This is Rainham Station (MCB-CCTV) Level Crossing in East London, located adjacent to HS1 (The High Speed 1) which runs from the Channel Tunnel to London St Pancras International and Kings Cross. The level crossing’s line runs from London Fenchurch Street to Grays and Southend-on-sea and is served by c2c services. HS1 is served by High Speed SouthEastern and Eurostar Services.
I finally got a chance to head through the Dartford Tunnel to visit the small area of Rainham, just outside London. Videos of the crossings in Rainham were recorded on Saturday 14th January 2017 between 15:30 and 16:30. There is another level crossing in another Rainham back in Kent which I’ve also recorded. Both crossings have halogen wigwags still. I recorded Rainham Station Level Crossing and Manor Way Pedestrian Level Crossing during my trip. Two trains arrived and departed at Rainham Station on the hour and every 30mins passed.
After waiting half an hour, the crossing finally went off to see two more trains pick up from Rainham Station.
The crossing here at Rainham, East London is notorious for misuse. One of the most famous misuse videos is of Craig Grant, back in 2009, who jumped the barriers and had inches to spare as he didn’t see a nonstop train. One of his trainers was sliced in half. He wanted the video posted online to show how dangerous jumping barriers is, and what the horrific consequences could be. Yet in 2017, planks are still ignoring red lights and barriers.
There are two crossings in the Rainham area, this crossing: Rainham Station (MCB-CCTV) and Manor Way Pedestrian (Foot/Ped. MCB-On Call). In 1995/96, Rainham, Manor Way and Dagenham Dock crossings were installed to give access to industrial works on the other side of the c2c line. The three crossings were MCB-CCTV type, and had GEC/NRS Halogen Bulb Wigwags with Smiths Industries Hydraulics Company Barriers. However, with the construction of the HS1 (High Speed 1) line in 2006, Dangenham Dock Station crossing was completely removed and replaced with a footbridge, Manor Way crossing got cut down to a pedestrian crossing (which is now opened on request) and Rainham Station crossing is pedestrianized, with access to maintenance and emergency vehicles only, who may want to travel down beside the HS1 line.
Both Rainham Station and Manor Way crossings use to be open to traffic, but now the crossings have been pedestrianized (with Manor Way being cut down and turned into a Request crossing (MCB-OC)).
The level crossing at Rainham Station still has halogen wigwags, like all of the crossings on the c2c line from London to South-end. The wigwags next to the HS1 bridge have been angled in weird positions due to the sharp bend next to the crossing. All the wigwags are still operating fine and there is no signs of dim or broken bulbs. (Probably why there are no LED wigwags).
The crossing has 4 Smiths Industries Barriers which were made in 1995. One barrier was broken Unipart Rail LED Barrier Boom Light Modules. I was surprised seeing them broken. There is probably a circuitry problem with loose or dodgy wires/cables. I recorded them up close in this video. I didn’t see them on.
Typical yodalarms were used here. The alarms are getting a bit old. The quick paced alarm tone can be heard from where I was standing.
I can imagine hardly any vehicles using this crossing at all. There are: “Do Not Cross When Lights Show” signs attached to the poles of every wigwag. These signs are only ever found at pedestrian only crossings such as Poole High Street. Dangenham Dock, a former MCB-CCTV crossing had these signs before it was removed.
During my stay here, there was an endless amount of announcements played at the station. Many of them can be heard during this video. One after the other was played about the next train, CCTV operation, cheap tickets and whatever else.
I also recorded some of the High Speed Trains on HS1 whilst waiting until 16:30. My dad and brother also recorded videos from the High Speed Line bridge.
I recorded two trains arriving and departing Rainham Station:
1st: Class 357 324 (seen in my first video at the crossing heading to Grays), this time, the 16:31 c2c Service From Grays To London Fenchurch Street.
2nd: Class 357 313 (seen in my Manor Way Trains Passing video), this time, the 16:33 c2c Service From London Fenchurch Street To Grays.
I hope you enjoyed this video. Please check out my other videos taken on the Saturday!
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Post time: Mar-02-2017