Proposed new TEP at Stromeferry on the Kyle Line

[Sulzer023]

I have read this week that there is a proposal to install a RETB Token Exchange Point at Stromeferry. Does anyone have any further info on this please? I would like to find out what the timescale might be and if the TEP will apply to both Up and Down trains.

 

[Agent_Squash]

RETB = Radio Electronic Token Block
TEP was already defined after RETB

 

[adrock1976]

Regarding Stromeferry station, is that still single platform? I'm trying to visualise how it would work if that is still the case.

I understand how it works at Arrochar & Tarbet, Ardlui, and Crianlarich to namecheck some of the stations on the West Highland line, but they are passing points with two platform faces.

 

[alangla]

Is this to allow for more use of the mega level crossing? (I.e. the bit of the Stromeferry bypass that has been diverted onto the railway to allow the road to be repaired) - AIUI, it’s shut whenever there’s a train in section so a shorter section would presumably mean shorter closures

 

[Sulzer023]

Is this to allow for more use of the mega level crossing? (I.e. the bit of the Stromeferry bypass that has been diverted onto the railway to allow the road to be repaired) - AIUI, it’s shut whenever there’s a train in section so a shorter section would presumably mean shorter closures

There are several TEP's over the Highlands used away from passing loops, one example being Fodderty on the Kyle line. This is used in the Up direction to allow trains to leave Garve towards Dingwall if something is approaching Dingwall from the Far North line - a bit like an outer home signal in old money.

 

[Sulzer023]

Is this to allow for more use of the mega level crossing? (I.e. the bit of the Stromeferry bypass that has been diverted onto the railway to allow the road to be repaired) - AIUI, it’s shut whenever there’s a train in section so a shorter section would presumably mean shorter closures

Engineering work is quoted as one of the benefits which would include work on the rock faces. Actually last autumn, due to the unacceptable delays to road traffic caused by the 40 odd minute section, temporary stop and distant boards were installed either side of the work with drivers given permission to proceed only to the stop board when receiving the token. Apparently hand signalmen then allowed the moved to pass the board when the line was clear.
However the main benefit would be to shorten the sections from Strathcarron to Kyle increasing line capacity but I don't know yet if this will apply in both directions

 

[Sulzer023]

Sorry, my first reply above has the wrong quote shown - it is meant for adrock1976's post.

 

[Maxfly]

Regarding Stromeferry station, is that still single platform? I'm trying to visualise how it would work if that is still the case.

I understand how it works at Arrochar & Tarbet, Ardlui, and Crianlarich to namecheck some of the stations on the West Highland line, but they are passing points with two platform faces.

Stromeferry is a single line, the old platform is still extant but would obviously need work if it were to be returned as a crossing point along with associated points and track etc.
If it stays as single line it would be similiar to Corrour (minus sidings) so UP and DN direction stop boards and SLB’s/LCMB’s (Station Limit Boards/ Loop Clear Marker Boards) provided so section is split in both directions it no ability to cross trains.
It would likely be an Intermediate Token Exchange Point and I would suggest a Long Section Token would be available through it.

 

[adrock1976]

There are several TEP's over the Highlands used away from passing loops, one example being Fodderty on the Kyle line. This is used in the Up direction to allow trains to leave Garve towards Dingwall if something is approaching Dingwall from the Far North line - a bit like an outer home signal in old money.

Engineering work is quoted as one of the benefits which would include work on the rock faces. Actually last autumn, due to the unacceptable delays to road traffic caused by the 40 odd minute section, temporary stop and distant boards were installed either side of the work with drivers given permission to proceed only to the stop board when receiving the token. Apparently hand signalmen then allowed the moved to pass the board when the line was clear.
However the main benefit would be to shorten the sections from Strathcarron to Kyle increasing line capacity but I don't know yet if this will apply in both directions

Sorry, my first reply above has the wrong quote shown - it is meant for adrock1976's post.

Stromeferry is a single line, the old platform is still extant but would obviously need work if it were to be returned as a crossing point along with associated points and track etc.
If it stays as single line it would be similiar to Corrour (minus sidings) so UP and DN direction stop boards and SLB’s/LCMB’s (Station Limit Boards/ Loop Clear Marker Boards) provided so section is split in both directions it no ability to cross trains.
It would likely be an Intermediate Token Exchange Point and I would suggest a Long Section Token would be available through it.

Many thanks for the explanations of how it all works.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

I read the title as Proposed new IEP and had a lot of questions as to why one would go to Stromeferry

Are these linked to the works that will involve a split of Highland services and request stop buttons?

 

[Railsigns]

The new RETB token exchange point at Stromeferry was brought into use last weekend (24th April). This is, I think, the first new RETB TEP since the 1980s.

Long section tokens are available between Strathcarron and Kyle of Lochalsh in both directions. A new "occupied" token can be issued to a Down train at Stromeferry, allowing it to arrive at an occupied platform at Kyle.

Also as part of this work, redundant data and tokens associated with the former sidings at Muir of Ord were removed from the Dingwall SSI interlocking and the signaller's VDU screens updated. A third screen has been added to the Inverness West RETB workstation showing the TEPs at Stromeferry and Kyle.

 

[Gloster]

According to the Journal of the Highland Railway Society the purpose is to ease operations when a charter needs to be shunted at Kyle.

 

[High Dyke]

There are several TEP's over the Highlands used away from passing loops, one example being Fodderty on the Kyle line. This is used in the Up direction to allow trains to leave Garve towards Dingwall if something is approaching Dingwall from the Far North line - a bit like an outer home signal in old money.

Spotted that the other day on a Kyle line cab ride YouTube video. Thanks for explaining about it, as my initial thought was it seemed a bit pointless.