First Order In For Revolutionary Modular Railway Footbridge
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on New Civil Engineer.
Greater Anglia seem to have ordered the footbridge for Stowmarket station, without seeing a real one.
A prototype is also being installed at the former Widmerspool station on the Old Dalby Test Track.
I wrote about the proposed footbridge at Stowmarket in Stowmarket Station To Go Step-Free.
A First Close-Up View Of A Class 745 Train
I was standaing on Stowmarket station and this Class 745 train came through.
These twelve section trains will replace stakes of Mark 3 coaches, sandwiched between a Class 90 locomtives and driving van trailers.
Note.
- When I first saw the train, I thought it was a Class 755 train., as they look so similar. So I had to read the plate between the trains to check.
- Unlike most UK trains the number on the cab is not a full number and just the last three digits.
- If you look at the top of the train, it appears that the energy bus appears to be along the middle of the roof.
- Like most modern trains, they were quiet. Does this suggest efficient aerodynamics.
It bcertainly appears that Stadler have a selectio of sections, that can be connected together to create the trains.
Stowmarket Station To Go Step-Free
This document on the Government web site is entitled Access for All: 73 Stations Set To Benefit From Additional Funding.
Stowmarket station is on the list.
In Roaming Around East Anglia – Stowmarket Station, I said this.
The station is Grade II Listed, has the capability to handle the long London-Norwich expresses and probably only needs a step-free footbridge to be ready for the East-West Rail Link.
This picture shows the bridge.
Step-free access would create an easy interchange between stations.
- On the Great East Main Line between Stowmarket and Norwich.
- On the East-West Rail Link between Stowmarket and Cambridge/Peterborough and further West.
Journeys like between Diss and Bury St. Edmunds, Newmarket, Cambridge and Peterborough will be so much easier.
Greater Anglia is already planning to increase services on both routes, so the step-free bridge will be well used.
Installing Step-Free Access
In Winner Announced In The Network Rail Footbridge Design Ideas Competition, I wrote how the competition was won by this bridge.
So could a factory-built bridge like this be installed at Stowmarket station?
- I think this could be possible, if the existing bridge were to be removed.
- At least there is a level crossing by the station, which could be used as an emergency means of crossing the railway.
I very much favour this approach. which surely could be installed on a weekend possession.
Roaming Around East Anglia – Stowmarket Station
After Newmarket, I travelled on to Norwich, changing trains at Stowmarket station.
It was an easy change, as I waited about half-a-dozen minutes after arriving from Newmarket for the Norwich train.
The station is Grade II Listed, has the capability to handle the long London-Norwich expresses and probably only needs a step-free footbridge to be ready for the East-West Rail Link.
The Anonymous Widower 