Choice of crossovers at Chathill

[deltic08]

I have been to Chathill to see the evening stopping train for the first time since the service was Pacers. It arrived only 2 minutes late and disgorged 7 passengers. More than twice the number of a few years ago. the single 158 unit disappeared north to change over tracks and came back 26 minutes later to pick up one passenger for Newcastle.
Why does this happen when there is a facing crossover immediately south of the station? Why can't a northbound train use this 40mph facing crossover arriving at the southbound platform to detrain, then after a 5 minute turnround depart to Newcastle?

 

[Bald Rick]

Because between the train arriving northbound, and departing southbound, there is a southbound cross country ‘in front’ of it, and a northbound cross country behind it.

The shuffle neatly avoids both.

 

[bluenoxid]

Even if they put bi-directional signalling in allowing the southbound train to use the Edinburgh bound track, there would be less than 90 seconds for the southbound to clear the northbound line before the northbound train was scheduled to come through.

If the 5 minutes turnaround is allowed, the Northern Rail service will depart 5 minutes ahead of the southbound CrossCountry.

Common sense says use the next loops southbound but the differences in speed and the Alnmouth stop will mean that the CrossCountry will run through that 5 minute head start.

Just to give an idea of schedule differences, the CrossCountry takes 18 minutes to get to Morpeth, whilst the Northern Rail service takes 36 minutes.

 

[deltic08]

Even if they put bi-directional signalling in allowing the southbound train to use the Edinburgh bound track, there would be less than 90 seconds for the southbound to clear the northbound line before the northbound train was scheduled to come through.

If the 5 minutes turnaround is allowed, the Northern Rail service will depart 5 minutes ahead of the southbound CrossCountry.

Common sense says use the next loops southbound but the differences in speed and the Alnmouth stop will mean that the CrossCountry will run through that 5 minute head start.

Just to give an idea of schedule differences, the CrossCountry takes 18 minutes to get to Morpeth, whilst the Northern Rail service takes 36 minutes.

It is bi-directionally signalled already, but I get your point about capacity problems. What is needed is the former Seahouses branch reinstating for a 100 yards and that would keep the through lines clear just like trains reversing at Morpeth. Thank you for the info.

 

[Anvil1984]

It is bi-directionally signalled already, but I get your point about capacity problems. What is needed is the former Seahouses branch reinstating for a 100 yards and that would keep the through lines clear just like trains reversing at Morpeth. Thank you for the info.

It may be simplified bi di signalling but there’s no signal at the south end of Chathill Down (northbound) platform to allow an immediate crossover. Even if running late the train would have to terminate at Chathill, proceed ECS north behind the next signal, come back into the platform, pick passengers up then crossover.

Usually if it’s running late the crossover is done so you terminate in the Southbound “UP” platform then do the same as above minus the crossover at the end obviously

 

[Mcr Warrior]

So, do these Northern stoppers in Northumberland all reverse another six miles along the East Coast Main Line at Belford?

 

[Anvil1984]

So, do these Northern stoppers in Northumberland all reverse another six miles along the East Coast Main Line at Belford?

If reasonably on time then yes