The Anonymous Widower

Newquay Station – 9/10th February 2024

These pictures show Newquay station.

Note.

1. It is a small one-platform station.
2. It has a few facilities.
3. It is located on the main street in the centre of the town.

This Google Map shows Newquay station.

 

Newquay station appears to have a very long platform.

• This page on Railway Data gives a length of 242 metres.
• It should accommodate a nine-car Class 802 train.
• The station is also close to the beach.

It looks to me that Newquay station is ready for a big surfing festival.

I have a few thoughts.

Adding A Second Platform

These pictures show the space alongside the current single track. At least for a five-car train.

Note.

1. I would expect that adding a second platform could be easily done by a competent and experienced construction company.
2. There would need to be new track and a set of points, so that a train could use either platform.
3. Signalling would be added, so both platforms could be used, either separately or at the same time.

I also expect that the Tregoss Loop would need to be commissioned before the second platform.

Adding Charging For Battery-Electric Trains

Consider.

In GWR Trialling Transformative Ultra-Rapid Charging Train Battery, I talked about the installation of the Vivarail/GWR Fast Charge system at West Ealing station.

In Decarbonising The Mid-Cornwall Metro, I talked about using the Vivarail/GWR Fast Charge system or hydrogen to decarbonise the Mid-Cornwall Metro.

This picture shows the Vivarail/GWR Fast Charge system at West Ealing station.

I feel there would be no problem fitting one of these in one or both of the platforms at Newquay.

But I do feel that the best way to decarbonise services to Newquay, would be to fully-electrify Par station with 25 KVAC overhead wires.

• Mid-Cornwall Metro services would charge their batteries using a pantograph, every time that they reversed in the station.
• Long distance battery-electric services through the station would top up their batteries during a stop at the station.
• Locomotives with batteries will be increasingly used on freight services and charging may be needed for the locomotives used from china clay trains.

Note.

1. Par and Falmouth Docks is 30.8 miles.
2. Par and Newquay is 20.8 miles.
3. Par and Penzance is 44.8 miles
4. Par and Plymouth is 34.7 miles.
5. Par and Truro is 19 miles.

Par would appear to be a station, that could be easy to electrify and is conveniently placed in the heart of services through Cornwall.

 

February 17, 2024 - Posted by AnonW | Hydrogen, Transport/Travel | Battery-Electric Trains, Class 150 Train, Mid-Cornwall Metro, Newquay Station, Par Station, Surfing, Vivarail/GWR Fast Charge