Lifford East - Lifford West

[G0ORC]

A long time ago the Camp Hill line and the short curve between Lifford East and Lifford West used to be used on occasions to access New St from the south when there was a blockage for whatever reason on the normal route between Saltley/Grand Jcn and New Street for trains from the Derby direction.

Does this curve now see any traffic, regular or irregular? I'm aware that in the 90s it saw occasional use for ECS trains usually just to clear platforms at New St, but the last time I saw it from a passing train (admittedly some while ago) it looked as if it wasn't used at all.

 

[bb21]

I last (and only time) went over it on 23rd April 2011 on a diverted XC Turbo.

 

[The Planner]

It still gets used for ECS, using LIFODEJ in Opentraintimes or similar should bring schedules up (don't use LIFODWJ as it will bring up everything on the Camp Hills)

 

[G0ORC]

It still gets used for ECS, using LIFODEJ in Opentraintimes or similar should bring schedules up (don't use LIFODWJ as it will bring up everything on the Camp Hills)

Planner, thanks for this - I see a number of ECS movements over it - in the 70s, 80s and 90s there used to be some almost bizarre uses for it like 1O13 0700(?) Newcastle - Poole which ran into New St via Camp Hill and Lifford East-West and then departed New St via Camp Hill and Bordesley all this to save either a run round or re-engine in New St - so it actually passed Lifford East twice about 30 mins apart. The balance working did the same in reverse.

Similarly there were a few Class 31 hauled Norwich - Birmingham which would arrive via Camp Hill and Lifford East-West and depart New Street, go round the circle and stand at Lifford West for an hour or more until it was required in New Street.

Its rather like the local EMUs did but they ran round the circle via Soho just to clear New St.

Interesting stuff - thanks

 

[Mugby]

I remember it being used quite a lot when the pointwork at the Derby end of New St. was extensively relaid a few years ago. At weekends everything from Derby was routed that way for the duration.

I'm sure someone will know what year it was.

 

[crosscity]

I remember it being used quite a lot when the pointwork at the Derby end of New St. was extensively relaid a few years ago. At weekends everything from Derby was routed that way for the duration.

I'm sure someone will know what year it was.

I don't know if you are referring to the 80s when there were major works at Proof House Jct. NE-SW (and vice-versa) trains avoided New St altogether and went straight from Tamworth to Kings Norton, where they called. This went on for a couple of weeks (not just at weekends), and a special supplement to the BR timetable was created, with Kings Norton at the centre of Table 51, instead of New St! I'm hoping a copy still exists in my loft! The middle platforms at Kings Norton (2&3) were resurfaced specially, and a shed provided for changing passengers which sold hot drinks and sandwiches. All New St terminators from the Derby and Leicester direction were diverted via the Lifford Curve.


Irrespective of engineering works the curve was also used to get diesel engines from Saltley depot to New St to take forward some NW-SW expresses. These trains were hauled by electrics from Manchester or Liverpool, and needed to change motive power at New St. It was a neat trick because time was saved by engines being coupled/uncoupled at both ends of the train. There was also the added advantage of the forwarding engine not clogging up New St, especially at busy times. The operation was different the other way, and didn't use the curve. The diesel engine on a SW-NW train would be detached and head for Saltley via Proof House and Grand Jcts. The onward electric engine would usually be waiting in the short sidings by New St signalbox.

I can't remember when this practice stopped. Probably the late 80s, early 90s.

 

[Mugby]

No, it was recent, no more than ten years ago when the pointwork at the station throat on the Derby lines was renewed.

 

[JonathanH]

No, it was recent, no more than ten years ago when the pointwork at the station throat on the Derby lines was renewed.

The Proof House remodelling that you are probably referring to took place in August 2000 (and necessitated diversions via the Lifford Curve)

 

[Bald Rick]

There were two goes at Proof House.

The final part of Proof House remodelling was in August 2000, and what a wonderfully developed and executed project it was.

There was an earlier project at, I think, Easter 1986 (it was certainly an Easter), where the main intersection bridge that carries the lines to Aston over the lines to Coventry was replaced. There were some track changes at the same time.

This coincided with my first ever intercity trip down the WCML, and as a result for years I thought Aston, Perry Barr and Bescot were on the main line from Euston to Wolverhampton.

 

[adrock1976]

There were two goes at Proof House.

The final part of Proof House remodelling was in August 2000, and what a wonderfully developed and executed project it was.

There was an earlier project at, I think, Easter 1986 (it was certainly an Easter), where the main intersection bridge that carries the lines to Aston over the lines to Coventry was replaced. There were some track changes at the same time.

This coincided with my first ever intercity trip down the WCML, and as a result for years I thought Aston, Perry Barr and Bescot were on the main line from Euston to Wolverhampton.

My bold.

It could be argued that technically they are on the original route from Birmingham to the North West, bypassing Wolverhampton. This route is the Grand Junction Railway and was Birmingham's very first railway line during the first half of 1837. The London & Birmingham Railway was connected to the Grand Junction six months later.

In peace
Adam

 

[crosscity]

The final part of Proof House remodelling was in August 2000, and what a wonderfully developed and executed project it was.

There was an earlier project at, I think, Easter 1986 (it was certainly an Easter), where the main intersection bridge that carries the lines to Aston over the lines to Coventry was replaced. There were some track changes at the same time.

This sounds right - Kings Norton as the centre of the world in 1986. I lived behind the station car park. My wife couldn't understand why it was taking more than an hour each evening for me to walk the dog. It was a real hoot just to listen to the station announcements - trains for faraway places along with the locals to New St, Longbridge and Redditch.

 

[34D]

My wife couldn't understand why it was taking more than an hour each evening for me to walk the dog.

Made me chuckle this bit.

Plenty of trains due to use this stretch in week of 17th to 21st Feb - example http://www.opentraintimes.com/location/LIFODEJ/2014-02-19/0000-2359

 

[PHILIPE]

Made me chuckle this bit.

Plenty of trains due to use this stretch in week of 17th to 21st Feb - example http://www.opentraintimes.com/location/LIFODEJ/2014-02-19/0000-2359

Not using the Curve though apart from a couple of ECS moves to clear New St.