Question about British Track Arrangements

[sawyer811]

I am currently building a small, British-themed shortline, and I added an interchange with British Railways (In my twisted scheme of things, the line somehow escaped nationalization in 1948) for variety and the chance to get more steam types involved on the layout. But i am at a loss on one thing: How would two lines from different companies typically cross each other in Britain? I know here in the US we have "At-Grade Crossings" which are daimond crossings typically controlled by absolute signals and usually watched over by an intelocking tower. But i have absolutely no clue on how tow british railways would do the same. Was it a similar arrangement, or was it something totally different? I know here in the US sometimes railways would cross each other with cross-overs and basically sidestep over each other, and at the daimonds they would usually have interchange tracks, a curving line, usually, that would branch off from one line and tie in to the other so the two lines could swap cars, and i actually set up the former of thses two on the layout. I just don't want to put something out there that isn't prototypical. Maybe that's my inner rivet counter

again, I only ask because i don't know enough about it to make my interchange look right. Bear in mind this interchange isn't in a large city, it's just outside a small town in Wales. I don't know if that changes anything but i thought i might be relevant. Any help would be appreciated, and please no "America Vs. Britain," comments, I'm just trying to learn.

 

[captainkman]

Gotta help my buddy!

I think British railways use bridges to get over on another. I have seen pictures of two different company's tracks crossing over each other, but those pictures were taken in the 1800s! Some of them were sketches or paintings too. But, in the start of The Titfield Thunderbolt, the train from the mainline passes over the Titfield-Mallingford line on a bridge, and in Trainz classics 3, at the main stations, the lines go over each other.

So therefore, I think they used bridges.

Hope this helps, somewhat.

BTW, have you got Team Speak 2 yet?

 

[BLACKWATCH]

In Britain they did use bridges to cross a rival company's lines, but they also crossed on the level, an example still remains in use today at Newark, where the ex Midland line crosses the 'East Coast Main Line' (ex LNER). This was done by companies agreeing to timetables.
Companies also came to agreements over 'Sharing' a line, which was a cheaper & more convenient way of each achieving their aims, these lines were called 'Joint Lines', of which there were many.

 

[sawyer811]

\
BTW, have you got Team Speak 2 yet?

workin' on it, workin' on it!

and thank you blackwatch, and captainkman. Personally i don't think a bridge would make sense here, as the lines are interchanging and the village the short line runs through isn't big enough to warrant such a large structure. I think i'll stick with the arrangement i have now, with a single-track BR branch line (which i've fictionally said goes to Bleanavon, Wales) crossing crossing the single-track short line by "jumpingover" the short line--that is, it switches onto the short line, runs on its track for about 50 feet, then switches back off. It makes a bit more sense because the line i'm basing the route off of has a large signal box that otherwise shouldn't be there. In my rendition, i'm using the signal box as the control point for what would be called an "Absolute interlocking" here in the states (and i can't beleive i just used that terminology)

anyway, thank you for your help. I now know I'm not doing something that wouldn't be totally unprototypical.

 

[stagecoach]

The GWR line from the south west passed through Exeter St Davids on its way to Bristol. The Southern railway arrived at Exeter Central and then joined the GWR line into St Davids using the station before going onto Barnstaple. Some Southern railway trains also used the GWR line to get to Torbay from Exeter. There are also places where the two companies ran side by side and did cross by bridge, Tavistock being one such area.

 

[magickmaker]

Where possible, bridges were preferred, but at locations where that wasn't possible, the system was set up pretty interestingly.

As others have said, timetables were key to this, but there's a little bit more to the story than just agreeing on timetables and such. In nearly every case, a signal cabin would be located nearby, set to control a series of signals on both lines and occupied by signal men from both railways. Depending on which railway was there first, dictated which railroad had priority. For example, (I don't know if this actually ever happened railroad wise, but I'm using it anyway) let's say that the LNER and Caledonian Railway meet outside a small city in Scotland. Caledonian was built first, with the LNER meeting the line at a later date. Due to this, all Caledonian trains would have priority at the diamond, with LNER having to wait.

 

[sawyer811]

I would use a bridge, but again, I'm trying to use this junction as an interchange, not just a crossing of two railways. and both the lines are small backwater routes, so i just feel like a bridge would be too built-up for some small BR branch and a little shortline. I guess i could do it, it just doesn't feel right. Maybe my american railway education is creeping in again.

 

[itareus]

....that is, it switches onto the short line, runs on its track for about 50 feet, then switches back off. It makes a bit more sense.....

An arrangement such as the one you are talking about was fairly common This was known as having "Running Powers" where line "A" had the right to run over line "B's" metals, and maybe use line "B's" station(s), usually for the payment of a fee. The distances would usually be longer than 50ft otherwise a bridge and connecting line would have been preferred, if the topography (and expense) permitted it, so that the two companies traffic did not conflict.

A "Joint Line" was an arrangement where two, or more, companies owned the same stretch of line (they may have built it together or bought it together). Normally "Joint Lines" were substantial routes running many many miles.

 

[stagecoach]

his might tell you more, its all about the uk south west lines.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exeter_to_Plymouth_railway_of_the_LSWR

 

[clam1952]

Modern day crossing example or rather the reconstruction of the original, is the Cambrian crossing (Cae Pawb) where the Welsh Highland Railway (2ft) crosses the Cambrian cost line ( Network Rail)

http://www.festipedia.org.uk/wiki/Cae_Pawb