Power changeover at Darlington

[Sf9k]

Noticed today that there's a new power changeover sign on Platform 4 at Darlington for Class 80xs if they go onto the Tees Valley Line. I assume it's part of the station upgrade but is it to allow any LNER/TPE services to divert via Dinsdale or was that already a thing?

Bottom text says DIESEL - Dinsdale Branch

 

[Ze Random One]

Might be for Grand Central's new fleet, or even Transpennine if they want more flexibility to use 80x on Teesside services.

 

[Halish Railway]

I believe that it’s for days (Sundays I think) when some bi-mode units (usually TPE’s) have to switch over to diesel running due to a power supply shortage when LNER run 3 trains per hour.

EDIT: I didn’t notice it said Dinsdale branch - It’ll be for the testing of Hitachi bi-modes.

 

[ainsworth74]

I believe that it’s for days (Sundays I think) when some bi-mode units (usually TPE’s) have to switch over to diesel running due to a power supply shortage when LNER run 3 trains per hour.

The sign says "Diesel Dinsdale Branch" however which is unelectrified so not impacted by any power supply shortages?

 

[Anvil1984]

It’s probably just a reminder board for any units that may have to divert via Dinsdale to changeover to Diesel in the station

 

[Sf9k]

It'll be for the testing of Hitachi bi-modes.

Seems fair to me, I forgot that the Newton Aycliffe plant was nearby.
Diversions wouldn't really make sense to me because trains would have to reverse at Darlington or Eaglescliffe (which can be a pain), and why bother when you can just use the whole of the Durham Coast Line and the line from Eaglescliffe-Northallerton instead.

 

[tynesider]

I don't know if LNER still sign Dinsdale, however in HST days I was on a service which was diverted from Darlington to Stockton (reverse) then forward via Yarm and Boroughbridge Road.

 

[ainsworth74]

I don't know if LNER still sign Dinsdale, however in HST days I was on a service which was diverted from Darlington to Stockton (reverse) then forward via Yarm and Boroughbridge Road.

I'm open to correction but I'm fairly sure they don't sign Darlington to Eaglescliffe via Dinsdale and haven't done for some time. It's been Northallerton to Newcastle via Yarm and the Durham Coast only for a while (with Eaglescliffe to Shell Junction via Middlesbrough being a recent addition).

 

[swt_passenger]

I'm open to correction but I'm fairly sure they don't sign Darlington to Eaglescliffe via Dinsdale and haven't done for some time. It's been Northallerton to Newcastle via Yarm and the Durham Coast only for a while (with Eaglescliffe to Shell Junction via Middlesbrough being a recent addition).

Might it be to allow for the ECS from Heaton for the early Middlesbrough service to divert if ‘via Sunderland’ isn’t available for some reason?

 

[Sf9k]

Might it be to allow for the ECS from Heaton for the early Middlesbrough service to divert if ‘via Sunderland’ isn’t available for some reason?

It's possible, but if that was the case wouldn't it use the bypass line instead of Platform 4, aside from crew swaps? I didn't see a power changeover sign on Platform 1.

 

[Anvil1984]

I'm open to correction but I'm fairly sure they don't sign Darlington to Eaglescliffe via Dinsdale and haven't done for some time. It's been Northallerton to Newcastle via Yarm and the Durham Coast only for a while (with Eaglescliffe to Shell Junction via Middlesbrough being a recent addition).

Has there been anything in recent history where a LNER has had to reverse out of Darlington ad hoc up via Durham Coast after any incidents at Chester ale Street or Durham?

Can’t see it being for bi-mode testing as surely they’d just use the ECML with the pantograph down for diesel testing with the wires as a back up in case something goes wrong

 

[ainsworth74]

Might it be to allow for the ECS from Heaton for the early Middlesbrough service to divert if ‘via Sunderland’ isn’t available for some reason?

Maybe? But as suggested they'd probably just go down the mainline in that scenario rather than through the station.

Has there been anything in recent history where a LNER has had to reverse out of Darlington ad hoc up via Durham Coast after any incidents at Chester ale Street or Durham?

I certainly can't recall hearing about such a thing.

Can’t see it being for bi-mode testing as surely they’d just use the ECML with the pantograph down for diesel testing with the wires as a back up in case something goes wrong

Agreed, that doesn't feel quite right and they've done a lot of testing already and haven't needed this sign before.

 

[Zomboid]

If bi-modes are permitted that way then it doesn't have to be a regular move, just one that might happen and would therefore need a sign.

 

[D1537]

If bi-modes are permitted that way then it doesn't have to be a regular move, just one that might happen and would therefore need a sign.

Yes, I think that's the case. There's an identical sign with "Picton branch" at the north end of Northallerton platform 1 (the southbound platform) and I've never seen any northbound passenger train use that, let alone one heading for Yarm.

 

[800001]

Seems fair to me, I forgot that the Newton Aycliffe plant was nearby.
Diversions wouldn't really make sense to me because trains would have to reverse at Darlington or Eaglescliffe (which can be a pain), and why bother when you can just use the whole of the Durham Coast Line and the line from Eaglescliffe-Northallerton instead.

Hitachi do not test any units down the Dinsdale branch.

LNER very occasionally send Middlesbrough ecs via dinsdale if the crew sign and there is an issue on the coast.

There had been lower pantograph signs at south end of Darlington station for years, this is most likely just a sign that should have already been up been put up.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 May 2025 ==

I believe that it’s for days (Sundays I think) when some bi-mode units (usually TPE’s) have to switch over to diesel running due to a power supply shortage when LNER run 3 trains per hour.

EDIT: I didn’t notice it said Dinsdale branch - It’ll be for the testing of Hitachi bi-modes.

Hitachi do not and have never tested units on the Dinsdale branch

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 May 2025 ==

Might it be to allow for the ECS from Heaton for the early Middlesbrough service to divert if ‘via Sunderland’ isn’t available for some reason?

Correct, but very very few drivers sign it.

 

[dan4291]

There used to be a TPE Redcar/Saltburn service that would run to Darlington early on a weekday morning and run towards Middlesbrough via Dinsdale to retain competence for York TPE drivers on that route. It doesn't seem to exist any more on Real Time Trains so presumably it doesn't run any more. It was always a 185 but I guess if it was an 802 this sign would be applicable.

 

[ainsworth74]

It doesn't run anymore (foolishly) and TPE services up here are 185 only.

 

[Riverside Redz]

It doesn't run anymore (foolishly) and TPE services up here are 185 only.

Always thought 802s would be more suitable for us than Scarborough to utilise the wires for further instead of straight to diesel at York, Plus 800s will be cleared due to the LNER Middlesbrough

 

[yorkie]

Always thought 802s would be more suitable for us than Scarborough to utilise the wires for further instead of straight to diesel at York, Plus 800s will be cleared due to the LNER Middlesbrough

There are some 802s to Scarborough.

(If anyone would like to propose any changes to allocations/diagrams, feel free to create a thread in the appropriate forum section )

 

[Crossover]

There are some 802s to Scarborough.

(If anyone would like to propose any changes to allocations/diagrams, feel free to create a thread in the appropriate forum section )

I think the poster was suggesting that 802’s may be more suitable for Middlesbrough than Scarborough, rather than suggesting 802’s should go to Scarborough at all

 

[Class 170101]

I'm open to correction but I'm fairly sure they don't sign Darlington to Eaglescliffe via Dinsdale and haven't done for some time. It's been Northallerton to Newcastle via Yarm and the Durham Coast only for a while (with Eaglescliffe to Shell Junction via Middlesbrough being a recent addition).

They certainly don't sign the short route between Northallerton and Durham via Ferryhill, avoiding Darlington anymore, I did it ages ago with a Class 91 dragged by Class 67. I was told elsewhere on this board its via the Coast as a diversion between Northallerton and Newcastle or not at all.

 

[ainsworth74]

They certainly don't sign the short route between Northallerton and Durham via Ferryhill, avoiding Darlington anymore, I did it ages ago with a Class 91 dragged by Class 67. I was told elsewhere on this board its via the Coast as a diversion between Northallerton and Newcastle or not at all.

Yeah the Stillington line, Norton West Junction (just north of Stockton) to Ferry Hill South Junction on the ECML, hasn't been signed by LNER for ages.

I guess by the time Network Rail are taking a block that closes Darlington they're probably going to be using the opportunity to do other works in the area as well so end up closing the whole lot.