passing loop with hst Bath hampton

[nickt]

Last evening I was cycling along canal at Bath hampton when I noticed a class 31 with network rail coaches in tow parked on up main behind signal gantry. I thought it may have failed as points from loop were changed over. An HST appeared and slowly proceeded up to gantry waited then snaked back onto main and on towards london, the 31 then moved off and followed hst from a very safe distanceI was just leaving when I noticed the loop point was over again and a first multiple was entering and coming along loop.
Is the loop used much, the rails are slightly shiny but that was first time seen anything in loop except a road railer when loop was re laid a while back.

[stumpytrain]

The Up Passenger Loop at Bathampton is regularly used. Typical examples are to regulate Trowbridge line all station services for fast trains. Or for when there is congestion on the Trowbridge line (a daily occurance due to the long signal sections) to keep the Up Main clear and allow a London to pass while the train in the loop waits for the section to clear. Freights for Westbury are often booked to use the loop as well.

Alex