Difference between revisions of "Connection to Network Rail"
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| + | [[File:Severn Valley and mainline railways, Kidderminster - geograph.org.uk - 1534.jpg|thumb|300px|right|A train approaching Kidderminster crosses the points leading to the adjacent Network Rail track]] | ||
| + | [[File:Diesels on crossing.jpg|thumb|300px|right|A convoy of diesel locomotives crossing from Network Rail to the SVR]] | ||
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''For a description of the network connection signalling, see [[Kidderminster Station signal box (1987 onwards)|Kidderminster station signal box]].'' | ''For a description of the network connection signalling, see [[Kidderminster Station signal box (1987 onwards)|Kidderminster station signal box]].'' | ||
Revision as of 18:50, 2 June 2024
For a description of the network connection signalling, see Kidderminster station signal box.
The Exchange Line is a short length of track just outside Kidderminster terminus allows the through running of trains between the SVRSevern Valley Railway and Network Rail (NRNetwork Rail).
Contents
Early history
From its opening in 1987, the SVRSevern Valley Railway's Kidderminster signal box worked to Kidderminster Junction signal box, 'over the fence' and operated successively by BRBritish Rail or British Railways, RailTrack and finally NRNetwork Rail. The method of connection between the SVRSevern Valley Railway and national rail was cumbersome, requiring staff on the track for any movement between the two railways. Under this arrangement the SVRSevern Valley Railway's exchange line was designated as a siding.
2012 upgrade
In 2012 NRNetwork Rail upgraded signalling on the adjacent main line, which included the closure of its Kidderminster Junction box and transfer of control to West Midlands Signalling Centre (WMSC) at Saltley.
The SVRSevern Valley Railway took the opportunity to extensively upgrade the connection, with many hundreds of hours of work by NRNetwork Rail and SVRSevern Valley Railway S&TSignals & Telegraph technicians. Commissioned in August 2012, to coincide with the mainline resignalling, it installed one of the most comprehensive connections between the national rail network and a private heritage railway in existence. The alterations allow access for passenger- and non-passenger trains coming onto or leaving from the SVRSevern Valley Railway.
As part of the resignalling of the network connection, the exchange line was upgraded from a siding to a running line. Movements can be made from the SVRSevern Valley Railway exchange line onto the NRNetwork Rail DownIn reference to the direction of travel means away from the major terminus (i.e. towards Bridgnorth on the present day SVR) Main, and from the NRNetwork Rail UpIn reference to the direction of travel means towards the major terminus (i.e. towards Kidderminster on the present day SVR) & DownIn reference to the direction of travel means away from the major terminus (i.e. towards Bridgnorth on the present day SVR) Mains onto the SVRSevern Valley Railway exchange line. In addition, an incoming or outgoing train may be held on the exchange line awaiting a path, without it affecting trains on the SVRSevern Valley Railway or NRNetwork Rail main lines. All such movements are now locked and signalled, controlled by the WMSC in conjunction with the SVRSevern Valley Railway's Kidderminster signal box, which is now a fringe box of the WMSC. Movements do, therefore, require the SVRSevern Valley Railway's signal box to be manned and open.
Kidderminster signal box diagram 2020, showing the network connection.
The upgrade also saw the first non-GWRGreat Western Railway/BRBritish Rail or British Railways(W) signal installed on the SVRSevern Valley Railway, in the form of a colour light signal leading from the SVRSevern Valley Railway's exchange line onto either the national network or into the SVRSevern Valley Railway's North Star Carriage & Wagon Works.
On Network Rail's open data TRUST timetabling system the SVRSevern Valley Railway is 'Kidderminster S.V.R.' and the Diesel Depot is 'Kidderminster Tmd (Svr)'. Trains across the network connection are shown on independent sources of live realtime running information.
A description of the work with images can also be found in SVR News 180, on S&T Notes online.
See also
The Severn Valley Railway on the main line
