Monk Bretton Sand Train Timing

[wbbminerals]

Does anyone know the times the Monk Bretton sand train runs? Any help appreciated - as far as I know it runs Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

 

[9K43]

From memory the sand train runs via Doncaster and KY to MB.
Normally runs round at MB at 16:15 hrs ish.
The loco goes light engine upto the gates of the glass works to check the road is not obstructed and the gates are open.
The the loco runs light engine back to the RR, and attaches to the rear of the train.
The shunter stays up at the glass works, and uses back to back to radios to control the propelling movement.
The driver pushes the full train up the incline.
On reaching the glassworks, the train shunts off 14 trucks into the sidings as the discharge road can only accomodate 14 trucks.
The train is split and propels onto the discharge road right upto the buffer stops and then proceeds to empty the trucks 1 at a time.
To get the 14 trucks over the discharge hopper, the buffers on the train have to be compressed on the stop blocks.
When the first 14 trucks are unloaded the train sets back down the incline and onto the other half of the train, draws them out and places them on the discharge road as before.
This is assuming that the train has 28 trucks on.
The train is controled by token signals under the control of the operator.
When the discharging is complete the shunter inspects the train for open doors etc and gives the driver a drivers slip with the new loadings on it.
Every time the train is split. a brake test is carried out.
The train then departs around 1800hrs back to Donny.
This railway is a high tresspass area and care must be taken when on this branch.
When the train is split, 5 trucks have the brakes pinned down and 3 scotches are placed under the first 3 trucks.

 

[wbbminerals]

Thanks for the information, to be honest the line's not too bad until after Old Royston, where there are motorcyclists etc. Will probably go and see it at Old Royston or Walton from the road.

Anyway it seems I've been close to seeing the train before!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ardcoasters/4746002309/in/set-72157624066649086/

 

[9K43]

Good pic points are at the site of Oakenshaw Signal Box or the level crossing serving the old Crofton PW Depot, where virgin trains are serviced, or the site of Royston Station on Midland road, Royston

 

[wbbminerals]

Sorry for not posting for a while. Can you get to the site of the station because it doesn't appear so on Google Earth?

 

[9K43]

This Google link will show Midland Road, Royston, travel down this road, and it goes right under the bridge at the site of Royston Station.
On the Right hand side before the bridge is a white building which was the old BRSA Club.
Turn right there and it will take you to a chain link fence where you can see the single line.
At this point some years ago a young lad was sat on the railway bridge, with his back to the traffic and was run over by the whole sand train. The speed limit on this branch was 45mph.
As a warning, do not tresspass on the railway.

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&s...0859,-1.436575&spn=0.001611,0.006368&t=h&z=18

 

[wbbminerals]

I will have a look at that location next time I venture down to Royston. That line really is a deathtrap if kids are messing about at the wrong time or on mini motorbikes etc. Are they still doing driver training down there?

 

[9K43]

I will have a look at that location next time I venture down to Royston. That line really is a deathtrap if kids are messing about at the wrong time or on mini motorbikes etc. Are they still doing driver training down there?

A couple of years ago we wrote the Method of Work Statement (MOW) for this job.It was written into the MOW to be aware of tresspass and other nasty happenings along this line.
This problem is acute when you pass the site of Royston Junction SB and travel down towards the RR at Cuderth, this is where it can get silly.
There maybe Units tested down to the RR at Cuderth as and when required basis.

My post 2 of this thread is more or less the MOW statement for the line and instructions for discharging the sand up at the Glass Works.

 

[wbbminerals]

The RR couldn't be in a much worse location, there's a slag heap just before it and massive open spaces for people to mess about with their bikes on.

 

[FLHH East Anglia]

Apparentley my lots got a short term contract to work a train KingsLynn-Doncaster for WBB,,then,who knows?:rollerhaps we get a bit more,God knows,we need something @ Nene Valley!:cry: