The Fully-renewed Marsh Lane Level Crossing, Buckinghamshire
Date filmed: Monday the 14th of October 2024
Videos filmed at: 16:23 | 16:37 | 17:17
Route: Aylesbury to Princes Risborough Line
Between Aylesbury (AYS) and Little Kimble (LTK) Stations
Crossing type:
Previously: Automatic half Barrier Crossing Locally-monitored by traincrew (ABCL)
Now: Manually Controlled Barrier crossing with 2nd generation Obstacle Detection (MCB-OD2)
Filming location: Marsh Lane, Stoke Mandeville (HP17 8SN)
A fully-renewed level crossing located a few miles south of Aylesbury and near Stoke Mandeville, Buckinghamshire. From August 2023 and for about a year, this level crossing had been completely taken out for extensive track re-alignment in preparation for HS2 to pass the area, but as of the end of September / Start of October 2024 (just two weeks before filming) the level crossing officially re-opened to traffic, and its renewal was also very extensive. The line is still single-track, however, and has an irregular service pattern with a shuttle service between Princes Risborough and Aylesbury via just two intermediate stops.
Previously, the level crossing had half-barriers and had its operation checked by approaching train drivers using red/white flashing LED lights, but the level crossing has been re-instated with full barriers and a brand-new second generation obstacle detection system with upgraded crossing scanning equipment and really unsightly reflectors. It's now 'auto-lowered' a little earlier than before, and the system will be able to scan the level crossing and prove it clear completely independently when fully up and running, but as it's still being commissioned, a crossing attendant is present to tell the system the crossing is clear via a local control unit. Unusually for new crossings, the alarms here are really loud as they were before, and they also sound quite 'buzzy' with tones that fluctuate as they sound. As there is a lengthy 10-second timer separating the barrier pairs lowering, this racket goes on for quite a while!
The aforementioned shuttle service features in this video, along-side a top and tailed freight service from nearby Quainton to a quarry at Tytherington, South Gloucestershire. Services appear quite regular as of the time of filming as materials are exchanged with HS2 construction works. I hope you enjoy these videos!
Trains featured:
Intro, with before & after shots - 0:00
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Lowering 1 (1:01):
165 034 (Chiltern Railways) (1) - 2:42
2P60 Aylesbury ➡ Princes Risborough | On-time
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Lowering 2 (3:27):
66 772 & 66 753 (GB Railfreight) Top & Tailed freight train - 4:58
6V45 Quainton Railhead ➡ Tytherington | 3 minutes early
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Lowering 3 (5:53):
165 034 (Chiltern Railways) (2) - 7:07
2A46 Princes Risborough ➡ Aylesbury | On-time
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End-of-video picture showcase: 7:43
Train details sourced from:
Real Time Trains: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/sear...
Open Train Times: https://www.opentraintimes.com/maps
Traksy: https://traksy.uk/live
Filmed on: Panasonic HC-VX1 in 4K, 25fps
Thanks for watching!