Thornton Junction Remodelling

[TrainViation]

Thornton Junction now has lines coming from four different directions. South to Kirkcaldy, West to Thornton, North to Markinch and East to Leven.

Leven commuter trains crossing from the south and west over to the east line travel at a decently low speed, and often cause southbound trains to stop and allow the Leven trains to cross.

Would it make sense in the long run to allow Leven trains to join the Leven line without crossing the tracks, such as through a tunnel under the embankment on the west side?

 

[MarkyT]

Thornton Junction now has lines coming from four different directions. South to Kirkcaldy, West to Thornton, North to Markinch and East to Leven.

Leven commuter trains crossing from the south and west over to the east line travel at a decently low speed, and often cause southbound trains to stop and allow the Leven trains to cross.

Would it make sense in the long run to allow Leven trains to join the Leven line without crossing the tracks, such as through a tunnel under the embankment on the west side?

There are 10 off-peak Trains Per Hour through Thornton North Junction. The Leven trains, at 2 TPH, alternate between Dunfermline and Kircaldy routes. I doubt it's worth spending significant money on further enhancements around Thornton with the current service, but if anything is warranted it's likely some more pointwork for some parallel moves through the junction and to double the chord towards Dunfermline would be more affordable so trains can pass each other in the vicinity.

Nonetheless, here's an idea for a grade separation, a flyover solution, which seems to suit the levels better. It's still nearly one mlle of new single track construction though:

Track and signalling as follows: