Infrastructure Priorities in Cornwall

[whole diary]

[Karl]

Evening

Well a lot of people seem to be saying the same
thing in past messages under this topic, reinstate
double track and I would agree with that, so would
have to beg to differ with you regarding the Glynn
Valley.

Regarding coment made about a 5min service, no
we don't need a service that frequent but we need
a faster, better service, one that isn't 'Dreckly'
than we have, hence the need to reinstate double
track throughout Cornwall including Marazion e.t.c.

The whole HST^▸ (High Speed Train) timetable needs a radical rethink,
especially as to where they stop, times they run
and also in my opinion too many terminate at
Plymouth West bound.

Double track throughout to minimise delays or
trains stuck behind eachover and more sectional
signalling should also be a priority.

However I have been told some good news.  Truro
PLT 2 is to gain a signal (not sure exactly where
its going to be sighted), this is to replace the
ground signal that currently controls movements
out of 2 to crossover and gain the up main by
Truro Signal Box.  This is apparently for the future
use of trains from Falmouth to St.Austell/Newquay
which will run into 2 instead of terminating in
PLT 1.  I believe the idea of taking people from
Falmouth to St. Austell for a connetion to the "Eden
Project" is a main reason for this.

Regards

Karl.
 

[oooooo]

The new signal on platform 2 is the new cheap option.

Original plan was to install a crossover between Penweathers Jn and Highertown Tunnel to allow train off the Falmouth Branch to access the up main. As you say platform two will now be bi-directional to allow this.

[FarWestJohn]

Isn't there already a crossover to the west of Truro station that is used for the exit from Truro yard towards PNZ?

[oooooo]

Yes! In fact a train can already be routed off the branch onto the up main.

[signalandtelegraph]

Signal is to allow a train from Falmouth to run into the up platform and then go back to Falmouth from there.  Signal will replace existing shunt signal 26 at country end of Truro platform and will be a main arm reading to the DM only.

[Chris2]

After travelling on the Newquay branch line last Friday. The journey time needs to be reduced as already stated in this topic. The train I was on was jampacked full, with bags blocking doorways on the right hand side of the train in the direction of travel.

If anyone wanted to board at Luxulyan they would have to enter in the staff area. These areas had passengers in as well. I think that FGW^▸ (First Great Western) really need to consider having longer than a two carriage unit on Fridays on this branchline. A four carriage train would have still been packed as they sent coaches from Par in addition to the train. The journey needs to be sped up so that passengers have a more comfortable journey, and if there were half barriers this would help.

I n relation to the barrier at Molinnis, sometimes this road gets used as a diversion when the A391 is queued through Bugle. But the crossing could be closed as the road is not suitable for traffic use.

[Karl]

Evening

Yep, I was told that recently about Truro as well.
I'm not really sure that it is nessecary because
the two c153's should cross with eachover at Penryn,
so in thoery there should only be one train at Truro
and PLT 1 is adiquate enough; don't see any pluasable
reason to use PLT 2?  Could this protencailly coarse
congestion as well?  The idea I was led to believe at
partnership meetings is the one from Falmouth will come
into Penryn first, whilst the other waits in the loop
until the first has re/detrained and has proceded.

(It would of made sense if they were to run a service
to St. Austell/Par, but I beleive thats now on the
backburner).

The crossing at Millinous is used for a derversion,
the state of the road, well most people would not be
interested as long as there not stacked up at Bugle,
prehaps resurfice it?

As regards for Newquay train, I cought it as far as
Par today and it wasn't that bad, but passenger numbers
could be sparadic, same with Falmouth and some of
services out of Plymouth for Cornwall.  Some do need a
least a c153 added if not 2xc150s, but a spare unit that
could be left ready at Plymouth or Par as an additional
boost probably would fall on deaf ears?  Was there
anything happening on that day which could of made more
people use the train?  Prehaps they could do with some
monitoring to see if there are certain times where it
seems that one c153 or 150 is not enough?

Regards

Karl.

[Karl]

Morning

whilst we're discussing the Newquay branch, I have
to say that Par station has to be the most unwelcoming
station in Cornwall.  It is run down needs painting,
has silver barriers on the down platform (decetors why?),
Palacide fencing mixed with uncared for GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) original
spear tops, the booking office door was barely open
(does this and the toilet still shut at 2pm?), it most
be worse than Hayle and Menheniot stations.  The
footpath at the back of the down platform although free
of dogs mess on my visit, is uncared for and heavily
overgrown in some places (could this be a council issue?),
not a very welcoming sight for tourists either.

Regards

Karl.

[Chris2]

Evening

The crossing at Millinous is used for a derversion,
the state of the road, well most people would not be
interested as long as there not stacked up at Bugle,
prehaps resurfice it?

As regards for Newquay train, I cought it as far as
Par today and it wasn't that bad, but passenger numbers
could be sparadic, same with Falmouth and some of
services out of Plymouth for Cornwall.  Some do need a
least a c153 added if not 2xc150s, but a spare unit that
could be left ready at Plymouth or Par as an additional
boost probably would fall on deaf ears?  Was there
anything happening on that day which could of made more
people use the train?  Prehaps they could do with some
monitoring to see if there are certain times where it
seems that one c153 or 150 is not enough?

Regards

Karl.

The crossing at molinnis crosses a private road, so it is unlikely to be resurfaced.

It is only on Fridays during summer that the Newquay train is that full. I suppose as the train is scheduled to stop at intermediate stations which have short platforms. I don't know whether they are long enough for a three or four carriage train.

[Karl]

Evening

The Newquay branch used to accomodate three car
DMU^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit)'s, so can't see a problem with a c150 and c153
coupled together.

If the road is 'private' then I guess people are
sneaking along it when they shouldn't be then?!
Or is it another unadopted one from the Council,
like my back lane is after someone fell over?

Regards

Karl.

[oooooo]

It is only on Fridays during summer that the Newquay train is that full.

Where did you make that up from???

[Karl]

Evening

Prehaps this line does need a good monitoring then,
to see when the peaks are (not the 44, 45 and 46!).

If oooooo could send to the group trains he knows
are always buisier than others and I'll pass the
information onto someone who may be to help or at
least get the ball rolling!

Regards

Karl.

Where did you make that up from???

[Chris2]

It is only on Fridays during summer that the Newquay train is that full.

Where did you make that up from???

In my experience of the Par-Newquay branch line during weekdays, Fridays are by far the busiest going to Newquay. I only travel one way on the line as other wise I would arrive at Plymouth after midday. It also makes a difference if a high speed train connects with the Newquay service. I am not saying that every train is full. I don't know what the trains are like at weekends as I live in an intermediate village and the train doesn't stop on Saturdays, and a limited service on Sundays.

[vacman]

Today the Newquay was a 3 car to accomodate the extra passengers for some Pirate FM concert in Newquay, good on FGW^▸ (First Great Western) for strengthening it! 2 cars are inadequate for the Newquay branch but lets not forget that Wessex only usually had a single 153 diagrammed all year round until 2005! From what i've been told the 1041 left Newquay full and standing with a 3 car set!

[John R]

Let's hope that with the current attention on the Falmouth branch, and more services on the Barnstaple line coming, Newquay is not far behind in attracting the investment to improve the service that it deserves..