baldopeter

The only Ambulance van in the UK, Class D and P's, Ashover Coaches and the Sand Hutton all here..

http://lclrhvt.bravesites.com/

Looks like we mis timed our gala three weeks ago......

Running days on Saturdays for the next five weeks at Skegness

Regards

Peter

The most recent information I have seen is that ERTMS is due to go live 'in a couple of weeks'....but we have seen that before. It seems close, but has been for a long time. The cambrian crossing ( Cae Pawb) is one of number of bits of the jigsaw to finish, but as I have tried to point out, once the basic railway is passed it will have limited capacity ( or the one platform at Port actually) for WHR trains if the FR runs a full 3 train service.

Equally, there is no room for late running, meaning the possibility of a 'knock on' to other parts of the system is high, hence the step by step approach and see how it goes. We will run the winter trains to HyL, and at half term some trains over the entire route. As the FR is not running due to the bypass bridge work it is a good time to 'experiment', but once the FR reopens in March we have to take care not to affect other services.

Only when the cob is widened and a second platform for the WHR built will there be any flexibility in operation, and we have no idea of traffic patterns either...time will tell us.

Regards

Peter

You are all overlooking the facts on the ground. The CTRL and line to PC will be approved, and used this winter. This approval will be for a very basic railway with simple signalling and token system.

Any use by the WHHR would involve a more complex signalling and token system.

The cob widening is the next step, which will involve more complex signalling, and could allow for trains from the WHHR to gain access to the main line if it was included in the next proposals under ROGS. This would require all parties to agree finance and operation. With different people involved this may now be possible, whereas before any co-operation looked unlikely.

Please just accept that using this bit of railway is very complex with possible impacts on Network Rail, WHR and FR. It will take time for us sort things out and get used to the operational aspects step by step. It will just take a bit of time.

Regards

Peter

I can confirm the winter timetable has been approved and does have the winter trains from Port to Hafod y Llyn, and half term trains in March are Port - Caernarfon.

Once the FfR re-opens after the bridge for the bypass is complete then I expect most WHR trains next year to terminate at Pont Croesor.

Regards

Peter

The crossing has been tested and commissioned, but only under ERTMS. The WHR is waiting for ERTMS to be commissioned, and the rest of PC to Port route inspection by HMRI. This is being done when it is to ensure it is completed under the derogation of the old regulations, i.e. by the end of September.

BTW, just because this section is then approved does not mean a *fully timetabled* service will run next year, there is still a lot of discussion going on about how to handle traffic in Harbour station with only one platform.

Regards

Peter

And just because it the commissioning of the crossing has been delayed does not mean there is anything wrong with it as a solution. As an onlooker it looks like some people have taken these delays as meaning that it's never going to happen.

 

 

I doubt if a bridge is financially viable. If Network Rail aren't able to replace the Newark flat crossing (on the East Coast Main Line) with a bridge, then I doubt if taking a lightly used branchline over an equally lightly used narrow gauge line is going to be a priority for them.

A tunnel would be difficult in sand that is only just above sea level, a bridge would be possible if the railway owned enough land on each side, which is does not. The 'embankment' towards Snowdon Street already has vertical sides made with gabions.

I suspect a flat crossing would be the only possible solution, I suspect the others were considered, but discounted early on. We just have to make it work !

Regards

Peter

I still can't help feeling that trying to cross another railway on a flat crossing whilst trying to link in with test bed new signalling which is desperately late, is a "bridge too far".

 

There must surely be a way to cross Network Rail infrastructure either by bridge or tunnel ?

 

After all the FR have now been instrumental in building more new railway than the Portmadoc-Dduallt section they started out with surely ?

 

If it can be done at Bury using 1:25 gradients, then I'm sure the FR could build something similar which the NG16s can cope with.

 

 

As always, wishing both parties well in this "handbags at dawn" business