Merseyrail ECS line

[robertclark125]

The old Mersey railway line from James Street to Liverpool Central is still in use today as the ECS line between Liverpool Central northern line, and James Street Wirral. Was it originally double tracked before becoming an ECS line, and is it double tracked today?

 

[pablo]

It WAS the Mersey Railway when it terminated at LPL Central, before the loop was built, circa '73?

 

[First class]

I believe it was always a single track though. There is certainly no room for any additional tracks in the portal.

It is signalled by two position light signals at either end.

 

[Green Lane]

There's a map of the layout here from Wikipedia:-
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/36/MerseyrailUnderground.jpg

I can't vouch for its accuracy, but of the stations I know it does appear to be accurate.

If that is correct then it is two tracks (Which does agree with what I have observed first hand when travelling through James Street, sitting in a backwards-facing seat), but one of them is curtailed down to a reversing siding and the other one provides a single track connection to the Northern Line.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Looks like there was already a related discussion on here:-
http://www.railforums.org.uk/showthread.php?p=372779
.

 

[ukrob]

I'm sure it was double tracked until the link to Moorfields was built - at that point the portal size (and shape) was significantly reduced meaning only room for one track.

 

[robertclark125]

The diagram confirms it was originally double track. I reckon the alterations to make the 1978 tunnel to Moorfields required it to be singled for its part.

 

[pablo]

Of course it was double track; 5 minute headways, reversing beyond the platform at Central LL in either of two sidings. Truncation occurred when the Northern Line took over Central LL via the new Paradside St. Junction and the Wirral Line went all around the World or, at least, Liverpool

 

[robertclark125]

Although no scheduled passenger trains work the link between the northern and wirral lines, has a railtour ever been sent down it since becoming an ECS line in 1978

 

[TheExmoorBeast]

Another question would be: Would a railtour be allowed over it, since it became an ECS line in 1978?

 

[Green Lane]

has a railtour ever been sent down it since becoming an ECS line in 1978

I believe so.

e.g. in 2007:-
http://www.roberthampton.me.uk/trains/merseytour.php
.

 

[ukrob]

Although no scheduled passenger trains work the link between the northern and wirral lines, has a railtour ever been sent down it since becoming an ECS line in 1978

Yes.

Also, if I recall correctly the annual Christmas staff and family trains use it too. The user First Class will be able to clarify that.

 

[507 001]

Its still double track in the sense that theres a running line and a siding down there.
I have the trackplan for the entire underground section provided by a traction inspector (Driver Manager).

 

[Greeny]

Up to the last time I wakled it in 1994, it was a double line but one ended in a stop block just before the connection to the Northern Line between Central and Moorfields. Mainly used by ECS to/from Hall Road and BHN, and 'On Track' machines. A very scary pace to be during traffic hours, and the site of at least one very 'naughty' incident during the 1994 industrial action. I'll not elaborate here but if anyone's interested drop me a pm.