Redhill Station - Extra Platform

[Deepgreen]

I think I've got to the bottom of what is being built at Redhill and I have updated my layout sketch accordingly. It is not entirely finished yet. While I've included all the turnout speeds I've got to add speeds for the plain track between.

http://www.townend.me/files/redhill.pdf

Looks about right - many thanks for the update. I think the speed limit entering platform 3 is 40 at present, and would remain so, but I could be wrong.

 

[55003]

That PO conveyor would make a lovely footbridge., with a few ££££ spent on it.

 

[Deepgreen]

That PO conveyor would make a lovely footbridge., with a few ££££ spent on it.

That has, apparently, been ruled out for various reasons, including structural integrity and size. However, a second means of inter-platform access is sorely needed. A bog-standard footbridge could easily be installed once the GPO bay has gone.

 

[Sunset route]

I think I've got to the bottom of what is being built at Redhill and I have updated my layout sketch accordingly. It is not entirely finished yet. While I've included all the turnout speeds I've got to add speeds for the plain track between.

http://www.townend.me/files/redhill.pdf

Your showing the Up Tonbridge goods loop as removed, but in fact it's now a 12car electric siding from the Redhill end, with Tonbridge end points C&P but still detected for interlocking purposes.

 

[MarkyT]

Your showing the Up Tonbridge goods loop as removed, but in fact it's now a 12car electric siding from the Redhill end, with Tonbridge end points C&P but still detected for interlocking purposes.

I have been led to believe the plan is for it to go. I was surprised. With room for 12 car, electrification and accessibility to and from all platforms, it appears fairly useful and is on the best side of the layout to quickly accommodate a terminating train from London with no conflict, so clearing platform 3 for following traffic as soon as possible. As it's already in the interlocking and in an area not directly affected by the track renewals, I wonder if it's possible it may yet survive. Do you know how frequently it is used today? Are there any problems with walkways or lighting for crew changing ends?

 

[Sunset route]

I have been led to believe the plan is for it to go. I was surprised. With room for 12 car, electrification and accessibility to and from all platforms, it appears fairly useful and is on the best side of the layout to quickly accommodate a terminating train from London with no conflict, so clearing platform 3 for following traffic as soon as possible. As it's already in the interlocking and in an area not directly affected by the track renewals, I wonder if it's possible it may yet survive. Do you know how frequently it is used today? Are there any problems with walkways or lighting for crew changing ends?

The south end of Redhill is not being altered at this stage.

 

[MarkyT]

The south end of Redhill is not being altered at this stage.

Sorry you're quite right. My mistake. The former Up Tonbridge Goods Loop will be retained and renamed as the Up Tonbridge Siding with access at the station end only. The C&P turnouts and traps for the Tonbridge ends of both loops and the left hand crossover will be removed properly from the interlocking along with the oou signals. I'll update the sketch in due course.

 

[Deepgreen]

Sorry you're quite right. My mistake. The former Up Tonbridge Goods Loop will be retained and renamed as the Up Tonbridge Siding with access at the station end only. The C&P turnouts and traps for the Tonbridge ends of both loops and the left hand crossover will be removed properly from the interlocking along with the oou signals. I'll update the sketch in due course.

So the south end is being altered, after all? This change would simply seem to restrict flexibility without any benefit apart from a very small maintenance saving.

 

[MarkyT]

So the south end is being altered, after all? This change would simply seem to restrict flexibility without any benefit apart from a very small maintenance saving.

More a tidy up really, justified by renewals avoided and reliability improved. The east end turnouts, starting signals and routes to the loops from the east have been out of use C&P for years. The running line trailling crossover and its associated shunt signal are existing facilities being removed however. Guess they haven't been used much recently.

 

[Minstral25]

Redhill is closed today for the second day of a two day blockade, so I wandered up to see what was happening.

The GPO bay platform has gone (which I think was done a few weeks back) along with the down siding and a new crossover installed this weekend after signal 481 (last signal before platform) to enable access to Platform 2 southbound.

The additional cross over at the end of the up siding has been installed as well ready for access from platform 0 when that is built.

 

[Deepgreen]

Redhill is closed today for the second day of a two day blockade, so I wandered up to see what was happening.

The GPO bay platform has gone (which I think was done a few weeks back) along with the down siding and a new crossover installed this weekend after signal 481 (last signal before platform) to enable access to Platform 2 southbound.

The additional cross over at the end of the up siding has been installed as well ready for access from platform 0 when that is built.

Indeed, things are changing. The GPO bay was lifted last week. Its platform edge (never used by passengers) had undergone mysterious and extensive repairs a few weeks earlier!!

The new up 40mph crossover from the long siding was installed about two months ago. The rest of the siding retains its old track - I don't know whether this is also to be replaced upon electrification (it looks reasonably OK, but a bit tired).

 

[Deepgreen]

Part of the new layout - the second facing crossover, installed last weekend, which will permit down trains to enter platform 2 while an up train is leaving platform 0. The first facing crossover was installed about half a mile north of this one a few months ago (the new ballast can just be discerned in the distance), which will allow down trains to get to platform 0. The existing crossover, about halfway between these two (visible just behind the train), will be removed. There will also be the advantage that down trains will be able to 'choose' platforms at the home signal, whereas now they are committed to either platform 3 or the through road once they have got as far as the home signal.

Incidentally there is a large tool store container placed on the long siding at the moment, so presumably this is temporarily OOU? It certainly can't be used by trains!

 

[Roast Veg]

Here's a screenshot taken from http://www.opentraintimes.com/maps/ just now, is the siding you're referring to marked as "GONE"?

 

[Deepgreen]

Here's a screenshot taken from http://www.opentraintimes.com/maps/ just now, is the siding you're referring to marked as "GONE"?

No, that went ages ago and is where the new platform is being built at the moment. However, the one marked 'CLSD' is the one - it is to become a third (bi-directional) running line when the new layout is complete. Prior to that I imagine the track will be replaced (and electrified as it is currently not so).

Interesting that the GPO bay (signals 1313 to 1310) is still shown, whereas it was lifted two weeks ago. The new facing crossover is where train 2A34 is shown.

 

[Minstral25]

OpenTrainTimes has not yet updated their layout - probably won't do until all the work is done as it is a voluntary site.

MarkyT's diagram give a clearer indication of what's changing and what is being taken away

http://www.townend.me/files/redhill.pdf

 

[Sunset route]

No, that went ages ago and is where the new platform is being built at the moment. However, the one marked 'CLSD' is the one - it is to become a third (bi-directional) running line when the new layout is complete. Prior to that I imagine the track will be replaced (and electrified as it is currently not so).

Interesting that the GPO bay (signals 1313 to 1310) is still shown, whereas it was lifted two weeks ago. The new facing crossover is where train 2A34 is shown.

No1 up siding remains thre only for the purpose of allowing the signal overlaps to swing out the way of each other when setting two routes from the country end of the station towards the London end of the station. It is signed out of use as operational railway and will remain that way until they have curtailed platform 1 into a south facing bay and platform 0 comes into use.

 

[Deepgreen]

No1 up siding remains thre only for the purpose of allowing the signal overlaps to swing out the way of each other when setting two routes from the country end of the station towards the London end of the station. It is signed out of use as operational railway and will remain that way until they have curtailed platform 1 into a south facing bay and platform 0 comes into use.

As I suspected - thanks. What happens to the GWR trains (possibly only one) that previously used it for reversing?

 

[DelW]

If I've managed to make the system work, these are a couple of photos taken today from the footbridge just north of the station. They were taken on the camera in my phone which isn't great, so I'll try to take a proper camera along sometime in the next week or so.

 

[Minstral25]

If I've managed to make the system work, these are a couple of photos taken today from the footbridge just north of the station. They were taken on the camera in my phone which isn't great, so I'll try to take a proper camera along sometime in the next week or so.

The signal gantry appears to be right over the new crossover, so would that need moving back before the crossover is put into action. Otherwise trains may be stopped on the crossing when they need to change direction?

 

[MarkyT]

The signal gantry appears to be right over the new crossover, so would that need moving back before the crossover is put into action. Otherwise trains may be stopped on the crossing when they need to change direction?

If you look at my diagram you should be able to see the old gantry (grey dashed) is to be replaced by a new one (blue solid with red filled circles representing signals) further north.

http://www.townend.me/files/redhill.pdf

 

[JonathanH]

As I suspected - thanks. What happens to the GWR trains (possibly only one) that previously used it for reversing?

The long siding used to be used by the 1935 arrival / 2034 departure. That now goes to the sidings at the South end where they reside overnight.

5O49 1957 Redhill to Redhill L.H.S.
5V73 2026 Redhill L.H.S. to Redhill

 

[Deepgreen]

The long siding used to be used by the 1935 arrival / 2034 departure. That now goes to the sidings at the South end where they reside overnight.

5O49 1957 Redhill to Redhill L.H.S.
5V73 2026 Redhill L.H.S. to Redhill[/QUOTE

"Overnight" - does the incoming train no longer form another working then? That's news to me.

 

[Deepgreen]

The signal gantry appears to be right over the new crossover, so would that need moving back before the crossover is put into action. Otherwise trains may be stopped on the crossing when they need to change direction?

The new layout will require changes to signalling. Clearly the existing gantry will no longer be useable in its position. I would suggest you refer to MarkyT's very helpful diagrams.

 

[DelW]

A couple more photos of the current state of construction at Redhill, better quality than before since they were taken on a camera not a phone. Despite being a user of GWR Reading - Redhill services, it's pure coincidence that the photo numbers are 165 and 166!

I'll aim to post some more as and when things change, but since I reach retiring age this summer I doubt I'll still be working in Redhill when platform 0 opens, let alone if or when 3tph is achieved on the North Downs line.

 

[Deepgreen]

A couple more photos of the current state of construction at Redhill, better quality than before since they were taken on a camera not a phone. Despite being a user of GWR Reading - Redhill services, it's pure coincidence that the photo numbers are 165 and 166!

I'll aim to post some more as and when things change, but since I reach retiring age this summer I doubt I'll still be working in Redhill when platform 0 opens, let alone if or when 3tph is achieved on the North Downs line.

I assume it will be possible to have one signal gantry just north of the new facing crossover which can accommodate the down signals and also hold the new up loop exit signal.

I hope the tall lighting masts will be removed once the up loop converts from siding status.

 

[MarkyT]

I assume it will be possible to have one signal gantry just north of the new facing crossover which can accommodate the down signals and also hold the new up loop exit signal.

The new gantry will have two signals installed, both for down direction movements. There will be one above each line, the up line being bidirectional at this point. The up starting signal on the up loop 0 will be near the London end of new platform 0. There will be a position light shunt movement available from this starter to a new ground position light signal at the northern extent of the loop to allow longer freight and engineering traffic to draw forward and be accommodated fully within the loop.

 

[DelW]

There hasn't been much visible progress over the last few weeks, but now there are some new equipment bases on both up and down sides north of the station, and a new walking route towards Merstham on the up side.

Apologies for the low resolution, forgot to check the camera settings

 

[SA_900]

The message you have entered is too short. Please lengthen your message to at least 5 characters.

 

[DelW]

New walking routes- for pedestrians or track side staff?

For track staff and/or the platform contractors, it's only reachable within the fenced area.

 

[takno]

There hasn't been much visible progress over the last few weeks, but now there are some new equipment bases on both up and down sides north of the station, and a new walking route towards Merstham on the up side.

Apologies for the low resolution, forgot to check the camera settings

Does https://traksy.uk/live/M+5+REDHILL accurately represent the trackwork that's in place right now?