Apparently it runs that way because otherwise it wouldn't be able to take on water at Goathland as the loco is too long. The loco would have to run past the stop sign to do so. Travelled behind it today and asked the driver on arrival at Goathland
NYMR locos usually face south [to keep water over crown of boiler on longest steepest gradient]- therefore tender first when departing Pickering.
I understand that it has now gone back to end of May, with services to Whitby resuming on 1 June.
Yes I've noticed on their website that it states that now thanks
They slew the track at the start of the closure.
I would imagine it would revert back to the original alignment but it would make sense to put a crossover in there..
I assume a loco would need to get the token from Grosmont signalbox. Given it's such a long way, if it were me, I'd take my engine rather than walk it!
Easy enough to put an Intermediate Token machine in a hut along with a ground frame - but I suspect neither is worth doing for a small number of light loco movements.
I’m sure “they” will be happy to accept your cheque.
Surely the engine would need a token before it used the crossover, as it would be entering the single line section? Unless Grosmont station limits were extended out to include the crossover?
I'm not so sure. The mpd having independent access to Grosmont station, without affecting the single line to Goathland, is the ideal solution. Which is what they will have again once the bridge is properly repaired. Once that is again available, how often would a second access actually be used?
If the crossover was within station limits - between the advanced starter [section signal] and the station - then no token required for any move over the crossover onto the single line and toward the station - the crossover being controlled from the signal box - and the movement controlled by ground position signals. The current temporary slew is outside station limits - if a crossover was to become a permanent feature at that location - it would require the repositioning of the down distant / outer home / inner home signals - and the advanced starter - which is ion the same bracket as the inner home. Moving the signals would be far simpler than providing an intermediate token machine.
No - the line has been under an "Engineer's Possession" since traffic was suspended last December - that means he has the token - allowing him to sever the single line and slew it to connect into the mpd headshunt - it also means he has to be present - with the token - if any loco is to leave the mpd and venture out onto the running line. And to make sure no loco does so in his absence - the "closure" rails in slewed section linking the running line to the mpd headshunt are removed - and only replaced when the engineer is present. Recent online clips of Omaha out on test up the bank to Goathland clearly show the presence of the Engineer who has the Possession of that line and token.
Yes - that is the intention!
Will this mean that visitors can no longer walk from Grosmont station to the loco shed, or is there another path?
The ford leading to the church maybe passable.
Theres also a footpath over the top of the tunnel from the Grosmont to Egton Bridge Back Road that goes to the church but its a fair diversion.
That would indeed be my interpretation.
