ELR Bury Bolton Street platform usage

[JoeGJ1984]

I visited the ELR a few weeks ago and noticed that platform 2's rails looked rusty as if they had not been used for some time (they seemed to just use platforms 3 and 4). It seems to me a bit of a bad thing to let one platform's track get rusty and it seems that it would be better to use platform 2 occasionally - they some days could use platform 2 instead of 3.

Does anyone else know about their practices with regards to platform usage? It also gives more variety to visitors using different platforms.

 

[Jonfun]

I'm afraid I can't say with any degree of certainty how fast Bullhead railhead rusts but Bolton Street's platform two is indeed used frequently. It's not used for most during the day running however for a number of reasons, including p3/4 being a cross platform interchange, the fact most station facilities (cafe, station staff office, more toilets) are on p3/4, and it's not preferred to run Heywood bound trains from p2 currently due to the quirks of the track layout. You'll often find midweek trains use p2, as do evening dining trains, along with (where operating) shuttle services and shunting movements.

Platform 1 on the other hand is a non starter

 

[YorkshireBear]

Rail can rust after like 2 days depending on conditions, just a light layer but makes track look rusty.

 

[Phil6219]

I'm afraid I can't say with any degree of certainty how fast Bullhead railhead rusts but Bolton Street's platform two is indeed used frequently. It's not used for most during the day running however for a number of reasons, including p3/4 being a cross platform interchange, the fact most station facilities (cafe, station staff office, more toilets) are on p3/4, and it's not preferred to run Heywood bound trains from p2 currently due to the quirks of the track layout. You'll often find midweek trains use p2, as do evening dining trains, along with (where operating) shuttle services and shunting movements.

Platform 1 on the other hand is a non starter

Exactly, P2 is also used sometimes to hold a light engine which will replace the one coming off the P3 arrival, usually resulting in a race out of the station & into the tunnel. We did it yesterday, 55022 vs 50015 & I think we enjoyed it just as much as the punters

The shuttles (as mentioned above) depart from & arrive at Platform 2 (when they are actually running of course). Had a few occasions yesterday where the Heywood-Rawtenstalls were coming in on P4 instead of P3 mainly due to loco changes. Also did a Heywood bound service from P2, had to be careful over the rather tight pointwork too

The signal gantries have been erected just round the corner, by Bury South Box so I think they may start running more Rawtenstall services off P2 to allow the departing to Heywood to go from P3 or P4 without the issue of conficts. Had it twice today where the track circuit was just marginally occupied by the train in P3 preventing the Heywood to depart until they drew foreward a bit. Ironically we were the first Heywood one that was stuck and then on our return was the cause Although that was down to a passenger trying to disembark whilst we were moving so the guard dumped the brakes...

Phil :coo:

 

[455driver]

usually resulting in a race out of the station & into the tunnel. We did it yesterday, 55022 vs 50015 & I think we enjoyed it just as much as the punters

Who won?

 

[Phil6219]

Who won?

We were first off the mark in 55022 as the chap driving the 50 forgot to set the reverser , so in the spirit of things we slowed to a crawl and the 50 overtook but we were neck & neck in the tunnel until we had to brake for Castlecroft where we were to stable for an hour.

A draw I think, still waiting on the photo finish

Apparently there is a photo online of the race but I can't find it...

Phil

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

How are the plans going to extend ELR beyond Heywood towards Castleton/Rochdale?