There are so many places in the U. S. where mainlines cross at-grade that it never occurred to me that the UK had practically done away with them. They do create bottlenecks, and even the best maintained ones require trains to drastically reduce speed before crossing them, and require "diamond" replacement on a regular basis.
Drive the Nottingham - Lincoln line regularly, including yesterday. I've had signal reversions in both directions over the years - terrifying experience as initially you're not quite sure why and have visions of an east coast service bearing down on you at 100 mph...
I had to look up what a “signal reversion” means - learned a lot! Thank you for educating me on this. It had never occurred to me that this could happen. Must be quite nerve-wracking.
I'm surprised that the speed limit for that section of the ECML is still 100mph despite the nature of the flat crossing. I guess in this case it's a food thing that our passenger trains aren't the heaviest in the world since they can decelerate relatively quickly in case of scenarios like a signal reversion.
@@nathanw9770 I think the 100mph is a local speed limit specially for that crossing. Elsewhere line speed is apparently 125mph. There was an collision on that crossing, in 1852.
Nearly 60 years ago, the flat diamond crossing between the ECML & the Sheffield-Lincoln line art Retford, c. 18 miles north of this location, was removed when the "dive-under" was built. I think that eventually a flyover will be built at Newark to take the Nottingham-Lincoln line over the ECML. I believe it's technically feasible, but very expensive. But if the ECML is ever to have 150+ mph trains, grade separation of these two important lines will be essential.
Could they build a bridge for passenger trains, which could climb a much steeper grade, to cross over the ECML. That would at least reduce the number of trains using the flat crossing.
The road bridge next to the crossing was designed to be expanded for a rail bridge. It won’t happen now because the grades on Newark castle station side would be too steep.
@@tonyshield5368 we have a government that hates the railway any big changes at Newark will not happen under them. Network rail have just renewed the flat crossing ( I drove the first engineering train over it after completion!) so they have no appetite for major changes.
Wow..... a wonderful view of a unique crossing. Its nigh on impossible to get close to on foot to see trains passing over this. Your view here is just fantastic !!
I’ve been over that crossing several times on the ECML & even though it’s been recently renewed it still jolts the train as it passes over it. We always wait for that jolt because we know that the train will soon slow for our stop at Northgate.
I remember doing my brake handling hours from Ipswich depot and my instructor pointed this crossing out at the time. I remember thinking how cool it was then.
Great footage! This crossing reminds me of the former highly complex array of diamond crossings at the north end of Newcastle station - now much simplified to just a few points/switches
I still recall having a pee while going through there Northbound at line speed (100mph?) on an HST - nearly had a bit of an accident! This was before it was renewed and I got thrown around the loo quite a bit.
Looks like they could build a flyover for the East - West non electrified section parallel to the road. For example the Durnsford Road flyover at Wimbledon is not that long and has a 60mph line speed if I remember correctly (we rarely used it as mainline services). The curve connection would have to start further back though. I hope they do do the old standard Double blocking for the signalling there? Saying that, we had a Disastro that slid past two red signals in one leaf fall season. Wheels had stopped turning as it slid and the WSP assumed the train was stationary.
Until the Nottingham-Matlock services were re-instated recently the crossing used to cause me untold problems getting from Attenborough to Derby for onward connections as the Grimsby/Lincoln-Leicester services were frequently delayed waiting a path over the ECML, this often resulted in a missed connection at East Midlands Parkway, fortunately it's better now. Another flat crossing occurs at Porthmadog between the Cambrian Coast line and the narrow gauge Welsh Highland Railway.
The big problem with grade separating this junction is it's bound on 3 sides by major road bridges and 2 sides by the river. There's very little room to raise or lower the alignments in any of those directions, so it would require extensive reconstruction of a lot of the area.
The scheme was to put a wide embankment in when the Newark Western Bypass was built just for the Midland line but the bean counters got their mitts on it However, another reason might have been loads more freight on the Midland in those days
To build flyover is very possible , only major huddle is a46 bridge to the west before Newark castle would have to risen to get gradient to all the heavier freight services to continue to use them Nottingham Lincoln line. There are plans underway to rebuild a46 in that area so hopefully they do pre works to enable a fly over to be build at some stage. But will be a sad day to see Newark flat crossing removed
@@riggermortiss69 I think when they last looked at it they thought they could fit a decent gradient to the west but not to the east. There's a lot of bridges on all sides. Edit: Oops, I had east and west swapped. It was the western side where they had the gradient issues
When one looks at the grade separations of several lines in Melbourne, it is hard to imagine it would be too difficult to do it here for the Nottingham - Lincoln line, there is at least 1 km to the east, and yes to the west the next crossing of the A45 is in the way, but elevating further west before the next A46 bridge would eliminate another level crossing (Great north Road) and several minor level crossings too! This should also be a point where electrification should reach from Nottingham giving a power line connection for Midlands lines.
Every single member of Network Rail staff who has completed a Controller of Site Safety recertification knows this area well, as it is used for setting up a theoretical site of work.
All the speeds at Porthmadog are much slower than they are here too. The WHR drivers can literally stop to look for trains crossing their path. I wonder what the failsafe is on the NR crossing?
@@mikeuk4130NR is the main carrier. So FWHR trains have to phone NR regional Centre in Machynlleth for permission to cross ( manual system) or the ERTMS automatic system decides if Welsh Highland can cross. In either case, NR signals will be set to stop.
There was one at Murrow in Cambridgeshire where the MGNJR crossed the GE / GNJR. 2 bad collisions during its life. MGN closed in 1959. GE / GN closed in 1981.
Wow. Here in these United States we call these "diamonds" and they are EVERYWHERE. So much so we have made a science of them; most recently the introduction of the two-speed diamond wherein one line carries the tread of the wheel and the other the point of the flange. Our diamonds are not going away anytime soon...Diamonds are Forever?
In the UK railways are primarily for passengers so avoiding the speed restrictions and bumps of diamonds is the priority and bridges are built to avoid them. In the US rail is primarily for freight so speed and bumps are less of a concern and avoiding the gradient necessary to pass one line over the other is the priority. Also the cost of course. Diamonds are much cheaper.
Recognised it immediately, but strangely I travelled over that several times weekly on both lines for years and it never occurred to me it was a flat crossing! D’uh. Did wonder about all those bumps though 😂
If I heard it correctly the original trackbed was the Nottingham to Lincoln line put there in the 1860’s, when they came to lay the trackbed for the ECML some years later neither company would compromise on the layout so we got a flat crossing.
I note you say Main line but the public in Wales call the Cambrian cost railway the main line (and considering they just spent a shed load of cash on it i do to) the have a flat crossing where the Welsh Highland crosses to get access to The Ffestiniog railway.near Porthmadog Railway station.
The A46 Newark Bypass needs a massive upgrade and to be dual carriageway to handle more traffic especially when avoiding Newark-on-Trent. But this flat junction to the north of Newark Northgate and east of Newark Castle stations is a proper landmark in history of how it was built.
I once wa;led to the closest you can get to this crossing and photographed a train going over it. There's a footpath with a level crossing over the Lincoln line about 150 north-east of this crossing.
That stretch of the Trent seems very narrow compared to upstream in Nottingham. I see that it splits in two, upstream of this section, then confluences further downstream.
There's more than enough room to build a flyover on the Nottingham-Lincoln line, essentially replicating the A46. Modern trains can easily handle what would be quite a steep approach grade. It's a cost effectiveness decision to keep this.
I believe (correct me if I’m wrong) the first Mainline Flat Railway Crossing, was at Darlington. North of Darlington, Bank Top Station. Where the Original Stockton and Darlington Railway, crossed what is now the East Coast Mail Line.
The famous S&D Crossing. There's a Publicity Photo of the latest Gresley Pacific and the old S&D Number One meeting each other at the Crossing. The event never happened. The photo is actually a composite.
Ideally at the crossing point you have a train station to replace Newark Castle and Newark Northgate. But as others have pointed out the gradient would be difficult, especially when the ECML line is bounded by a road bridge and a river. It would save that horrible walk between the two stations! Raising the Midland line is possible (and could potentially get rid of another level crossing) but not cheap.
And put a station well out of town whose only use would be as an interchange point. At present both Newark stations are fairly close to the town centre.
@@JoOtterH From what I've seen neither station is close to the centre! Anyway, our cities have a fine tradition of train stations nowhere near the centre. Looking at you, Bristol, Cambridge and Oxford!
Grade separation was looked at time proposed £1Billion upgrade to ECML as was adding extra viaduct at Welyln to remove bottlenecks. At Newark 2 options to build a flyover run parrell with A46 bypass over the river & ECML remove the flat crossing, trains have reduce from 125mph to 100 pass through Newark before acceleration again. Someone made comments about 150 speed simply impractical what need think about running at high speed geography of line. Newark very heavy built up area not feasible run trains higher than 115mph through Newark. The other option in conjunction provided flyover install a south to West single lead junction to allow trains need to stop at Newark chance do so. Flat crossing is heavy maintenance problem amount traffic across it passenger trains on ECML upwards 600 tons pounding rail and feature freight train at 75mph usually 2,500 tons lot of tonnage those diamonds are taking at speed. US has few diamond crossings but not at point trains travelling at 75-100mph over them
There’s one just outside Leeds station where E and F lines cross the Whitehall curve! BTW, are you allowed to get that close to overhead wires with a drone?
What's a COSS? I looked it up and got *coss* noun 1) A kiss. 2) The unknown quantity in an algebraic problem. Also cos, cosa. 3) In India, a road-measure of variable extent, ranging from 1 to 2 miles (rarely more), being usually about 1½ miles, especially in Bengal. ---- Ah! Got it! "Certified Occupational Safety Specialist"
Controller of Site Safety. The designated person on site responsible for making sure that the workforce are protected from train movements, either by blocking the line to trains, or maintaining a physical separation. Not to be confused with the PIC (Person in Charge), who is usually the most senior person on site with the appropriate training to progress the task. They can be the same person, but are two distinct roles.
I was going to ask about this but I'll join your comment instead. (pretty much) All main lines have to be electrified over the next 30 years to phase out Diesel because of climate change. Having an electrified flat crossing seems very problematic, though perhaps it is possible as it would only be a short distance. If they can do it with the rails maybe they can do it with the lines. But if not then there will have to be a grade separation because the lines must be electrified no matter the cost.
Just a thought. There are usually "dead spots" on the overhead cables anyway for when switching between substations. I don't see why they couldn't simply make the few metres of space where the two intersect as dead spots and require the trains to be moving at a minimum speed through it. @@adrianthoroughgood1191
@@adrianthoroughgood1191Until recently, Dutch railways had a flat crossing with both lines and electrified, with a typically ingenious engineering solution. I don't have the link to hand but there's a video about it on the web I think.
Nice to see under the motorway bridge the Gypsy squatter camp, modern day gypsy turning it into a permanent site. I just want to point this out for overseas viewers. Note the flat bed truck.
I find it strange that there is only one spur to connect them, I would have thought another one would have been in place, to form a triangle ,and give easy access between both routes..although that sounds easy, I bet it isn`t easy to accomplish, and why its not been done, but it would make for flexibility between both main lines.
There was a severe crash in Newark in 1870, but it didn't seem to involve the crossing. There was another incident in 1958 in Newark, New Jersey. That's all I can find
I have the Hardback DORLING KINDERSLEY DK EYEWITNESS GUIDES Book of TRAIN. Discover the story of railways - from the days of steam to the high - speed, sophisticated trains of today. In association with THE NATIONAL RAILWAY MUSEUM.
The USA has ( many ) of these ( ! ) ... Hmmmm , a LOT of clatter on an otherwise SMOOTH journey on the modern ( Network Rail ) system .. ( He - He ! ) ..... DAVE™ 🛑
Network Rail do not control the airspace above their land so there's nothing they can do about it, it would only be illegal if the operator was controlling it from within railway property without permission.
its really no more dangerous than any other type of crossing or junction on the railway and fully interlocked signalling, TPWS protected, 3 of the protecting signals are also set back quite a way from the crossing so even if a train did miss a signalin most cases the train would come to a stop before the crossing
But it has happened once before,albeit in the 1800s,but given the history repeats itself every so often I still believe it is an accident waiting to happen.@@james123212
There are so many places in the U. S. where mainlines cross at-grade that it never occurred to me that the UK had practically done away with them. They do create bottlenecks, and even the best maintained ones require trains to drastically reduce speed before crossing them, and require "diamond" replacement on a regular basis.
Yeah less delayed trains cause we have lots of passengers trains unlike American trains
Drive the Nottingham - Lincoln line regularly, including yesterday. I've had signal reversions in both directions over the years - terrifying experience as initially you're not quite sure why and have visions of an east coast service bearing down on you at 100 mph...
I had to look up what a “signal reversion” means - learned a lot! Thank you for educating me on this. It had never occurred to me that this could happen. Must be quite nerve-wracking.
I'm surprised that the speed limit for that section of the ECML is still 100mph despite the nature of the flat crossing. I guess in this case it's a food thing that our passenger trains aren't the heaviest in the world since they can decelerate relatively quickly in case of scenarios like a signal reversion.
@@nathanw9770 I think the 100mph is a local speed limit specially for that crossing. Elsewhere line speed is apparently 125mph.
There was an collision on that crossing, in 1852.
@@cr10001yes, correct. Either side of Newark, ECML line speed is 125mph.
Nearly 60 years ago, the flat diamond crossing between the ECML & the Sheffield-Lincoln line art Retford, c. 18 miles north of this location, was removed when the "dive-under" was built. I think that eventually a flyover will be built at Newark to take the Nottingham-Lincoln line over the ECML. I believe it's technically feasible, but very expensive. But if the ECML is ever to have 150+ mph trains, grade separation of these two important lines will be essential.
Exactly.
Could they build a bridge for passenger trains, which could climb a much steeper grade, to cross over the ECML. That would at least reduce the number of trains using the flat crossing.
The road bridge next to the crossing was designed to be expanded for a rail bridge. It won’t happen now because the grades on Newark castle station side would be too steep.
Alternatively build a bypass for the ECML next to the A1 and only have Newark stoppers using the crossing.
@@tonyshield5368 we have a government that hates the railway any big changes at Newark will not happen under them. Network rail have just renewed the flat crossing ( I drove the first engineering train over it after completion!) so they have no appetite for major changes.
Wow..... a wonderful view of a unique crossing. Its nigh on impossible to get close to on foot to see trains passing over this. Your view here is just fantastic !!
I’ve been over that crossing several times on the ECML & even though it’s been recently renewed it still jolts the train as it passes over it. We always wait for that jolt because we know that the train will soon slow for our stop at Northgate.
I remember doing my brake handling hours from Ipswich depot and my instructor pointed this crossing out at the time. I remember thinking how cool it was then.
Last time I went over this was 1979!l Great shots love seeing it this way.
Great footage! This crossing reminds me of the former highly complex array of diamond crossings at the north end of Newcastle station - now much simplified to just a few points/switches
I still recall having a pee while going through there Northbound at line speed (100mph?) on an HST - nearly had a bit of an accident!
This was before it was renewed and I got thrown around the loo quite a bit.
Wow, I never knew that kind of thing was in the Uk.
I went over this crossing 2 weeks ago from London-Retford
The bits of kit referrred to as 'diamond crossovers' when I used to play with model trains while I was growing up!
Mega. Went over it on a visit to Lincoln. Great to see it from the air.
Looks like they could build a flyover for the East - West non electrified section parallel to the road. For example the Durnsford Road flyover at Wimbledon is not that long and has a 60mph line speed if I remember correctly (we rarely used it as mainline services). The curve connection would have to start further back though.
I hope they do do the old standard Double blocking for the signalling there? Saying that, we had a Disastro that slid past two red signals in one leaf fall season. Wheels had stopped turning as it slid and the WSP assumed the train was stationary.
Very good.
Until the Nottingham-Matlock services were re-instated recently the crossing used to cause me untold problems getting from Attenborough to Derby for onward connections as the Grimsby/Lincoln-Leicester services were frequently delayed waiting a path over the ECML, this often resulted in a missed connection at East Midlands Parkway, fortunately it's better now.
Another flat crossing occurs at Porthmadog between the Cambrian Coast line and the narrow gauge Welsh Highland Railway.
The big problem with grade separating this junction is it's bound on 3 sides by major road bridges and 2 sides by the river. There's very little room to raise or lower the alignments in any of those directions, so it would require extensive reconstruction of a lot of the area.
The scheme was to put a wide embankment in when the Newark Western Bypass was built just for the Midland line but the bean counters got their mitts on it
However, another reason might have been loads more freight on the Midland in those days
To build flyover is very possible , only major huddle is a46 bridge to the west before Newark castle would have to risen to get gradient to all the heavier freight services to continue to use them Nottingham Lincoln line. There are plans underway to rebuild a46 in that area so hopefully they do pre works to enable a fly over to be build at some stage. But will be a sad day to see Newark flat crossing removed
@@riggermortiss69 I think when they last looked at it they thought they could fit a decent gradient to the west but not to the east. There's a lot of bridges on all sides.
Edit: Oops, I had east and west swapped. It was the western side where they had the gradient issues
@@andrewreynolds4949 a1 bridge is 1200m approx to the east vs the a46 is 800m
When one looks at the grade separations of several lines in Melbourne, it is hard to imagine it would be too difficult to do it here for the Nottingham - Lincoln line, there is at least 1 km to the east, and yes to the west the next crossing of the A45 is in the way, but elevating further west before the next A46 bridge would eliminate another level crossing (Great north Road) and several minor level crossings too!
This should also be a point where electrification should reach from Nottingham giving a power line connection for Midlands lines.
It looks really cool but probably a nightmare in terms of safety. It feels like the set up for a Thomas and Friends accident.
It's no less safe than any other junction as it interlocked to modern standards.
Every single member of Network Rail staff who has completed a Controller of Site Safety recertification knows this area well, as it is used for setting up a theoretical site of work.
😂 twice now 😂
It’s so weird to see only one in the U.K., yet they’re almost common over here in the U.S.
Wow I’ve used both these lines and often wondered what a drone shot would be like. It’s very impressive.
Great to see this. I went over the other one at Porthmadoc last week, both ways. I know it's only narrow gauge on the WHR. 👍
All the speeds at Porthmadog are much slower than they are here too. The WHR drivers can literally stop to look for trains crossing their path. I wonder what the failsafe is on the NR crossing?
@@mikeuk4130NR is the main carrier. So FWHR trains have to phone NR regional Centre in Machynlleth for permission to cross ( manual system) or the ERTMS automatic system decides if Welsh Highland can cross. In either case, NR signals will be set to stop.
There was one at Murrow in Cambridgeshire where the MGNJR crossed the GE / GNJR. 2 bad collisions during its life. MGN closed in 1959. GE / GN closed in 1981.
Wow, that means I crossed this once but didn't realise. It was already dark though so it makes sense.
Wow. Here in these United States we call these "diamonds" and they are EVERYWHERE. So much so we have made a science of them; most recently the introduction of the two-speed diamond wherein one line carries the tread of the wheel and the other the point of the flange. Our diamonds are not going away anytime soon...Diamonds are Forever?
In the UK railways are primarily for passengers so avoiding the speed restrictions and bumps of diamonds is the priority and bridges are built to avoid them. In the US rail is primarily for freight so speed and bumps are less of a concern and avoiding the gradient necessary to pass one line over the other is the priority. Also the cost of course. Diamonds are much cheaper.
Good video . I never knew crossings like this on UK railways .
Recognised it immediately, but strangely I travelled over that several times weekly on both lines for years and it never occurred to me it was a flat crossing! D’uh. Did wonder about all those bumps though 😂
Nice video great camera work as usual as always keep it up bye for now Philip
If I heard it correctly the original trackbed was the Nottingham to Lincoln line put there in the 1860’s, when they came to lay the trackbed for the ECML some years later neither company would compromise on the layout so we got a flat crossing.
1840s
Great footage 👍
There’s also one in Porthmadog where the Cambrian Line crosses over the Welsh Highland Railway
Amazing that theres only one with such a large network. Ireland has only one also and its at Limerick Junction.
I note you say Main line but the public in Wales call the Cambrian cost railway the main line (and considering they just spent a shed load of cash on it i do to) the have a flat crossing where the Welsh Highland crosses to get access to The Ffestiniog railway.near Porthmadog Railway station.
Trains passing over the junction on the East Coast Main Line are restricted to about 90mph when crossing it.
100 mph now, since 2019, according to documents online
It’s been 100mph for decades
The A46 Newark Bypass needs a massive upgrade and to be dual carriageway to handle more traffic especially when avoiding Newark-on-Trent. But this flat junction to the north of Newark Northgate and east of Newark Castle stations is a proper landmark in history of how it was built.
I once wa;led to the closest you can get to this crossing and photographed a train going over it. There's a footpath with a level crossing over the Lincoln line about 150 north-east of this crossing.
Took me a few moments to realise what I was witnessing. It's interesting indeed that it's simply due to geographical restrictions.
That stretch of the Trent seems very narrow compared to upstream in Nottingham. I see that it splits in two, upstream of this section, then confluences further downstream.
There's more than enough room to build a flyover on the Nottingham-Lincoln line, essentially replicating the A46. Modern trains can easily handle what would be quite a steep approach grade. It's a cost effectiveness decision to keep this.
Yes, it would be pocket money compared to HS2 phase 2!
I believe (correct me if I’m wrong) the first Mainline Flat Railway Crossing, was at Darlington. North of Darlington, Bank Top Station. Where the Original Stockton and Darlington Railway, crossed what is now the East Coast Mail Line.
The famous S&D Crossing.
There's a Publicity Photo of the latest Gresley Pacific and the old S&D Number One meeting each other at the Crossing.
The event never happened. The photo is actually a composite.
Great content
Amazing how it works
The Dutch version: ruclips.net/video/L6kJF0ZsvBU/видео.html sadly torn up in 2022
Ideally at the crossing point you have a train station to replace Newark Castle and Newark Northgate. But as others have pointed out the gradient would be difficult, especially when the ECML line is bounded by a road bridge and a river. It would save that horrible walk between the two stations! Raising the Midland line is possible (and could potentially get rid of another level crossing) but not cheap.
And put a station well out of town whose only use would be as an interchange point. At present both Newark stations are fairly close to the town centre.
@@JoOtterH From what I've seen neither station is close to the centre! Anyway, our cities have a fine tradition of train stations nowhere near the centre. Looking at you, Bristol, Cambridge and Oxford!
Is it the only UK flat crossing?
Much less complicated, but isn't there one near Porthmadog, Wales, these days?
Yup where the whr crosses the br line
Grade separation was looked at time proposed £1Billion upgrade to ECML as was adding extra viaduct at Welyln to remove bottlenecks.
At Newark 2 options to build a flyover run parrell with A46 bypass over the river & ECML remove the flat crossing, trains have reduce from 125mph to 100 pass through Newark before acceleration again.
Someone made comments about 150 speed simply impractical what need think about running at high speed geography of line. Newark very heavy built up area not feasible run trains higher than 115mph through Newark.
The other option in conjunction provided flyover install a south to West single lead junction to allow trains need to stop at Newark chance do so. Flat crossing is heavy maintenance problem amount traffic across it passenger trains on ECML upwards 600 tons pounding rail and feature freight train at 75mph usually 2,500 tons lot of tonnage those diamonds are taking at speed.
US has few diamond crossings but not at point trains travelling at 75-100mph over them
100 mph speed limit, also. I always look for it on this trip.
Fascinating stuff, cracking video.
What is the chord used for?
I also have a Hardback Book called The Railway Policeman.
The Story of the Constable on the Track.
By J. R. WHITBREAD.
They could have built a roundabout...
Think you mean turntable? 👍
💀💀💀
Last remaining!?
There used to be so many of these when I was a kid.
Great place to live in that mobile home if your a train spotter but very noisy too 😎 a mega rail junction and a thundering A road.
There’s one just outside Leeds station where E and F lines cross the Whitehall curve!
BTW, are you allowed to get that close to overhead wires with a drone?
Are you the drone police?
@@volvos60bloke No; and I’ve got nothing to do with the CAA. I was only going on what I was advised.
Fun fact this Flat crossing is used in the recertification of COSS’s by Network Rail.
What's a COSS? I looked it up and got
*coss*
noun
1) A kiss.
2) The unknown quantity in an algebraic problem. Also cos, cosa.
3) In India, a road-measure of variable extent, ranging from 1 to 2 miles (rarely more), being usually about 1½ miles, especially in Bengal.
----
Ah! Got it!
"Certified Occupational Safety Specialist"
Controller of Site Safety. The designated person on site responsible for making sure that the workforce are protected from train movements, either by blocking the line to trains, or maintaining a physical separation. Not to be confused with the PIC (Person in Charge), who is usually the most senior person on site with the appropriate training to progress the task. They can be the same person, but are two distinct roles.
@@southcalder Thanks very much!
What if they wanted to electrify in both directions? What would that look like with intersecting overhead cables? Or is it not possible?
I was going to ask about this but I'll join your comment instead. (pretty much) All main lines have to be electrified over the next 30 years to phase out Diesel because of climate change. Having an electrified flat crossing seems very problematic, though perhaps it is possible as it would only be a short distance. If they can do it with the rails maybe they can do it with the lines. But if not then there will have to be a grade separation because the lines must be electrified no matter the cost.
Just a thought. There are usually "dead spots" on the overhead cables anyway for when switching between substations. I don't see why they couldn't simply make the few metres of space where the two intersect as dead spots and require the trains to be moving at a minimum speed through it. @@adrianthoroughgood1191
@@adrianthoroughgood1191Until recently, Dutch railways had a flat crossing with both lines and electrified, with a typically ingenious engineering solution. I don't have the link to hand but there's a video about it on the web I think.
If a long viaduct over the lakes, etc as part of HS2 can be constructed, why can't a shorter version be built here over the ECML and the river?
Nice to see under the motorway bridge the Gypsy squatter camp, modern day gypsy turning it into a permanent site. I just want to point this out for overseas viewers. Note the flat bed truck.
I find it strange that there is only one spur to connect them, I would have thought another one would have been in place, to form a triangle ,and give easy access between both routes..although that sounds easy, I bet it isn`t easy to accomplish, and why its not been done, but it would make for flexibility between both main lines.
Awesome video. Do you have to get permission from Network Rail or someone else to film over railway?
The current CAA rules don’t restrict flight of the category of drone used to capture this footage.
Is there a speed limit on this diamond crossing?
A video is never complete without the scene of a gypsy campsite.
The ECML has overhead power cables. Could the Nottingham/Lincoln line ever be electrified in the same way?
Yes, but the speed limits on both lines would have to be reduced.
Not practical to have the nottingham-Lincoln route electrified as the route isn’t long enough.
@@PrincessNottingham What’s that got to do with anything? There’s lines a lot shorter than that electrified.
Hellifield South Junction has diamond with two single lines crossing.
I’m sure there was a disastrous collision here in the last century, but can’t find any details of it. Does anyone know, please?
There was a severe crash in Newark in 1870, but it didn't seem to involve the crossing. There was another incident in 1958 in Newark, New Jersey. That's all I can find
if the other line was to see an Electrification programme on the other line how would they do the intersection crossing?
Using the same voltage, I would guess.
Newark?
Yes
That's Newark in the UK... Not the US.
@@nigelbevan8449 thanks. Auto-correct is very American.
Newark on Trent UK Not USA
To add to the problems there are plans to duel that section of the A46 which will limit the land available to do away with the crossing.
That’s what signals are for 👍
Interesting
Thanks for shady👍
the geology must be strange as the line parallel to the highway looks like it could be converted to a skyrail without too much of a problem.
A "skyrai" compatible with nothing but itself.
Be careful not to run out of battery over the lines, or hit a tree near them.
It's not the only one the Welsh Highland railway crosses the mainline
Two different gauges even...
Solution is simple. Build the line running parallel to the highway an up and over.
A diamond made of diamonds
Drive over it on the a46 for work and under it on the river trent for me hobby
👍🏻🏴
I see no reason why not could east-west line have an overpass. Yes, it would ne expensive, but much safer.
The issue is cost of maintenance, and delay to traffic.
Safety is NOT a problem here.
I have the Hardback DORLING KINDERSLEY DK EYEWITNESS GUIDES Book of TRAIN.
Discover the story of railways - from the days of steam to the high - speed, sophisticated trains of today.
In association with THE NATIONAL RAILWAY MUSEUM.
A bit of narration would go a long long way
How far a long way…would you say?
The USA has ( many ) of these ( ! ) ... Hmmmm , a LOT of clatter on an otherwise SMOOTH journey on the modern ( Network Rail ) system .. ( He - He ! ) ..... DAVE™ 🛑
Did you get permission from NR to fly a drone over the railway as this is possibly illegal.
Read the above comments.
In the description "All footage was captured in compliance to Aug-23 CAA UAS guidelines."
Network Rail do not control the airspace above their land so there's nothing they can do about it, it would only be illegal if the operator was controlling it from within railway property without permission.
I am no train expert,but this looks like an accident waiting to happen!
its really no more dangerous than any other type of crossing or junction on the railway and fully interlocked signalling, TPWS protected, 3 of the protecting signals are also set back quite a way from the crossing so even if a train did miss a signalin most cases the train would come to a stop before the crossing
But it has happened once before,albeit in the 1800s,but given the history repeats itself every so often I still believe it is an accident waiting to happen.@@james123212
It's an accident waiting to happen !!