Walsall Remodeling

[Batman]

Traveled from Cannock to Birmingham and back today on the Chase Line and noticed that over last weekends blockade, the new points had been installed to the north of Walsall station in the Park Street tunnel to restore platform 3 back to a through platform.

Is there any practical advantage gained by doing this because northbound freight services have always been able to pass through platform 1 and platform 3 is occupied for much of the hour anyway by terminating passenger services from New Street?

 

[edwin_m]

On its own probably not very much. But it may be part of wider changes to the track layout, for example to give through freight a straight run through platform 3 rather than having to cross over and back as now. Anyone know if they are adding any other connections or electrifying any of the other platforms, or even reinstating platform 4?

 

[Batman]

On its own probably not very much. But it may be part of wider changes to the track layout, for example to give through freight a straight run through platform 3 rather than having to cross over and back as now. Anyone know if they are adding any other connections or electrifying any of the other platforms, or even reinstating platform 4?

Platforms 1 and 2 will be electrified along with the rest of the Chase Line later this decade. Re-opening of platform 4 has been mentioned before alongside the plans to reopen the line to Aldridge to passenger services. It would be a bit pointless if you ask me because the 2 pairs of lines will join in the Park Street tunnel. It would only be worthwhile if you re-double the line from Walsall station to Ryecroft Junction.

 

[The Planner]

3 isn't occupied overnight to my knowledge so it will get use then, as for platform 4, highly unlikely, you don't need it for an Aldridge service...and I'm sure 2 is electrified now isn't it?

 

[Batman]

3 isn't occupied overnight to my knowledge so it will get use then, as for platform 4, highly unlikely, you don't need it for an Aldridge service...and I'm sure 2 is electrified now isn't it?

Platform 2 isn't electrified. Do you think platform 3 will be abandoned if the Aldrdige extension opens as there won't be a need for a terminus platform? Or will it be kept for emergencies?

 

[The Planner]

Why get rid of it?

 

[Batman]

Why get rid of it?

Just thinking of the cost of maintaining the track and electrical supply for a platform which won't see any timetabled services.

It might be easier to reduce the entire line from Pleck junction to Rycroft junction down to just 2 tracks, realign the track slightly to both the north and south of Walsall station, abandon platform 1 and us platforms 2 and 3 as an island platform for through services. And maybe add a crossover to the south for the occasional train that may need to terminate at Walsall in the event of engineering blockades of in emergencies.

 

[The Planner]

Good god no, with the amount of freight knocking about plus the new run round loop on the Dudley lines the last thing you want is less lines there.

 

[Batman]

Good god no, with the amount of freight knocking about plus the new run round loop on the Dudley lines the last thing you want is less lines there.

Why, It wouldn't cause any additional problems with conflicting movements at Ryecroft or Pleck Junctions. Or am I missing the point somewhere?

 

[The Planner]

Without being able to show you a graph of movements there yes, as with the new run round loop all the freight traffic can be separated from the Walsall traffic south of the station. You would also import conflicts with the lines from Darlaston which currently don't cause any hassle.

 

[Morden Via CHX]

Sorry to take the thread slightly off topic, but does anyone know when the Chase Line electrification will start to take place?

 

[Batman]

Without being able to show you a graph of movements there yes, as with the new run round loop all the freight traffic can be separated from the Walsall traffic south of the station. You would also import conflicts with the lines from Darlaston which currently don't cause any hassle.

SO you're saying that if the Aldridge extension is built it would be better to rebuild platform 4 and completely 4 track the line from Pleck to Ryecroft with 2 sets of crossovers at Pleck?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I can see how that would be advantageous as a coal service from Rugeley heading towards the run around loop won't conflict with a Birmingham - Aldridge passenger working for example, when it would if there were only 2 tracks.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Sorry to take the thread slightly off topic, but does anyone know when the Chase Line electrification will start to take place?

All we know is that it will happen some time before 2019.

I think the work on the line speed upgrade will take place next year.

I saw a CENTRO document once that said the aim for the adjustments in timings to take place at the December 2014 timetable changes. This should bring the practice of some trains having to run fast between Walsall and Cannock to and end.

 

[The Planner]

SO you're saying that if the Aldridge extension is built it would be better to rebuild platform 4 and completely 4 track the line from Pleck to Ryecroft with 2 sets of crossovers at Pleck?

No, I am saying you could run an Aldridge service with what you have at Walsall as trains won't be dwelling there for any length of time. Pleck to Walsall is already 4 track and is very flexible, it would be useful to have 4 tracks from Walsall to Ryecroft but I am not convinced you need it unless there is a massive uplift in the use of the Sutton Park.

I can see how that would be advantageous as a coal service from Rugeley heading towards the run around loop won't conflict with a Birmingham - Aldridge passenger working for example, when it would if there were only 2 tracks.

Depends how you timetable it, who is to say they will be there at the same time?

Electrification is going through the motions now but neither that or the linespeed improvement is funded yet. There is also the problem of Bloxwich level crossing.

 

[Batman]

No, I am saying you could run an Aldridge service with what you have at Walsall as trains won't be dwelling there for any length of time. Pleck to Walsall is already 4 track and is very flexible, it would be useful to have 4 tracks from Walsall to Ryecroft but I am not convinced you need it unless there is a massive uplift in the use of the Sutton Park.



Depends how you timetable it, who is to say they will be there at the same time?

Electrification is going through the motions now but neither that or the linespeed improvement is funded yet. There is also the problem of Bloxwich level crossing.

I thought both projects had firm funding commitments from the government.

How is Bloxwich level crossing causing any problems?

 

[The Planner]

They are in the HLOS, they aren't funded yet like the rest of the schemes. Bloxwich level crossing stops you raising the linespeed at the minute.

 

[gswindale]

Just thinking out load, but would using p2 & 3 only for passenger services after Chase line electrification & reopening to Aldridge and keeping the lines through 1 & 4 freight only be at all practical?
If, as has been suggested, only 2 platforms would be required, then from a TOC cost point of view this seems like a sensible option as P1 is pretty much outside the rest of the station from memory.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

December 2017 for electrification to Rugely - (or thereabouts)