3:38 is excellent in so many ways. - The timing with the crossing's lights (RTT is handy innit!) - The casual thumb point to said lights - The soft cut after the first sentence to a separate audio clip so there's no blaring alarm all the way through your explanation Master of your craft, and the attention to detail is excellent :)
Did i miss the "button specifically for that" moment? Assuming I'm right, this vid was woefully poor as I LOVE being asked to give it a thumbs up. I dutifully do it every time.
@@PurpleTT99 I believe we get that on the longer videos published around the weekend. These shorter midweek clips only have the short albeit consistent "thanks for watching".
Don't forget the pedestrian on the crossing as he's talking about walking across the crossing Ok he's just finished walking across but still, a fun coincidence
If there are people or cars stuck in the middle, the level crossing operator wont clear the railway signals, so trains would come to a stop well before the crossing. This is why there is such a long time for a train to pass through after the barriers are down
@@stevekelly5166such hostility (and xenophobia) from someone who is likely a signaller or crossing keeper admitting that they endangered people's lives by declaring a crossing clear before it was. I do hope you've retired or been fired as you seem not to care about your job.
@@gregoryclark8217 You are wrong about my job. But the signaller has to push the green button to sort of conclude, the crossing is clear. It's the last act. That's what the button is for before the signal can be cleared. And the CCTV really goes off at that point. It's real. No idea what yeast has got to do with anything. I guess yeast wound you up. At least you use a real name.
I don’t know and don’t want to know what the above comments are going on about. But with a full barrier crossing that is controlled by either a signaller or a crossing keeper, the following is the generic sequence for closing the road / lowering the barriers at most level crossings on Network Rail infrastructure: Signaller or crossing keeper visually checks the crossing either by looking out the window if the signal box is next to the crossing or by observing the CCTV monitor. If this is a CCTV monitored crossing the “Picture” button or switch has to be operated before the monitor will show a picture of the crossing. Until the “picture” button is pressed, the barriers will not lower. If there is no obstruction they press the “lower” button, this then starts the lights sequence. The amber lights now illuminate. Where provided, the audible warning sirens will sound. After around three to five seconds the amber lights go out and the flashing red lights will illuminate. There is then another short delay of around four to six seconds. Then the leading / nearside / entry barriers lower. The trailing / offside/ exit barriers will not start to lower until both leading barriers are proved to have fully lowered. At any point, the signaller or crossing keeper can halt / stop the sequence of the barriers lowering. And if needed, can raise them again. Each barrier should fully lower within ten seconds. Once all the barriers are proved to be fully lowered, if this is a CCTV monitored crossing, the signaller or crossing keeper has to specifically push the “crossing clear” button. Only then are the railway signals able to be cleared. If the crossing is next to the signal box, a crossing clear button may not be provided. After the “crossing clear” button has been pressed, on some designs the picture on the monitor may switch off. The signaller or crossing keeper can get it back by pushing the picture button again. But it will time out after a short time. Some designs maintain the picture until the barriers return to the fully raised position.
I’m probably the only person to ever signal a train to pass over this crossing with a car in the middle of the crossing area. One morning a car smashed through the barriers and came to rest on the Up Stamford line with a passenger train approaching P802. I managed to replace the signal and the train came to a stand just past Maxey xing. I agreed with Peterborough PSB to secure the vehicle and authorise the driver of the train to pass over the crossing with a green hand signal. I’ve never measured it but I was always led to believe Maxey was a longer crossing to Helpston.
It's also one the primary reasons why Oxford to Cambridge (via Bletchley) - The Varsity Line his being rebooted. They can get freight more easily between Southampton to the east and northeast or Felixstowe to the south west more easily as well as transporting people between the university and research cities without the need for cars OR needing to clog up London transport by being forced to change between Kings Cross to Paddington or Marylebone, and vice versa. Easily as important as HS2, its unfortunately going to be diesel operation only due to a low bridges and no more budget but passive provision has been made for future electrification so the cost would not be so high to get OLE lines up. First phase was completed years ago under Chiltern Railways project Evergreen 3 and phase 2 has been built from Bicester Village to Bletchley. Test trains (GWR Class 800 and Chiltern Railways Class 168) just started running on the line now and will finished for opening at the end of the year.
But only before 1863 when the Railway Clauses Act required the railway companies to build accommodation for a permanent crossing keeper. As a result, after 1863 new railway lines had very few level crossings.
@@alexhajnal107 Possibly given that the fine for not providing a manned lodge was £10 a day. The requirement for manned lodges ceased in 1994. Incidentally the cost of converting the level crossing at Ash to a bridge is £44.5m
Great video. I remember seeing both signal boxes at Helpston in the late 1960s on a regular basis, along with the signal boxes at Lolham, Maxey and Walton Crossings. The ex-MR box at Helpston closed in 1971. Woodcroft Crossing has five not six tracks. The Down Slow on the ex-GNR mainline was removed between Werrington Junction and Helpston in 1971, trains using the Down Slow/Down Stamford line from Peterborough to Helpston on the ex-MR route where the Down Slow starts again just before the Helpston Crossing Box.
It also has an attendant that spends all day every day stood in the pouring rain dealing with pedestrians, as it uniquely allows foot traffic to cross even when the barriers are closed to road traffic.
As a callow youth I would go trainspotting there, it was a good ride out from Stamford on a bicycle, and it would take all afternoon to get there, spot a few trains and get back in time for tea. in the 1970's there wasn't so much traffic on the road so in the summer it was a lovely journey.
I like this channel because it always introduces new places to me and makes a great but simply short informative little trip, the cherry on top is Gran Turismo music at the end which makes it perfect, well done!
I spend much of my life stuck at that crossing !!!! Eight trains is not unknown before the gates go up. The other half of my life is spent stuck at Tallington Crossing. Only the East Coast Main Line there, but it's controlled from York and if there's a train leaving Doncaster they tend to leave to closed (well that's how it seems sometimes!)
Level crossings in Australia fitted with boom barriers only have barriers on the approach side, so any vehicles that enter the crossing have nothing (except traffic in front of them) stopping them from exiting the crossing.
We have some crossings with half-width barriers in the UK, but they're obviously more dangerous than full barriers, so they can only be used on lines with a maximum speed of 100mph.; and they can't cross more than two tracks. No more new half-barrier crossings are being built, and existing ones gradually being upgraded to have full barriers.
I very hesitantly crossed a level crossing on the outskirts of Cambridge during peak evening traffic (satnav 🙈) and wouldn't want to be doing that again. As for the ones described here, and in comments, I'm making a note of where to avoid. Newark is my most frequent level crossing and I treat that quiet one with all due respect.
It's almost impossible to get stuck in the middle of a level crossing, as the signaller can stop the barriers even if their going down, basically stopping the barriers half way down to give pedestrians a chance to get out the way. And DON'T wait in the middle of the crossing like the guy said, because the signaller in the signalbox can raise the barriers himself, and it would then take quite a bit longer to get out the crossing if your right in the middle, and you would also have to cross live tracks
Here in the province of Zuid-Holland, there is a big effort ongoing to replace most, if not all level crossing with either a bridge or tunnel, to improve safety and avoid delays. From what I've seen, it's been quite effective so far!
I love how at 0:29 in the mid-1800s Robert Plant (left) can take a few moments out to contemplate the lyrics to some new hymn he's writing. All this while chatting to Dick Emery on the right.
Welcome to my neck of the woods, the Helpston crossing is a nightmare you can sometimes be stuck there for 20-25 mins at busy times.The crossing at woodcroft is even worse with waits up to 30 mins. Once upon a time they planned to put a flyover at Helpston but nearly 50 years later we are still to see it. What is even worse is that when the Helpston crossing was manned electronically from the signal box the signaller would open the gates to let traffic through . Now it's ultra safety that rules and I believe the control for this crossing now resides in York
I think that's a similar situation at Tallington, at least you haven't got the Stamford line there to cross as well.though. I guess the benefit-cost ratio would be too low for what is a minor road. And then you have the residential houses in the way on the Helpston side to navigate.
1863 was the year that it was made law that all level crossings in the uk should be equipped with manned gates with round the clock operation 365 days a year. Prior to that a flat crossing with nothing had been acceptable but higher train speeds and more road traffic led to the legislation. This made it MUCH more expensive for the railway company as they had to build and maintain gates, pay a member of staff in perpetuity and build a crossing keepers house, and sometimes even have trains stop specifically to drop off cans of water as the house would often be miles from anywhere. That was when building an under or over bridge for the road became the cheapest option and pretty much on all railways( except light railways built after 1900, that weren’t subject to the same regulations as ordinary railways with much less stringent signalling and level crossing rules but with a 25 mph maximum speed) bridge building was now the norm. Ironically the first flush of railway building is pretty much the network we have today, so a large amount of the original railway crossings still exist.
And yet there are level crossings that don’t have gates or barriers. The situation is a bit more complex. For starters, there are train crew operated crossings. And automatic open crossings (without barriers). As well as AHBC and various other crossing types on crossings that are not public roads (access to private land).
@@Mark1024MAK all introduced since the demise of the 24/7 xing keeper. And each type has its own working methods and rules. white light steady, train stopped, definitely clear off you go. Etc etc. Retired Traindriver.
I remember back in 1980 or so purposely stopping so I could watch the manual gates operation and the signal drops out on the carrot fields in the Fens of East Anglia on the way to work (RAF Lakenheath). Of course that was British Rail, and riding the rails was a joy. When going to a contract job in Torquay a decade ago, looked at riding the train from London to the nearest town with rental cars, but with the then convoluted privatization, would have cost three times as much and taken twice as long than to just drive straight. It's better now, but I'm retired. Would still like to go back and ride the trains again, so we'll see Thanks Jon, for your humor, insight and memories!
This is about 6 miles from me. I once sat there for 45 minutes waiting. Woodcroft crossing is great, it’s nice talking to the network rail chap while waiting for the gate locks to be released.
The white industrial building right next to the line is a paper supplier that deals in exercise books for schools. I used to go in there with an artic and pick up a full load a couple of times a week. Loads of fun trying to get an almost fully laden 44 tonner with an underpowered Daf unit over there before the alarm went off again. You could watch the gates go up, start off, and make it two thirds of the way across before it went off agian. Much squeaky bum times occurred.
I live near Warsaw in Poland and about 15kms west there's a hideous one where fast trains are going at full speed, it's 6 lines wide and if you get stuck... Well you're dead.
You're unlikely to get stuck on the crossing unless the signaller is doing a shite job. They shouldn't close the barriers fully or open the section if its not clear.
I got stuck behind an idiot once on that crossing. Barriers down fore and aft. Rapid!😳 manoeuvring was undertaken to get to a safe space in the middle of the crossing. 🤷♂️
Theres a similar setup just north of ely station but that one has a few houses in the middle! Always wonder how much that setup takes off the house prices...
On the outskirts of Moscow, RU (to the north IIRC but inside the city limits) there's a small village inside a railway test track/loop. Really primitive too, no electricity/gas/water/sanitation IIRC despite there being several dozen families. And this is within a major (?) country's capital!
You should check out videos of the Brightline railway in Florida. Some of the track runs down the middle of dual carriageways. Lots of accidents. According to Wikipedia, there have been been over 100 deaths since 2017.
How can there be a freight train that long with no graffiti plastered all over it ? Either G.B. has strict laws about this problem, or the price of paint makes it prohibitive. Cheers to another great presentation.
If you ever get stuck on the wrong side of level crossing, just DRIVE. barriers are designed in such way they'll snap when sufficient force is applied and this will be less damage than being hit by a train. also, this usually triggers signals to red, so trains will be stopped well ahead of the crossing, in case there is more happening...
im guessing this wont work so well on a motorbike. fortunately i've only been across bog standard width level crossings like Waterbeach, Fulbourn, Cherry Hinton and Foxton. seem to be a lot of them in Cambs area
Anyone who needs told to get out of the way of a train is beyond the reach of anyone or anything. And yet... I recall story of a traffic.jam in Lincolnshire where the queue sat still as the barriers descended and the train arrived... 1 dead motorist. About 2002, Boston maybe?
@@delboy1727 It should, and if it doesn’t then there is potentially a serious failure. All crossing barriers, both MCB and AHB have a wire detecting the presence of the barrier boom. For booms that have lights, it’s checking that the light circuit is complete, and for those that don’t have lights (usually where vandalism is an issue), there is a plug coupler next to the shear bolts that will come apart with very little deflection of the boom (last failure of that circuit I dealt with was a mere 5deg deflection). If that circuit is not detected, the barriers will go into failed mode, the wig wags will flash red and the signals will not be able to be cleared from Danger. If I encountered a controlled or automatic crossing that was not detecting a missing boom, I would regard it as a Wrong Side Failure and would immediately sign the crossing out of use. It should be noted that different rules apply to manned barriers, user worked crossings and VAMOS systems.
@@2639263926392639There _was_ an accident in Leics in 2002, but it was a la Great Heck/Selby (which had been a year to the day beforehand). I'm struggling to find your one, but I'll keep poking around. I do love a good disaster. Or, rather, I like seeing how so many little things line up in the worst possible way.
I don't think I've ever seen or heard the word "nice" used to describe the Class 66 before. They're ugly and unpleasant to drive. ASLEF proposed banning their members from driving them due to excessive noise and heat in the cab, and class 66 drivers in Norway get extra pay for the displeasure. That's how bad they are...
Woodcroft lane is claim to the UK's longest wait time, when certain services are stacked and in the incorrect sync it can take up to 45 minutes to get the correct window of opportunity to open and close both gates manually. I used to do some work up that neck of the woods and it was possibly the best waste of time known to man sometimes seeing 10+ trains before the gates open.😊
I was once told the next crossing is wider, but I am not convinced! Incidentally Tallington crossing is on an A road and that causes huge disruption. Agreed about waiting it out in the middle, there must be pedestrians that have had to do that. There was a plan to build a road to bypass the crossing but that hasn't happened yet.
Love your videos John, but there isn't any chance of a vehicle or pedestrian being stuck between the barriers. The barriers are lowered under signaller/ crossing attendant control, they will not lower the exit barriers from the crossing until everyone is clear. An automatic half barrier (AHB) doesn't have a Signaller to ensure that people or vehicles aren't on the crossing, but as it's only a half barrier, people are able to exit the crossing. AHB's have been phased out on the routes that I drive trains over, being replaced by CCTV controlled barriers which the signaller has to lower and ensure no one is on the crossing before the signal is cleared.
I thought the remaining level crossings on the East Coast Mainline (ECML) will all be removed, especially with the recently finished Werrington dive-under (near Peterborough) and the ongoing European Train Control System (ETCS) project raising the line speed from 200km/h to 225km/h., And also because the ECML is a busy railway and 200km/h is already fast. In fact, the Werrington junction upgrade is already an improvement on its own as it no longer mixes with (slow and long) freight trains.
You only need to look up the Hixon Rail Crash of 1968 to see what can go tragically wrong at level crossings and how the lessons learned have made them safer since.
There's something similar at Tallington. If I remember correctly, that one is the busiet level crossing in the country. These midweek videos are pretty cool, Jon; keep up the good work
Tallington must be less busy than Helpston because Helpston has the same lines as Tallington plus the Peterborough - Stamford line. Saying that, I bet Tallington causes way more delay to people because the road is so much busier.
I used to close level crossings on behalf f Network Rail for maintenance and the best one was Queen Adelaide level crossing in… some part of that flat bit of England… 😂😊
looking at Google Maps there would be a lot of land taking because of having to get the bridge up high enough. I am not sure about the UK as an American but in this country that can become a long drawn out process.
@@filanfyretracker _cf._ the LIRR grade crossing elimination project. In some places in Queens (NYC, USA) the approach ramps to the bridges are only about 25 meters long! Mostly they used underpasses/elevated track though. See e.g. 40.7429855 N 73.8741205 W.
_cf._ the LIRR grade crossing elimination project. In some places in Queens (NYC, USA) the approach ramps to the bridges are only about 25 meters long! (e.g. 91st Place between Corona Ave. and 43rd Ave.) Mostly they used underpasses/elevated track though.
From memory, I would definitely say it was 70+ metres. That’s 6 trains with space between trains and barriers to ensure no contact between any of the vehicles.
Not easy round here (yes Helpston is just up the road) as we aren't that high above sea level. Only one railway tunnel around here as a consequence (and it may well have pumps to keep it dry). A bridge over both Helpston and Tallington was planned.
I was in Dorset earlier this year and came across a level crossing in the middle of a housing estate. Now, I'm from Scotland, we don't really have these things there. So it was a bit of a surprise.
I would like to offer up Kingsknowe MCB-OD in Edinburgh, slap in the middle of a residential area. Try dealing with a failure on that when the flat roof pub next door empties out! Not fun.
Getting stuck on Helpston crossing wasn't a problem for our bus driver taking us to school back in 1991(92?) he just drove straight through as the first set of barriers came down scraping the length of the coach (Duple Dominant) owned by Fen Travel, meaning that the second set of barriers had to be opened as we were going over the crossing toward Glinton. Ironically? The bus driver never lost his license? Whenever I see a video like this or Don Coffee's Peterborough to Birmingham cab ride video? I always think about that morning......... I just wish I could find anything about it online?
Incidentally, on another similar video about these crossings, someone questioned why they weren't box junctioned, to which I believe the maximum length a box junction can be is 30 metres (whereas many of these well exceed that). I tried to find a source for that 30m claim, but I couldnt find it. Maybe my searching skills are lacking... Of course, seconding the comments mentioning that the crossing (as all full barrier crossings) are checked clear before trains are allowed over them, and so you should not get stuck unless the person (or obstacle detection) don't notice you!
It would make sense that if Network Rail were to build a road crossing to replace the level crossing at Helpston and at other locations to the north of Peterborough. And where the East Coast Main Line and the Stamford line separates after the level crossing. That level crossing does look very dangerous with trains passing by at over 100mph.
Not sure about it being the longest level crossing John. Have you seen the one at Exeter St David's station. They have to employ crossing keepers on foot there to ensure safe operation.
There used to be a manually-operated crossing local to me, manned by a perpetually grumpy couple who lived in an adjacent cottage. These days you have to get out of your vehicle and open it yourself, meaning that every abject moron using it can leave it wide open.
Being a bit pedantic, but the merging of the railways came quite a bit before the closure of Helpston station & as is clearly visible from your drone footage Woodcroft only crosses 5 sets of tracks.
Yes. The barrier boom is attached by a pair of shear bolts. However, this isn’t really to allow motorists to escape, as the barriers are monitored at all times when in operation, usually by a signaller, but in more modern installations, LiDAR and RADAR, and signals won’t be cleared if an obstruction is observed. But rather to protect the more expensive hydraulic equipment that operates them, should they be struck by a vehicle or damaged by high winds. They will shear easily though, and I’ve dealt with failures where the shear bolts have gave way because a pedestrian forced the barriers apart to cross the track.
@@southcalder In the States crossings are universally un-staffed, un-monitored, and fully automated. No detection equipment either. There is a phone number printed on the gate equipment box though that connects directly to the train dispatcher. Should one get stuck on a US (or Canadian?) crossing IMMEDIATELY call that number.
3:24 if you'd like to cross here, there is of course a button specifically for that.
Excellent work sir
and if you go to Google Map Street View you'll see the nice railway worker opening the gates for a car.
NICE!
3:38 impeccable timing with the amber lights!
take 26
Aka Wig Wags 😁
3:38 is excellent in so many ways.
- The timing with the crossing's lights (RTT is handy innit!)
- The casual thumb point to said lights
- The soft cut after the first sentence to a separate audio clip so there's no blaring alarm all the way through your explanation
Master of your craft, and the attention to detail is excellent :)
Did i miss the "button specifically for that" moment? Assuming I'm right, this vid was woefully poor as I LOVE being asked to give it a thumbs up. I dutifully do it every time.
Pay attention. That button is only for Sunday vids. Use the thumbs up button for everything else. @@PurpleTT99
@@PurpleTT99 I believe we get that on the longer videos published around the weekend. These shorter midweek clips only have the short albeit consistent "thanks for watching".
I need to reach this level of editing honestly
Don't forget the pedestrian on the crossing as he's talking about walking across the crossing
Ok he's just finished walking across but still, a fun coincidence
It was only a matter of time before John crowbarred a video about railway infrastructure on to the channel. Bravo, sir, excellent work as always.
If there are people or cars stuck in the middle, the level crossing operator wont clear the railway signals, so trains would come to a stop well before the crossing. This is why there is such a long time for a train to pass through after the barriers are down
@@stevekelly5166such hostility (and xenophobia) from someone who is likely a signaller or crossing keeper admitting that they endangered people's lives by declaring a crossing clear before it was. I do hope you've retired or been fired as you seem not to care about your job.
came here to say this!
@@gregoryclark8217 You are wrong about my job. But the signaller has to push the green button to sort of conclude, the crossing is clear. It's the last act. That's what the button is for before the signal can be cleared. And the CCTV really goes off at that point. It's real. No idea what yeast has got to do with anything. I guess yeast wound you up. At least you use a real name.
I don’t know and don’t want to know what the above comments are going on about. But with a full barrier crossing that is controlled by either a signaller or a crossing keeper, the following is the generic sequence for closing the road / lowering the barriers at most level crossings on Network Rail infrastructure:
Signaller or crossing keeper visually checks the crossing either by looking out the window if the signal box is next to the crossing or by observing the CCTV monitor. If this is a CCTV monitored crossing the “Picture” button or switch has to be operated before the monitor will show a picture of the crossing. Until the “picture” button is pressed, the barriers will not lower. If there is no obstruction they press the “lower” button, this then starts the lights sequence. The amber lights now illuminate. Where provided, the audible warning sirens will sound. After around three to five seconds the amber lights go out and the flashing red lights will illuminate. There is then another short delay of around four to six seconds. Then the leading / nearside / entry barriers lower. The trailing / offside/ exit barriers will not start to lower until both leading barriers are proved to have fully lowered. At any point, the signaller or crossing keeper can halt / stop the sequence of the barriers lowering. And if needed, can raise them again. Each barrier should fully lower within ten seconds.
Once all the barriers are proved to be fully lowered, if this is a CCTV monitored crossing, the signaller or crossing keeper has to specifically push the “crossing clear” button. Only then are the railway signals able to be cleared. If the crossing is next to the signal box, a crossing clear button may not be provided. After the “crossing clear” button has been pressed, on some designs the picture on the monitor may switch off. The signaller or crossing keeper can get it back by pushing the picture button again. But it will time out after a short time. Some designs maintain the picture until the barriers return to the fully raised position.
@@Mark1024MAK Been doing it since 1981. I don't cut and paste.
I’m probably the only person to ever signal a train to pass over this crossing with a car in the middle of the crossing area. One morning a car smashed through the barriers and came to rest on the Up Stamford line with a passenger train approaching P802. I managed to replace the signal and the train came to a stand just past Maxey xing. I agreed with Peterborough PSB to secure the vehicle and authorise the driver of the train to pass over the crossing with a green hand signal. I’ve never measured it but I was always led to believe Maxey was a longer crossing to Helpston.
Great to see the container freight on the tracks and not on 50 lorries on the motorway.
It's also one the primary reasons why Oxford to Cambridge (via Bletchley) - The Varsity Line his being rebooted. They can get freight more easily between Southampton to the east and northeast or Felixstowe to the south west more easily as well as transporting people between the university and research cities without the need for cars OR needing to clog up London transport by being forced to change between Kings Cross to Paddington or Marylebone, and vice versa.
Easily as important as HS2, its unfortunately going to be diesel operation only due to a low bridges and no more budget but passive provision has been made for future electrification so the cost would not be so high to get OLE lines up. First phase was completed years ago under Chiltern Railways project Evergreen 3 and phase 2 has been built from Bicester Village to Bletchley.
Test trains (GWR Class 800 and Chiltern Railways Class 168) just started running on the line now and will finished for opening at the end of the year.
Frankly I would like to see Double Stack Containers in the English countryside on new Rail Lines, but I know that's not going to Happen.
As a railway enthusiast (and Advanced Driver and SAAB fan) your site does it all for me, John (and I'm a John too)
But he's a Jon.
I have to say "cheap to build and easy to construct" tickled me. The words of a man never exposed to railway signalling projects!
But only before 1863 when the Railway Clauses Act required the railway companies to build accommodation for a permanent crossing keeper. As a result, after 1863 new railway lines had very few level crossings.
Surely still cheaper and easier overall than a bridge or a tunnel?
@@andymerrett Depends; you don't have to staff those.
@@alexhajnal107 Possibly given that the fine for not providing a manned lodge was £10 a day. The requirement for manned lodges ceased in 1994.
Incidentally the cost of converting the level crossing at Ash to a bridge is £44.5m
Amazing, Jon's mastery of sarcasm is reaching new levels of subtlety! 🙂
Great video. I remember seeing both signal boxes at Helpston in the late 1960s on a regular basis, along with the signal boxes at Lolham, Maxey and Walton Crossings. The ex-MR box at Helpston closed in 1971. Woodcroft Crossing has five not six tracks. The Down Slow on the ex-GNR mainline was removed between Werrington Junction and Helpston in 1971, trains using the Down Slow/Down Stamford line from Peterborough to Helpston on the ex-MR route where the Down Slow starts again just before the Helpston Crossing Box.
There is a six track level crossing on the approach to Exeter St Davids
It also has an attendant that spends all day every day stood in the pouring rain dealing with pedestrians, as it uniquely allows foot traffic to cross even when the barriers are closed to road traffic.
@@southcalder that's awful. At least build a footbridge 😧
As a callow youth I would go trainspotting there, it was a good ride out from Stamford on a bicycle, and it would take all afternoon to get there, spot a few trains and get back in time for tea. in the 1970's there wasn't so much traffic on the road so in the summer it was a lovely journey.
I like this channel because it always introduces new places to me and makes a great but simply short informative little trip, the cherry on top is Gran Turismo music at the end which makes it perfect, well done!
I spend much of my life stuck at that crossing !!!!
Eight trains is not unknown before the gates go up.
The other half of my life is spent stuck at Tallington Crossing. Only the East Coast Main Line there, but it's controlled from York and if there's a train leaving Doncaster they tend to leave to closed (well that's how it seems sometimes!)
Level crossings in Australia fitted with boom barriers only have barriers on the approach side, so any vehicles that enter the crossing have nothing (except traffic in front of them) stopping them from exiting the crossing.
That type exists here but it's not common - motorists see a way through even as the trains approach
We have some crossings with half-width barriers in the UK, but they're obviously more dangerous than full barriers, so they can only be used on lines with a maximum speed of 100mph.; and they can't cross more than two tracks.
No more new half-barrier crossings are being built, and existing ones gradually being upgraded to have full barriers.
I very hesitantly crossed a level crossing on the outskirts of Cambridge during peak evening traffic (satnav 🙈) and wouldn't want to be doing that again. As for the ones described here, and in comments, I'm making a note of where to avoid. Newark is my most frequent level crossing and I treat that quiet one with all due respect.
It's almost impossible to get stuck in the middle of a level crossing, as the signaller can stop the barriers even if their going down, basically stopping the barriers half way down to give pedestrians a chance to get out the way. And DON'T wait in the middle of the crossing like the guy said, because the signaller in the signalbox can raise the barriers himself, and it would then take quite a bit longer to get out the crossing if your right in the middle, and you would also have to cross live tracks
Here in the province of Zuid-Holland, there is a big effort ongoing to replace most, if not all level crossing with either a bridge or tunnel, to improve safety and avoid delays. From what I've seen, it's been quite effective so far!
I really do think we ought to encourage Jon to be brave enough to be 'out' as a rail enthusiast...
more railway stuff please Jon...
❤❤ There's a little railway nerd inside every one of us ❤❤
I liked the video and used the button spacifically for that
There’s a crossing near where I grew up with 8 tracks and no spaces in the middle.
Aaah man.. I used to go here as a kid with my grandad when we visited him in the 80s/90s brings back great memories
I love how at 0:29 in the mid-1800s Robert Plant (left) can take a few moments out to contemplate the lyrics to some new hymn he's writing. All this while chatting to Dick Emery on the right.
I went back to check. Good spot.
I think it's Noddy Holder and Wilfrid Brambell.
I'm sorry Dick but "You are awful, but I like you" will not fit.
Nah, it’s Roger Daltrey and Pete Doherty
One of them is definitely Sean Lock.
And the other is Tom Baker.
Welcome to my neck of the woods, the Helpston crossing is a nightmare you can sometimes be stuck there for 20-25 mins at busy times.The crossing at woodcroft is even worse with waits up to 30 mins.
Once upon a time they planned to put a flyover at Helpston but nearly 50 years later we are still to see it.
What is even worse is that when the Helpston crossing was manned electronically from the signal box the signaller would open the gates to let traffic through . Now it's ultra safety that rules and I believe the control for this crossing now resides in York
Unless it has changed fairly recently, within the last year, it is still controlled from Helpston.
"Ultra safety" is the way the railway should be. You don't want to end up a casualty in an RAIB report...
Helpston Crossing is controlled from Helpston Signal Box, along with Maxey, Lolham, Tallington and many others in the area.
I think that's a similar situation at Tallington, at least you haven't got the Stamford line there to cross as well.though. I guess the benefit-cost ratio would be too low for what is a minor road. And then you have the residential houses in the way on the Helpston side to navigate.
@@adambro5480 Ah, i wrongly assumed that when they moved the Peterborough control to York that included the level crossing control too
That moment when my fav road network youtuber... hits my railway hyper-interest
Absolutely staggering video😊
1863 was the year that it was made law that all level crossings in the uk should be equipped with manned gates with round the clock operation 365 days a year. Prior to that a flat crossing with nothing had been acceptable but higher train speeds and more road traffic led to the legislation. This made it MUCH more expensive for the railway company as they had to build and maintain gates, pay a member of staff in perpetuity and build a crossing keepers house, and sometimes even have trains stop specifically to drop off cans of water as the house would often be miles from anywhere. That was when building an under or over bridge for the road became the cheapest option and pretty much on all railways( except light railways built after 1900, that weren’t subject to the same regulations as ordinary railways with much less stringent signalling and level crossing rules but with a 25 mph maximum speed) bridge building was now the norm. Ironically the first flush of railway building is pretty much the network we have today, so a large amount of the original railway crossings still exist.
And yet there are level crossings that don’t have gates or barriers. The situation is a bit more complex. For starters, there are train crew operated crossings. And automatic open crossings (without barriers). As well as AHBC and various other crossing types on crossings that are not public roads (access to private land).
@@Mark1024MAK all introduced since the demise of the 24/7 xing keeper. And each type has its own working methods and rules. white light steady, train stopped, definitely clear off you go. Etc etc. Retired Traindriver.
@@Mark1024MAKfor automatic open crossings the train has an auto announcer that shouts "get clear or dieeeeeeeee" as the train approaches 😉
This brings back so many memories of waiting on the Glinton Road, otherwise known as the B1443, thanks John for another exciting video.
I found this video really interesting. Thank you Jon. There's another interesting 6 track level crossing at Cow Lane, Exeter, which is manned.
I remember back in 1980 or so purposely stopping so I could watch the manual gates operation and the signal drops out on the carrot fields in the Fens of East Anglia on the way to work (RAF Lakenheath). Of course that was British Rail, and riding the rails was a joy. When going to a contract job in Torquay a decade ago, looked at riding the train from London to the nearest town with rental cars, but with the then convoluted privatization, would have cost three times as much and taken twice as long than to just drive straight. It's better now, but I'm retired. Would still like to go back and ride the trains again, so we'll see
Thanks Jon, for your humor, insight and memories!
This Bloody channel is addictive , I need to get some work done !
Another great episode of Railway Shenanigans!
This is about 6 miles from me. I once sat there for 45 minutes waiting. Woodcroft crossing is great, it’s nice talking to the network rail chap while waiting for the gate locks to be released.
Ah, with all this wonderful railway content you're spoiling us!
The white industrial building right next to the line is a paper supplier that deals in exercise books for schools. I used to go in there with an artic and pick up a full load a couple of times a week. Loads of fun trying to get an almost fully laden 44 tonner with an underpowered Daf unit over there before the alarm went off again. You could watch the gates go up, start off, and make it two thirds of the way across before it went off agian. Much squeaky bum times occurred.
Coincidence or what? I came over that crossing by train this morning. I once drove over it 40 years ago. Just the once; never again thank you.
I live near Warsaw in Poland and about 15kms west there's a hideous one where fast trains are going at full speed, it's 6 lines wide and if you get stuck... Well you're dead.
😬
All the trains in this vid :)
Class 170
Class 180
Class 66
Class 801
Jubilee or 8F
1:11 is an 8F 👍
@@RoadsterRyan23 Yay :)
Fabulous vid...! Also, check out the one at Exeter - I think it's called Red Cow and has 7 tracks....
You're unlikely to get stuck on the crossing unless the signaller is doing a shite job.
They shouldn't close the barriers fully or open the section if its not clear.
I got stuck behind an idiot once on that crossing. Barriers down fore and aft. Rapid!😳 manoeuvring was undertaken to get to a safe space in the middle of the crossing. 🤷♂️
That is the nearest level crossing to my house, renowned for some really long waits if you miss time the approach (10 minutes plus in some cases)
Theres a similar setup just north of ely station but that one has a few houses in the middle! Always wonder how much that setup takes off the house prices...
Really? A video is needed.
On the outskirts of Moscow, RU (to the north IIRC but inside the city limits) there's a small village inside a railway test track/loop. Really primitive too, no electricity/gas/water/sanitation IIRC despite there being several dozen families. And this is within a major (?) country's capital!
You should check out videos of the Brightline railway in Florida. Some of the track runs down the middle of dual carriageways. Lots of accidents. According to Wikipedia, there have been been over 100 deaths since 2017.
Jerry rafferty stuck in the middle with you greetings from Scotland 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
How can there be a freight train that long with no graffiti plastered all over it ? Either G.B. has strict laws about this problem, or the price of paint makes it prohibitive. Cheers to another great presentation.
i live somewhat locally to this and always thought it was a bit silly
If you ever get stuck on the wrong side of level crossing, just DRIVE. barriers are designed in such way they'll snap when sufficient force is applied and this will be less damage than being hit by a train. also, this usually triggers signals to red, so trains will be stopped well ahead of the crossing, in case there is more happening...
im guessing this wont work so well on a motorbike. fortunately i've only been across bog standard width level crossings like Waterbeach, Fulbourn, Cherry Hinton and Foxton. seem to be a lot of them in Cambs area
Snapping a barrier by driving through doesn't trigger the signals back to red. Or it didn't on all the level crossings I used to control.
Anyone who needs told to get out of the way of a train is beyond the reach of anyone or anything. And yet... I recall story of a traffic.jam in Lincolnshire where the queue sat still as the barriers descended and the train arrived... 1 dead motorist. About 2002, Boston maybe?
@@delboy1727 It should, and if it doesn’t then there is potentially a serious failure. All crossing barriers, both MCB and AHB have a wire detecting the presence of the barrier boom. For booms that have lights, it’s checking that the light circuit is complete, and for those that don’t have lights (usually where vandalism is an issue), there is a plug coupler next to the shear bolts that will come apart with very little deflection of the boom (last failure of that circuit I dealt with was a mere 5deg deflection). If that circuit is not detected, the barriers will go into failed mode, the wig wags will flash red and the signals will not be able to be cleared from Danger. If I encountered a controlled or automatic crossing that was not detecting a missing boom, I would regard it as a Wrong Side Failure and would immediately sign the crossing out of use. It should be noted that different rules apply to manned barriers, user worked crossings and VAMOS systems.
@@2639263926392639There _was_ an accident in Leics in 2002, but it was a la Great Heck/Selby (which had been a year to the day beforehand). I'm struggling to find your one, but I'll keep poking around.
I do love a good disaster. Or, rather, I like seeing how so many little things line up in the worst possible way.
didn't think I'd see this nightmare of a local crossing crop up on your channel!
Local resident here. That crossing is an absolute ballache, when it is shut, prepare to spend atleast 20-25 minutes there.
Why John, it’s all f*cked. Thank you for pointing out the sh*tness of our roads. Drive safely. X
Those are some nice looking Class 66 locomotives
Freight trains 😊
I don't think I've ever seen or heard the word "nice" used to describe the Class 66 before. They're ugly and unpleasant to drive. ASLEF proposed banning their members from driving them due to excessive noise and heat in the cab, and class 66 drivers in Norway get extra pay for the displeasure. That's how bad they are...
Woodcroft lane is claim to the UK's longest wait time, when certain services are stacked and in the incorrect sync it can take up to 45 minutes to get the correct window of opportunity to open and close both gates manually. I used to do some work up that neck of the woods and it was possibly the best waste of time known to man sometimes seeing 10+ trains before the gates open.😊
I was once told the next crossing is wider, but I am not convinced!
Incidentally Tallington crossing is on an A road and that causes huge disruption.
Agreed about waiting it out in the middle, there must be pedestrians that have had to do that.
There was a plan to build a road to bypass the crossing but that hasn't happened yet.
Love your videos John, but there isn't any chance of a vehicle or pedestrian being stuck between the barriers. The barriers are lowered under signaller/ crossing attendant control, they will not lower the exit barriers from the crossing until everyone is clear.
An automatic half barrier (AHB) doesn't have a Signaller to ensure that people or vehicles aren't on the crossing, but as it's only a half barrier, people are able to exit the crossing. AHB's have been phased out on the routes that I drive trains over, being replaced by CCTV controlled barriers which the signaller has to lower and ensure no one is on the crossing before the signal is cleared.
Thats a unusual big dangerous crossing not seen or heard of before nor even in my railway mags
Jonny boy, an unusual level crossing and some keyboard based jazzy rhythms. Sorted.
I thought the remaining level crossings on the East Coast Mainline (ECML) will all be removed, especially with the recently finished Werrington dive-under (near Peterborough) and the ongoing European Train Control System (ETCS) project raising the line speed from 200km/h to 225km/h., And also because the ECML is a busy railway and 200km/h is already fast. In fact, the Werrington junction upgrade is already an improvement on its own as it no longer mixes with (slow and long) freight trains.
You only need to look up the Hixon Rail Crash of 1968 to see what can go tragically wrong at level crossings and how the lessons learned have made them safer since.
Great video Jon, Cheers...........
funky end credits
I just saw my motor parked at Woodcroft which incidentally is where I work 😊
Interesting.
Thank you.
☮
0:30. Working methods haven't changed much in that time. Half the people working, the rest just standing around.
There was a similar crossing on the Marholm Road closer to the city. That was far more dangerous.
There's something similar at Tallington. If I remember correctly, that one is the busiet level crossing in the country. These midweek videos are pretty cool, Jon; keep up the good work
Tallington must be less busy than Helpston because Helpston has the same lines as Tallington plus the Peterborough - Stamford line. Saying that, I bet Tallington causes way more delay to people because the road is so much busier.
What you doing in Helpston?.. and how did you get out ?...LOL this crossing is a nightmare and the bane of lots of our life's !!!
You do railway videos quite nicely, sir!! 🛤️
In olden days there was a footbridge across it but long since remoced
That looks like the crossing in that village near Peterborough! Naah, can't be.
"Hi, I'm in Helpston."
Bruh 💀
I'm loving the gran turismo theme music at the end 😅
I used to close level crossings on behalf f Network Rail for maintenance and the best one was Queen Adelaide level crossing in… some part of that flat bit of England… 😂😊
nth of Ely
Absolutely crazy that those level crossings haven't been replaced by a bridge.
Looking at the aerial footage I can’t see any bigger problems with building a bridge or tunnel for the road traffic.
looking at Google Maps there would be a lot of land taking because of having to get the bridge up high enough. I am not sure about the UK as an American but in this country that can become a long drawn out process.
@@filanfyretracker pretty much every significant road scheme now gets mired in drawn out legal challenges from the eco nuts.
@@filanfyretracker _cf._ the LIRR grade crossing elimination project. In some places in Queens (NYC, USA) the approach ramps to the bridges are only about 25 meters long! Mostly they used underpasses/elevated track though. See e.g. 40.7429855 N 73.8741205 W.
_cf._ the LIRR grade crossing elimination project. In some places in Queens (NYC, USA) the approach ramps to the bridges are only about 25 meters long! (e.g. 91st Place between Corona Ave. and 43rd Ave.) Mostly they used underpasses/elevated track though.
Ive sat at that crossing for hours... 🤬🤬
Reminds me of some transport tycoon shenanigans involving railway lines and other companies busses xD
This seems terrifying..!
Imagine you "ring bell for gates" and Bill 2.0 turns up. Ah, Halloween.
I don't think there was enough proof that the crossings is 70+ metres, bit suspicious...!
From memory, I would definitely say it was 70+ metres. That’s 6 trains with space between trains and barriers to ensure no contact between any of the vehicles.
Wouldn't it be more reliable to separate the road from the rail? as in you build a tunnel underneath?
Not easy round here (yes Helpston is just up the road) as we aren't that high above sea level. Only one railway tunnel around here as a consequence (and it may well have pumps to keep it dry).
A bridge over both Helpston and Tallington was planned.
I was in Dorset earlier this year and came across a level crossing in the middle of a housing estate. Now, I'm from Scotland, we don't really have these things there. So it was a bit of a surprise.
I would like to offer up Kingsknowe MCB-OD in Edinburgh, slap in the middle of a residential area. Try dealing with a failure on that when the flat roof pub next door empties out! Not fun.
Getting stuck on Helpston crossing wasn't a problem for our bus driver taking us to school back in 1991(92?) he just drove straight through as the first set of barriers came down scraping the length of the coach (Duple Dominant) owned by Fen Travel, meaning that the second set of barriers had to be opened as we were going over the crossing toward Glinton. Ironically? The bus driver never lost his license? Whenever I see a video like this or Don Coffee's Peterborough to Birmingham cab ride video? I always think about that morning......... I just wish I could find anything about it online?
Thanks for covering railways jon! Fantastic work!
The Auto Train's southern terminal in Sanford, Florida has 10 tracks going over it. Fast trains aren't a concern there.
That was fwicked sweet awesome....
I've been stuck there for 20mins before whilst trains went on every track.
Incidentally, on another similar video about these crossings, someone questioned why they weren't box junctioned, to which I believe the maximum length a box junction can be is 30 metres (whereas many of these well exceed that). I tried to find a source for that 30m claim, but I couldnt find it. Maybe my searching skills are lacking...
Of course, seconding the comments mentioning that the crossing (as all full barrier crossings) are checked clear before trains are allowed over them, and so you should not get stuck unless the person (or obstacle detection) don't notice you!
I knew where you were from the overhead shot at the start of the video. Takes forever to get across there if the crossing is closed.
Welp, I've lived in Cambs for 20 years and I've never heard of this. ROAD TRIP!
Must be getting old. I remember seeing the station while in my parents' car on our trips to my grandparents.
Fantastically interesting John 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂❤
It would make sense that if Network Rail were to build a road crossing to replace the level crossing at Helpston and at other locations to the north of Peterborough. And where the East Coast Main Line and the Stamford line separates after the level crossing. That level crossing does look very dangerous with trains passing by at over 100mph.
Not sure about it being the longest level crossing John. Have you seen the one at Exeter St David's station. They have to employ crossing keepers on foot there to ensure safe operation.
There used to be a manually-operated crossing local to me, manned by a perpetually grumpy couple who lived in an adjacent cottage. These days you have to get out of your vehicle and open it yourself, meaning that every abject moron using it can leave it wide open.
Being a bit pedantic, but the merging of the railways came quite a bit before the closure of Helpston station & as is clearly visible from your drone footage Woodcroft only crosses 5 sets of tracks.
Very informative, also, some decent freight shots 👍🏻🚂😁
That Outro was dangerously Funky
I love a good automated barrier crossing at grade.
Any chance of doing more railway stuff John ?
Like he needs encouragement.
His videos are mostly excuses to talk about railway infrastructure and to scout out new dogging locations. :^)
@@alexhajnal107 and that’s exactly why I watch them 👀😂
03:52 Does the UK use break-away gates to allow trapped vehicles to escape? That's standard practice state-side.
Yes. The barrier boom is attached by a pair of shear bolts. However, this isn’t really to allow motorists to escape, as the barriers are monitored at all times when in operation, usually by a signaller, but in more modern installations, LiDAR and RADAR, and signals won’t be cleared if an obstruction is observed. But rather to protect the more expensive hydraulic equipment that operates them, should they be struck by a vehicle or damaged by high winds.
They will shear easily though, and I’ve dealt with failures where the shear bolts have gave way because a pedestrian forced the barriers apart to cross the track.
@@southcalder In the States crossings are universally un-staffed, un-monitored, and fully automated. No detection equipment either. There is a phone number printed on the gate equipment box though that connects directly to the train dispatcher. Should one get stuck on a US (or Canadian?) crossing IMMEDIATELY call that number.
The level crossing that goes with my name! Shame there's no longer a station.