Clapham Junction Platform 8

[Belperpete]

Why is platform 8 at Clapham Junction only allowed to be used in emergencies? Spotted in below from a different thread.
View attachment 59979

 

[EvoIV]

In short the platform to train gap is too large.

 

[Wychwood93]

Why is platform 8 at Clapham Junction only allowed to be used in emergencies? Spotted in below from a different thread.
View attachment 59979

IIRC it is due to the step down from a train to the platform - quite a step, to say the least of it!

 

[Belperpete]

So is it only stopping services that are prohibited from using the platform 8 line?

 

[swt_passenger]

So is it only stopping services that are prohibited from using the platform 8 line?

Yes. All up non-stopping trains, which is the high majority in the peaks, use the P8 route. Even then they have to slow to 40 mph.

 

[ijmad]

Yes, if you have a look at a typical day at Clapham Junction on RTT, you can see a plenty of trains, both empty stock moves and passenger services passing platform 8:
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/advanced/CLJ/2019/03/08/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=pass&order=wtt

 

[hwl]

In short the platform to train gap is too large.

Huge amount of superelevation on a concave platform leads to a huge vertical and horizontal gap.

 

[swt_passenger]

Yes, if you have a look at a typical day at Clapham Junction on RTT, you can see a plenty of trains, both empty stock moves and passenger services passing platform 8:
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/advanced/CLJ/2019/03/08/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=pass&order=wtt

I took the liberty of tweaking your link to find SW only passes towards Waterloo:
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/sea.../0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=pass&order=wtt&toc=SW
...which highlights P8 more.

 

[higthomas]

Don't suppose anyone has a picture of the gap?

 

[hwl]

Don't suppose anyone has a picture of the gap?

A quick search doesn't bring up anything much useful.
But this taken from P8 shows a train in P9 and the angle the 444 is at: (not the worst bit of P8 either):

https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve...4r9-iAeKFh-dmQyLu-911rvZ-ehwrt6-WkhvhH-WQR5UH

This show an 450 at one of the more problematic bits of P8. The gap is about the same as windscreen pane width:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/skidd...yyn-otqVqU-otfsUQ-ovdhia-otbdwB-cN2nZ3-5s15K9

 

[Ianno87]

Also, the curvature is such that additional dispatch staff are required for Platform 8 compared to Platform 7 (being concave rather than convex)

 

[cle]

Could any works be done to it, to make it more useable for passengers? Or to enable peaks to call...or straighten somewhat

 

[aleggatta]

Could any works be done to it, to make it more useable for passengers? Or to enable peaks to call...or straighten somewhat

Anything could be done if the need was there, they could put CCTV in to aid dispatch, they could put a new platform surface in (like they did at East Croydon) to reduce the gap between train and platform, maybe even look at addressing the cant issues at track level, but this is all dependant on if the service requires it. I'm sure if SWR wanted it for use it could be made available, but at the moment it appears the need is not there.

 

[hwl]

Also, the curvature is such that additional dispatch staff are required for Platform 8 compared to Platform 7 (being concave rather than convex)

The typical 9 dispatch staff on P10 in the am peak is a bit unusual!

 

[hwl]

Anything could be done if the need was there, they could put CCTV in to aid dispatch, they could put a new platform surface in (like they did at East Croydon) to reduce the gap between train and platform, maybe even look at addressing the cant issues at track level, but this is all dependant on if the service requires it. I'm sure if SWR wanted it for use it could be made available, but at the moment it appears the need is not there.

Nothing at sensible cost. P7 has equally bad different limitiations.

The cant is very much needed. The aim is getting the trains though in the peaks.

If you sorted the level for P8 it would then be bad for P7 and still large for P8 due to cant.

 

[jopsuk]

Do trains pass through 8 overtaking trains on 7? Or could, somehow, 7 & 8 be rebuilt as a single platform that is straighter?

 

[30907]

Do trains pass through 8 overtaking trains on 7? Or could, somehow, 7 & 8 be rebuilt as a single platform that is straighter?

1. Not normally
2. Unlikely without encroaching on Clapham Yard, have a look at Googlemaps.
And I can't see any benefit.

 

[Bald Rick]

Don't suppose anyone has a picture of the gap?

Not that I can post as I have lost them (sorry) but I took some pics last year specifically for that reason. It’s enormous.

 

[ijmad]

Is its being a platform with people on it limited thru running speed? Could they put up a barrier or wall at the edge of P8 and run trains through faster?

 

[swt_passenger]

Is its being a platform with people on it limited thru running speed? Could they put up a barrier or wall at the edge of P8 and run trains through faster?

There isn’t normally a speed restriction passing platforms due to passengers, and in practice no one should normally be waiting on P7 (or P8) because services on P7 are not advertised towards Waterloo. As it is very few trains at all stop when the station is at its busiest, in the peak periods.

I think the speed limit is mostly to do with curvature, and probably the points at both ends.

 

[Helvellyn]

Could they just close the Up Main through P8 and route everything through the Up Relief (P7)? Just wondering if the track was plain lined whether they could get better speeds overall? Anything going into P7 off peak can delay a non-stop service behind due to the speed restrictions into/out of P7.

 

[Ianno87]

Could they just close the Up Main through P8 and route everything through the Up Relief (P7)? Just wondering if the track was plain lined whether they could get better speeds overall? Anything going into P7 off peak can delay a non-stop service behind due to the speed restrictions into/out of P7.

No, I think the alignment forced by the retaining wall and bridge abutments mean that a plain lined Platform 7 couldn't match that through Platform 8 currently.

 

[gazr]

P8 is effectively a passing loop... Ive seen plenty of times a train has been held in P8 for whatever reason (at least twice for passenger needing medical treatment) and not having P8 available would cause mayhem even quicker than normal.

 

[A Challenge]

Are any trains serving P7 actually set down only, or just not on the boards?

 

[Kite159]

Are any trains serving P7 actually set down only, or just not on the boards?

The platform boards normally show something like "Welcome to Clapham Junction", the departures appear on the "next London trains" screens.

 

[lewisf]

I’ve been alighted from platform 8 before and it’s no worse than platforms 16 or 17 which see regular use. And that says nothing about the huge horizontal gap at the Victoria end of 13 before the short platform extension, you have to climb in or jump out there.

 

[nuts & bolts]

I’ve been alighted from platform 8 before and it’s no worse than platforms 16 or 17 which see regular use. And that says nothing about the huge horizontal gap at the Victoria end of 13 before the short platform extension, you have to climb in or jump out there.

Have look at the gap next time when leaving from coach 8 at plat 10, challenging with children and buggies!

 

[RichardN]

Is there anywhere official that lists where on the network the worst gaps on the network are?