Slow approach to Hammersmith (Eastbound)

[sealingmark]

Been meaning to ask this for ages...

Almost always, Eastbound Picc's slow down considerably on approach to Hammersmith. Probably for the last half-mile or so.

Nothing to do with waiting for platform 3 to become free.

Is there a speed restriction?

It's quite noticable as you often see a District Line that you passed at Stamford Brook or Ravenscourt Park whiz past, and be departing or closing doors by the time the Picc arrives.

I'm sure there must be a good reason - but what?

[Dstock7080]

45mph from Acton Town, 25mph restriction at signal FRWDX643 (250m east of Ravenscourt); 15mph restriction at signal RWD8A(2); 25mph restriction at signal WD8B into Hammersmith B platform 3.
District has 25mph restriction from signal FR587 (300m east of Ravenscourt) into Hammersmith platform 4.

[sealingmark]

> 15mph restriction at signal RWD8A(2)

That'll be it. Thanks. Any idea why?

[nig]

Jun 1, 2022 16:42:46 GMT Dstock7080 said:

45mph from Acton Town, 25mph restriction at signal FRWDX643 (250m east of Ravenscourt); 15mph restriction at signal RWD8A(2); 25mph restriction at signal WD8B into Hammersmith B platform 3.
District has 25mph restriction from signal FR587 (300m east of Ravenscourt) into Hammersmith platform 4.

25mph restriction at signal FRWDX643 (250m east of Ravenscourt is now 20mph temporary speed restriction has been for a few years to prevent spads

[Tom]

Jun 1, 2022 21:36:16 GMT sealingmark said:

> 15mph restriction at signal RWD8A(2)

That'll be it. Thanks. Any idea why?

I have a feeling it was provided around 20 years ago as a SPAD mitigation measure.

[marri260]

Yes, SPaD mitigation on WD8A which is just inside the covered way.

Though it isn't at the top of the list, WD8A is stil hit on a regular basis despite the 3 repeaters, 2 speed restrictions, its own sign reminding drivers it is there and WDX643 slowing you right down if there is a train in the EB platform at Hammersmith as you approach it - all in an attempt to mitigate against SPaDs on WD8A.

It has been there for a very long time now the 15, coupled with the 20 'temporary' speed restriction after Ravenscourt Park makes it a bit of a drag going into Hammersmith. If you have to slow for the station starter at Ravenscourt being on (the repeater for this is so far from the platform that by the time you get there it is often clear, but have to prepare for it not to be if the repeater was on of course) it is likely you'll get beaten by a District that you passed at Stamford Brook or Ravenscourt yes.

Not that we can do it any more with the removal of the points of course, but when running down the local into Hammersmith the 25 down the hill and through the covered way always felt like moving at the speed of light by comparison!

[class411]

Oddly I was going to ask a question about this today.

On Tuesday I went from Hammersmith to Heathrow, and the journey between Hammersmith and Acton Town (approximately) consisted of a lot of crawling and stops and starts. The driver was one of those who gets the speed right down on an approach to a red light and then coasts, giving little 'nudges' with the motors.

Coming back this morning the same thin happened in reverse (without the coasting).

The explanations above seem to answer a lot of the experiences, but not all. I had to wait several minutes for the Heathrow train, so why did it need to keep stopping so often - what could have been in the way?

[Tom]

The Westbound approach to Acton Town can often be slow, as it's a crew relief point. I've known situations before where both westbound platforms have been occupied by Piccadilly line trains awaiting relief drivers, which can cause 'blocking back' quite quickly. Likewise, I've known it to take some twenty minutes to get from Hammersmith to Acton Town, a journey which is timetabled to take about six minutes non-stop!

[rheostar]

Jun 2, 2022 11:29:25 GMT marri260 said:

Yes, SPaD mitigation on WD8A which is just inside the covered way.

Though it isn't at the top of the list, WD8A is stil hit on a regular basis despite the 3 repeaters, 2 speed restrictions, its own sign reminding drivers it is there and WDX643 slowing you right down if there is a train in the EB platform at Hammersmith as you approach it - all in an attempt to mitigate against SPaDs on WD8A.

Many, many years ago when I was a road trainer, I used to emphasise where WD8a was and to be very careful when approaching it. It didn’t make any difference as I can remember that within weeks of passing out, several of my former trainees hitting WD8a.