Penryn Loop

[whole diary]

[Andy]

If anyone has the chance to take a photo, I'd love to see it!

[willc]

I wonder how many locals are aware of the service to come - the Packet doesn't appear to be covering it.

I think you're being a bit unfair. The following appeared on October 15 on their website: http://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/news/fpfalmouth/3758093.Falmouth_rail_link_given_boost/

[smokey]

Some long passing loop, better than a short loop mind.

I find it very strange that Penryn platform is having an extension (around a Curve) when it's one of the longest in Cornwall and dead straight.

Anyway if Penryn can have an Extension around a bend it should silence all the H & S nuts who say all NEW platforms must be straight.

[vacman]

Some long passing loop, better than a short loop mind.

I find it very strange that Penryn platform is having an extension (around a Curve) when it's one of the longest in Cornwall and dead straight.

Anyway if Penryn can have an Extension around a bend it should silence all the H & S nuts who say all NEW platforms must be straight.

Not quite true, new platforms can be built on curves but there is a minimum radius.

[chrisoates]

Arrived at Penryn today in a taxi - mid morning refurbished 153 broke down on way to Truro.

The loop is huuuuuuge (has to start inside the platform due to the bridge)....extends past the Network rail yard and around the approach bend.

Staff say it's not to be used for a while until signaling is finished and presumeably a unit is found to run on it.
 
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[vacman]

They've got the unit already, the current 2x153's will be split to form 2 trains.

[Andy]

Thanks for the photos, chrisoates: it looks great, a real sign of the success of the branch. Penryn station needs some "friends" to make the disused second platform look a bit less forlorn.

[eightf48544]

I first saw this type of loop on the Rostock Wismar line some 8 or so years ago. By extending the platform and having the loop start half way it means that you have disabled access for trains in both directions and you don't have to provide lifts or ramps to cross the line. Previously on this line although the platforms are at ground level the staion loop lines had separate platforms so in one direction or the other you had to cross the running lines.

I must admit it's quite interesting to be sitting in the front of a train and come head on towards the other train standing in the platfrom. Then start straight towards it only to swing away and onto the loop. I have a video sequence.

It's good to see Networkrail adopting such ideas. Where there is space it's an obvious solution to reinstating loops, it requires exactly the same amount of signalling but provides disabled access at considrably less cost than providing lifts or ramps.

[John R]

Very neat idea, though I can't see what the protection is against the train pulling up in the loop overshooting (particularly at this time of year) and hitting the train standing in the other part of the station. But there must be one. 

[eightf48544]

DB^» (Deutsche Bahn - German State Railway - about) has Indusi which is an induction train stop, which although the driver can acknowledge he cannot overide it like AWS^▸ (Automatic Warning System - an arrangement of permanent magnets and electro-magnets that convey information about the associated signal to the train driver), it will always stop the train. Also their DMUs^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit) tend to have hydrodynamic brakes to bring the speed down without skidding.

The only danger is the train arriving in the platform towards the trailing loop points. If they SPAD^▸ (Signal Passed At Danger - very bad!) then they could crash the points. The train coming the other way will just swing onto the loop. It tends to be that the timetable is arranged so that trailing direction train arrives first and is last to leave.

[Btline]

Did someone say they had a video?

[John R]

The only danger is the train arriving in the platform towards the trailing loop points. If they SPAD^▸ (Signal Passed At Danger - very bad!) then they could crash the points. The train coming the other way will just swing onto the loop. It tends to be that the timetable is arranged so that trailing direction train arrives first and is last to leave.

I think I tried to say that the danger was only in one direction, but not so accurately as you did!  I don't think relying on a timetable is particularly foolproof though. Maybe the entrance to the loop is slow enough to make it a low enough risk.

[grandsire]

Today the Falmouth branch was served by 150121 rather than a pair of 153s.  150121 obviously gets around as I last saw it at Chippen ham on Nov 1st heading for Melksham.
At Penryn station Amey have today cleared their site cabins from what is to become the car park and placed them on the site of the former car auction premises - from where they have started to extend the platform in a southerly direction.   The rest of the planned car park area is currently being cleared of old ballast etc by the Helston Railway Preservation co for re-use at Trevarno.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Hello, there, grandsire - and welcome to the Coffee Shop forum!

Thanks very much for the local information about Penryn - it's good to hear that progress is being made on improvements to the service.

[Andy]

Yes, thanks for the information - and welcome. Nice to read that the excess ballast is being put to good use, too!