Trivia: Shortest possible loop in the country?

[Mag_seven]

Following on from the "longest possible loop" thread:

http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=109044

Using the same rules, what is the SHORTEST possible loop. I nominate Newcastle Central to Newcastle Central (Newcastle Central-King Edward VII Bridge-High Level Bridge-Newcastle Central).

 

[Mutant Lemming]

Following on from the "longest possible loop" thread:

http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=109044

Using the same rules, what is the SHORTEST possible loop. I nominate Newcastle Central to Newcastle Central (Newcastle Central-King Edward VII Bridge-High Level Bridge-Newcastle Central).

Can you actually make the journey as a passenger by train though ?

Would suggest an alternative being Glasgow Central to Glasgow Central via Cathcart.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Hamilton Square-Hamilton Square via Liverpool Central?

 

[Mutant Lemming]

Actually am not sure of my own suggestion and the one above as they aren't really starting and finishing at the same point. Not sure if the Glasgow Subway would count either as it isn't 'mainline'.

 

[Bald Rick]

Radlett stone terminal - Radlett stone terminal?

I could arrange a wrong routing

 

[causton]

Kennington loop on the Northern line (Kennington - Kennington, where all the Charing Cross trains go through when they terminate there to go back northbound)

 

[WestCountry]

Kennington loop on the Northern line (Kennington - Kennington, where all the Charing Cross trains go through when they terminate there to go back northbound)

Does that count? It's not a 'loop' in the sense that you end up in the same place as you started and can keep going around without changing direction.


Clapham Junction - Herne Hill - Tulse Hill - Clapham Jn is fairly tight.

 

[David Goddard]

Ely West Junction - Ely North Junction - Ely West Junction.

The Ely West Curve has always affectionately been known as just "the loop"

 

[8A Rail]

Hamilton Square-Hamilton Square via Liverpool Central?

Would it not be James St to James St in the circumstances? Just a thought.

 

[causton]

Does that count? It's not a 'loop' in the sense that you end up in the same place as you started and can keep going around without changing direction.

Did not know about the changing direction - as I saw the GLC - GLC loop above I assumed not (unless there is a part of GLC I'm forgetting!)

 

[The Decapod]

The loop at Didcot power station looks smaller than the Ely one, comparing Google maps at the same zoom scale.

 

[WestCountry]

Did not know about the changing direction - as I saw the GLC - GLC loop above I assumed not (unless there is a part of GLC I'm forgetting!)

Not my thread, just trying to guess at the OP's intent.

The OP's example is an actual loop, as is the impressive Radlett one. I don't think any of the others are. Maybe just mention on posts which category it's in?

 

[theageofthetra]

When it was open - Pilot halt - Pilot Halt via the Dungeness loop on the RHDR. Also there are many European tram systems which use single cab stock & have turning loops often with a very sharp radius. I believe a loop is being proposed at Croydon on Tramlink.

 

[GrimsbyPacer]

What about:
Meadowhall (S. Yorks) past the disused Rotherham Masboro' station then at Swinton going back via Rotherham Central?
Does that count as a loop?

 

[matchmaker]

The loop at Didcot power station looks smaller than the Ely one, comparing Google maps at the same zoom scale.

I would havre thought that most (if not all) power stations served by MGR would be in with a shout.

 

[Mutant Lemming]

Does ending up back where you started from mean the same station or the same platform ?

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Birmingham New St-Soho-Aston-New St is certainly a circle. Not the smallest though.
You can go the other way too: Wolverhampton-Bescot-Soho-Tipton-Wolverhampton, and various useful combinations of these two.
Then there's New St-St Andrews-Lifford-Bourneville-New St.

 

[Jonny]

Does ending up back where you started from mean the same station or the same platform ?

If you go from the OP's example, the same station with the same direction of travel arriving as leaving.

 

[pompeyfan]

In that case, I go for cosham-Hilsea-bedhampton-cosham.

 

[Lee_Again]

What about Newcastle to Newcastle over the bridges. Pretty sure you go around in a loop if signalled correctly.

 

[najaB]

What about Newcastle to Newcastle over the bridges. Pretty sure you go around in a loop if signalled correctly.

Psst. That was the thread starter.