Bluebell Halt and similar stations

[Chrissmith]

When the Bluebell Railway was only open to Bluebell Halt, which had no runaround, Did they have to have a locomotive at each end? So far as I can remember they had no push-pull coaches at the time. How did they get away with it?

Are there any similar terminus stations, other than those only served by units driveable at both ends?

 

[busestrains]

When the Bluebell Railway was only open to Bluebell Halt, which had no runaround, Did they have to have a locomotive at each end? So far as I can remember they had no push-pull coaches at the time. How did they get away with it?

Are there any similar terminus stations, other than those only served by units driveable at both ends?

On the Bluebell Railway it was a mixture of some trains running top and tailed and some trains just running in push pull mode. There was no official push pull stock but they got away with operating this way as it was only one or two coaches and the train travelled at very low speed. So it was often push pull mode with just one locomotive. But on the busier days and longer trains they top and tailed them with two locomotives.

On the Spa Valley Railway they currently operate all trains top and tailed with a locomotive at both ends. This is because Eridge has no run round loop on either of the two Spa Valley Railway platforms. There is no space for a run round loop either. So all trains have to be top and tailed.

 

[Townsend Hook]

Not all trains at the Spa Valley are top-and-tailed. The other method of work is to swap locos at Eridge, one loco waits in platform 3 and couples up to the train when it has arrived on platform 2, and then once it departs the incoming loco shunts to platform 3, and the process repeats.

 

[Box]

Not all trains at the Spa Valley are top-and-tailed. The other method of work is to swap locos at Eridge, one loco waits in platform 3 and couples up to the train when it has arrived on platform 2, and then once it departs the incoming loco shunts to platform 3, and the process repeats.

Exactly this. The first train will be double-headed and stops just outside Eridge station to detach the leading loco which runs into platform 3 ready to swap to platform 2 and take the train back

 

[Taunton]

Every Bluebell photo I saw in the pioneer days had locos at each end, but I can quite believe they propelled on occasion (probably on the uphill leg). Things were freer in those times. The Talyllyn got away for many years with unbraked passenger trains.

 

[Magdalia]

When the Bluebell Railway was only open to Bluebell Halt, which had no runaround, Did they have to have a locomotive at each end? So far as I can remember they had no push-pull coaches at the time. How did they get away with it?

Are there any similar terminus stations, other than those only served by units driveable at both ends?

I haven't done any preserved railway visits since before the pandemic so there is a risk that some of this is failing memory or overtaken by events.

Epping and Ongar had no run round loop or station at the Epping end. Loco hauled trains did top and tail.

Northampton and Lamport had no run round loop or station at either end. They had an adapted coach with a brake operator at the front of the train when pushing.

Great Central Railway (Nottingham) had no run round loop or station at the Loughborough end. Loco hauled trains did top and tail.

Wensleydale had no run round at the Northallerton end. The Leeming Bar-Northallerton section rarely has a passenger service, the only time I did it the train was top and tail.

Not all trains at the Spa Valley are top-and-tailed. The other method of work is to swap locos at Eridge, one loco waits in platform 3 and couples up to the train when it has arrived on platform 2, and then once it departs the incoming loco shunts to platform 3, and the process repeats.

Exactly this. The first train will be double-headed and stops just outside Eridge station to detach the leading loco which runs into platform 3 ready to swap to platform 2 and take the train back

This method of operation usually applies for big events such as galas and beer festivals. The last train back will still be top and tail.

It is a long time ago but can anyone remember what the Severn Valley used to do at Foley Park?

 

[Chrissmith]

My recollection is that the Lavender Line runs up to Worth Halt propelling the coach.

 

[wce]

I haven't done any preserved railway visits since before the pandemic so there is a risk that some of this is failing memory or overtaken by events.

Epping and Ongar had no run round loop or station at the Epping end. Loco hauled trains did top and tail.

Northampton and Lamport had no run round loop or station at either end. They had an adapted coach with a brake operator at the front of the train when pushing.

Great Central Railway (Nottingham) had no run round loop or station at the Loughborough end. Loco hauled trains did top and tail.

Wensleydale had no run round at the Northallerton end. The Leeming Bar-Northallerton section rarely has a passenger service, the only time I did it the train was top and tail.






This method of operation usually applies for big events such as galas and beer festivals. The last train back will still be top and tail.

It is a long time ago but can anyone remember what the Severn Valley used to do at Foley Park?

SVR to Foley Park was always top and tail working. The first time was September 1976 at that year’s autumn gala and then continued at special events until the line reopened through to Kidderminster in 1984.

The only trains that didn’t operate this way were the through trains that occasionally operated from BR which were rail tours or the DMU service which BR operated from Kidderminster from 1979 into the early 80’s which of course being a DMU had no need to run round.

 

[zwk500]

My recollection is that the Lavender Line runs up to Worth Halt propelling the coach.

The lavender line has no runround at either end, IIRC. Last time I was there the brake van was at the back, as they let little kids wave the green flag to set back to Isfield.

 

[Llanigraham]

Before the Corris added their traverser to the station at Corris they used to propel Corris to Maespoeth Junct.

 

[robert thomas]

For many years after opening the Gwili Railway operated with the loco hauling the train out from Bronwydd Arms and a DMU driving trailer acting in push pull mode at the front with the driver on the way back. The regulator on the engine was automatically closed by a linked lever when the driver applied the vacuum brake.

 

[30907]

Every Bluebell photo I saw in the pioneer days had locos at each end, but I can quite believe they propelled on occasion (probably on the uphill leg). Things were freer in those times. The Talyllyn got away for many years with unbraked passenger trains.

Definitely the Chesham set "plus 1" which I first travelled on from Bluebell Halt in 1962 was T+T. Some years later I travell on a train formed of a Terrier and the LNWR Observation Saloon, at most one other coach. I think it may have propelled one way but that may be my imagination.

 

[Flying Phil]

When the GCR first went down to Belgrave and Birstall, I seem to remember that they operated a push/pull set with a Mk1 which had windows in the end. Then they built Leicester North with the loop line to run round.

 

[topydre]

I think Llangollen used to do a bit of propelling or top-and-tailing out of Corwen East. Speed limit for propelling was 5mph with a guard looking out from a rear coach window IIRC

 

[GM078]

Magnus Grave on the Downpatrick & County Down Railway has no run around. Propelling is standard procedure when this route is in use; one of the line's brake carriages has specially modified look outs at the rear. On other occasions a second loco has been used as a dead-in-tow brakevan/lookout.

 

[John Luxton]

I think Llangollen used to do a bit of propelling or top-and-tailing out of Corwen East. Speed limit for propelling was 5mph with a guard looking out from a rear coach window IIRC

It was a second driver that did the looking out in contact with the locomotive driver by radio. He also had access to the brake from what I observed.

Incidentally Llangollen still do propelling - I took a trip on the Berwyn Shuttle early last spring which offered a ride in the four wheel carriage or the semi covered 5 plank wagon. I note from their adverts for February this year that it will be shuttles only to Berwyn in February due to ongoing work elsewhere.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 7 Feb 2023 ==

Dartmoor Railway also propelled between Okehampton and Meldon when using an 08 and once hired in steam loco, though they tended to use their SR DEMU a lot.

 

[DavyCrocket]

When the Bluebell Railway first operated north of Horsted Keynes to Horsted House Farm Bridge, a vehicle was converted for push pull use, more in the style of forward facing window and emergency brake rather than full control.
I recall it was a Maunsell carriage, there will no doubt be something on the website.

 

[Western 52]

Back in the 1980s the Pontypool and Blaenavon operated push pull with a Toad brakevan at one end. The guard had what I think was an aerosol operated hand held horn. Not sure how they operate these days as I've not been there recently.