Four track for Filton Bank - ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[SandTEngineer]

So which services will use Platform 1?

Trains that don't need to stop at Stapleton Road and Lawrence Hill (I would assume).  The new timetable hasn't been published yet so we will have to wait and see, I'm not a timetable planner so can only speak with confidence on the infrastructure elements.

[metalrail]

I was assuming that P1 and P3 would be for all services to BRI^» (Bristol Temple Meads - next trains) depending whether they came from BPW^» (Bristol Parkway - next trains) or PWY like they have been since yesterday, with P2 available for bidirectional working in case of delays etc.  Happy to be wrong

They'll need to change the new signs tho from those Red Squirrel posted pics of the other day, as they indicate P2 for all trains north via BPW...

http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=13113.msg251924#msg251924

[Bmblbzzz]

So which services will use Platform 1?

Trains that don't need to stop at Stapleton Road and Lawrence Hill (I would assume).  The new timetable hasn't been published yet so we will have to wait and see, I'm not a timetable planner so can only speak with confidence on the infrastructure elements.

That's what I'd assumed too. But surely they'll be going to Temple Meads, which leaves Froome's partner with the same platform dilemma.

[SandTEngineer]

Thats correct.  There are no crossovers to get you from Filton Abbey Wood Platform No.4 to Bristol Parkway (referring to the posted diagrams).

[metalrail]

Thats correct.  There are no crossovers to get you from Filton Abbey Wood Platform No.4 to Bristol Parkway (referring to the posted diagrams).

Yeah sorry I meant they'd need to change the new P2 sign to also indicate trains to BRI^» (Bristol Temple Meads - next trains) if they were running from P2 along with P1 & P3, rather than just northbound via BPW^» (Bristol Parkway - next trains) as it now says (which is the only path to BPW like you said)

Otherwise it could cause even more confusion with 3 platforms to choose from for BRI

[SandTEngineer]

Think I forgot to mention also that trains from Bristol Parkway will continue to be able to reverse back to Bristol Parkway in Filton Abbey Wood Platform No.1 (as previously).

[stuving]

So which services will use Platform 1?

Trains that don't need to stop at Stapleton Road and Lawrence Hill (I would assume).  The new timetable hasn't been published yet so we will have to wait and see, I'm not a timetable planner so can only speak with confidence on the infrastructure elements.

I don't follow that. Platforms 1 and 2 can connect to any of the four lines to the south at Horfield Junction, in any legal direction, with one exception (P2 to the Down Fast). The same applies to the north for the four lines in the two routes, but with the additional crossover there is no exception. That crossover isn't new, so why does it need to be commissioned now - has it been taken out of use awaiting new signals?

[Dispatch Box]

Am I right in assuming Signal no. BL1572 On the BPW^» (Bristol Parkway - next trains) end of plat 1. is still there, when last seen it had a pos 1 and 2 Junction Inds on.


Glad I did not go to Bristol yesterday as it turned out my train back to Gloucester was over 30mins late. It then forms the 16:40 to Weymouth which left Gloucester at 17:13.

[yanti]

http://trackit.uppyjc.co.uk/TrackIT/Forms/Map.aspx?MapID=1&AutoRefresh=True

This is great. Could someone please explain the significance of the train colours and numbers. 

[martyjon]

http://trackit.uppyjc.co.uk/TrackIT/Forms/Map.aspx?MapID=1&AutoRefresh=True

This is great. Could someone please explain the significance of the train colours and numbers. 

There is a better site for these track diagrams, freightliner.net, but that is a pay to view site which a mate of mine showed me today but that showed some junctions as diamond crossing junctions and not as they are, a ladder junction.

[DaveHarries]

It seems as if Filton Abbey Wood now has 2 platforms with bi-directional signalling.

While watching the live map at Bristol Temple Meads this morning I noticed 2U12 (0925 St. James Park - Cardiff Central, which left Bristol Temple Meads at 1121hrs) use Platform 2 (not Platform 3 as booked) then cross over to the Newport-bound lines.

2U12 is booked for the Fast lines all the way to Filton Abbey Wood, rather than the relief lines, so clearly Platform 2 at Filton Abbey Wood, once usable only by trains to Bristol Parkway, can now be used for Cardiff-bound trains also. A good idea which should partly remove the need for bus replacement services between Bristol and Severn Tunnel Junction / Newport when works are taking place on Filton Bank because the trains for South Wales can use the neighbouring tracks if they are open.

Dave

[grahame]

http://trackit.uppyjc.co.uk/TrackIT/Forms/Map.aspx?MapID=1&AutoRefresh=True

This is great. Could someone please explain the significance of the train colours and numbers. 

Educated guess / typically on such maps, colour tells you whether a train is on time.   White - not yet running, green is on time or nearly so so through to red being sadly late.  Codes like 2Y04 are train running codes ... these are mulched into 4 characters to hide the train where it's a freight.   

[IndustryInsider]

While watching the live map at Bristol Temple Meads this morning...

It’s a shame that official mapping program, known as TMIS, isn’t available to the public as it is well laid out and up-to-date.  Not wanting to take anything away from the guys and girls that run the licenced but unofficial sites mind you.

[TonyK]

Welcome  to  the  Coffee  Shop,  yanti!

The  first  character is probably the most useful to  use. "1" shows a fast train, such as  a HST^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units))  or  IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train - replacement for HSTs (manufactured by Hitachi in Kobe, Japan)) working an intercity route. "2" signifies  a slower train, for example  a Portsmouth to Cardiff stopper. "5" tells us that the train is empty  coaching stock. They are  the most  commonly found in these parts. The letter immediately after signifies the region in which  the  train's ultimate  destination lies, for long-distance routes covering more than one region, and the final two make the code  complete to  describe  a service uniquely. Well ,  not quite, because the same  code can be in use for more than one train in  different parts of the country. The  code provides  a reference  for signallers, TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company), and the very  useful websites suck as TrackIT! to use for our benefit.

[Red Squirrel]

This article expands on Four Track, Now!'s explanation, though perhaps not as much as you might have hoped.

Just by way of an example, trains on the Severn Beach line start at 2K00, the 05.14 from Temple Meads to Avonmouth, and in general terms the code rises through the day (so as I type this 2K09, the 08.36 from Avonmouth, has just departed on its way to Temple Meads). However 'K' is also used as a route indicator by Scotrail, and whilst you (or indeed signallers) are unlikely to confuse a train on the Fife Inner Circle for the Severn Riviera Express, it is worth recognising that these codes are not unique.