Single line passing loop distance UK

[Davie_UCF]

I know one of the answers will be that it varies - of course!

But what was the average distance on a busy line between stations and passing loops? Or the minimum. I say this because on my route i've got a passing loop midway between two stations and its only a mile from either.. This seems far too short to be believable.. Or is it?

David

 

[Vern]

I think it varied with the traffic flow, certainly in steam days any station with a reasonable amount of goods traffic or small yard would probably have a loop, rather than a siding operated off a ground frame. Certainly not unheard of to have crossing loops a mile or so apart, though 4 to 5 miles between was probably more common. These days, the distance can be 15 - 20 miles or more where trains are few and far between, e.g. Central Wales or Far North in Scotland which as we know causes (or used to cause) problems in Trainz due to the signalling interface not being able to "see" the next signal over such a distance.

 

[bwfeldsee]

I live towards the northern end of the Cambrian Coast Line and can remember that, until the sixties, the passing loops were, on average, about three miles apart. Not all had platforms on both tracks (e.g. Penrhyndeudraeth) and, if passenger trains were running late and had to use these loops, the amount of to-ing and fro-ing involved made them even later. I can't begin to imagine how a Trainz AI driver would cope!

Fom the sixties onwards two in three loops were taken out so that now, a distance of 10 miles or so would be typical. The passenger service is not significantly worse nowadays but of course there is no freight - and that, perhaps is the point. Once you have pickup freights trundling around, you need plenty of bolt holes for them to go to keep out of the way.

Good luck
Alan

 

[Davie_UCF]

Thanks for your replies, I feel a bit better my loop is only 2 miles from the station.. But then again its not always in use.. So my mind is at rest and i've learnt something!