3-way turnouts on the main line

[D869]

Are there any of these on Network Rail? If so, I'd be interested in seeing a satellite photo of one, ideally at a station.

 

[swt_passenger]

I think there‘s now a couple at Waterloo in the main suburban side, (P1-P6 throat), but the Google satellite view is rubbish. There’s a fairly recent 3 way at Eastleigh, just next to the east end of the footbridge, but it’s not really main line, being just within the yard layout.

 

[mcmad]

One at the South end of Platform 7 at Perth station. Google map view isn't the clearest unfortunately.

 

[Darandio]

Using historical imagery on Google Earth isn't too bad.

Waterloo



Perth

 

[Big Jumby 74]

Using historical imagery on Google Earth isn't too bad.

Waterloo

That is indeed the current set up, as in post 2017 rebuild. One allows access to p2-4 inclusive, and the other p4-6. Prior to 2017 it was just one in this area, p5-7.

 

[swt_passenger]

Using historical imagery on Google Earth isn't too bad.

Waterloo

Thanks for finding that version of Waterloo - for some reason I can’t go back in time on my iPad version…

 

[najaB]

One at the South end of Platform 7 at Perth station. Google map view isn't the clearest unfortunately.

Not to pick nits, but according to the SA it's actually at the end of Platform 4/5/6:

 

[mcmad]

The SA is schematic and not representative of the actual layout, the picture posted above clears shows the tandem connecting the south siding, P 7 and P6.

 

[Dave_Cardboard]

There used to be a few at Kings Cross prior to it's most recent remodelling. Googling for photos of KGX approach often finds photos of them.

Googling "Tandem Turnouts" finds a few close up images and diagrams of this form of track work. Though if I were to be really pedantic, strictly speaking "3-way turnouts" and "tandem turnouts"are different things.

 

[Big Jumby 74]

picture posted above clears shows the tandem connecting the south siding, P 7 and P6

Curiosity and all that, not having been to Perth for years, but a google street view from that road bridge clearly shows the said points.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

There used to be one at the south end of Faversham station. Can't find any decent pictures though. Sure there's one at Brighton too.

 

[Big Jumby 74]

strictly speaking "3-way turnouts" and "tandem turnouts"are different things

There can't be that many (near) symmetrical 3 way points, as represented by the long standing model railway Peco 00 point, I wouldn't have thought? Those two at Waterloo are as close as it gets having said that..

 

[Dave_Cardboard]

There can't be that many (near) symmetrical 3 way points, as represented by the long standing model railway Peco 00 point, I wouldn't have thought? Those two at Waterloo are as close as it gets having said that..

It would not surprise me if there are none on running lines - AIUI rare as they are, true 3-ways tend to only be used in things like siding and yards where space is really tight. Again AIUI, even tandems only get used in low speed areas such as station throats, sidings, etc.

I find a great resource for discussions on trackwork (current and historical) is Martin Wynne's "Templot" forums. One can get lost there for hours!

 

[P Binnersley]

There are at least a couple of tandem turnouts at the 'b' end of Birmingham New Street.

 

[AlbertBeale]

I think the ramp onto the Sicily train ferry, on the mainland side at least, is pretty much a 3-way set-up. And I've seen such a thing on a German tram system - Freiburg I think. OK - not UK main line...

 

[Freightmaster]

Curiosity and all that, not having been to Perth for years, but a google street view from that road bridge clearly shows the said points.

True, although it doesn't show the 'business end' of the pointwork, which is under the bridge:

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

goo.gl

MARK

 

[D869]

Thanks for all the replies.

I found the following page yesterday and I wanted to see more examples:
https://85a.uk/templot/companion/3_way_tandem_turnouts.php

 

[alxndr]

There's a couple more photos of the set up at Perth on Geograph, although none that show the whole thing.

A view looking over the bridge. Just cuts off the toes but does show that it's worked by electro-pneumatic points, with Perth being one of the last places to use them.

Another view over the bridge, showing the crossing

View from the platform

 

[Western Sunset]

Tandem turnouts are fairly common in confined station-approach locations. Probably the most famous three-throw example in the country was at the end of (the then) plat 10 at KX, prior to the 1970s remodelling.

The MR was very attached to three-throw and tandem turnouts in their goods yards. There used to be a 5-throw example in Chaddesden sidings.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

So, are we collectively saying that there are no 3-way turnouts on any GB mainline, with the possible exception being a handful of station approaches / throats, or, of course, sidings away from the mainline?

 

[swt_passenger]

So, are we collectively saying that there are no 3-way turnouts on any GB mainline, with the possible exception being a handful of station approaches / throats, or, of course, sidings away from the mainline?

There was a thread that started out about double slips a year or so ago, and it had an excursion part way through into the subject of 3-way or more correctly tandem turnouts, and it came up with an almost identical very low number of mainline sites. Another relatively new set mentioned there was put in at the west end of Southampton Maritime container depot. Again more about freight and sidings than the main lines.

About post #74 of this thread:

Double Slips

.

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[Big Jumby 74]

I found the following page yesterday and I wanted to see more examples:
https://85a.uk/templot/companion/3_way_tandem_turnouts.php

This is an interesting article (thank you D869). Taking the tandem turnout in the very last photo, it becomes apparent that to correctly identify the type of tandem in any given location, it can be more about correctly identifying which of the roads is the 'main road' (usage wise perhaps) as opposed to just making a decision based on the physical appearance of the overall point, if that makes sense? Learnt something new...

 

[zwk500]

So, are we collectively saying that there are no 3-way turnouts on any GB mainline, with the possible exception being a handful of station approaches / throats, or, of course, sidings away from the mainline?

Given that the main reason for using 3-way turnouts would be to save space, it's unsurprising that on the mainline two conventional sets of points in succession would be preferred. I suspect that the 2 sets of switch blades together would be move vulnerable to failure/cracking when a train traverses at speed than conventional S&C.

 

[30907]

Given that the main reason for using 3-way turnouts would be to save space, it's unsurprising that on the mainline two conventional sets of points in succession would be preferred. I suspect that the 2 sets of switch blades together would be move vulnerable to failure/cracking when a train traverses at speed than conventional S&C.

I am guessing that tandem points have the switch blades consecutively rather than side by side, but they would still require extra maintenance and the spares would be more difficult to source.
There's a true 3-way in Oxenhope carriage sidings, I must take a closer look....

 

[swt_passenger]

I am guessing that tandem points have the switch blades consecutively rather than side by side, but they would still require extra maintenance and the spares would be more difficult to source.

@Bald Rick mentioned in the previous thread, (that I linked to a few posts ago), that they are all bespoke manufacture and implied any spares would have to be manufactured to suit.

 

[D6130]

There's a true 3-way in Oxenhope carriage sidings, I must take a closer look....

There's another one in the shed yard at Haworth - Midland Railway again! - but not on a main line so, strictly speaking, OT.

I have a funny feeling that I have seen at least one on a running line at Shrewsbury. Can anyone confirm or deny?

 

[GardenRail]

Are there any of these on Network Rail? If so, I'd be interested in seeing a satellite photo of one, ideally at a station.

Sheffield South End. Giving access to Fish Dock, Shunt Spur/Wash, and Mainline.

 

[30907]

There's another one in the shed yard at Haworth - Midland Railway again! - but not on a main line so,strictly speaking, OT.

Thought so! I'm not sure either dates back before preservation, but I'm a newbie on the railway so don't know.

Sheffield South End. Giving access to Fish Dock, Shunt Spur/Wash, and Mainline.View attachment 133062

Definitely a tandem point where the switch blades don't overlap.