Luton’s unused centre siding.

[Ladder23]

South of Luton adjacememt to the crescent stone siding, there is a centre siding, the S&C has been removed its totally redundant. I’m curious how this was used in its day, whether it was for passenger trains or freight. I’m also interested In what year it’s last use would of been.

any help appreciated

 

[Supercoss]

Siding fell out of favour as it didn't have a walking route to get to or from under modern day safety practise , ok for class 319 and 317 as you could drive in change ends and driver could ' change ends' within unit before coming back out, a few services attached or detached units at Luton but this was usually achieved in plat 2 and the area north of plat 2 that could stable a 4 car clear of platform
i can't recall anything post 2000 , when a rail defect occurred the pointwork was 'plain lined'
then when Luton South Junction was renewed with concrete bearers it was removed altogether
pic of plain lined era with crossing removed and switch spiked out of use

 

[Ladder23]

Siding fell out of favour as it didn't have a walking route to get to or from under modern day safety practise , ok for class 319 and 317 as you could drive in change ends and driver could ' change ends' within unit before coming back out, a few services attached or detached units at Luton but this was usually achieved in plat 2 and the area north of plat 2 that could stable a 4 car clear of platform
i can't recall anything post 2000 , when a rail defect occurred the pointwork was 'plain lined'
then when Luton South Junction was renewed with concrete bearers it was removed altogether
pic of plain lined era with crossing removed and switch spiked out of use
View attachment 126317

Nice shot, have waked the patch many times, my rail career started just shy of 10 years so the sidings current state is how I always remember it. It always bugged me.

Thanks for the additional info

 

[Supercoss]

Later next year (2023 ) the ground frame at adjacent Crescent Road gets renewed with an electronic ground switch panel replacing the mechanical ground frame , this will allow empty trains to stable at Luton yard overnight then run empty towards Parkway and coming into passenger use at Harpenden giving Harpenden punters an empty train to fill , Then off peak it allows longer length freight trains to serve the stone siding Without multiple shunts they can set back in directly to unloading area
Harpenden punters finally get the extra train they wanted and G T R have to employ someone to operate electronic ground frame to let empty set out onto up line .

 

[Ladder23]

Later next year (2023 ) the ground frame at adjacent Crescent Road gets renewed with an electronic ground switch panel replacing the mechanical ground frame , this will allow empty trains to stable at Luton yard overnight then run empty towards Parkway and coming into passenger use at Harpenden giving Harpenden punters an empty train to fill , Then off peak it allows longer length freight trains to serve the stone siding Without multiple shunts they can set back in directly to unloading area
Harpenden punters finally get the extra train they wanted and G T R have to employ someone to operate electronic ground frame to let empty set out onto up line .

Very interesting, I wonder how this will affect the stone yard, most days the wagons are in there and both sidings are used for shunting of wagons, I assume a complete redesign and more electrification

 

[Supercoss]

As is layout with just No1 siding being used overnight for stabling

 

[Ladder23]

As is layout with just No1 siding being used overnight for stabling

Oh fair enough, that makes sense, any idea on the planned departure and arrival times for the service

 

[Trog]

I seem to remember that there were still some Midland Railway chairs down towards the buffer end of that siding.

 

[Ladder23]

I seem to remember that there were still some Midland Railway chairs down towards the buffer end of that siding.

I could take a look, I'm always working around there.