The Anonymous Widower

Platforms 1 And 4 At Stratford International Station

This map from OpenRailwayMap shows the tracks through Stratford International station.

The tracks starting from the North side of the station are as follows.

  • Platform 1 – Not used by normal services – Shown in black
  • Fast Line for Eastbound through trains – Shown in red
  • Platform 2 – Used by Eastbound stopping services – Shown in black
  • Platform 3 – Used by Westbound stopping services – Shown in black
  • Fast Line for Westbound through trains – Shown in red
  • Platform 4 – Not used by normal services – Shown in black

Note.

  1. There are three Eastbound tracks, that connect together into a single track from St. Pancras and a single track to Ebbsfleet International station.
  2. An Eastbound train can use any of the three Northernmost tracks to pass though Stratford International station.
  3. There are three Westbound tracks, that connect together into a single track to St. Pancras and a single track from Ebbsfleet International station.
  4. A Westbound train can use any of the three Southernmost tracks to pass though Stratford International station.
  5. As Eurostar trains aren’t scheduled to stop at Stratford International station, they would normally take the fast lines through the station.
  6. Southeastern HighSpeed services usually stop in Platforms 2 or 3, as they pass through the station.
  7. There is a diamond crossover at the eastern end of the station.

It would appear that under normal circumstances Platforms 1 and 4 are not used.

These pictures show Platforms 1 and 4 at Stratford International station.

Note.

  1. Both Platforms 1 and 4 appear to have stairs, an escalator and a lift.
  2. I left from Platform 2, in a pair of Class 395 trains, which would have been 244 metres long.
  3. From the OpenRailwayMap, Platforms 1 and 4, appear to be longer than Platforms 2 and 3.

As Eurostar’s Class 374 trains are 390 metres long, it looks like Platforms 1 and 4 are designed to be able to handle these trains.

The Diamond Crossover At Stratford International Station

The diamond crossover at the Eastern end of the station could be used for unusual or occasional train movements.

  • It could allow services to use St. Pancras station, when there was an inconvenient points failure.
  • It might also allow a train to terminate before returning to the East in either Platform 1 or 4.

It could even allow Stratford International station to be  used as a terminus during emergencies or engineering works.

An Escalator Problem At Stratford International Station

There was an escalator problem At Stratford International station today, which meant I had to walk down to the platform.

I took these pictures.

After walking down, I am fairly sure, that these stairs, which appear to be identical to those on Platforms 1 and 4, are for occasional use only.

Conclusion

I have come to these conclusions about Platforms 1 And 4 at Stratford International station.

  • The platforms are designed to take the longest Eurostar trains.
  • The access to Platforms 1 And 4, doesn’t appear to be designed for continuous heavy use.
  • The diamond crossover at the Eastern end of the station would allow Stratford International station to be used as an emergency terminus.

The track layout at the London end of High Speed One appears to have been designed for all eventualities.

 

July 31, 2023 Posted by | Transport/Travel | , , , , , , , | 5 Comments