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Bank Slip at Unstone - MML between Chesterfield & Dronfield.

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G0ORC

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Hi all,

I'm told by industry sources that there is constant monitoring of 2 large (their words, not mine) slips in the area of Unstone just south of Dronfield close to 149mp. Estimates are that 75,000 tonnes of spoil are moving - this is the material that was used to stabilise the same site in 1970, where, in 1969 Broomhouse (not Broomhill) Tunnel existed before it was opened out into a cutting.

Preparatory work is going ahead sending machinery and staff to site to try and halt the slides but it is expected that that one of them at least is likely to slip further before work can be started and cause the line to be blocked. Estimate for the slip to move is 7 days but this is likely to be shorter as heavy rain is forecast for this weekend.

There is an estimate of 7 - 14 days before both slips can be remedied. Some very minor track movement has already been noted.

If both lines are blocked passenger and freight diversions will be via the Old Road (Beighton and Nunnery). Northern services between Leeds and Nottingham will terminate at Sheffield with passengers forwarded on, presumably, EMT Norwich services with an additional stop at Langley Mill. Cross-Country look likely to run one train via Sheffield (reverse) per hour with the other running direct via the old road from Masborough to Tapton

If one line remains open, traffic will run over it in the direction in which it is open, with diversions via the Old Road for trains in the blocked direction.

Both lines remain open at the moment but the situation is under constant monitoring.
 
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edwin_m

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Hi all,

I'm told by industry sources ...

Thanks for the tip (no pun intended). I'll look out for any short notice disruption next time I'm heading for Manchester.

I seem to remember last time there was a major planned closure on this section (tunnel works I think) that EMT Liverpool-Norwich were taken off too, or am I mis-remembering? Presumably the second EMT London-Sheffield will revert to terminating at Derby for the duration as well.
 

JohnB57

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Estimates are that 75,000 tonnes of spoil are moving - this is the material that was used to stabilise the same site in 1976, where, many, many years ago Broomhill Tunnel existed before it was opened out into a cutting.
Hi

I'm confused, but it may be my misunderstanding. Broomhill (or I think Cat Hill) Tunnel was near Darfield, south of Barnsley and as you say, opened up in 1840 to form a cutting. This is a completely different location. What am I missing?
 

G0ORC

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Hi (Vince I think?).

I'm confused, but it may be my misunderstanding. Broomhill (or I think Cat Hill) Tunnel was near Darfield, south of Barnsley and as you say, opened up in 1840 to form a cutting. This is a completely different location. What am I missing?

Quite correct - a slight typo here - should be Broomhouse Tunnel.

Thanks for noticing...

Yes, the name is correct
 

JohnB57

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Quite correct - a slight typo here - should be Broomhouse Tunnel.

Thanks for noticing...

Yes, the name is correct
Coincidence on the location name. Broomhouse was opened up in 1969 apparently. Cat Hill was located just north of Broomhill, hence the confusion.

Isn't QRZ wonderful?

73 de G0SJB.
 

G0ORC

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Coincidence on the location name. Broomhouse was opened up in 1969 apparently. Cat Hill was located just north of Broomhill, hence the confusion.

Isn't QRZ wonderful?

73 de G0SJB.

Just no hiding place at all is there...
 

222001

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There is currently a 50mph TSR in this area going southbound and there has been for a few weeks now. Before this I've noticed a slight jolt on the track in this area for the past two months.
 

WestRiding

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EMT have been route learning via the old road all day, just in case. Running as a 5Z06.
 

tsr

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Could it be anything to do with the notable watercourses and therefore any effects on the geology in the Unstone area? I'm not saying there is definitely a link. Just curious if anybody has suggested this in the local area, perhaps, or at NR.

I'm not terribly familiar with such things in the area, but I have visited a site close to the railway a couple of years ago - and, to be honest, on reading this thread, that's what came to mind immediately.
 
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bunnahabhain

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There is currently a 50mph TSR in this area going southbound and there has been for a few weeks now. Before this I've noticed a slight jolt on the track in this area for the past two months.
Its more than a slight jolt at the extremes of vehicles, it threw me off balance the other day.
 

G0ORC

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Could it be anything to do with the notable watercourses and therefore any effects on the geology in the Unstone area? I'm not saying there is definitely a link. Just curious if anybody has suggested this in the local area, perhaps, or at NR.

I'm not terribly familiar with such things in the area, but I have visited a site close to the railway a couple of years ago - and, to be honest, on reading this thread, that's what came to mind immediately.

According to local staff there is large and deep back scarring here which is evidence of historical slope failure. There is a very deep and steep cutting at this location and the danger of slippage occurring here has been appreciated for a long time.

Apparently it is known locally as Spring Bank Wood and it had a three metre layer of spoil placed on it in 1970, apparently from Broomhouse Tunnel when it was opened out to form the cutting. About 3 months later springs immediately below the layer of spoil caused the spoil to slip and more remedial work took place which has lasted until now.
 
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IanXC

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EMT have been route learning via the old road all day, just in case. Running as a 5Z06.

Presumably, among the other considerations EMT need to ensure the risk of not being able to get their HST fleet back to the depot in Leeds is mitigated.
 

ANDYS

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Pro4600

in answer to your question, no.

Broomhouse tunnel was further to the south in an area called 'The Brushes'.

This link shows it on an old OS map:-

http://www.ponies.me.uk/maps/osmap.html?z=14&x=-1.4388&y=53.2748

If you know the area it is behind what was/is an old second-hand car garage, an old boatyard and an old pub which was called The Railway but is not anymore.

If I get chance I will have a drive down as their is a footbridge over part of the line so I will see what I can
 

talltim

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I knew there had been a tunnel, but not where it was. It turns out my wife's uncle's garden backs onto the line pretty much at the location
 

pro4600

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It's off Whittington lane between unstone and old Whittington. I do a lot of cycling on that road. it's quite a steep bank round there, and there is often a lot of surface water running down the road (even in summer). I can see how a land slip would be likely, especially after this winter.
 

ANDYS

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My son and I had a walk down today. The southbound trains were certainly much slower than normal but the northbound line seemed unaffected.

As for evidence of movement, speaking as a complete layman, I could not see anything untoward. However, as mentioned by other contributors, the cutting is very steep and the ground is waterlogged.

We will have to see how this develops.
 

bunnahabhain

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Banter I had with some workmates today said that it may be closing tonight and will take up to 12 weeks. I don't think it will be tonight, but a few colleagues did say they had refreshed Beighton because of it.
 

222001

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Banter I had with some workmates today said that it may be closing tonight and will take up to 12 weeks. I don't think it will be tonight, but a few colleagues did say they had refreshed Beighton because of it.

How many people actually know Beighton? I take it nearly all the Derby based drivers and Sheffield / Derby based TMs know it? I believe no London based staff know it. But what about the Nottingham bases staff that work LIV-NRW?
 

Mugby

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Northern Rail have one train per day on the Leeds service which is routed via Beighton. It's the 2047 M-F from Nottingham.
Presumably it's for familiarisation although I'm not convinced of the merits of that in the dark!
 

222001

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Northern Rail have one train per day on the Leeds service which is routed via Beighton. It's the 2047 M-F from Nottingham.
Presumably it's for familiarisation although I'm not convinced of the merits of that in the dark!

There is also one in the morning off Sheffield too, this also goes via the Toton Centre.
 

bunnahabhain

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How many people actually know Beighton? I take it nearly all the Derby based drivers and Sheffield / Derby based TMs know it? I believe no London based staff know it. But what about the Nottingham bases staff that work LIV-NRW?
Some do, some don't. It shouldn't cause any problems because you just roster those who do know the route on those trains. Notts sign Beighton, Toton, Chat Moss, Ambergate and Romiley diversions to head up to Scouse.
 

222001

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I'm informed that the jolt you get going over it even at 20mph is now massive. Seems like it could be slowly getting worse. It's still linespeed on the down line though...
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
The twist on the track has now increased and the TSR is now down to 10mph.
 

ushawk

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I'll give it a couple more days and the line will be shut, weather conditions will be a big factor.
 
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