Multi-platform stations with only bi-directional platforms

[MrC]

Basingstoke; Micheldever; Dorchester South

 

[Pumbaa]

Crianlarich and Arrochar + Tarbet. Both fully bi-di.

 

[D6975]

Doesn't Swindon have a west-facing bay?

Not any more. Taken out of use after they turned the parcels platform into a passenger platform I think.

 

[Tomnick]

Crianlarich and Arrochar + Tarbet. Both fully bi-di.

An interesting thought - although most of the loops on the West Highland aren't reversible as such (I didn't think Crianlarich and Arrochar were either, but I'm prepared to bow to superior knowledge) because arriving trains will always be directed to the correct platforms by the 'sprung' points, but they certainly fit the criteria as a signal (well, stop board) is provided for trains to depart from both platforms in either direction.

 

[O L Leigh]

Why has no-one mentioned Bishops Stortford yet? Three through platforms and full bi-di signalling with main aspect signals at both ends of each one. In fact I've worked in passenger service in both directions from all three platforms over the years, so it undeniably fits the criteria.

O L Leigh

 

[me123]

Leicester is still looking good then.

How does Motherwell fare, certainly just 4 through platforms but whether they can be used bi direcitonally...

Don't think they can. I think 1 is SB only and 2 is NB only. You can't have a Glasgow-London service using platform 2. I don't know if a train from the North can terminate in either platform, though... 3 & 4 are fully bi-directonal, and are routinely used as such throughout the day.

I'll add another one; Georgemas Junction.

 

[scotsman]

An interesting thought - although most of the loops on the West Highland aren't reversible as such (I didn't think Crianlarich and Arrochar were either, but I'm prepared to bow to superior knowledge) because arriving trains will always be directed to the correct platforms by the 'sprung' points, but they certainly fit the criteria as a signal (well, stop board) is provided for trains to depart from both platforms in either direction.

I beg to differ! A tour I was working was directed into the right-hand-side platform at Garelochhead.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I'll add another one; Georgemas Junction.

It only has one platform in use though doesn't it?

 

[Traveller]

Meadowhall? Or are there limits on certain platforms there?

Is there a 5?

Others that could work as 4 include Leyland, Selhurst, Thornton Heath etc...

Not Thornton Heath! Selhurst - only the slow lines are bi-di, and then the up slow is only bi-di for down trains going into the depot.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Redhill (not including the PO dock, though); Gatwick Airport I think; Horsham?; Balcombe; Haywards Heath; Wivelsfield; Burgess Hill; Hassocks; Preston Park.

 

[Tomnick]

I beg to differ! A tour I was working was directed into the right-hand-side platform at Garelochhead.

Some loops are set up for right-hand running for all trains - are you sure Garelochhead's not one of them?

 

[hairyhandedfool]

Not Thornton Heath! Selhurst - only the slow lines are bi-di, and then the up slow is only bi-di for down trains going into the depot.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Redhill (not including the PO dock, though); Gatwick Airport I think; Horsham?; Balcombe; Haywards Heath; Wivelsfield; Burgess Hill; Hassocks; Preston Park.

Gatwick - I think the down platform loop (6?) is single direction.
Haywards Heath - Platform one had a perminant red at the north end when I was last there.

 

[O L Leigh]

So, apart from Bishops Stortford, have we agreed on any stations that fit the OP's criteria?

1) Non-terminus station.
2) More than one platform.
3) Passenger services can leave in either direction under the control of signals.

On point 3 I would like to query precisely what is meant.

Strictly speaking a train in passenger service can only depart on the authority of a main aspect signal. If a movement has to be made under the authority of a position light signal in passenger service this should be backed up with the authority of a handsignaller showing the driver a yellow handsignal, otherwise it can only be done with an empty train.

As an example, Broxbourne station has one platform fully signalled for bi-directional working (P4) which is used for services terminating from Stratford in the morning and evening. However, the other 'down' platform (P3) has a ground position light signal at the London end, so it is possible to turn a train around there and for it to set off back to London as a signalled move. However, this can only be done as an ECS movement or as the first part of a shunt move to replatform the train.

My point is that having a signal at the opposite end of a platform does not automatically make it a bi-directional platform for passenger services. It has to be a main aspect signal, otherwise it's a shunt signal.

O L Leigh

 

[MCR247]

I'm sure Winchester qualifies? Or is it the section after that is Bi-Di

 

[me123]

It only has one platform in use though doesn't it?

According to wikipedia (an unreliable source, I know), both are in use. Photos seem to confirm that the platform is in use (ie, there's signs and benches on the platform - a relative luxury that far North!).

That said, I've never been up there, so I don't know if it's used in practice.

 

[Tomnick]

Looking at the particularly detailed route descriptions here, Garelochhead is certainly shown as a right-hand running crossing loop, and the photo of the Banavie South diagram supports that. It'd be difficult for an arriving train to go anywhere other than the direction dictated by the normal lie of the sprung points! Presumably there is a means of allowing facing movements in the other direction, but whether that's as crude as a bar and a clip, I don't know...

The same source suggests that the connections into the Up Loop at Georgemas are worked by ground frame, which would certainly seem logical as the track layout dictates that all trains normally use the Down platform.

 

[imagination]

BWK is signalled for bi-di but in practice there is an UP and a DOWN platform

I've gone through the down platform when heading on an up train at berwick before now. The other track was closed at the time

 

[142094]

Anyone mentioned Darlington yet? Only rarely used in times of disruption/late running trains.

 

[MrC]

I'm sure Winchester qualifies? Or is it the section after that is Bi-Di

Yes it qualifies for the same reason as Micheldever - both lines have SIMBIDS and trains can use either platform in both directions.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Ah... I had thought that only the one platform at Georgemas was still in use; during my "End to End" trip in June the rails didn't look that shiny on the other one. Come to think of it, they weren't heavily rusted either.

 

[hairyhandedfool]

....On point 3 I would like to query precisely what is meant.

Strictly speaking a train in passenger service can only depart on the authority of a main aspect signal. If a movement has to be made under the authority of a position light signal in passenger service this should be backed up with the authority of a handsignaller showing the driver a yellow handsignal, otherwise it can only be done with an empty train....

I am allowing for any permissive working, I realise that usually applies to inward workings and I don't know of any that are for leaving stations, but if there are any, they are allowed.

Any moves that require outside intervention (such as with a hand signaller) are not allowed.

 

[Tomnick]

Anything that's signalled permissively will have an associated main aspect (possibly excepting certain goods lines?), so that wouldn't matter anyway. You wouldn't normally have a signal reading out of a platform onto a permissive (passenger) line in any case, unless that same signal was reading into a permissive platform at the next station!

 

[O L Leigh]

To be clear:

What I am trying to avoid is people nominating platforms where there is a main aspect signal at one end for travel in the normal direction and a ground position light signal (GPL) at the other end. These are not bi-directional platforms, as the GPL is simply there to facilitate shunt moves. If a train in passenger service is required to leave in the opposite direction it requires the authority of a handsignaller.

Not all position light signals are for permissive working. It is only where they are associated with a main aspect signal on approach to a platform. We do have position light signals associated with main aspect platform starter signals at Bishops Stortford, but these are solely for shunt moves into the carriage sidings and are used even if the sidings are empty.

O L Leigh

 

[hairyhandedfool]

Shunt moves are not allowed.

 

[6S83]

Warrington bank quay

Can you be signalled in and out of the Down fast(platform 2?) in the Up direction?

 

[Coxster]

Basingstoke

All four through platforms at Basingstoke are indeed signalled for full bi-directional operation, however it has one bay (platform 5 for Reading services) so doesn't meet the OP's criteria. Same as Woking - all four through platforms are signalled for bi-directional operation with four-aspect signalling, but it has two bay platforms (platform 3 and platform 6, although the latter is only used to stable a train overnight which arrives ECS from Waterloo late night via a shunt at Woking junction and forms the 6.19 Pompey via Eastleigh in the morning leaving the platform vacant all day).

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Can you be signalled in and out of the Down fast(platform 2?) in the Up direction?

I think only 1 is bi-di at Warrington (the 'Up Passenger Loop' as it would be), 2 is the single-di UF, 3 the DF, and 4 the DPL, curiously, the Down Slow here misses the station altogether

 

[chris_in_salop]

What about Dinting?

 

[Soft Mick]

Can you be signalled in and out of the Down fast(platform 2?) in the Up direction?

maybe doesn't fit the criteria. You can exit all platforms in the wrong direction on GPLs. I've done them all.
Oh, Barrow is out too. Forgot the bay!

 

[sga962]

Ashford International

 

[D6975]

Some loops are set up for right-hand running for all trains - are you sure Garelochhead's not one of them?

Gare is definitely a right-handed loop, been through there many times behind tractors.