Our new ticketing site is now live! Using either this or the original site (both powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!
Oh yes, definitely is.
On busy days, such as galas, you will note many trains terminate and reverse at Rothley. This is to avoid the Leicester section bottleneck, and in the process adds operational interest. The Leicester section takes ~10 mins each way plus turnround of anything from 2 to 15 mins minimum, depending on service ( dmu to loco hauled with too/rail and loco stepping back in between!). So service interval of 22 to 35 mins at Leicester. Rest of the line can support 10 min intervals with all boxes open.
Adding double track to Leicester gives same interval, and trains can pass on section. Effectively quadruples capacity!
It is now apparently proposed to double to Leicester as part of bridging the gap. It will allow the new line to be timetabled most effectively. Which makes sense!
If you double tracked to Leicester you could then have Rothley signal box open only as required. So on quieter days you would not need any extra staff to operate the service.
Or, as I previously suggested, have Leicester North remotely signalled from Rothley, in keeping with its 1960s theme.
Doubling to Leicester will add more operational interest than it removes. As I have also suggested the GCR could offer a combination of 'fast' and 'stopping' services - perhaps the through trains from GCR(N) could run non-stop between Loughborough and Leicester?
Oh yes, definitely is.
On busy days, such as galas, you will note many trains terminate and reverse at Rothley. This is to avoid the Leicester section bottleneck, and in the process adds operational interest. The Leicester section takes ~10 mins each way plus turnround of anything from 2 to 15 mins minimum, depending on service ( dmu to loco hauled with too/rail and loco stepping back in between!). So service interval of 22 to 35 mins at Leicester. Rest of the line can support 10 min intervals with all boxes open.
Adding double track to Leicester gives same interval, and trains can pass on section. Effectively quadruples capacity!
It is now apparently proposed to double to Leicester as part of bridging the gap. It will allow the new line to be timetabled most effectively. Which makes sense!
Wouldn't that involve track circuiting all the way between Rothley and Leicester, on both tracks? A significant maintenance overhead.
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
I don't recall us going over any double slip? The flagman was having to clip the facing end of the crossover as we set back, and we continued setting back beyond the crossover past a single lead giving access to the sidings. I didn't spot him clipping those when we set back again over that point in the facing direction into the sidings, presumably because they are motor operated with a built-in FPL? But he did have to dash back from unclipping the crossover to flag us into the sidings.
Well the GCR has been very successful in raising the funds so far to maintain and enhance its infrastructure. Not only has the Gap project seen three of the 7 phases completed, but there have been three bridges replaced either side of Quorn over the past 7 years. There has always been the aim to have a preserved main line between Leicester and Nottingham and that is steadily being brought to fruition. True it will not be all double track, but we do have a one mile branch line, and the quadruple track Swithland siding complex. It takes time and hard work by many hundreds of people, but we are still going "Forward"!
If there is going to be a significant stretch of single line at the Northern end of the line, once the GCRN is incorporated, will having a stretch of single line at the southern end be that much of a drawback? Won't the northern end then be a worse bottleneck? Or will the northern end be kept separate operationally?
I am glad to see that common sense has been seen, and the idea of running the mainlines around the existing loco shed has been dropped. I was going to suggest running the mainlines through the loco shed, Stonebridge Park style!
Or, as I previously suggested, have Leicester North remotely signalled from Rothley, in keeping with its 1960s theme.
Doubling to Leicester will add more operational interest than it removes. As I have also suggested the GCR could offer a combination of 'fast' and 'stopping' services - perhaps the through trains from GCR(N) could run non-stop between Loughborough and Leicester?
Rothley is very much 1920s/1930s themed (right down to the gas lighting in the signal box) and a new box, on the site of the original, gives a brilliant opportunity to continue that theme – which really rules out controlling Leicester from it!
I don't recall us going over any double slip? The flagman was having to clip the facing end of the crossover as we set back, and we continued setting back beyond the crossover past a single lead giving access to the sidings. I didn't spot him clipping those when we set back again over that point in the facing direction into the sidings, presumably because they are motor operated with a built-in FPL? But he did have to dash back from unclipping the crossover to flag us into the sidings.
You did go over a double slip, in the south end of the Up Loop, permitting access to the sidings. 14pts would've been able to be left secured unless access was required to the sidings. 10pts are motor-worked so don't need securing, so it's just the crossover that'd need securing each time for the move back across from the Down Main.
Not necessarily, the line south of Rothley could be controlled remotely from a panel, just as many locations on the national network are. Whether that would be affordable or suitable for the GCR's ethos is another thing!
Rothley is very much 1920s/1930s themed (right down to the gas lighting in the signal box) and a new box, on the site of the original, gives a brilliant opportunity to continue that theme – which really rules out controlling Leicester from it!
You did go over a double slip, in the south end of the Up Loop, permitting access to the sidings. 14pts would've been able to be left secured unless access was required to the sidings. 10pts are motor-worked so don't need securing, so it's just the crossover that'd need securing each time for the move back across from the Down Main.
You would have to have a signalbox if you wanted absolute block.
With a signalbox at Leicester, you could work the points and signals manually from a frame, and you could have absolute block to Rothley. Leicester would have to be manned, but Rothley would be able to switch out at quiet times.
Alternatively, Leicester could be remotely controlled from Rothley. While it would save having to provide a signalbox at Leicester, it would mean the points and signals would have to be electrically operated from an interlocking at Leicester (which would likely need a building at the station throat). This would be remotely controlled from a panel (or computer!) at Rothley. The Rothley signalman couldn't work absolute block to himself (visions here of the signalman belling to himself!) so it would also need track circuits (or axle counters) between Rothley and Leicester (as well as full track circuiting at Leicester itself). While it would save a signalman at Leicester, it would mean Rothley couldn't switch out and would have to be manned.
I know which option I would prefer.
An ARP type signalbox at Leicester North would be good IMHO, as it would fit with the somewhat brutal and minimalist feel of the place.
Rothley is very much 1920s/1930s themed (right down to the gas lighting in the signal box) and a new box, on the site of the original, gives a brilliant opportunity to continue that theme – which really rules out controlling Leicester from it!
Despite the obvious enthusiasm for getting on with double track etc to Leicester North - first we must get the Urban embankment built...then the Factory Flyover.....then the missing embankment North of the MML bridge....then get the track laid and signalling done...and shed moved!....but it will be done..."Forward" the GCR.
Putting Rothley box back on its original site has been talked about for a while. I remember being shown the foundations of the original box some years ago.
The timetables for the "Railways at Work" event (Aug 10/11th) are now available on the GCR website. It has a 1966 theme with lots of action at Quorn yard. There are three different goods trains in operation. Locomotive shed tours running from 10.30 to 3.30 pm on both days at Loughborough. Displays at Rothley and Leicester North. Lots to see and do for the whole family.
The timetables for the "Railways at Work" event (Aug 10/11th) are now available on the GCR website. It has a 1966 theme with lots of action at Quorn yard. There are three different goods trains in operation. Locomotive shed tours running from 10.30 to 3.30 pm on both days at Loughborough. Displays at Rothley and Leicester North. Lots to see and do for the whole family.
I saw some youtube videos of the last one and it looked really good. Goods is rarely given much attention on preserved lines, but this event seems to be very much bucking the trend. Shunting in the yard and police mingling around. Very impressed.
I saw some youtube videos of the last one and it looked really good. Goods is rarely given much attention on preserved lines, but this event seems to be very much bucking the trend. Shunting in the yard and police mingling around. Very impressed.
The GCR has freight scheduled in the working timetable pretty much every Saturday & Sunday, one or two return journeys of some type of freight. Given how much freight stock the GCR has in good serviceable condition, it's a good opportunity to keep the wheels turning regularly. Plus traincrews get to develop freight operating experience, which helps keep those freight operating skills alive. I appreciate that not every preserved railway has the capacity to do this so it's great to use the opportunity, resources and space available to maintain a living heritage environment beyond just tourist passenger operation.
The recent "Railways at Work" event went very well with lots of people travelling on the four different passenger trains, admiring the three different freight trains. A busy timetable and Quorn yard was a hive of activity. The Locomotive Shed tours had a steady flow of visitors on both days.
The recent "Railways at Work" event went very well with lots of people travelling on the four different passenger trains, admiring the three different freight trains. A busy timetable and Quorn yard was a hive of activity. The Locomotive Shed tours had a steady flow of visitors on both days.
Great to hear. Could someone post a photo or two (without overdoing it) please?
If anyone reading hasn't been to this preserved railway, I can highly recommend a visit. It's a unique, interesting operation (without taking anything away from the UK's numerous other preserved lines).
Freshly up-loaded from my camera, so photo raw and untouched, hence the fencepost on the left. View attachment IMG_0253.JPG
D6700 on tanker freight near Wilmington Court, Loughborough. Sun 11/08/2024
It's a credit to the GCR volunteers and staff that so many freight wagons have been restored with historically correct, interesting liveries. Lots of wagons seem freshly painted, yet I bet not all are stored under cover.
Thanks Railfan.
All the wagons that were running at the Gala are the result of the Quorn Wagon and Wagon team's work....and are all stored outside. Our Windcutter wagons are being "rested" this year and are expected to be running next year - that is another 24+ wagons.
Here is a couple of pictures of the Van train at Loughborough Station during the Gala.
We are aware of an issue with emails from the Forum to Microsoft-based email accounts (hotmail/outlook/live.com email addresses). This is being looked into currently, thanks for your patience meanwhile.
