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Bluebell Railway General Discussion

Discussion in 'Heritage Railways & Centres in the UK' started by Jamessquared, Feb 16, 2013.

  1. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Hopefully your comment will result in a solution that prevents the problem arising again as it's not a particularly difficult matter to resolve. Given the time and expense by the Bluebell in providing means of access to its trains, it is somewhat ironic that the age-old problem of level platform access still exists, even on the national network.

    It used to be the case that passengers could use barrow crossings on their own provided they were careful but for all the reasons we have to accept, that is not possible nowadays. That said, despite everyone's best efforts, things can go awry. Bridgnorth has a similar access problem and recently when I was there a parked charter train, because of its length, made level disabled access to the platform where the service train was waiting completely impossible.
     
  2. Please can someone enlighten me as to whereabouts on the Bluebell 'Leamland Junction' is. It seems to be assumed in the BB newsletter that everybody knows... :rolleyes:
     
  3. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    The furthest north set of points at Horsted Keynes, where the line splits into two bi-directional running lines that run south into the station. The bridge at the north end of HK is Leamland Bridge, and Leamland Junction is just beyond there.

    Edit: I assume the reason it carries the name "junction" rather than just "points" is because for a south-bound train, it forms the actual junction between the Sheffield Park and Ardingly lines. A south bound train can access platforms 3 and 4 from the more easterly line (which is generally called the "main"); and can access platforms 1, 2 or 3 from the more westerly line (generally called the "loop"). Since you can access the SP line from platforms 2,3 or 4 and the Ardingly line from platforms 1 or 2 only, it follows that a southbound train headed for Sheffield Park can run through either of the two lines south of Leamland Junction, but a train for Ardingly will have to take the Loop line, no further junction being available.

    Tom
     
    Last edited: Nov 1, 2016
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  4. Many thanks, Tom.
     
  5. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    Not my photo, but this diagram probably makes the description clearer, showing how either of the routes south of Leamland can be used to access the line to Sheffield Park, but only the loop line will give access to Ardingly. Leamland Junction is the furthest set of points to the left (no. 5). They are due to be replaced during November, the replacements having been laid out in preparation for the last few weeks in the space between the SP and Ardingly lines south of the station.

    http://www.derekhayward.co.uk/Blueb...-Tours/Horsted-Keynes-Signal-Box/i-NRPVmLs/X3

    Tom
     
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  6. Steve B

    Steve B Well-Known Member

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  7. David R

    David R Well-Known Member

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    The diagram also shows why Platforms 4/5 and 3 are probably one of the few crossing places on a heritage railway where trains can approach from both directions at the same time, there being sufficient overrun on each line (by having the points set for the headshunt for south running trains into 4/5 and the loop for north running trains in platform 3). Just a minor point of interest, no doubt others will tell us where else this can also be done.

    David R
     
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  8. Phil-d259

    Phil-d259 Member

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    Short of having a member of staff sat down on the crossing all the time it is impossible to guarantee that a response to pressing the button is immediate. Sometimes during the midweek staffing can be an issue - we simply don't have the number of volunteers we would like and it is quite possible all staff on duty are otherwise engaged in other jobs. This is not idle speculation - even on weekends when I undertake platform duties myself there have been in situations were all available staff are engaged meaning passengers requiring assistance have had to wait a short time till a member of staff is available.

    However by the same token there are periods when things go quiet - after a train has departed for example or on service 2 when there are big gaps between arrivals / departures. At such times staff are only to happy to assist passengers over the crossing so it would be wrong to simply put out a sign saying the foot crossing is closed that day due to staff shortages. Equally it could be that a Guard or another member of non station staff is passing by and can help take people across - making the short staffing of the station a non issue at that particular moment.

    In short the situation is fluid and can change by the minute so a blanket response is not appropriate.

    Yes, there are also shortcomings with the system - the bell to call attention that someone is waiting is located above the ticket barrier on platform 1 and can be hard to hear from certain parts of the station. It might also be reasonable to add wording directing waiting passengers to contact museum stewards if they are being kept waiting.

    However if you feel that you have comments to make then I would urge you to contact the railway itself and then some investigations can be undertaken. Its worth remembering we are all human and sometimes if we are having a busy day its very easy to snap back at someone without thinking (again been there - got the T shirt so to speak). By letting the railway know promptly then the station management team can investigate and hopefully make the individual aware of how their comments were perceived by yourself - because I doubt any of the staff intended their statement to come across as you perceived it. However as it is we have no way of knowing who was involved its very difficult to take any particular course of action other than a general reminder - which is only effective if the person actually realises they may have been a bit tactless in the first place.

    As to the passengers using the south end barrow crossing, its an unfortunate fact of life that when the general public at large seem ever more unwilling to use common sense we simply cannot allow passengers to take matters into their own hands - I personally have had to stop two groups attempting to cross the line via the signalmans timbered walkway (which he uses to collect trains arriving from platform 2 despite the very clear signage to use the bridge) and as such we - and our insurers (please remember that unlike British Rail, the Bluebell has to have private insurance and could be shut down with immediate effect if the cover was withdrawn) cannot permit un-escourted use of the south end barrow crossing, however much of an inconvenience that may be. As such the only advice I can give to a person 'trapped' on platform 2 is to either seek assistance from the Bullied shop, the museum, or ask someone to pop over the bridge to platform 1 and make staff aware or simply keep pushing the button (if it keeps going off repeatedly then I would hope someone on platform 1 - not least the signalman) would notice.
     
    Last edited: Nov 2, 2016
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  9. howard

    howard Member

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    Thank you for your reply Phil-d259. Anything that stops someone with walking difficulties missing a train would help. At the moment you have the ridiculous situation where a notice instructs one to wait but doesn't say what to do if nobody answers. I did push the button a number of times without result and one can only hang around for so long when a train is due to leave shortly! My comment about the Stationmaster was followed by 'but that is by the by', I've no intention of reporting him to anyone. Having worked on a preserved railway for 37 years I'm well aware how one can make the odd mistake when dealing with the public - the comment was meant to draw attention to the fact that there seemed to be a feeling that assisting passengers over the crossing was of secondary importance.
     
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  10. Wenlock

    Wenlock Well-Known Member Friend

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    Trains approaching from both directions simultaneously is regularly done at Rolvenden. (Although since they pass outside the platform perhaps this might not count?). Headcorn end points of Loop set for trap siding, Robertsbridge end points of Main set for carriage sdgs.
     
  11. goldfish

    goldfish Nat Pres stalwart

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    People can be guilty of not recognising that not all disabilities are profound and visible, so don't act appropriately. Eg I wonder whether, if your friend had been sat in a wheelchair on their own, there may have been a better response from station staff, as the disability was visible and the need obvious. In comparison, particularly on a busy day, there may have been a temptation to see two people upright at the crossing and assume incorrectly that the need was frivolous or unwarranted.

    There's a new badge campaign on the underground comparable to the 'baby on board' badges, for people with non-visible disabilities (eg bad backs, intellectual disability, balance problems, etc.) to encourage people to offer their seats (particularly those sitting in 'priority' seats), because of the same 'non-visible need' problem.

    Maybe 'front of house' staff and volunteers should be reminded that not everyone with a disability is either wheelchair bound or otherwise obviously disabled, and to ensure that they're alert to all requests for assistance.

    Just a thought…

    Simon
     
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  12. howard

    howard Member

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    Nobody could see us from platform 1, where all the staff were, there was a train in the way.
     
  13. pmh_74

    pmh_74 Well-Known Member

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    Perhaps this isn't the right place to discuss this but it sounds to me like a better technical solution is required if the bell either isn't audible or doesn't solicit a response. I hesitate to suggest that the signalman should get involved in what is clearly a station matter but if he had an indication that that the crossing was requested he could at least hold the train. Would that help?
     
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  14. goldfish

    goldfish Nat Pres stalwart

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    Ohhhh…
     
  15. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    A quick note to say that there is apparently still time to register for the Track Trek, which is happening on Saturday 12 November, to either walk the whole line from East Grinstead to Sheffield Park or the shorter walk from Horsted Keynes to Sheffield Park. For more details, see here: http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/funding/fftf/ A complimentary bus service will get you to the right end of the line at either the beginning or end of the day, depending on where you have parked. It's a rare opportunity to walk across Imberhorne Viaduct, over Holden Summit and down through Sharpthorne Tunnel.

    Or, if you are feeling less energetic, please feel free to sponsor one of those walking, ahem: https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/tomjames1 ;)

    As a reminder, the income from the walk will be split between the ASH project and Operation Undercover phase 4 - see the videos below for more information about each project:





    Tom
     
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  16. Dan Hill

    Dan Hill Part of the furniture

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    I see in the Bluebell News picked up at Giants last week that there's some nice looking plans being made for Kingscote Goods Yard. The artistic impression looks very nice and would give Kingscote it's own attraction and a reason to get off.
     
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  17. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    Quick note that there is no public service this weekend, on account of the engineering works at Leamland Junction. The furthest north points at Horsted Keynes are set for replacement: the replacement points are illustrated here, laid out ready for disassembly and transport to the other end of HK station:

    http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/pic2/wn/2016d/q_point_stuartp1012_3nov16h.jpg (not my photo).

    Meanwhile, the fact that there are no trains running means that the annual Track Trek can take place, raising money for ASH and Operation Undercover 4. There is still time to sponsor a walker :) --> https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/tomjames1 Many thanks to those who have already sponsored either me or others - http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/funding/fftf/tt16.html.

    Tom
     
  18. Zoomeg

    Zoomeg New Member

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    Another one here for the Track Trek :) gonna need a big brolly,

    Booh to my colleague who refused to sponsor me because I'm not doing the Watercress Line one instead :Facepalm:
     
  19. I've always been interested in HK having two platform faces served by a single line. It seems quite rare - the only other station I've seen it at is Finsbury Park, although I expect there have been more?

    A notice on each side with a direct phone number for the booking office? (Given that everybody carries a phone nowadays)
     
  20. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    Christ's Hospital (also LBSCR) was another example:

    [​IMG]

    Via: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christ's_Hospital_railway_station#/media/File:Christ's_Hospital_railway_station.jpg

    Herne Hill (LCDR) as originally built was another, though it was subsequently remodelled by the Southern railway to move one of the platforms laterally and allow two tracks between.

    [​IMG]

    Via: http://www.londonreconnections.com/2012/unlocking-herne-hill-and-the-kent-route-to-the-city-2/

    Tom
     

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