Milton Keynes to East Croydon Reliability

[Mordac]

Is there ever a day when this service doesn't have at least one cancellation? The reliability on this just seems to be appalling, which is a darn shame, as it has the potential to be very useful for us WCML people, but it's hourly frequency combined with appalling reliability means one can never count on it, and so makes alternative plans (like going via the Marston Vale, which may be slow, but at least is reliable-ish).

 

[causton]

Is there ever a day when this service doesn't have at least one cancellation?

Not really.

A number of factors including:

• It travels through a number of different main lines so is susceptible to disruption on any of them. For example if the BML, WLL, NLL or WCML have any problem, the service is likely to be disrupted, and at least on the WCML if there are any problems the Southern services are the first to be cancelled in the agreement between Network Rail and the TOCs in what to do if there is disruption.
• Not many Southern services require dual-voltage stock like this one, so it seems to be harder to get spare stock in case of a unit fault.
• As it is far away from Southern's 'core' area, it can be harder to find staff if a driver or conductor is unavailable for whatever reason and other related difficulties.
• If you cancel a train on some routes there are no alternatives. With this route you can go through London or change at Watford, Willesden and Clapham.
• It is also apparent on some weekends/evenings when the slow lines are shut, that 'Southern don't sign the fast lines on the WCML' - this is quite a basic generalisation as they do and probably depends on the individual staff member, but at the last minute they will amend an entire evening's service to terminate at Shepherds Bush, as due to the various bits of track in the Willesden Jn area to get from Shepherds Bush to Wembley I think Southern don't sign some of it, so if the slow line connection to go under the WCML and to Wembley Central station is shut then usually nothing runs.

Personally I think it has been more reliable lately than it has been at some other times, there were times before, during and after the Southern strikes where we just assumed it wouldn't be running at all but it seems to be a bit more dependable now.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Add "the turnarounds are inadequate" - any delay usually means terminating short at either end (though more often at the East Croydon end, usually Selhurst). The impact of this is relatively low, though (other than from Balham etc), as you can take the following fast to Clapham Jn and meet it there.

 

[DarloRich]

Personally I think it has been more reliable lately than it has been at some other times, there were times before, during and after the Southern strikes where we just assumed it wouldn't be running at all but it seems to be a bit more dependable now.

Agreed. However i have seen a more and more being turned at Blethcley to get back on timetable.

 

[tsr]

Agreed. However i have seen a more and more being turned at Blethcley to get back on timetable.

Indeed. Watford Junction has always been used a fair bit for turning back (both within the timetable and outside of booked workings) and Bletchley is being used more now. Tring is also making a handful of appearances now.

There are also, it seems, more trains being run fast or semi-fast to get to Milton Keynes in time to run the full journey back, which obviously has its advantages if that next journey is a peak service. One service the other day was very late departing Clapham Junction and therefore called at Watford Jn and Milton Keynes Ctl only, plus of course the brief power changeover at North Pole.