Fort William Sleeper via Glasgow Central Low Level

[embers25]

I see last nights the Southbound sleeper was routed via Glasgow Central Low Level and Shotts. Is it common for the sleeper to be routed via either of these. I didn't realise diesels were allowed via low level.

 

[bb21]

I doubt this happens often with the Sleeper.

Not sure about Central, but diesels are allowed at Queen Street Low Level. West Highland Line services from Queen Street High Level were diverted that way en route due to engineering works earlier this year.

 

[mr_towers]

Not a regular thing, but it's been known to happen. Diesels are allowed in both low level stations but are not supposed to draw power from the entrances to the tunnels.

It's a bit of a surprise when you're waiting on the (normal, boring) train home and suddenly a pair of 47s go by with something like Northern Belle or Royal Scotsman stock!

 

[class303]

I see last nights the Southbound sleeper was routed via Glasgow Central Low Level and Shotts. Is it common for the sleeper to be routed via either of these. I didn't realise diesels were allowed via low level.

Central LL has certainly been done in the past. more knowledgeable posters will no doubt tell you how often in occurs. Can't find a video of sleeper going that way at moment (although i have seen one before) but there are a few vids of diesels using LL.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKsRs8Nx1yE

 

[thetangoman]

Does the Deltic that is doing the Class 334 moves between Yoker & Kilmarnock not go through the Low Level Tunnel quite regular at the moment.

 

[Whistler40145]

I remember many moons ago the Fort William Sleeper being electrically hauled into Glasgow Central High Level, then a 37/4 hauled it via the link at Rutherglen & Glasgow Central Low Level.

I am not sure if this was booked or due to Engineering Works.

Can some kind person confirm this.

 

[yorkie]

I see last nights the Southbound sleeper was routed via Glasgow Central Low Level and Shotts. Is it common for the sleeper to be routed via either of these. I didn't realise diesels were allowed via low level.

Not common, but a group of us did a forum trip on the sleeper in the last months of Class 37 haulage via Glasgow Central low level and, I think, via Motherwell.

 

[Altnabreac]

More evidence the Transport Scotland franchising team spend all day reading this forum:
http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=40503

The Caledonian Sleeper Franchise ITT specifies that the Fort William sleeper will call at either Queen St or Central LL:
http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/files/images/Rail/Sleeper ITT doc 5110994_noicons_26 FOR WEB.pdf

Westerton call and connecting service to be dropped. I can see advantages to both options - Central gives you all sleeper services in one station while Queen St keeps a single station for all West Highland line trains.

Not sure if it would lead to formal passenger closure of the Cowlairs North curve? Are the summer only Edinburgh - Oban services sufficient to avoid a closure notice?

 

[yorkie]

Perhaps one of the Anniesland services could go to Dalmuir instead? It arguably only needs one a week in one direction to 'count'!

 

[bb21]

Perhaps one of the Anniesland services could go to Dalmuir instead? It arguably only needs one a week in one direction to 'count'!

Aren't you talking about the section between Maryhill Park Jn and Knightswood North Jn, which is served by West Highland Line trains from either Edinburgh or Glasgow Queen St High Level.

I thought the section of track referred to in the previous post is between Cowlairs North and East Jns, which will presumably have no service outside summertime if the Highland Sleeper is rerouted. Re-routeing Annisland services to Dalmuir isn't going to help. (Well, not without a reversal somewhere or taking a massive detour.)

Or have I completely misunderstood?

 

[D6975]

I remember many moons ago the Fort William Sleeper being electrically hauled into Glasgow Central High Level, then a 37/4 hauled it via the link at Rutherglen & Glasgow Central Low Level.

I am not sure if this was booked or due to Engineering Works.

Can some kind person confirm this.

When the Fort Bill stopped going into Queen St HL, it was booked to run as one portion of a long rake into Central. The Fort Bill portion then ran down to Rutherglen, went round the North chord there and then through Central LL. It was booked to go this way for quite a long time.
One of the other portions went to Stranraer, there may have been a third.
If there was a third it may have been the second Inverness, back in those days there were 2 Euston - Inverness sleepers every night, one was a complete rake that ran solo the whole way, the other was a shorter portion that split/joined with others.
.

 

[Buttsy]

Not sure if it would lead to formal passenger closure of the Cowlairs North curve? Are the summer only Edinburgh - Oban services sufficient to avoid a closure notice?

The Halton curve and Clitheroe - Hellifield did not have to go through the official closure process thanks to 'summer only' services, nor did the Copy Pit due a a regular summer service back in the day when it was easier to close lines to passenger use.