) full capacity and having them all doubled would allow for increased service levels through out the area. Though I think the best the Blackpool South line is going to get is a possible passing loop, I dont even think its down for electrification even though its passing by on its way to Blackpool North.

 

[ATW Alex 101]

I'd say the Mid-Cheshire line between Chester and Mouldsworth and Altrincham and Stockport, the rest of the line is double so why not just double them two and keep the line nice flowing.

Chester-Wrexham , the same reasons, doubling it up can ensure that trains aren't delayed and run more smoothly

 

[Eagle]

Leamington to Coventry!

Bletchley - Fenny Stratford & Kempston - Bedford

Watch this space... (the electrification magic wand might have some effect here).

Felixstowe Branch Plans been afoot for years for doubling Trimley to Derby Road by Hutchinson Ports. Derby Road to Westerfield can only partially be done due to the cost of building a second viaduct.

Is this the same plan that would have seen off-peak passenger services to Felixstowe cease?

 

[sheff'd victoria]

but Gainsborough Central - Brigg? Is there not sufficient capacity for the six passenger trains a week that double tracking is justified?

You know I like to bang the drum about this line

I think Gainsborough - Brigg hasd a fair amount of freight over it.

It is a very busy diversionary route now for freight traffic

 

[joeykins82]

My understanding was that the DfT CP5 HLOS stuff specified that the "electric spine" routes would all be double-track and electrified, so Oxford-Bedford via Bletchley & Leamington-Nuneaton via Coventry. Obviously we've got to wait for NR's full CP5 plan for the details.

 

[Cherry_Picker]

Aylesbury - Princes Risborough would be nice one day, especially when East-West is fully open.

 

[jamieintercity]

A few in scotland:

The highland mainline
The aberdeen to inverness line
The ladybank branch
The montrose to usan section (quite difficult due to the cutting and the two viaducts).

 

[The Planner]

Leamington to Coventry!

Doesn't need it yet, but if Kenilworth station ever happens then the southern bit will need doing, all of it for the spine.
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Swindon - Kemble

Is being done.

Oxford - Charlbury

A bit of extra doubling at Wolvercote would be good but the timetable doesn't require it.

Barnt Green - Redditch

Doesn't need it and a loop at Alvechurch is being built for the Redditch frequency enhancements which is enough.
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Bletchley - Fenny Stratford & Kempston - Bedford

Would make sense as part of E-W
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Aylesbury - Princes Risborough would be nice one day, especially when East-West is fully open.

I can't see it, getting rid of the level crossing and the awful signalling would be more of a benefit. The best you would get is a long loop at Little Kimble I would bet.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

I think the go-ahead has been given to install a passing loop on the branch allowing the service frequency to be doubled. I dont think doubling the line is likely to happen.

My candidates for doubling in the North West are,
Kirkham - Blackpool South
Rose Grove - Colne
Blackburn - Darwen - Bolton

I believe a passing loop at St Annes / Lytham, Burnley Central and Entwistle respectively would suffice for these three, it should be enough to allow a doubling of frequesncy (1tph to 2tph) on each. Bolton-Blackburn can just about cope at the minute with 2tph each way (evidenced in the morning peaks), but it's not ideal. The trouble with that line I would presume is Bolton-Salford, unless the second train per hour ran to Bolton only, as paths aren't in abundance along it.
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Oxford to Charlbury i'll agree with, although i'd like to see some improvements made up at the Worcester end too.

I'm sure some workings along there see westbound trains pass nothing on the new double track section, yet include a wait for 10 mins+ at Evesham for a path towards Worcester, as the eastward working is occupying the line through Pershore.

 

[yorksrob]

I think the go-ahead has been given to install a passing loop on the branch allowing the service frequency to be doubled. I dont think doubling the line is likely to happen.

My candidates for doubling in the North West are,
Kirkham - Blackpool South
Rose Grove - Colne
Blackburn - Darwen - Bolton

All three lines are at (or near to) full capacity and having them all doubled would allow for increased service levels through out the area. Though I think the best the Blackpool South line is going to get is a possible passing loop, I dont even think its down for electrification even though its passing by on its way to Blackpool North.

I'd agree with those - except for Rose Grove, I'd lay the extra track end on at Colne to Skipton.

I think the SW Mainline west of Salisbuty could do with extra double track sections, if not doubling. and more loops on the Barnstaple branch from what I hear on here.

 

[MrC]

I'd wager the bit between Moreton and Dorchester South. Seems like just a silly small section that if fixed could just ease headaches during disruption. Also, upping the electrical supply to make 10 car trains able to come through from Poole.

Agreed these would be nice to have but to be honest things tend to work quite well now the timetabling has been sorted out. Plus from the end of next year the Wool sand trains won't need to go to Dorchester to run around so that'll be less traffic.

As for 10 car trains the existing 4/5 cars aren't that busy so can't see the need TBH.

 

[dk1]

Is this the same plan that would have seen off-peak passenger services to Felixstowe cease?

I think they would like to see the off-peak passenger service removed rather than spend any money just yet.

 

[Cherry_Picker]

I can't see it, getting rid of the level crossing and the awful signalling would be more of a benefit. The best you would get is a long loop at Little Kimble I would bet.

I dont think it (Aylesbury - Risborough) will happen any time soon. Said as much in a previous thread. There are 30+ foot crossings on the line plus the level crossing at Marsh Lane. Just the cost of sorting those out is definitely prohibitive. It would be nice to have a two track 75-100mph railway all the way from Marylebone to the WCML at Bletchley/Milton Keynes one day though, which is why I put it in the thread. It might happen in 30-40 years if MK and Aylesbury continue to grow.

 

[Charlie2555]

Leamington to Coventry!

Templecombe / Yeovil to Pinhoe - Whilst i'd like to see most of the Mule re-doubled, the above section would be best, allowing in times of disruption (such as now!), a ballance of SWT Services & FGW services on diversion.

Why just Templecombe/ Yeovil to Pinhoe? Might as well do it all the way to Wilton and Exeter while you're at it! Then we can get a better service than the 1tph at the moment.

 

[DavidBrown]

Why just ... to Pinhoe? Might as well do it all the way to ... Exeter while you're at it! Then we can get a better service than the 1tph at the moment.

I don't think dualling Pinhoe to Exeter will take too much effort!

 

[paul1609]

I don't think dualling Pinhoe to Exeter will take too much effort!

Nor Templecombe to Yeovil Junction