Over running engineering works in trent valley

[MKB]

Really?! You're seriously trying to pull a 'Citation needed' on weekdays being busier than weekends?

Yes, because, as I said, it doesn't accord with what I see myself on this line.

 

[MKB]

WCML has longer two track blocks over weekends and the schedule 4 compensation would be much higher during the week. Watford was originally going to be a week until the compensation worked out at an eye watering amount.

So the reason it can't happen is because the government has mandated a higher level of compensation for TOCs in the week? Surely that needs to change then in future franchise agreements?

 

[najaB]

Yes, because, as I said, it doesn't accord with what I see myself on this line.

So the weekday morning and evening peaks don't exist?

 

[MKB]

So the weekday morning and evening peaks don't exist?

Certainly in the morning, "peak" means peak fare and not peak volume. I've been surprised at how light some of the "peak" services have been when I travel then.

 

[adrock1976]

Regarding the possibility of big and extended closures, I recall that the route between Stoke-on-Trent and Stockport via Macclesfield was closed for 17 weeks during the summer of 2003 for engineering works.

I believe that this plan of works also dovetailed neatly onto the very minor electrification project between Kidsgrove and Crewe via Alsager, so as to allow electric trains to be diverted.

Have any line closures for engineering works during the summer similar to the 2003 one been considered any further? In my own view, this would allow quite a lot of work to be done.

 

[najaB]

Certainly in the morning, "peak" means peak fare and not peak volume. I've been surprised at how light some of the "peak" services have been when I travel then.

Maybe where you are. I've been on many services that were well past full and standing.

 

[MKB]

Maybe where you are. I've been on many services that were well past full and standing.

As have I, but on Saturdays and Sundays. Maybe I'm just lucky, but I rarely encounter it on weekdays. Most of my experience is on the Liverpool, Manchester and Coventry routes to/from Euston.

 

[The Planner]

So the reason it can't happen is because the government has mandated a higher level of compensation for TOCs in the week? Surely that needs to change then in future franchise agreements?

No, it is because on the WCML we have agreed 2 track timetables for longer on the weekend than mid week therefore we get more "free" time.

 

[Llanigraham]

As have I, but on Saturdays and Sundays. Maybe I'm just lucky, but I rarely encounter it on weekdays. Most of my experience is on the Liverpool, Manchester and Coventry routes to/from Euston.

I regularly use the Birmingham trains from Euston, on various days, and I have always found that the trains after 1600 on a Friday are much busier than the equivalent trains on other days.

 

[bnsf734]

Are the Fast lines still closed today (29/12)?

I travelled from Nuneaton to Liverpool today and the fast lines were still out of use tonight when I returned.

Interestingly this morning we left on the 08:15 London Midland stopper from platform 3 at Nuneaton whilst a Virgin pendelino went past on platform 2. Once clear we left and crossed over. As we approached the bridge a southbound class 66 hauled container train went past us on the down fast line. So I have now seen the reversible signalling in action.

I am not sure why the fast lines are still out? Any ideas anybody.

 

[tcm1106]

We had two bridge replacements between Rugby and Nuneaton on the LEC2.
The one near Hartshill which was done using SPMTs. The second was bridge 9 over the Oxford Canal near Cathiron Lane, Rugby, which was done with road cranes. This was the job affected by sustained high wind speeds.
The overrun was caused primarily by the programme slipping due to the postponed lifts and the effect that this had on subsequent tamping shifts.

 

[bnsf734]

Thank you for the extra information. I wasn't aware of the other job and things make sense now.

A quick look on Realtimetrains shows trains losing time around Nuneaton so are the fast lines still out?

 

[Kingsbury Jn.]

I think that was implied.

Indeed. That was my intention. Road lowering would be undesirable as the location is prone to flooding. Raising the trackbed would be cost-prohibitive.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Have any line closures for engineering works during the summer similar to the 2003 one been considered any further? In my own view, this would allow quite a lot of work to be done.

The considerable blockades at Lincoln, Nottingham and Wigan were all done over the summer months.

 

[najaB]

The considerable blockades at Lincoln, Nottingham and Wigan were all done over the summer months.

A bit further north - Winchburgh Tunnel and Queen Street remodelling were extended projects which require complete blocks - both done in the 'light half' of the year.

 

[The Planner]

If it can ever get over the final hurdle, Derby will be a large blockade too.

 

[bnsf734]

If it can ever get over the final hurdle, Derby will be a large blockade too.

Whats the final hurdle? - Can we find the cash!

 

[The Planner]

Unless it has changed recently it clashes with an Oxford block and XC are disputing them.

 

[Class 170101]

If it can ever get over the final hurdle, Derby will be a large blockade too.

Unless it has changed recently it clashes with an Oxford block and XC are disputing them.

Derby as a Blockade seems sensible as there are alternative 'local' routes avoiding Derby, the main issue being Etches Park.

Oxford must be more difficult as it will almost certainly require the WCML to be open for freight traffic running between Reading and the Northwest diverting via GWML and WCML. I guess XC think they cannot resource the two blocks at the same time with either sufficient buses or trains.

Blocks between Glasgow and Edinburgh I would suggest are easier as there are alternative routes that can be used by through passengers with only local flows affected.

 

[The Planner]

XC dont like two sets of buses in short succession.

 

[Wilts Wanderer]

XC dont like two sets of buses in short succession.

I think that's pretty standard for TOCs. Otherwise a Bournemouth-York journey would require 4 changes instead of the normal 0 or 1!

 

[MichaelAMW]

A Derby block doesn't stop XC as they can go Stenson - Sheet Stores - Trent East - Toton - Clay Cross. More time, obviously, but otherwise OK. Maybe route knowledge is the problem. If there's a capacity issue with that it would be at Trent East, I would imagine, particularly with all the crossovers being 30 mph. On the other hand, they divert via Leicester on Sunday sometimes, so that's another option, again with a substantial time penalty.

 

[The Planner]

Doesn't stop them no, but it means two sets of buses for Derby passengers if Oxford is blocked too.

 

[ScouserGirl]

Just the usual incomptent forward planning.

No doubt I will get marooned at Lancaster for over an hour later this morning. I only get up to see relations for the day once or twice a year, and every time the railway mucks it up.

Then why don't you find an alternative way to travel if the railway always kicks up your travel plans

 

[itsonlyme]

ScouserGirl

As I said earlier "First as a pensioner who now longer drives, and lives in a town, Crewe, with no north bound coach services it's either use the train or don't travel. The only realistic alternative rail route is via Manchester where you are also dammed with engineering work."

 

[ScouserGirl]

ScouserGirl

As I said earlier "First as a pensioner who now longer drives, and lives in a town, Crewe, with no north bound coach services it's either use the train or don't travel. The only realistic alternative rail route is via Manchester where you are also dammed with engineering work."

Then plan traveling around
the works instead of traveling when they happen when you know there will be disruption..

 

[itsonlyme]

So I should plan to travel on a Sunday!, or travel in the working week when the people I want to see are at work.

They day I travelled would have had no disruption if the works had finished to time.

.........Back to my original grumble