Oswestry Update

I thought it lasted into the 90s - I remember a trip being advertised after privatisation with 31s which then got cancelled.

 

The last movement over the crossings I know of was a visit by a weed killing train in April(?) 1993. There was talk of further movements but so far as I know no other loco used the crossing

 

I’ve always thought Britannia Bridge is a pragmatic and perfectly workable solution and it shows what can be achieved when a Highway Authority is (eventually) on board.

There’s no such thing as starting discussions too early in my experience, but the initial pitch is crucial as is understanding the legislation they operate under and pre-empting their questions and concerns.

It sounds like the Oswestry team is already making good strides with stakeholders. As we know from examples on other railways, there are some impressive solutions being progressed that in the past would have been deemed too complex or expensive to undertake. A couple of A roads are a big barrier but not an impossible barrier!

 

Thanks to CHR Facebook here is the new arrival waiting to be unloaded.

 

Thanks for asking. I was wondering myself, when watching a video of a train crossing there soon after reading the latest about the WSR's level crossing business.
Edit: minor corrections

 

The A5 has long been identified as a route that needs to be upgraded. There are long term plans to dual the section where the level crossing is and at that point a bridge should be installed.
The A483 as a feeder road would also be upgraded and again a bridge over the railway should be possible as part of the improvements. As mentioned to have everyone onside and involved early is key. CHR is working very hard behind the scenes with all stakeholders to make sure that when the time comes the railway is an integral part of the plan and not something that comes out of the woodwork at the last minute.

 

From a safety point of view a bridge over the railway one hundred yards or so before a roundabout could lead to problems with northbound traffic, given the density and speed of the traffic.

Bob.

 

Could a "half and half" solution of low bridge/shallow cutting be an answer? Material from the cutting could be used for embankments.

 

A sensible soumding suggestion, but one that would depend on the height of the water table and any likihood of flooding in the immediate area. I've no feeling for how the costs of a cutting / embankment might compare with those of a road embankment only.

 

Which begs the question, what is the ruling gradient on the entirity of the route CHR have their sights set on? Any significant increase would obviously affect decisions surrounding future operations.

 

I suppose it depends on what any A5 upgrade would involve. If the plan is to duel the road (as has happened elsewhere, e.g. the Nesscliffe bypass section), it would make sense to build proper junctions, with the A5 on a flyover and the roundabout beneath. If this were to happen here, the A5 could be raised to a height to clear the railway and stay at that height to clear the roundabout too. There should be room to build the slip roads between the railway bridge and the roundabout.

 

Traffic getting that close to a roundabout should already be preparing to slow down. A small reduction in the speed limit might help too.

 

And if he can advise ... --> https://www.national-preservation.c...es-of-heritage-railways-list-in-post-1.95457/ (hint hint)

Tom

 

What would be the expected clearance lf Rail was under the Road?
Network rail policy is to go for maximum clearance no matter what the prospect of needing it is.

 

As is being used at Leighton Buzzard?

 

And as was also done constructing the early stages of the Dduallt spiral.