Railway General Knowledge.

[D6130]

It connects the proper railway to the tram network?

I'm afraid not....although it does, indirectly, connect the main line to the East Lancashire Railway. However there is something very unusual - and possibly unique - about its layout and geometry.

 

[SuspectUsual]

Well it’s a single track that crosses the down line on a diamond crossing and then joins the up line, which I presume means it can only really be used in one direction. Is that what you mean by unusual?

 

[D6130]

Correct....your throw of the points!

 

[SuspectUsual]

Open floor, thanks

 

[D6130]

OK, let's have another one from our local line:

As a result of the derailment at Charlestown curve, between Todmorden and Hebden Bridge on 21st June 1912 - the worst accident in the history of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway - four passengers were killed, but five bodies were found in the wreckage. Why?

 

[Peterthegreat]

There was a coffin on board.

 

[D6130]

There was a coffin on board.

Correct. Your turn to operate the breakdown crane.

 

[Peterthegreat]

OK. One I have been saving up.
What was unique about South Yorkshire Railway Engine number 20 built in 1861?

 

[xotGD]

Its wheel arrangement?

 

[Peterthegreat]

Its wheel arrangement?

Sorry not the wheel arrangement (it was 0-6-0)

 

[martinsh]

Was it the only locomotive built by that manufacturer ?

 

[Peterthegreat]

Was it the only locomotive built by that manufacturer ?

Near enough. It was the only locomotive built by the South Yorkshire railway themselves in Mexborough. The footplate is yours.

 

[martinsh]

Open Floor

 

[D1537]

Here's one to try. What links the following BR locomotives (amongst a number of others, though some of those would give the answer away straight off)?

24005
45122
86252

 

[SuspectUsual]

45122 was D11, so if that’s the link I’m guessing all three were the first of their classes but subsequently got renumbered into obscurity

 

[SteveyBee131]

I seem to remember 86252 saw it's demise by catching fire. Is it something along those lines?

 

[D1537]

45122 was D11, so if that’s the link I’m guessing all three were the first of their classes but subsequently got renumbered into obscurity

You are completely correct. 24005 was D5000, and 86252 was D3100. Others that didn't end up as "001" were 20050, 26007, 31018, 37119/37350, 40122, 47401 and 50050 (but many of those are quite well known!)

 

[Peterthegreat]

You are completely correct. 24005 was D5000, and 86252 was D3100. Others that didn't end up as "001" were 20050, 26007, 31018, 37119/37350, 40122, 47401 and 50050 (but many of those are quite well known!)

86252 was E3100.

 

[SuspectUsual]

Open floor

 

[Loppylugs]

A nice easy one to keep things going.

What were the original names of GWR Castle Class locos 5017 Gloucestershire Regiment and 7005 Sir Edward Elgar ?

 

[Loppylugs]

For what it's worth, they were St. Donats Castle and Lamphey Castle respectively.

Open floor.

 

[krus_aragon]

There is a location on the railway where you pass five Grade II listed buildings in the space of 500m, all while crossing a county boundary. Where is this?

 

[xotGD]

Crossing the River Tyne.

(Using pre-1974 county boundaries, which are the ones that count!)

 

[krus_aragon]

Crossing the River Tyne.

(Using pre-1974 county boundaries, which are the ones that count!)

This boundary still exists to this day (and also did pre-1974, as it happens).

You're thematically close with your guess, though.

 

[krus_aragon]

To follow-up on the previous guess, one of the five Grade II listed buildings crosses a body of water. The other four are immediately nearby.

 

[DerekC]

Perhaps the Saltash bridge, then. It's certainly listed, although I confess to not knowing what the other listed structures are!

 

[krus_aragon]

Perhaps the Saltash bridge, then. It's certainly listed, although I confess to not knowing what the other listed structures are!

Sorry, no. The Saltash bridge appears to be Grade I listed, rather than Grade II.

Further clue: the four surrounding listed buildings are all identical to each other.

 

[D6130]

The Britannia Bridge between Gwynedd and Anglesey/Ynys Mon? The other four listed stuctures being the stone lions.

 

[krus_aragon]

The Britannia Bridge between Gwynedd and Anglesey/Ynys Mon? The other four listed stuctures being the stone lions.

Correct!

The bridge was listed in 1966 (before the fire), but the lions were only listed three decades later, and - for some reason - individually. (Here's one listing, for example.)

The next bridge to cross with be of your choice...

 

[D6130]

Thanks. Continuing on the bridge/viaduct theme, here's a two-parter:

(1) Which was the highest viaduct on the British railway network?

(2) Which is currently the highest viaduct on the British railway network?

Bonus points if you can give their heights above normal river level in feet and/or metres.