Operations at Newton Abbot

[The Stationmaster]

I think that it probably had a lot more to do with ensuring the greatest length of platform in both directions was in advance of the crossovers.  The arrangement was rather unusual because both of the scissors were actually in the block sections rather than being within Station Limits although there were Calling On subsidiaries into the advance section.   It might have had something to do with the relative length of portions but additionally it meant that a short connecting train could enter the platform behind a longer through trains standing in the block section in advance of the crossover.

[KeithMacdonald]

21 hours ago, Bob83a said:

The positioning might relate to shorter portion on the Kingswear branch compared to the Plymouth/Cornwall portion.

But the shorter portion would have to be on the rear in both direction which does not seem likely.

 

I too had assumed that the Kingswear (or Paignton) portion was the smaller portion. But the description (thanks to @Rivercider) and the position of the "up" crossover suggests that (perhaps) the Kingswear portion was actually the longer portion? Plus perhaps using the station pilot to propel the shorter portion.

 

confused.com

 

On 24/06/2020 at 19:27, Rivercider said:

He says normal procedure  for trains joining was for the branch portion to arrive first running through 8 to stop in 7, with the rear coach clear of the crossover. The incoming loco came off. The main train from Plymouth arrived a few moments later stopping short of the crossover in 8. The loco then detaches and moves via crossover and up through line to go on the front of the train. Meanwhile the station pilot propels the rear (Plymouth) portion up to attach to the front (Paignton) porton as station staff remove blanking boards from the corridor ends, and couple up.