Which are the hardest stations for a train to depart from? (Thinking inclines making it harder for a longer/heavier train.) So far, I’ve only experienced the delights of trying to get a (too long for the station, I know) ten carriage rake headed by a 37 moving again after stopping at a red light in the tunnel outside Glasgow Queen Street on a 1:50 incline. Any other interesting stations to tax driving skills?
Not a station but there's a siding just south of Victoria on the Chatham Mainline route where trains run into the area down a steep incline then the runaround loop is on an upward incline (so much you have to overpower to get all the wagons onto the hill and then pull up even more into the headshunt) And then it's a controlled drop into the loading area. All fun
Again not a station but put a heavy load behind an AP 37 or 40 over WCMLShap, Settle & Carlisle or WLoS and they'll struggle.
Likely, but possibly also one unlikely to be on DLC. Here we go: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_steepest_gradients_on_adhesion_railways Top three: The list below is of some of the steepest gradients on adhesion railways, in order of decreasing steepness: Gradient Line Notes 1 in 7.2 (13.8%) Calçada de São Francisco, Lisbon Tramways, Portugal [1] 1 in 8.6 (11.6%) Pöstlingbergbahn, Austria 1 in 9 (11.1%) Cass Scenic Railway, West Virginia, United States Former logging railway, steepest non-electrified adhesion railway Steepest in U.K. is Lickey incline, 1:37.5 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lickey_Incline
From the same Wikipedia page about Steepest Gradients the Wirral Line going under the Mersey has a 1 in 27 Gradient
SteamSoundsSupreme's freeware Sothampton-Weymouth route has the four mile 1/50 climb out of Weymouth which, being a terminus there is no run up. It would take two Bulleid Pacifics to get the heavy boat trains up the hill.
I was about to say the same but Peter beat me to it... I live about a mile & a half from the said gradient...!!! Eric
Getting a modern rail tour up the 1 in 20 something climb into platform 2 or London Victoria is a real challenge, and depending on locomotive I easily fail at. There is a 15mph speed limit at the bottom so you can't even charge at it and if you have a red light at the top due to EMU traffic then it's game over.
If you like steam taking a heavy train out of Kingswear on Riviera in the 50's can be tricky even with a bit of a run up. Taking a heavy train out of Paignton towards Goodrington and out of Paignton and Torquay both Newton Abbott bound can be challenging too.
Thanks guys, will try these. I’ve managed to get a rake of ten carriages out of Glasgow Queen Street up the Cowlairs incline (1:50), stop at a signal and restart (15mph limit) with class 40 and 45 diesels, but ten coaches too much for a 37 to get going again in the tunnel without overloading the generator - available power insufficient to stop the remorseless slide back down the station! (I know too long a train for the platform, was just for the challenge!) I had read somewhere that in real life, some drivers at the start of troublesome inclines would meet to wait till the signals were clear to allow progress without stopping mid way.
I think a number of services from Glasgow Queen St were banked up the gradient by the inbound loco which was not attached and just shut off power near the top and went on to Eastfield depot
Same with the Lickey incline. An uncoupled loco at the back giving a shove to the top. Then a brace of bankers run down to the bottom ready for the next push.
I’m trying to think if I have that route, which one is it in? Bought a good few things in the sales I’ve still to explore.
and for an endurance climb, eastbound out of Glenluce on the western end of Western Lines of Scotland is a mile in to a ~7mile 1:56/85 climb iirc. They couldn't afford to build it round the coast, so went over the top instead. Given the power of the locos at the time (1861), I guess they had short consists.
Starting north from Beechburn in The Weardale and Teesdale you hit I think 1:44 immediately. I find that if you're in a DMU and try to change up to third you lose so much speed during the gear shift it's better to stay in second until the gradient eases when you reach Crook.
