I presume a " flat crossing " is what here we would call a diamond. Amazing that it's the only one remaining in the UK. I could show you at least 3 or 4 right in my neighborhood. Could they have included a branch or two like Lincoln, for instance, for service variety, or would that have required a different train?
I love the Lincoln branch and it would have been great to have. We would need an 800 for that though.
I'm sure the route and train will be well modeled, but to me it just seems like the UK version of the LGV, albeit without logical termini. After I've sped up and down the line a couple of times, what would be left to do. Voralberg has the scenery, Antelope has a quirky urban-suburban-desert feel with some ( probably ) misplaced BNSF/UP freight. This one, I don't see the attraction. Maybe some interesting trains will be layered in. Freight perhaps, local services?
Not sure if it’s the only one but quite rare on a high speed main line so yes in that situation quite unique. There was another at Pontop on the Newcastle to Sunderland line where a freight only line crossed on a diamond.
This route has much more to it than A-B as it has a varied service pattern so not every service will be the same. The 158 operates from Peterborough to Grantham and there are freight services on the line.
Matt stated on the stream that it's the only one in the UK. He's almost right. There's one other, and it's at Porthmadog, where the narrow gauge Welsh Highland Railway crosses the standard gauge Cambrian Line. Considering the determination to remove flat crossings in the UK, it's interesting that this one was allowed to be installed new in 2011.
I want to love it but I have a point to defend so give me a second... Ok they are too small, and, um, the platform doesn't have a yellow line. Boom!
There used to be a similar Flat Crossing at Retford further north on the ECML but it was replaced in the 1970's or early 1980's when the line going from east to west was shoved under the ECML. Mike.
Is this a serious post? If so I am not sure have there been any screenshots of Grantham. If I get a chance in a minute I'll have a look through the shots.
Thanks I should have probably looked at the link before quoting it! Yes mildly embarrassing moment there! You are right though it doesn't look quite right. Have you got a link to the video so I can take a closer look? If you do have a link I promise I won't ask where the video is before clicking on the link!
Thanks mate, this the one up the thread which I have completely missed isn't it. I don't know what's going on with me this evening. I will give it a watch. Edit: It's in german! This could be interesting as I will have no idea what they are saying!
Yes, the term ‘flat crossing’ is used to refer to a crossing where 2 lines cross each other on the level with no connection between the two - i.e. it’s entirely crossings, with no pointwork. You see crossings as part of a junction with other pointwork quite often, including at Shrewsbury - although even with these BR made efforts to remove as many as possible, turning many double track junctions into ‘single lead’ junctions in order to eliminate the crossing (as they are expensive to maintain).
No, should have been Newcastle (Central station and iconic bridges over the Tyne) to Doncaster via Durham, Darlington, Northallerton, York and Leeds.
801 looks good, nice to see both displays working as opposed to one in TSC. Hopefully GSMR works as it's always a nice addition to have. A shame they didn't do the 800/802. Hopefully In the future.
Yes, as part of a junction. A flat crossing generally regarded as where two distinct railway lines cross, though of course there may be spurs connecting them as well. Another example is Limerick Junction in the ROI where the line from Waterford (formerly Rosslare) crosses the Dublin to Cork main line on the level. In other news, I am quite coming round to the idea of driving the Azuma. Love them or loathe them, like the Class 700 they might be horrible to travel on with seats not out of place in a military transport plane, or an ironing board shop, but might give some decent electrothrash.
On a slightly different tack… With regard to passengers on the ECML route, for the authentic experience every train needs to be fully seat reserved. We need people and luggage crammed in the vestibule and gangways. Passengers woefully standing on the platform wondering how they are going to board, let alone find their seat which probably has someone else sitting in it refusing to move. I don’t think there’s ever been a time I’ve travelled on the ECML when the train hasn’t been ram jammed. Even years ago when the loco hauled overnight service still ran from Kings Cross to Edinburgh, it was wedged. (Travelled overnight to Darlington for train across to Grosmont and an early start on the NYMR).
It's not quite to that extreme with Azumas, well not all the time anyway. When I have a 5 on what should be a 9 or 10 service though you know there will be trouble!
Shapes up for a good scenario that, make it an all stop service with a 5car in place of a 9car & delay every platform departure.
I had a similar experience travelling down from Swindon to Bristol Parkway a few weeks ago for a retired Controllers’ reunion. 5 car 800 going down - wedged, so stand in vestibule. Same set on the return working, stand in vestibule with several others. Travelling on a free box so can’t really complain and only 25 mins each way, but it must be irksome for anyone paying the full fare to end up standing.
It should have started at Kings X and had the Hertford loop added, then the 700 could come out and play properly. Lazy DTG. It's always the UK route that gets streamlined in each new release, first no new UK route in TSW3 just an extension, and now a bodge job on the ECML.
I wasn't able to catch the stream last night, was there any new information given on the route? Or why it stops at Doncaster instead of York?
It's not lazy and shame on you for calling a team that's just built an 80 mile route that. Anyhow you will now get the chance to put your actions where your rhetoric is, fire up the route editor in TSW4 and let us know how you get on doing that section...
What if DTG could be planning to implement it? I mean personally I see both arguments as valid. But DTG have to at least be considering the ECML south
I would buy any extensions, north and south. Anything to have a decent UK length route, with meaningful start and finish locations. The fact that it is modern era rubbish doesn't both me, i will run BR blue. 13 coach formations, so none of this privatisation crud overcrowding. Perhaps DTG might even release a Deltic loco pack, in green & blue. Yet again i would buy that, even though the ECML is the least of my rail interests. Anything to get some decent UK content into TSW4. There is more too life than plastic dmu's and emu's.
