Anyone know whats happening to the old bridge? Glad the new one is opening anyway, I'm moving back home tomorrow so I'll have to go and have a look!
Basically, the line is crap, although it isn't 55mph all the way. Between Grimsby Town and Barnetby, the line speed is 60mph, although from Habrough Jn to Barnetby East, the line is certified for 90mph running, and has been for quite a few years. For whatever reason though, everything is limited to 60mph.
Wrawby Jn - Thorne Jn is 55mph all the way, apart from a brief 25/40 PSR over Keadby Swing Bridge.
Thorne Jn - Hatfield Colliery is 60mph, after this though, it different depending on what direction your travelling ....
To Doncaster. 85mph Hatfield Colliery - Bentley Jn. 60 mph Bentley Jn - Marshgate Jn. 25 mph Marshgate Jn into Doncaster station.
From Doncaster. 25mph Station - Marshgate Jn. 80mph Marshgate Jn - Hatfield Colliery.
And get rid of those weeds. Have they no shame?
Here's my picture in happier times with a Tractor on one of the best bashes - 02.10 Manchester Piccadilly to Cleethorpes via Retford Low Level. 5 hours 20 minutes of bliss!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pinzac55/3613527083/
I'm not entirely sure to be honest, but (and this is a complete guess!) I wonder if the council kicked up a fuss about the style of bridge, that would explain why it looks so "retro" compared to the usual new bridges!
At the moment (and has been in place for quite a few years now), Appleby level crossing to Scunthorpe is under a 30/40 TSR for just over 4 miles on the Down line. The Up line (Scunthorpe - Barnetby) is unaffected.
That TSR came about when a loaded coal train derailed and ripped up a load of track, which had to be replaced. Why it has never been removed, I've no idea. It's the same as the 30/55 TSR over Keadby Bridge in both directions. That's been in place for as long as I can remember. Surely it must be a contender for the longest running TSR in the country by now ....
I've heard that the case with Appleby Bank now is more to do with the condition of the trackbed (drainage as has been said) rather than the coal train derailment. The track will be well bedded in by now! Keadby Bridge is only 30/55 in the Down direction (towards Doncaster). The Up (towards Scunthorpe is 40/55, so slightly better. Obviously no different for a passenger train, though. It could end up with a blockade to sort out Appleby Bank (like with Medge Hall in 2009) in a few year's time.