Southport avoiding curve

[route101]

Was in Southport other day and noticed a curve that connected from the Merseyrail network to the Northern line towards Wigan . How often is it used ?

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Was in Southport other day and noticed a curve that connected from the Merseyrail network to the Northern line towards Wigan . How often is it used ?

Hardly ever. In fact, I've a feeling it is officially out of use. AFAIK The only way between the two routes at Southport now is to reverse in the one platform which is available to both routes. I forget which number though.

 

[Ploughman]

Checking on Google maps it seems to be reduced to one leg of a Triangle now.
Probably for turning Track machines.

 

[Ianno87]

Off memory, I thought it wasn't connected at one end, and hasn't been for many years. I.e. It's a siding on the site of what used to be a through curve?

 

[Harpers Tate]

Take a look around: https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@53.6441233,-2.9976138,167m/data=!3m1!1e3

 

[route101]

Take a look around: https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@53.6441233,-2.9976138,167m/data=!3m1!1e3

Not connected , never noticed that when i went past .
Cant be much going between the Northern and Merseyrail networks

 

[pdeaves]

I forget which number though.

Platform 3

 

[Shaw S Hunter]

I believe the last regular use of the curve was during the final days of loco-hauled services between Manchester and Southport. There is no easy way to run round trains at Southport so reversal was achieved by propelling the empties out of the station to access the curve and then propelling back into the station. Good luck trying to get that sort of thing approved for everyday use today!

 

[AntoniC]

Its used as a siding for Merseyrail trains only.

 

[Geno]

This has reminded me of one of the best rail tours I went on in the last months of normal steam services. Nearly fifty years ago, the Castle To Carlisle tour started from Liverpool Exchange behind a 9F, took the Southport Avoiding Line to get to Wigan Wallgate and then turned north to head through Chorley to reach the WCML. The 9F was replaced by Clun Castle at Preston for the run to Carlisle via Shap and return via Ais Gill to Hellifield, where the 9F took charge again back to Liverpool. I can still picture families in their back gardens in Southport waving to the train as we passed.

 

[route101]

I believe the last regular use of the curve was during the final days of loco-hauled services between Manchester and Southport. There is no easy way to run round trains at Southport so reversal was achieved by propelling the empties out of the station to access the curve and then propelling back into the station. Good luck trying to get that sort of thing approved for everyday use today!

That must of been a while ago .

 

[6Gman]

I believe the last regular use of the curve was during the final days of loco-hauled services between Manchester and Southport. There is no easy way to run round trains at Southport so reversal was achieved by propelling the empties out of the station to access the curve and then propelling back into the station. Good luck trying to get that sort of thing approved for everyday use today!

I can recall such propelling moves with passenger on board at Inverness and Carstairs (and, I rather suspect, Preston too).

 

[Whistler40145]

I think a problem occurred in the days of 37/4s on loco hauled services using the curve when one day they forgot about the ploughs on the 37 fouling the 3rd rail, so I think that put an end to using the curve.