Retford station questions

[ryan125hst]

Every weekday, there is a train that terminates at Retford Low Level, ex Adwick, at 18:06. I was wondering how the train that terminates at Retford crosses to the other line. It is booked to then form a service back to Doncaster via Sheffield.

The only thing I can think of is it must leave the station, go over the level crossing where the driver and guard will then change ends. It must then run over the crossover and into platform 3 to start the service back to Sheffield.

I've never seen this happen as most services carry on to Lincoln. Am I correct? That is the only solution I can think of by looking at the sectional appendix on Network Rail's website. It sounds obvious, but with the level crossing where it is, I thought I would ask.

Also, does anyone know why the first Sheffield bound train in the morning uses platform 2 (Retford High Level)? It arrives from Sheffield at 06:37 and then forms a service to Leeds (it is booked to be a Class 158) at 07:03. Also, the final service of the day, ex Huddersfield, also terminates on platform 2 before forming a service back to Sheffield.

Ryan

 

[Harpers Tate]

The tea-time terminator from Sheffield reverses just as you describe it.

As for the Platform 2 issue - such things are usually either for route familiarity or to avoid a closure proceeding. I'd guess it's the latter. And the morning Leeds-bound service is usually a 158.

 

[Tomnick]

It's my understanding that the turnbacks at the Low Level shunt via Gringley Road loop (from where there's a signalled move back onto the Down) - so more or less as you suggest. Presumably the other two Retford turnbacks go 'upstairs' to do so to retain route knowledge (and avoid the shunt) - I'm not sure why the evening one doesn't do the same, as there's no obvious conflict, unless it used to conflict with something and has never been changed?

 

[ryan125hst]

The tea-time terminator from Sheffield reverses just as you describe it.

Thank you for clearing that up.

As for the Platform 2 issue - such things are usually either for route familiarity or to avoid a closure proceeding. I'd guess it's the latter.

Ah I see. Presumably route knowledge is needed in case they need to close the low level platforms due to engineering work? I don't know what else they would need it for, unless they used to run direct to Doncaster many years ago?

Do freight still use the curve? I remember seeing it freight train using it on my Birthday, I think it was in 2009. I don't recall seeing a freight train use it since.

And the morning Leeds-bound service is usually a 158.

That's what I meant I've edited my original post!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

It's my understanding that the turnbacks at the Low Level shunt via Gringley Road loop (from where there's a signalled move back onto the Down) - so more or less as you suggest. Presumably the other two Retford turnbacks go 'upstairs' to do so to retain route knowledge (and avoid the shunt) - I'm not sure why the evening one doesn't do the same, as there's no obvious conflict, unless it used to conflict with something and has never been changed?

So the unit has to run into Gringley Road loop? Can they not use shunt signals for the move (I'm guessing there are some)?

 

[eastwestdivide]

...

Do freight still use the curve? I remember seeing it freight train using it on my Birthday, I think it was in 2009. I don't recall seeing a freight train use it since.

There's one booked this Saturday night
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/B44805/2013/06/15/advanced
running Doncaster-ECML-Newark (reverse)-Retford curve-Worksop...
destination Brancliffe E Junction, so it looks like a train for engineering works maybe?
(Edit: can't see a corresponding working back again!)
Flicking through weekdays on real time trains, I didn't notice anything else going that way.
There was a steam excursion round the curve a year or two back, which continued onto the Maltby line.

 

[Tomnick]

So the unit has to run into Gringley Road loop? Can they not use shunt signals for the move (I'm guessing there are some)?

As far as I know, there are shunt signals from both the loop and the adjacent Up Main, reading back across the crossover to the Down. It doesn't matter whether they go into the loop to reverse or do it on the Up Main (and I don't know which they usually do!) - given that they'll only be there for a couple of minutes, I don't suppose it makes much difference.

 

[Quickthorn]

So the unit has to run into Gringley Road loop? Can they not use shunt signals for the move (I'm guessing there are some)?

I've never seen them go into the loop. They head out along the up main to just beyond the ground signal covering the crossover, which is just east of London Road overbridge. Once the route is set and the signal cleared, they cross over onto the down line and head back to Retford LL.

 

[mailbyrail]

An interesting use of the Retford-Whiskerhill Junction line was a through Kings Cross - Kiveton Park working in the 1970s - 1D41 I seem to recall. Sunday newspapers down the mainline and worked through to Kiveton Park arriving about 04.30 . That was also the days when there was a through Euston-Lairg working also for Sunday newspapers.