Severn Valley standard length is now 7. 8 was very common pre COVID.
Lengths of run round loops and passing loops are key constraints on train lengths, especially when there is more than one train in operation.
I was on the trip immediately after reconnecting at East Grinstead, which was stabled at Horsted Keynes. That worked, but took a very long time to detrain us.
I know some steam hauled trips have gone all the way to Sheffield Park to detrain, detach the loco for servicing but then the diesel on the back has taken the set back up to Kingscote for stabling on the day. Probably varies depending on the Bluebell's intended timetable, length of set and duration of stay.
Most of the platforms will only take 6 Mk1 coaches, with East Grinstead being an anomaly at roughly 8 Mk1s. Sheffield Park Platform 1 can only take 5 1/2 Mk1s. Platforms will be lengthened to take 7 in the future where this is possible, but our standard service sets are only up to 6 Mk1s in length.
They can be stored at Horsted Keynes or Kingscote without dividing, but you lose a line at whichever station it is.
Thanks for the info, it's been a while since I had a close look at the Bluebell - was mostly going off memory of their website from when I read most of it in COVID.
Lots has changed since then and is still changing, hopefully you can pay a visit some time!
Bringing this thread back towards the original question and not me on a tangent, this is the limiting factor for normal service - your longest train is the length of your shortest passing/run round loop. In regular service most railways will run 5-7 coach trains, as that is the perfect balance between too little capacity and empty seats. Some run even shorter than that.
Yes, this is correct.
Technically, your longest train can be as long as you like, but no other train can be longer than the shortest loop. (I seem to recall that the aluminium trains on the West Highland are longer than the loops)
Technically, until it gets to the end and has to run round!
I think I recall an 8 or 9 coach Santa special + a kettle on the front and a diesel loco on the rear?
Well, that depends if there is another loco available to take it out again
On the SVR, Kidderminster is 10 coaches if the set is set back to the stops, 7 if in run round. The extension this winter will up that by 2/2.5 coach lengths.
Technically the second-longest train is the one which must fit the passing loops. Run-round loops can be solved using a second locomotive. I once took a ride on a West Somerset train formed of a combination of a standard coaching set and the Quantock Belle dining set, must have been a dozen coaches in total. Double-headed by the locos which had worked the individual trains to Minehead earlier.
If we're counting the number of vehicles then the Ffestiniog's gravity trains have often amassed 60 waggons.
No, they handle it the same way that was still done on the national network until (I think) the end of HST operation on the Highland Chieftan. If there isn't a platform outside your door, you do not open it. With slam doors you have to lean out to operate the handle so the lack of a platform should be obvious, unlike when pressing a button for a power door.
You would think so but personal observation suggests otherwise!
See the report on the January 2023 accident at Loughborough Central. That involved a visually impaired passenger.
And I've had to stop perfectly sighted individuals.
The 25-30 year olds will be looking around for the button and wondering why they can't find it. When boarding they may try the rubber stopper on the outside of a Mk1.
Oh man that must have been spectacular up Freshfield Bank.
