Trivia: What are the sharpest curves on Network Rail routes?

[Trainfan344]

There are no RailTrack curves anymore, they are all Network Rail now.

Isn't the curve onto the Nene Valley Railway from the mainline owned by Railtrack still?

 

[DarloRich]

Isn't the curve onto the Nene Valley Railway from the mainline owned by Railtrack still?

no - The nene valley railway have a lease on that now irc.

 

[northwichcat]

Skelton Junction to Deansgate Junction near Navigation Rd station: https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/5...-2.3385676,539m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m3!4m2!1m0!1m0 (double track line that curves around at the top not the straighter single track line underneath that relates to the disused line out to Glazebrook.)

 

[Kite159]

The curve outside Salisbury station to the east is tight, although not as tight as some posted, has it still got a 15mph speed limit on?

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.0722759,-1.8023783,16z

 

[Quakers Yard]

Cardiff Central to Grangetown
Merthyr Vale to Quakers Yard

 

[Rich_D3167]

The Grimsby to Immingham Light Railway has a pretty impressive curve between Great Coates Sidings No.1 Junction & Pyewipe Road Signal Box. Changing direction from east to west, it makes a complete 180 degree turn, with a 10mph PSR and a check rail throughout. If you want to see it for yourself on Google Maps, punch in "Estuary Way, Grimsby" and it gives you a good view of it. On the odd occasion i've seen freight trains diverted this way, the bogie tanks certainly give a Pacer's squeal a good run for their money!

 

[21C101]

I would have thought the curves on the Gunnislake Branch, the last part of the Colonel Stephens light railway empire to remain open as part of the national rail network must be some of the tightest.

 

[northernrail14]

I know it isn't but there is a curve between Dunston and MetroCentre and even the 156's struggle with that

 

[james60059]

I would have thought the curve from the Heart of Wales Lane to access the Swansea District Line is quite sharp (if you're coming from Pantyffynon)

 

[superkev]

I would think the sharp curve on the Harrogate main line onto crimple viaduct.
10 or 15mph restriction I think and a place where Pacers often get stuck.
k

 

[dk1]

There are 2 very tight corner on the Norwich-Lowestoft line after Reedham station turning off towards Lowestoft and about 5 mins later down the line after Reedham swingbridge there is another tight corner, DMUs are only allowed to do 10mph on that section.

It's 20mph & could easily be higher on the Lowestoft side of the river. Was 30mph until the late 70s.

 

[lincolnshire]

What about the line between Grimsby Docks station and New Clee station, that has a tightish bend as it passes the fish docks.

Its now a single line from Docks station to Cleethorpes, as before it was double tracked throughout. Before it was singled tracked the signalman could not let a train leave Grimsby Docks station area bound for Cleethorpes until the morning / evening return London train HST had cleared the Cleethorpes / Grimsby Docks Station section of the line as the ends of the coaches swung out of gauge and obstructed the other line and would have hit any train passing by.
No longer a problem as now single line and no more London train HST,s via Lincoln anymore.

Another oddity New Clee station only has trains stop in daylight hours as there are no platform lights. How to save money.

 

[Scotrail84]

The North curve at cowlairs jn on the anniesland line.

Burntisland station curve.

Arbroath station.

Dock street tunnel. 15mph through it with tight curves and check rail. P

Thornton South jn. Tight curve 20mph.

Carmuirs jn a contender also.

 

[LAX54]

It's 20mph & could easily be higher on the Lowestoft side of the river. Was 30mph until the late 70s.

Agreed the Lowestoft side is quite 'gentle' compared to many, but Reedham Junction to Reedham bridge does make the ol' wheels squeal !

 

[mcmad]

The 2 curve at Mossend South to the East and West junctions must be one of the tightest in regular passenger use.

 

[Ploughman]

If there are no check rails present then the curve is not tight.
Crimple on the Leeds - Harrogate is fitted with check rails and is just under 200m radius.
Unusually it is fitted with normal rail flange greasers on the running rails but also has Check rail greasers fitted, do not know anywhere else that has these on the check rails.

Similarly at Shipley the platform serving Bradford - Skipton services is also check rail fitted.

 

[paul1609]

I would have thought the curves on the Gunnislake Branch, the last part of the Colonel Stephens light railway empire to remain open as part of the national rail network must be some of the tightest.

The bay platform at Robertsbridge station is still part of the national network and will be reconnected to the old K&ESR if all goes to plan next week.

 

[CharlieSpotted]

A few weeks ago, I was on holiday in Wales, and took the train from Cardiff Queen Street to Barry Island. One part of the journey I found surprising was the very, very sharp curve (taken very slowly indeed) immediately after Barry station.

Is this type of curve normal? Is this as sharp as they come? Or are there other/worse examples?

 

[Smudger105e]

A sharp curve I often travel over is near Wainfleet in the Skegness line.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

A sharp curve I often travel over is near Wainfleet in the Skegness line.

Firsby?

 

[Smudger105e]

That's the one!

 

[PHILIPE]

There is already quite a lengthy thread on this topic although no posts since March:-

www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=103979

I don't know if the Moderators will want to merge.

There is also a picture of a Pacer screeching round the curve on the "thread" quoted here

 

[Pinza-C55]

Firsby?

Me having fun in 1982


20159 + 20196 at Firsby 29.5.82 par PinzaC55, on ipernity

 

[scott118]

south Tottenham curve

 

[Searle]

Entering Lincoln Central from Newark Castle/Northgate is a very tight, nearly 180 degree turn. If you position yourself in the middle of an HST, you can see both power cars very clearly whilst going round!

 

[PHILIPE]

A few weeks ago, I was on holiday in Wales, and took the train from Cardiff Queen Street to Barry Island. One part of the journey I found surprising was the very, very sharp curve (taken very slowly indeed) immediately after Barry station.

Is this type of curve normal? Is this as sharp as they come? Or are there other/worse examples?

There is also a picture on the thread = Post #31

 

[Dr_Paul]

The curves at platforms 16 and 17 at Clapham Junction are pretty tight and sinuous. Many years back, before they were regularly used by passenger services, there was no lighting in the evening on those platforms, and a long train of (I imagine) long-wheelbase four-wheel wagons crawled though. From the darkness came a lengthy barrage of ear-splitting screeches and howls. Those few of us who like musique concrète found it entertaining; but most people were looking across in horrified amazement, hands over their ears, wondering what was causing this deafening racket.

 

[47634 "Holbeck]

Dover Harbour has a Pretty Sharp Curve 10 MPH if Memory Serves & it has regular SouthEastern High Speed Services over it from Ramsgate i believe also Services from Ramsgate & London SouthEastern Classic Services go round it too

 

[GW43125]

Virginia Water Jn to just south of the station on the Chertsey lines is 15mph. More or less 90 degree curve which my rather crude calculation tells me is of roughly 200m radius. The flange squeal is painful!

 

[47634 "Holbeck]

Borough Market Junction heading towards both Charing Cross (Old Viaduct) & Cannon Street also Metropolitan Junction Heading from Waterloo East to London Cannon Street another 1 Shepherds Lane Junction By Brixton heading towards Canterbury Road Junction then there is Cambria Junction Heading from Denmark Hill round Towards Loughborough Junction trying to think of others ah found a Couple Eastern Junction (Sittingbourne) - Middle Junction then Middle Junction - Western Junction heading towards Newington!