How long did the Sinfin branch service last (Melbourne Junction to Sinfin Central) as an extension of the Derby - Matlock service)? Four years, around 1986-7, perhaps?
It was initially conceived in the era of the first generation (Class 120 in this case) units and loadings were consistently non-existent. If we needed a unit for something else it became almost standard to pinch the Sinfin unit at 0735 in from Matlock and step up to cover its return working which was the 0821 to Matlock by using the 0834 arrival from Matlock about 15 mins late. The passengers (if there were any) were conveyed in a taxi.
It eventually died when units with TCAs were banned from the branch. Etches Park had had the Class 150/1 from new and the Class 120s were either scrapped or moved to Scotland. The 150/1s worked the branch initially but it was found that they did not conform to the standards for vehicles to operate track circuits (as did none of the early "sprinter" fleet).
TCAs were retro-fitted and it was found that the use of these TCA fitted units would cause erratic operation of the Lucas track circuits that were in use on the branch, which in turn caused, amongst other things, loss of detection on the 3 (or was it 4?) interworked ground frames on the branch. The "service" (if it could be called that) was operated by a taxi for a while and then died the death.
I know were are talking about regular service trains here, but, going off at a tangent, Ramsline Halt must qualify for some sort of award - only ever used by four football trains, but still there, complete with some signage. Even the Baseball Ground, which it served, is long gone.
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How long did First North Western run into Euston ? Some had weird calling points (eg Leyland but not Preston) due to competition rules.
I can remember being the sole occupant of one of these - if I remember correctly I got on at Rugby and went to Tamworth quite late in the evening. I was on my own - totally!
