HS2 aggregates at Calvert
CLAYDON JUNCTION signalbox was moved in January 2020 to a site seven miles south, at the former Waddesdon Manor station. This token section was then truncated at the east end of the World War Two-installed Claydon curve, becoming a long siding named ‘Up & Down Aylesbury Siding’ that ends at Calvert. Calvert is now divided into four sidings under the control of the Calvert Person in Charge, with Siding 4 terminating at the HS2 Claydon worksite boundary. Claydon Signalbox, and the CPIC, must liaise with Marylebone IECC to ensure safe train working takes place on this rural section of the former Great Central Railway.
On February 26, Calvert was working at 100% capacity, with DB Class 66 66125 bringing in a service from Westbury booked for 2,400 tons. It was unloaded at the HS2 compound on the wartime Claydon curve. A second DB service from Tytherington, hauled by classmate 66156, arrived in the Calvert Reception Siding, the former GCR down fast line at 1610. This went forward to Siding 2 at 1630 and waited for 66125 to propel its empty JNA wagons from the HS2 compound via Siding 4 and onto Siding 3, the former GCR up fast line, at 1650.
Once clear, the CPIC authorised the loaded service to access Siding 4 and enter the HS2 compound at 1706, with unloading underway by 1709. By this time 66125 had been detached from its train and was running round using the now vacated Siding 2. It was then coupled to the south end of the empty wagons ready for departure to Westbury. This is why this six-mile stub of the former Great Central Railway is probably as busy as it has ever been in the last 50 years, with HS2 aggregate trains bringing in thousands of tons of stone a day. Phil Marsh