Bristol Resignalling - from Bristol Panel Signal Box to Thames Valley Signal Centre (merged posts)

[whole diary]

[bobm]

Some early pictures of the new platform signalling at Bristol Temple Meads

[SandTEngineer]

Thanks for posting those BobM.  Shame they are going to have to be moved......

[Timmer]

Well done to everyone involved. Pleased for them.

[SandTEngineer]

Just noticed the blue line on the platform in one of BobMs photographs.  Whats that for?

[ellendune]

Just to let everybody know that Stage 4 of the re-control (Nailsea - Bristol Temple Meads station area - Stapleton Road) was commissioned on time at 0340 this morning (Tuesday 04 April 2018), and the possession given up at 0359 as planned.

So what area does Bristol Panel Box now control?

[SandTEngineer]

Just to let everybody know that Stage 4 of the re-control (Nailsea - Bristol Temple Meads station area - Stapleton Road) was commissioned on time at 0340 this morning (Tuesday 04 April 2018), and the possession given up at 0359 as planned.

So what area does Bristol Panel Box now control?

Bridgwater to Nailsea (excl) including Weston-Super-Mare loop; St.Annes Tunnel to Box Tunnel and Avoncliff.  The next stage is Filton Bank 4 Tracking in November/December 2018 (but thats now already on TVSC^» (Thames Valley Signalling Centre - about) at Didcot) followed by Bristol to Box Tunnel/Avoncliff in April 2019.  That will leave Bristol panel just controlling Bridgwater to Nailsea (excl) but the long term plan (if there is such a thing still) was that area would be re-controlled from Exeter panel and Bristol panel would then close.  Don't put any money on that happening in the immediate future....

[Phantom]

Just noticed the blue line on the platform in one of BobMs photographs.  Whats that for?

Whilst dashing out of the station this morning I noticed at the foot of the stairs up to a number of platforms there are signs pointing out that now the new signalling was installed trains would be stopping at different locations on some platforms - I wonder if it is something to do with this?

As in the photo above the train is not as far down the platform as in the past?
If I get time I will have a closer look on the way home this evening, but usually go out from Pt15 so may not seen anything that far over

[Timmer]

Bridgwater to Nailsea (excl) including Weston-Super-Mare loop; St.Annes Tunnel to Box Tunnel and Avoncliff.  The next stage is Filton Bank 4 Tracking in November/December 2018 (but thats now already on TVSC^» (Thames Valley Signalling Centre - about) at Didcot) followed by Bristol to Box Tunnel/Avoncliff in April 2019.  That will leave Bristol panel just controlling Bridgwater to Nailsea (excl) but the long term plan (if there is such a thing still) was that area would be re-controlled from Exeter panel and Bristol panel would then close.  Don't put any money on that happening in the immediate future....

So it will be the turn of Bath Spa for the total shut down next Easter then?

[SandTEngineer]

Bridgwater to Nailsea (excl) including Weston-Super-Mare loop; St.Annes Tunnel to Box Tunnel and Avoncliff.  The next stage is Filton Bank 4 Tracking in November/December 2018 (but thats now already on TVSC^» (Thames Valley Signalling Centre - about) at Didcot) followed by Bristol to Box Tunnel/Avoncliff in April 2019.  That will leave Bristol panel just controlling Bridgwater to Nailsea (excl) but the long term plan (if there is such a thing still) was that area would be re-controlled from Exeter panel and Bristol panel would then close.  Don't put any money on that happening in the immediate future....

So it will be the turn of Bath Spa for the total shut down next Easter then?

Correct.

[martyjon]

Just to let everybody know that Stage 4 of the re-control (Nailsea - Bristol Temple Meads station area - Stapleton Road) was commissioned on time at 0340 this morning (Tuesday 04 April 2018), and the possession given up at 0359 as planned.

This morning 04 April 2018 is Wednesday.

[SandTEngineer]

Just to let everybody know that Stage 4 of the re-control (Nailsea - Bristol Temple Meads station area - Stapleton Road) was commissioned on time at 0340 this morning (Tuesday 04 April 2018), and the possession given up at 0359 as planned.

This morning 04 April 2018 is Wednesday.

..alright.  It was my excitement at a signalling scheme being commissioned and the possession being handed back on time....

Just for the record it WAS Wednesday 04 April 2018.

[IndustryInsider]

Good to see the signals are now showing their aspects on the Railcam diagram following the possession- hopefully we’ll see a Bristol area map on opentraintimes with aspects and routes sometime soon?

[SandTEngineer]

The magic blue lines.....

I asked the question on the WNXX^▸ (Stored Unserviceable, Mainline Locos HQ All Classes) Forum and an insider there posted this response which he has agreed, I can post here.

Clarity has now arrived in the form of V3 (current) version of the brief.

The 80x will stop at 5 car stop signs on the approach to the platform sharing signals when these are at danger. HST^▸ (High Speed Train) will stop at the 80x stop sign when entering platform 3 from the East end as this platform is 299 metres long. HST and 9 / 10 car 80x will only fit entirely in platforms 3, 13, & 15.

All other Trains are required to stop 10 metres on the approach to the platform sharing signals, presumably for sighting reasons from gangwayed unit cabs due to line curvature and the possibility of stopping on the TPWS^▸ (Train Protection and Warning System) stop grids. The Blue lines denote 10 metres back from the platform sharing signals and this is the reason for their appearance.

I gather additional PSR^▸ (Permanent Speed Restriction) signage has been provided to cater for Trains being permitted to leave platforms 3-12 at 25 mph.

I assume at some point they will alter the train detection (two axle counters a set distance each side from the platform sharing signals, back wheels of train have to be clear of second set in order to allow Train to approach platform sharing signal on main aspect) so as to remove station staff involvement.

So back to the drawing board then......

[WelshBluebird]

HST^▸ (High Speed Train) and 9 / 10 car 80x will only fit entirely in platforms 3, 13, & 15.

Interesting about the HST's. Does this mean they will no longer be able to use other platforms? (GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) didn't used to use other platforms that often for HST's but it did happen, and XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) still have theirs too).

[SandTEngineer]

HST^▸ (High Speed Train) and 9 / 10 car 80x will only fit entirely in platforms 3, 13, & 15.

Interesting about the HST's. Does this mean they will no longer be able to use other platforms? (GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) didn't used to use other platforms that often for HST's but it did happen, and XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) still have theirs too).

It means that if an HST enters any other platform it will have to be signalled past the mid-platform signal, and thus end up occupying both platform parts.