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Hitchin Fly-over

You are here: Home > Forum > Miscellaneous > The real thing (anything else rail-oriented) > Hitchin Fly-over

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Hitchin Fly-over 05/07/2013 at 12:25 #46519
metcontrol
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217 posts
Hit and miss with the trains using the loop. On Wednesday (3rd July) the 1153 King's Cross-Cambridge used it, but the day after it didn't and nor did the 1253. Nice bonus to be on the one on Wednesday. I didn't think I would get to travel on it until regular running later in the year.
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Hitchin Fly-over 09/08/2013 at 10:25 #48159
dwelham313
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139 posts
Just thought i'd mention that all flyover training for FCC drivers is currently suspended and has been for several weeks due to a shortage of drivers. With only around 5-10% of drivers currently trained the December deadline for having all drivers competant is looming!
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Hitchin Fly-over 09/08/2013 at 11:01 #48161
metcontrol
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217 posts
I've seen a fair few trains still using it - most commonly the Moorgate-Letchworth services. My usual trains to London tend to pass these either leaving Hitchin or I see them on the loop itself.

You must be a driver? We have had similar route/stock learning "issues" on the Sub-Surface lines on the underground. It's normally the drivers who are all doom and gloom, whilst planning in the background usually has everything sorted. This time of year will always see less availability - which is probably why even though the loop was completed weeks ago, the full running is not until December.

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Hitchin Fly-over 09/08/2013 at 11:29 #48164
Peter Bennet
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5363 posts
1C37 has just gone over according to the RealTraintimes feed.

Peter

I identify as half man half biscuit - crumbs!
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Hitchin Fly-over 09/08/2013 at 13:33 #48170
John
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884 posts
What exactly is involved in order for a driver to sign the flyover?

Do you just need to be conducted over it a couple of times in each direction?

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Hitchin Fly-over 09/08/2013 at 14:04 #48171
benstafford
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88 posts
2F31 has just gone over
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Hitchin Fly-over 09/08/2013 at 22:10 #48202
metcontrol
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217 posts
" said:
What exactly is involved in order for a driver to sign the flyover?

Do you just need to be conducted over it a couple of times in each direction?
I hope they don't go in each direction for this loop

If NR is the same as LUL, then basically a driver will be shown the route with an instructor driver (being shown signal locations, speed limits etc etc) then will drive it at least once before signing to say they are "happy" with the route.

It is relatively easy to get that part of it done - the hard part is releasing drivers from normal duties to get them the opportunity to do it. Then there can also be the headache of them having been trained for a route so many months in advance that by the time they get to do it again they require refresher training.

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Hitchin Fly-over 10/08/2013 at 05:52 #48206
ozrail
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197 posts
It must be a nightmare knowing which trains have a qualified driver for the flyover and which don't. How is it done? Is the driver asked before the train leaves King Cross or do Signallers just give the train the new route and hope for the best?
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Hitchin Fly-over 10/08/2013 at 08:50 #48208
Stephen Fulcher
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2029 posts
They would not just hope for the best as it would cause chaos timing the route out each time a driver did not sign.
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Hitchin Fly-over 10/08/2013 at 15:01 #48210
Jan
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892 posts
I've read somewhere else that supposedly signallers phone the drivers via CSR before their departure from King's Cross to ask them whether they sign the flyover.
Two million people attempt to use Birmingham's magnificent rail network every year, with just over a million of them managing to get further than Smethwick.
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Hitchin Fly-over 11/08/2013 at 11:10 #48230
dwelham313
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139 posts
Yes the signaller calls you via CSR to ask if you sign the road usually around Knebworth/Stevenage. This is mostly on the PM peak class 2s where a delay at Hitchin is usually incured.

I think the training comprises a couple of hours in the classroom followed by a trip over, nothing too taxing but has to be done.

Yes i'm sure the powers that be have a 'plan' in action to get all of us signed off by December, however there's still a handfull of drivers who havn't signed off Hertford - Stevenage causing some headaches! Plenty of trainee drivers coming through the training school so hopefully won't have these problems when we start learning the southern! (whenever that may be!)

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Hitchin Fly-over 08/06/2014 at 10:31 #61447
delticfan
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476 posts
Can't see this posted already, but found this on youtube.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6yuO-eWqdw

Mal.

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Hitchin Fly-over 09/06/2014 at 20:07 #61499
metcontrol
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217 posts
It wasn't until I watched the first few seconds of that I realised it's been almost a year since it opened. Where did that time go :yikes

Strangely, although I now travel over the flyover route almost daily, it's still like a "new" route - with me "paying attention" each time I go along it to see if I spot anything I hadn't on (what must be) over a hundred times before - I have only been the old way a couple of times since December, and I have been over it 3-6 times a week since then. I wonder when this bit will become the same as the rest of my journey, and I won't bother looking up / waking up as much

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Hitchin Fly-over 09/06/2014 at 20:38 #61501
lionel87
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39 posts
I like the way that the Class 313 is strengthened from 3 cars to 6 cars between using the flyover and arriving at Letchworth...
Last edited: 09/06/2014 at 20:38 by lionel87
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Hitchin Fly-over 10/06/2014 at 03:18 #61511
BarryM
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2158 posts
" said:
I like the way that the Class 313 is strengthened from 3 cars to 6 cars between using the flyover and arriving at Letchworth... :laugh:
??

Barry, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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