Longest Stretch of Plain Track

[Cakestall]

Recent mention of the Settle Junction to Carnforth line, in a thread relating to the least used stretch of double track, has reignited a query that I have wondered about for some time.

I am sure I will be directed to a previous post but: What is the longest stretch of plain track on the UK network? e.g. Plain track with no turnouts/points

Despite rationalization most main lines have crossovers every 10 miles or so whilst the reinstatement of passing loops on the central Wales Line has removed some long sections of supposed plain track.

I don’t have access to all Quail Maps etc but I’ll throw in Carnforth to Settle Junction which appears to have no crossovers on its double track and must be about 24 miles. This is about the same as Helmsdale to Forsinard on the Far North Line which is of course single track.

 

[RichmondCommu]

Recent mention of the Settle Junction to Carnforth line, in a thread relating to the least used stretch of double track, has reignited a query that I have wondered about for some time.

I am sure I will be directed to a previous post but: What is the longest stretch of plain track on the UK network? e.g. Plain track with no turnouts/points

Despite rationalization most main lines have crossovers every 10 miles or so whilst the reinstatement of passing loops on the central Wales Line has removed some long sections of supposed plain track.

I don’t have access to all Quail Maps etc but I’ll throw in Carnforth to Settle Junction which appears to have no crossovers on its double track and must be about 24 miles. This is about the same as Helmsdale to Forsinard on the Far North Line which is of course single track.

You've got your winner without any help! It is indeed Carnforth to Settle Junction. The last signal box to close was I think Wennington, pretty much before it fell down if I recall correctly.

 

[Crossover]

I think that line may also be the longest block section on the network, too (18 miles I think?)

 

[matchmaker]

I think that line may also be the longest block section on the network, too (18 miles I think?)

Blair Atholl to Dalwhinnie will be longer, I think. About 24 miles.

 

[theageofthetra]

What is the longest section in the channel tunnel?

 

[thenorthern]

Carnforth to Settle Junction is indeed the longest without any signals although there may be a crossover somewhere along the line.

 

[Railsigns]

Blair Atholl to Dalwhinnie will be longer, I think. About 24 miles.

It may be, but the plain line is interrupted by the crossover at Dalnacardoch.

In terms of block section length, the distance between the two boxes includes two intermediate block sections as well as the block section.

 

[mcmad]

Helmsdale to Forsinard or Crianlarich to Dalmally or pick a section on the Kyle branch.

 

[IanKR]

I think that line may also be the longest block section on the network, too (18 miles I think?)

In layman's terms, does that mean the longest stretch between adjacent signals?

 

[najaB]

In layman's terms, does that mean the longest stretch between adjacent signals?

Basically, yes. Though consecutive, rather than adjacent.

 

[6Gman]

Carnforth to Settle Junction is indeed the longest without any signals although there may be a crossover somewhere along the line.

I don't believe there are any crossovers on that line.

 

[Grumpy]

I don't believe there are any crossovers on that line.

Not many passengers either

 

[HarleyDavidson]

What about the HoW line? Longest section on there is?

 

[RichmondCommu]

Carnforth to Settle Junction is indeed the longest without any signals although there may be a crossover somewhere along the line.

Just a quick thought; surely if you had a crossover you would need signals to protect it?

 

[snowball]

The Quail/Trackmaps atlas shows no crossovers between Settle and Carnforth.

 

[furnessvale]

Just a quick thought; surely if you had a crossover you would need signals to protect it?

I'm not an S & T man, or even an operator but I would have thought an emergency Xover, clipped and scotched out of use could be used with handsignalmen.

 

[47271]

Just a quick thought; surely if you had a crossover you would need signals to protect it?

If it helps with this, there are no signals around the Dalnacardoch crossover between Blair Atholl and Dalwhinnie. There's a small signalbox which I imagine houses some sort of ground frame.

 

[Railsigns]

If it helps with this, there are no signals around the Dalnacardoch crossover between Blair Atholl and Dalwhinnie.

There are stop signals on both lines, within a quarter mile of the crossover on each approach.

 

[47271]

There are stop signals on both lines, within a quarter mile of the crossover on each approach.

Thanks, in which case I need to look more carefully!

 

[edwin_m]

I'm not an S & T man, or even an operator but I would have thought an emergency Xover, clipped and scotched out of use could be used with handsignalmen.

The northern WCML re-signallings in the 1970s provided many sets of emergency crossovers worked by ground frames. Since no bi-di signalling was provided these could only be used in conjunction with pilotman working so needing someone on the ground to work the frame wasn't a big problem.

I don't think clipping and scotching is an acceptable solution except for points that are installed but not yet operational or taken out of use but not yet removed. I believe the ground frame option includes some sort of detection, which would put signals back to danger if the points moved out of position, but I don't know if this is as comprehensive as what is provided on fully-signalled sets of points. One of these crossovers was of course Lambrigg and that accident report probably gives more details but I don't have time to check it now.

 

[najaB]

Thanks, in which case I need to look more carefully!

I recently was on board a train that got held at the northbound signal - first time ever!

 

[IanKR]

Basically, yes. Though consecutive, rather than adjacent.

Thanks. Yes, consecutive is a better word!