The Anonymous Widower

Par Station – 10th February 2024

Par station will see changes because of the Mid-Cornwall Metro.

I took these pictures as I passed through.

Note.

1. The level crossing was busy with cars every time I crossed it.
2. The semaphore signalling.
3. The arriving GWR Castle in the last picture.

This Google Map shows Par station.

Note.

1. There three platforms. Platform 1 is in the East, with Platforms 2 and 3 forming an island platform.
2. There is a footbridge connect the platforms together.
3. The Atlantic Coast Line leaves the map in the South West Corner.

As one of the modifications for the Mid-Cornwall Metro, the footbridge will be replaced with one that is step-free.

I have a few thoughts.

Will The Mid-Cornwall Metro Reverse At Par Station?

This OpenRailwayMap shows the track layout at Par station.

Note.

1. The tracks shown in orange form the Cornish Main Line.
2. The tracks shown in yellow that curve away to the West are the Atlantic Coast Line.
3. The busy level crossing is shown in the South-West corner of the map.
4. The Atlantic Coast Line connects to Platform 3 on the West side of the station.
5. The track layout allows trains to access Platform 3 from both directions on the Cornish Main Line.

It does look like, Mid-Cornwall Metro trains will have to reverse every time, they call at Par station.

Could The Cornish Main Line Be Electrified At Par Station?

At some point in time, it will be desirable to run zero-carbon trains both on the Mid-Cornwall Metro and the Cornish Main Line.

• Plymouth and Par is a distance of 34.7 miles.
• Truro and Par is a distance of 19 miles.
• Newquay and Par is a distance of 20.8 miles.
• All of these distances would be in range of a typical battery-electric train.
• In The Data Sheet For Hitachi Battery Electric Trains, I said that a Hitachi express train with a battery range of 43.5 miles.

To my untrained eye, it looks like Par station wouldn’t be the most difficult place to electrify.

I believe there are possibilities to put an island of electrification at Par to give the trains a quick Splash-and-Dash before continuing.

February 11, 2024 - Posted by AnonW | Transport/Travel | Atlantic Coast Line, Cornish Main Line, Electrification, Level Crossing, Mid-Cornwall Metro, Par Station, Step-Free