Is a four track preserved railway possible ?

[74A]

Is there anywhere in the country you could reopen a 4 track railway. Im guessing probably not as places that needed 4 track have probably not been closed only reduced from 4 to 2.

In preservation you have 2 track railway on the Great Central (which also has loops at Swithland but not long enough to call it 4 track)

Just wondered if there was anywhere it could be done ?

 

[Ianno87]

Why would a preserved railway *want* a 4 track railway, other than for the photographic appeal? You'd need to be running enough trains to justify its cost and upkeep, for starters.

 

[Ploughman]

Probably get turned into 1 running line and 3 sidings.

 

[Cowley]

I can't think of any of our preserved railways that ever had four track? Mainly because of course most of them (apart from the GCR) were fairly minor and often single track routes.
It was a major achievement putting the double track back on the GCR too.
Maybe the RH&DR would be the best bet

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Is it possible? Yes, it doesn't defy any universal laws...
Is it likely? About as likely as my plans for an open access service from Cuckoo's Nest on the Kirklees Light Railway to Altnabreac, using special multi-gauge modified 142s.

 

[Cowley]

Is it possible? Yes, it doesn't defy any universal laws...
Is it likely? About as likely as my plans for an open access service from Cuckoo's Nest on the Kirklees Light Railway to Altnabreac, using special multi-gauge modified 142s.

I was waiting for something to invest my money in and I think I've just found it. Happy new year by the way.
This time next year Rodders...

 

[steamybrian]

Horsted Keynes station has 5 platforms (four running lines) through the station but was double track to Ardingly, West Hoathly and single to Sheffield Park (earthworks built for double)

 

[AndyW33]

The GCR does run to double track with a passenger-rated running loop on each side (at Swithland Sidings). That's probably as close as you'll get to quadruple track in preservation.

 

[MK Tom]

Horsted Keynes station has 5 platforms (four running lines) through the station but was double track to Ardingly, West Hoathly and single to Sheffield Park (earthworks built for double)

I've often wondered if this is the largest station in preservation in terms of number of platforms, and where else might come close.

A similar discussion would be where other than the GCR has workable double track? Bewdley on the SVR and Butterley-Hammersmith on the MRC strike me as possibilities.

Regarding Swithland there was a similar complex on the GCR(N) where the Gotham branch turned off. I don't know if the GCR(N) has any plans to do anything with that site or the Gotham branch.

 

[yorksrob]

Setting aside the "why" or "how", the old Midland Mainline through Cudworth used to be four track and has since closed. I believe mining subsidence had something to do with this, so you might not be able to reach high speeds !

 

[mr_jrt]

Practicality aside, the Swithland Viaduct rather puts a dent in any 4 track plan for the Great Central. Best you could hope for would be adding the loops at Quorn & Woodhouse and linking them to those at Loughborough, then repeating the process at Rothley and linking them up to those at Swithland. Double tracking down to Leicester North would be a good start though

 

[Bedpan]

The cheapest resolution surely would be to rip up the standard gauge track and relay with 15 inch gauge.

 

[341o2]

The cheapest resolution surely would be to rip up the standard gauge track and relay with 15 inch gauge.

or better still 10 1/4 inch gauge

 

[Cowley]

Or this (not my photo), 7' 1/4 inch at Beer? Quadruple track (sort of) and freight too.
Eat your heart out GCR.

 

[73202]

While not a 4 track railway, at MRC Swanwick Junction Station 4 trains have in the past departed to different destinations at the same time. Platform 1 demo goods up towards West Shed. Platform 2 passenger towards Butterley. Platform 3 passenger towards Ironville and a train (can't remember if it was goods or passenger) from platform 4 up the Swanwick branch.

 

[Cowley]

While not a 4 track railway, at MRC Swanwick Junction Station 4 trains have in the past departed to different destinations at the same time. Platform 1 demo goods up towards West Shed. Platform 2 passenger towards Butterley. Platform 3 passenger towards Ironville and a train (can't remember if it was goods or passenger) from platform 4 up the Swanwick branch.

Well that's pretty impressive. I can't think of many preserved railway stations with four trains on the move at the same time.

 

[Deepgreen]

No preserved railway could afford to install and maintain a significant length of four tracks, nor run enough trains over a four track route to make it worthwhile. I suspect Swithland sidings will be as close as it will get.

 

[AnonymousUser1]

as others hve posted i think it;s a vain hope except in and aroudn a station of junction on one of the lager twin tracked 'main line' preserved railways ...

 

[Flying Phil]

Re Swithland .
.. In theory you could possibly have Five trains moving - if the Mountsorrel branch is counted, as there could be two Very slow, short trains shunting in the two loops, two Main Line trains passing and one just in sight on the branch line. It is a shame the Branch line is "Blocked" on the curve, it would be nice to go further into the siding complex, pausing, to coincide with a regular service train.

 

[Taunton]

Well that's pretty impressive. I can't think of many preserved railway stations with four trains on the move at the same time.

I've seen four on the go at once at Didcot; one on the main demo line, one on the "branch demo line, one on the shed bypass, and one moving into the shed. However, Didcot doesn't seem to do the galas any more like they used to.