1R76 - Failed points outside Stoke Tunnel (15/02)

[jfowkes]

Hi all,

I'm on 1R76 , EMR Norwich to Derby. We've had a points failure south of Stoke Tunnel and currently reversing down the East Coast Mainline slow lines, presumably back to the Tallington Crossovers where we can rejoin the mainline and head north again.

I'm just curious, the reversal is very slow with frequent brake applications and stops. I'm presuming this is safety related? The line isn't bi-di signalled here, so the train movement has to be more carefully controlled?

Luckily I don't have a connection to make so I can take it easy on here. Would be more interesting in daylight though!

 

[800001]

Hi all,

I'm on 1R76 , EMR Norwich to Derby. We've had a points failure south of Stoke Tunnel and currently reversing down the WCML slow lines, presumably back to the Tallington Crossovers where we can rejoin the mainline and head north again.

I'm just curious, the reversal is very slow with frequent brake applications and stops. I'm presuming this is safety related? The line isn't bi-di signalled here so the train movement has to be more carefully controlled?

Luckily I don't have a connection to make so I can take it easy on here. Would be more interesting in daylight though!

There will be a set mandatory speed for doing an unsignnalled reverse move.

 

[jfowkes]

There will be a set mandatory speed for doing an unsignnalled reverse move.

Is this basically because in the absence of signals, there are no position references for the driver?

EDIT: actually thinking about it they can still see signals on the other lines so that can't be the only reason.

 

[800001]

Is this basically because in the absence of signals, there are no position references for the driver?

EDIT: actually thinking about it they can still see signals on the other lines so that can't be the only reason.

Yes if there is no signals to obey then speed is a factor. Signals on all other lines are totally irrelevant.

 

[dk1]

Poor traincrew if that was their last bit and wanted to get away.

 

[jfowkes]

Poor traincrew if that was their last bit and wanted to get away.

We're terminating short at Nottingham, I assume for crew related reasons...

 

[starlight73]

I'm just curious, the reversal is very slow with frequent brake applications and stops. I'm presuming this is safety related? The line isn't bi-di signalled here, so the train movement has to be more carefully controlled?

maybe AWS related? Someone will be along to correct me soon haha!

 

[GraphitProjekt]

isn't it the case that level crossings have to be taken slower in reverse?

 

[dk1]

We're terminating short at Nottingham, I assume for crew related reasons...

Possibly yes. Conductor issues maybe so a driver will take it ECS to Etches Park if need be.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 Feb 2026 ==

maybe AWS related? Someone will be along to correct me soon haha!

Wouldn't be AWS. That would just get cancelled each time as agreed with signaller.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 Feb 2026 ==

isn't it the case that level crossings have to be taken slower in reverse?

Only if they have wrong direction controls. Everything else would be as per signallers instructiono.

 

[jfowkes]

We strike northward!

Train crew and control sound like they're doing a good job of arranging onward travel for those that need it.

 

[pdeaves]

Yes if there is no signals to obey then speed is a factor. Signals on all other lines are totally irrelevant.

I think the person to whom you were replying meant that seeing the other ('normal') signals could still help the driver recognise where they are, rather than those signals giving an indication that must be obeyed. If there's a steep gradient approaching signal X normally, there is high chance there is a steep gradient on the next line across in the same place. That kind of thing.

 

[jfowkes]

I think the person to whom you were replying meant that seeing the other ('normal') signals could still help the driver recognise where they are, rather than those signals giving an indication that must be obeyed. If there's a steep gradient approaching signal X normally, there is high chance there is a steep gradient on the next line across in the same place. That kind of thing.

Yeah I meant just for "route knowledge" reasons.

 

[Tram203]

Poor traincrew if that was their last bit and wanted to get away.

Never mind the poor passengers wanting to get home and paying, not being paid, to be on that train.

Unlike the "poor traincrew".

 

[Andy Pacer]

Possibly yes. Conductor issues maybe so a driver will take it ECS to Etches Park if need be.

Or more likely Eastcroft.

EDIT - In fact forget that, I see it is meant to run throughout to Derby! Didn't realise any did that.

 

[dk1]

Never mind the poor passengers wanting to get home and paying, not being paid, to be on that train.

Unlike the "poor traincrew".

Alright, them too then.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Feb 2026 ==

Or more likely Eastcroft.

EDIT - In fact forget that, I see it is meant to run throughout to Derby! Didn't realise any did that.

Fair enough. Wasn’t sure if some regional units went on to Etches Park.

 

[Andy Pacer]

Fair enough. Wasn’t sure if some regional units went on to Etches Park.

They do, I jumped the gun as the Norwich services don't usually serve Derby and therefore generally associate with Etches Park.

 

[transportphoto]

Wasn’t sure if some regional units went on to Etches Park.

Slight tangent from the main discussion however, if I recall correctly, the 170 fleet home depot is DY Etches Park, and 158s at NM Eastcroft. Both end up crossing over between the two of course.

They do, I jumped the gun as the Norwich services don't usually serve Derby and therefore generally associate with Etches Park.

Alongside the Derby direct service, there is the odd evening service which terminates at Sheffield before forming a 1Cxx Derby service from there. I believe this is seen in reverse in the morning with the unit ex-Etches forming a 1Fxx to Sheffield before working to Norwich.