London Banter - View Single Post

Colin Rosenstiel · March 23rd 08, 12:28 AM posted to uk.transport.london

In article
,
(Mizter T) wrote:

wrote:

"Paul Scott" wrote:

Slightly off topic, but FCC trains out of Moorgate are equipped with
tripcocks, aren't they? Who is operating that segment of track?

All the 'mainline' lines out of Moorgate are owned by Network Rail
these days, and I'm almost certain that tripcocks are not in use on
either line these days.

The "Northern City line" in a large diameter tube that runs up to
Drayton Park has been in mainline railway ownership since it
transferred from LU to British Rail in 1975 or 76.

The GNC retains tripcocks, I thought, with 313s so equipped.

What is now the branch of Thameslink to Moorgate is similarly owned
and operated by Network Rail. However the diesel trains that used to
run along this line from Moorgate through Kings Cross (via the York
and Hotel curves) did used to be fitted with tripcocks, because the
line used to be operated by LU. I'm hazy on when the so called
"Widened lines" were separated out between LU and British Rail, so I'm
not sure when LU (Met, Circle and H&C) and mainline trains stopped
sharing these tracks or indeed whether they routinely did so in more
recent years.

Probably when the changes for Thameslink were made, lengthening the
Farringdon platforms and removing the connection with the Met there.

(Having said that, I realise that the trains running from Clapham
Junction to Wimbledon are doing so under extraordinary
cicumstances, and so I wouldn't expect them to be equipped with
tripcocks.)

At least two SWT trains routinely run along that stretch late at
night/ early in the morning.

The line was BR-owned until 1994, with BR signalling from before then,
surely?

--
Colin Rosenstiel