Direct Rail Services Ltd Passenger Trains Test Runs (28th- 30th December 2011)

[Blindtraveler]

thought it was cross platform? Stil wrisky as unlike 4SRKT and I's favourit Scotrail move with the Southbound Highland Sleaper at Ranich theres no crewe change to buy time!
Think id be playing safe and festering for the 56 mins with a gød book or headphones lol

 

[4SRKT]

Isn't it still all semaphore? In which case the unit will have to enter the section and hand in the token, which will have to be lodged before another one can be issued to the driver of the tractor. Easily long enough to get across.

It's a plus 10 anyway guys! FFS, how much to you want? What has happened to the Men of Steel of yesteryear??

 

[Blindtraveler]

a good point id overlooked!
yes it should be no bother then and as said, single track or not its not to bad speed wise.

 

[wensley]

The single line between St Bees and Sellafield is largely controlled by semaphore, the only colour lights being SD1, which is the Up Distant on the approach to Sellafield, whilst SB24 is the equivalent for Down trains approaching St Bees. Both these signals either display a single yellow, or green aspect, they are not stop signals (unlike those at Drigg for example). Therefore, theoretically, you should be fine, unless the unit it majorly late.

Speed is never below 40mph over the single line, generally 50mph or 60mph so not too bad at all

 

[142094]

+10? Its a +6 if you are going St Bees back down to Sellafield and then up to Carlisle!

FFS, how much to you want? What has happened to the Men of Steel of yesteryear??

Hey, I made a 0 minute connection at Carlisle on the 7th - that's Man of Steel for you +6 would normally be alright but if the unit is late and the DRS is ready to go with doors shut, I'd expect the signaller to hand the token over fast and get it moving. I don't fancy being stranded at Sellafield (although that would be a story to tell).

There is the small matter if the signage that greets you when you arrive though. Credit to Thomas for the picture.

That's due to the Carlisle platform being right up next to the train going south - you have to get off on the left hand side but some people might think they get off on the right hand side.

 

[4SRKT]

+10? Its a +6 if you are going St Bees back down to Sellafield and then up to Carlisle!

Hey, I made a 0 minute connection at Carlisle on the 7th - that's Man of Steel for you +6 would normally be alright but if the unit is late and the DRS is ready to go with doors shut, I'd expect the signaller to hand the token over fast and get it moving. I don't fancy being stranded at Sellafield (although that would be a story to tell).

15:12 Carlisle > Preston booked arrival at Sellfield at 16:38, depart 16:42. It's a +10, which at the end of a single line section is pretty much the safest leap you could imagine. It's not as though the trains are tightly timed with no recovery possible anyway, and whatever happens the guard's door on the BSO won't be locked or even shut when the unit arrives. I expect they will get very, very used to this move, rather like the Rannoch Leap off the 18:21 Glasgow > Mallaig into the southbound sleeper. If I hear of anyone leaping at St Bees 'to be on the safe side', I will start a thread on here revealing him to be a Man of Clay!

 

[Blindtraveler]

*makes mental note to miss that out of any trip report*

 

[142094]

15:12 Carlisle > Preston booked arrival at Sellfield at 16:38, depart 16:42. It's a +10, which at the end of a single line section is pretty much the safest leap you could imagine. It's not as though the trains are tightly timed with no recovery possible anyway, and whatever happens the guard's door on the BSO won't be locked or even shut when the unit arrives. I expect they will get very, very used to this move, rather like the Rannoch Leap off the 18:21 Glasgow > Mallaig into the southbound sleeper. If I hear of anyone leaping at St Bees 'to be on the safe side', I will start a thread on here revealing him to be a Man of Clay!

Looking at the Northern timetable it only mentions 16.42 - but I can see the arrival time now I've checked.

I'll no doubt decide on the day what to do - if everything seems to be running smoothly I'll get on at Sellafield, if it is going t*ts up I'll get on at St Bees (which I hope has a chip shop).

Looking like Monday the 13th to do this trip (bit ominous...).

 

[150222]

Is it top & tailed or does it run around?

 

[142094]

It has been a single 37 so far, so will run around at Barrow.

 

[wensley]

Is it top & tailed or does it run around?

Train loco propels the stock into the Sidings and Barrow to r/r then sets off back up the coast with the afternoon ECS to Sellafield to for 2T21. A 10min connection should be easy enough like, I've done a -2min before but it was hairy

 

[Chester025]

If I hear of anyone leaping at St Bees 'to be on the safe side', I will start a thread on here revealing him to be a Man of Clay!

There is the footbridge to negotiate though.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/40025/6696925699/in/photostream

 

[4SRKT]

There is the footbridge to negotiate though.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/40025/6696925699/in/photostream

I think I can manage that in 10 minutes TBH.

 

[142094]

I think I can manage that in 10 minutes TBH.

Well I'll see what it's like on the day - only have half an hour in St Bees anyway, or I could go to Corkickle for the hell of it...

 

[4SRKT]

Well I'll see what it's like on the day - only have half an hour in St Bees anyway, or I could go to Corkickle for the hell of it...

Don't forget that if you do do the Man of Clay move (and get caught or admit to it), you can expect to be named and shamed on here

 

[142094]

Don't forget that if you do do the Man of Clay move (and get caught or admit to it), you can expect to be named and shamed on here

Aye, just depends on who is going to be around that day as well (I'm sure you're not going to take a day off to get up for the 06.15 off Carlisle?)!

 

[4SRKT]

We need Vegcam installed at St Bees to keep an eye on this sort of thing.....

 

[Blindtraveler]

Aye, just depends on who is going to be around that day as well (I'm sure you're not going to take a day off to get up for the 06.15 off Carlisle?)!

wel im giving serius considderation to joining you, if you want company that is?

 

[142094]

We need Vegcam installed at St Bees to keep an eye on this sort of thing.....

If I see a rock or other stationary thing start moving then I know you've set one up!

wel im giving serius considderation to joining you, if you want company that is?

What time can you get down to Carlisle for? If you're coming down in time for the Sellafield - Carlisle bit then you're more than welcome.

 

[12CSVT]

WARNING! Northbound Glo-Ex has disappeared from NRE. It was in earlier in the week. This can't be a good sign.

I've been told that Northern have put a poster up in the ticket hall at Carlisle advertising the Glow-ex, so it's safe to say the general public can board.

 

[Chester025]

To settle the leaping at Sellafield argument, now that the stock recesses at Sellafield during the day the 1512 Carlisle unit has to arrive and then depart before the CCE stock can enter the station, using the same platform the unit called at.

 

[142094]

To settle the leaping at Sellafield argument, now that the stock recesses at Sellafield during the day the 1512 Carlisle unit has to arrive and then depart before the CCE stock can enter the station, using the same platform the unit called at.

So I'm guessing that it uses platform 1 then (IIRC)? Is this due to the length of the train? Don't have Quail for the NW so can't check.

I'm now thinking of doing this a week on Friday, as I have a day off I'd forgot about. However, Ravenglass and Eskdale isn't running so will have to find something to do either in Barrow or Lancaster.

 

[themiller]

On 16/01 and 17/01 the ECS headed from Barrow to Sellafield after the 1011 working From Barrow to Carlisle. It appears to be stabling in the goods loops at Sellafield. There is a trolley on the train selling hot and cold drinks etc. There's no problem with photography at Sellafield Station as long as you aren't going daft and there's not a special working passing the platform.

 

[4SRKT]

So I'm guessing that it uses platform 1 then (IIRC)? Is this due to the length of the train? Don't have Quail for the NW so can't check.

I'm now thinking of doing this a week on Friday, as I have a day off I'd forgot about. However, Ravenglass and Eskdale isn't running so will have to find something to do either in Barrow or Lancaster.

Killing 6 hours in Barrow won't be easy, but then neither will 4 hours in Lancaster. You won't even be able to get hideously drunk because you have to drive home from Carlisle! Bring yr sleeping bag and doss down somewhere like a tramp.

 

[142094]

Killing 6 hours in Barrow won't be easy, but then neither will 4 hours in Lancaster. You won't even be able to get hideously drunk because you have to drive home from Carlisle! Bring yr sleeping bag and doss down somewhere like a tramp.

I'm trying to plan and see how far I can get from Barrow (and back) in that 6 hours. Might be able to stretch to Southport.

 

[12CSVT]

Killing 6 hours in Barrow won't be easy, but then neither will 4 hours in Lancaster. You won't even be able to get hideously drunk because you have to drive home from Carlisle! Bring yr sleeping bag and doss down somewhere like a tramp.

If the weather is OK for you could head to Arnside for a couple of hours - I know you'll probably see just 185s and 156s but you can get some nice phots of Arnside viaduct

 

[142094]

If the weather is OK for you could head to Arnside for a couple of hours - I know you'll probably see just 185s and 156s but you can get some nice phots of Arnside viaduct

Been to Arnside once before, the pub there was good so might actually go there. Was just going to go to Lancaster and have a look, as not many options with the trains.

 

[wensley]

Just looked it up... Platform 2 is a snug fit for a 2-coach unit, although if the old platform was re-instated it would easily take a 37 on load 4! Platform 1 it is then

 

[I T S]

As far as I know they accept normal tickets on this train? Correct? Wonder would they accept a Rail & Sail (eg Dublin/barrow in furness via Holyhead)? Techinically speaking it's valid on any other public service but would DRS be classed as any other public service?

 

[Blindtraveler]

crewed by northern guards I believe so shouldnt be an issue