Long Rock depot, Penzance - facilities, improvements & incidents (merged posts)

[whole diary]

[LiskeardRich]

I wonder if the Long Rock upgrade will include re doubling the line from Marazion to Penzance. This would be very useful if there are to be extra services on the main line in the future plus some through trains from St.Ives to Penzance.

Is it even wide enough with the depot in the way, certainly not wide enough at the level crossing into the beach car park at the end of the depot.

[chrisoates]

I wonder if the Long Rock upgrade will include re doubling the line from Marazion to Penzance. This would be very useful if there are to be extra services on the main line in the future plus some through trains from St.Ives to Penzance.

Is it even wide enough with the depot in the way, certainly not wide enough at the level crossing into the beach car park at the end of the depot.

Some great diagrams of the original layout here.

http://www.cornwallrailwaysociety.org.uk/cornwall-railway-gallery---1-main-line-penzance-to-redruth.html

[Andy]

I don't think it is possible with the current layout, the main pinch points being those mentioned. I never quite understood why the yard was redesigned to preclude any reinstatement when allowing a bit more space would have left the option open.

It must be about 40 years since the singling happened. The early-mid 70s were very traumatic for this young lad, with the end of the Warships, the singling of the line, the demolition of the water tower and remodelling of the depot and then the end of the Westerns. 

[SandTEngineer]

It must be about 40 years since the singling happened.

It was 22-24 June 1974.  The mechanical signals in the Penzance station area were retained at that time but everything else out to Marazion was made colour-light and power points http://www.s-r-s.org.uk/pullfree.asp?FilePath=ArchiveSignals\Downloads\brwr&FileName=1974-43w2711.pdf

[Umberleigh]

Well that's great news for the sleeper, looks most impressive, but what about the motive power?

[a-driver]

North Pole is the replacement for Old Oak Common as it's currently being refurbished in preparation for IEP^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project. This will offer more capacity on routes, save money, give a consistent and safe service and meet customer requirements. Intended to replace HSTs.). I'm not sure what happens to the HEX fleet, is there room for their site to remain? Obviously the HEX fleet isn't going to be maintained at Long Rock anyway!

North Pole isn't really a replacement for Old Oak Common as it's technically not a Great Western depot but owned by Hitachi.  I would imagine that if FGW^▸ (First Great Western) wanted to stable HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) or Turbo's at North Pole they would be charged by Hitachi.
It is rumoured that HSTs may end up being stabled during the daytime at Reading.

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

'Fatal' Penzance level crossing is permanently closed


Jan Nicholls, 73, died after being hit by a train at the crossing in 2011

A railway crossing where a woman was hit by a train and killed is to be permanently closed.

The Planning Inspectorate ruled the Mexico Inn pedestrian crossing near Penzance should be closed for safety reasons.

Jan Nicholls, 73, died after being hit by a train at the crossing in 2011.

The Open Spaces Society said it was "dismayed" at the decision to close the path which it described as "extremely important".

In response to the decision Network Rail chief executive Mark Carne said: "In my view the safest level crossing is a closed level crossing."

However, Mr Carne said he accepted the "vital role" played by level crossings in "connecting communities".

"In this particular case it's somewhat inconvenient to have to walk a little bit up the road in order to use the barriered crossing," he said. "But given that most people are going for a recreational walk I don't think the risk increase associated with the Mexico crossing justifies it remaining open."

The crossing was closed on a temporary basis in December 2012 after advice from the coroner.

The decision to close the crossing permanently was taken following an inquiry held in October 2014.

Rob Nance, chairman of Friends of Long Rock Mexico Crossing, said: "It's more for the people who just want to get across quickly and have a look at the bay, which includes a lot of elderly people who can't really make the other route."

The Open Spaces Society said the crossing was a popular route and needed by the public to gain access to the beach.

Kate Ashbrook, general secretary, said: "This path is extremely important for local people and visitors. With the other objectors we shall study the decision letter carefully and consider whether we can take the matter further."

[Andy]

Does anyone know if/where it's possible to see the plans for the new Long Rock depot expansion, work on which is currently underway? I see the old loading bay at Ponsandane has been demolished. Thanks.

[alexross42]

This may be way more detail than you wanted and perhaps not the easiest to navigate but all the planning application documents can be found at:
http://docs.planning.cornwall.gov.uk/rpp/index.asp?caseref=PA15/07736

[Andy]

This may be way more detail than you wanted and perhaps not the easiest to navigate but all the planning application documents can be found at:
http://docs.planning.cornwall.gov.uk/rpp/index.asp?caseref=PA15/07736

Thank you for this link. There isn't much room to play with there but I was rather hoping that provision would have been made where possible for a reinstatement of the double track to cope with the planned increase in frequency of services on the main line and the extension of more St Ives services to Penzance. In the "down" direction, now that the Mexico level crossing has been closed, double track could be easily extended to the Long Rock level crossing. 

[Kernowman]

This may be way more detail than you wanted and perhaps not the easiest to navigate but all the planning application documents can be found at:
http://docs.planning.cornwall.gov.uk/rpp/index.asp?caseref=PA15/07736

Thank you for this link. There isn't much room to play with there but I was rather hoping that provision would have been made where possible for a reinstatement of the double track to cope with the planned increase in frequency of services on the main line and the extension of more St Ives services to Penzance. In the "down" direction, now that the Mexico level crossing has been closed, double track could be easily extended to the Long Rock level crossing. 

I couldn't agree more

[Kernowman]

I also wonder what the plans are for the Ponsandane sidings. 

At Ponsandane sidings, New bank and Kings road have been disconnected and it looks like they're being filled in. Sandy bank (the one nearest the road) has been disconnected and it looks like that is being filled in too. Shoots, (the short siding) has been completely lifted and Old bank (the one nearest the running lines) has been relaid and reinstated.

At the east end of the depot, Oil road (where the fuel tanks used to be berthed), Shunt spur and Walter's siding have all been disconnected, presumably in preparation for building the new shed.

KM

[Chris from Nailsea]

Thank you for posting that very detailed 'local knowledge' update here on the Coffee Shop forum, Kernowman. 

[Andy]

I also wonder what the plans are for the Ponsandane sidings. 

At Ponsandane sidings, New bank and Kings road have been disconnected and it looks like they're being filled in. Sandy bank (the one nearest the road) has been disconnected and it looks like that is being filled in too. Shoots, (the short siding) has been completely lifted and Old bank (the one nearest the running lines) has been relaid and reinstated.

At the east end of the depot, Oil road (where the fuel tanks used to be berthed), Shunt spur and Walter's siding have all been disconnected, presumably in preparation for building the new shed.

KM

Thank you, Kernowman. I hope that the disconnection of Oil road does not mean that no provision will be made for a future reinstatement of rail-borne fuel delivieries. If there is going to be an increase in frequency of services on the main line to Plymouth/beyond, it could follow that larger quantities of fuel will be delivered to Penzance. In this case, a train of fuel tankers should be more economically attractive than before. 

[Kernowman]

Thank you, Kernowman. I hope that the disconnection of Oil road does not mean that no provision will be made for a future reinstatement of rail-borne fuel delivieries. If there is going to be an increase in frequency of services on the main line to Plymouth/beyond, it could follow that larger quantities of fuel will be delivered to Penzance. In this case, a train of fuel tankers should be more economically attractive than before. 

My thoughts exactly, you've hit the nail on the head there.

KM