LNR new WCML timetable, May 2019 (in open data feeds)

[RealTrains07]

Been waiting to see a more frequent service on the “wobble” for 10 years, the over crowding issue on the trent valley line could have been reduced if more than 1 train an hour ran before now

 

[ForTheLoveOf]

Been waiting to see a more frequent service on the “wobble” for 10 years, the over crowding issue on the trent valley line could have been reduced if more than 1 train an hour ran before now

Much as that's a laudable aim, I just can't see it happening anytime soon. There's simply not the capacity on the WCML, at least not until HS2 comes around!

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

The single track between Radway Green and Crewe doesn't help.
I haven't noticed a big demand at the North Staffs stations other than Stoke, which already has 3tph to Stafford.

 

[Idon'tKnow]

I've not really noticed large demand in North stafforshire either, I'd guess that travelling by bus is more convenient for most people there as its more frequent and goes to places people want to go to.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Been waiting to see a more frequent service on the “wobble” for 10 years, the over crowding issue on the trent valley line could have been reduced if more than 1 train an hour ran before now

This sounds rather like the "short DMU" issue, which is "not on" as it wastes line capacity.

It also isn't very effective. Take the service from hourly to half-hourly and you will grow demand substantially. I long took the view on the south WCML Southern services that, to solve the overcrowding issue, it would be necessary to go to 8-car hourly *or* 8-car half-hourly. Of course 8-car hourly was chosen and there isn't the overcrowding issue any more, but the point is that a step from hourly to half-hourly is a significant upgrade and will bring a *lot* more extra passengers.

I would like to see a half hourly service on the LNR Trent Valley runs, including one of the two extended to Liverpool (I know the DfT don't like that, but they need to wind their neck in). However, that half hourly service will need to be 8-car, too - so can't run via Stoke unless it doesn't serve the local stations.

 

[driver_m]

It did-but the crew travelled passenger from Euston to Stafford! Not particularly effective for an hourly service. Stafford is not a crew depot for any TOC, so has no crew facilities at all.

VT have a couple of ECS changeovers there, and there is a fully functioning staff messroom too. (Thunderbird used to stay there crewed by Piccadilly drivers) So LNWR could have the ability to use it, but that's an issue for LNWR as to whether they'd want to make use of it.

 

[ForTheLoveOf]

VT have a couple of ECS changeovers there, and there is a fully functioning staff messroom too. (Thunderbird used to stay there crewed by Piccadilly drivers) So LNWR could have the ability to use it, but that's an issue for LNWR as to whether they'd want to make use of it.

If there's a messroom there, I've never seen it? Where is it?

 

[VT 390]

This sounds rather like the "short DMU" issue, which is "not on" as it wastes line capacity.

It also isn't very effective. Take the service from hourly to half-hourly and you will grow demand substantially. I long took the view on the south WCML Southern services that, to solve the overcrowding issue, it would be necessary to go to 8-car hourly *or* 8-car half-hourly. Of course 8-car hourly was chosen and there isn't the overcrowding issue any more, but the point is that a step from hourly to half-hourly is a significant upgrade and will bring a *lot* more extra passengers.

I would like to see a half hourly service on the LNR Trent Valley runs, including one of the two extended to Liverpool (I know the DfT don't like that, but they need to wind their neck in). However, that half hourly service will need to be 8-car, too - so can't run via Stoke unless it doesn't serve the local stations.

If the capacity could be found for it I think it would be better to extend it to Preston so as to improve the service from Crewe to Warrington/Wigan/Preston.

 

[The Planner]

Manchester Airport is what they are/will go for.

 

[driver_m]

If there's a messroom there, I've never seen it? Where is it?

On platform 1 .

 

[Bletchleyite]

Manchester Airport is what they are/will go for.

Interesting, given that First North Western carted a lot of fresh air around when they tried that. I think when I rode on it there were about 4 of us on the whole Class 322, not even a dog or a bicycle. And yes, the fares were similarly price-dumped.

 

[RealTrains07]

This sounds rather like the "short DMU" issue, which is "not on" as it wastes line capacity.

It also isn't very effective. Take the service from hourly to half-hourly and you will grow demand substantially. I long took the view on the south WCML Southern services that, to solve the overcrowding issue, it would be necessary to go to 8-car hourly *or* 8-car half-hourly. Of course 8-car hourly was chosen and there isn't the overcrowding issue any more, but the point is that a step from hourly to half-hourly is a significant upgrade and will bring a *lot* more extra passengers.

I would like to see a half hourly service on the LNR Trent Valley runs, including one of the two extended to Liverpool (I know the DfT don't like that, but they need to wind their neck in). However, that half hourly service will need to be 8-car, too - so can't run via Stoke unless it doesn't serve the local stations.

Wont be seeing a LNR train to liverpool via trent valley for some time since its not included in the new timetable as far as i know. Bit silly really since it was a guarantee

 

[RealTrains07]

Been waiting to see a more frequent service on the “wobble” for 10 years, the over crowding issue on the trent valley line could have been reduced if more than 1 train an hour ran before now

What i meant is 2, 4 car trains an hour would have helped the overcrowding in the trent valley area

Stoke isnt the issue on “the wobble” its the local stations around it which need the service.
Buses are not reliable and are expensive compared to trains in my area

 

[VT 390]

Do many people from Stoke-on-Trent use the London Northwestern service to London?

 

[RealTrains07]

This sounds rather like the "short DMU" issue, which is "not on" as it wastes line capacity.

It also isn't very effective. Take the service from hourly to half-hourly and you will grow demand substantially. I long took the view on the south WCML Southern services that, to solve the overcrowding issue, it would be necessary to go to 8-car hourly *or* 8-car half-hourly. Of course 8-car hourly was chosen and there isn't the overcrowding issue any more, but the point is that a step from hourly to half-hourly is a significant upgrade and will bring a *lot* more extra passengers.

I would like to see a half hourly service on the LNR Trent Valley runs, including one of the two extended to Liverpool (I know the DfT don't like that, but they need to wind their neck in). However, that half hourly service will need to be 8-car, too - so can't run via Stoke unless it doesn't serve the local stations.

Didnt necessarily mean via trent valley, that ship has “sailed” but having a more local service such as the new WMR service between birmingham and crewe being expanded to serve in the weekdays aswell

 

[RealTrains07]

Do many people from Stoke-on-Trent use the London Northwestern service to London?

I take that train from stoke once a day and when iam on it yes, LNR trains can get packed at stoke

 

[VT 390]

I take that train from stoke once a day and when iam on it yes, LNR trains can get packed at stoke

In that case why if there is the capacity for it continue to run the Trent Valley service (in addition to the new Birmingham to Crewe service) to Stoke with 8 carriages but don't call it at any of the local stations.

 

[DavidGrain]

Stoke on Trent to Euston on LNR is 2 hours 20 minutes
Birmingham to Euston on LNR is 2 hours 13 minutes
I know that there are many passengers on LNR trains from Birmingham to Euston as I have travelled that line many times. With just a 7 minute difference for Stoke to London I would assume that there would be a similar demand.

 

[RealTrains07]

In that case why if there is the capacity for it continue to run the Trent Valley service (in addition to the new Birmingham to Crewe service) to Stoke with 8 carriages but don't call it at any of the local stations.

Trent valley trains have always been better off going straight from stafford to crewe

Realistically i would like to see in addition to the 1 hourly LNR train to london via birmingham, having the new service between birmingham and crewe once an hour also. Giving local station like stone 2 trains an hour instead of 1

 

[Ianno87]

Stoke on Trent to Euston on LNR is 2 hours 20 minutes
Birmingham to Euston on LNR is 2 hours 13 minutes
I know that there are many passengers on LNR trains from Birmingham to Euston as I have travelled that line many times. With just a 7 minute difference for Stoke to London I would assume that there would be a similar demand.

....Birmingham is a considerably bigger city than Stoke, so..... no.

 

[BluePenguin]

Stoke on Trent to Euston on LNR is 2 hours 20 minutes
Birmingham to Euston on LNR is 2 hours 13 minutes
I know that there are many passengers on LNR trains from Birmingham to Euston as I have travelled that line many times.

Then you will know that some of these services can be less than 2 hours 13 minutes. Some are some to 2 hours and 1 service a day under at 1 hour 58 minutes. If only the wait at Northampton was scrapped to bring it down even further...

 

[Deafdoggie]

....Birmingham is a considerably bigger city than Stoke, so..... no.

More people are desperate to get out of Stoke though

 

[BucksBones]

More people are desperate to get out of Stoke though

2 great things about Stoke:*

1. The Coachmakers Arms.
2. Oatcakes.

Given the price of LNR advance tickets it’s almost worth a trip just for those!

*OK, perhaps the 2 great things...

 

[RealTrains07]

I think we can agree that the new timetable for LNR is an huge improvement however their are areas that it still lacks

 

[Bletchleyite]

I think we can agree that the new timetable for LNR is an huge improvement however their are areas that it still lacks

If it is operated punctually and reliably, which is actually part of its aim, and with adequate capacity, particularly off-peak where cramming people into 4-car units at price-dumped fares to avoid paying for the use of 350/2s is unacceptable.

 

[RealTrains07]

If it is operated punctually and reliably, which is actually part of its aim, and with adequate capacity, particularly off-peak where cramming people into 4-car units at price-dumped fares to avoid paying for the use of 350/2s is unacceptable.

Couldnt agree more, if this timetable change goes wrong its gonna spell choas across the west midlands

 

[BluePenguin]

2 great things about Stoke:*

1. The Coachmakers Arms.
2. Oatcakes.

Given the price of LNR advance tickets it’s almost worth a trip just for those!

*OK, perhaps the 2 great things...

The cheap prices are amazing but the slow journey times are less attractive and make visiting from afar difficult to do in a day

 

[Statto]

Couldnt agree more, if this timetable change goes wrong its gonna spell choas across the west midlands

Not only West Midlands either but further afield, Liverpool trains amongst other things, going belly up with any incident South of Birmingham

 

[BucksBones]

Not only West Midlands either but further afield, Liverpool trains amongst other things, going belly up with any incident South of Birmingham

Let’s hope there’s enough contingency planning for when things do go wrong (eg if a Euston-bound train gets stuck somewhere north of Northampton or vice-versa, that they have enough spare units to operate the service anyway from NMP, assuming there will still be crew changes there).

I think we will just have to keep our fingers crossed.

 

[vlad]

2 great things about Stoke:*

1. The Coachmakers Arms.
2. Oatcakes.

Given the price of LNR advance tickets it’s almost worth a trip just for those!

*OK, perhaps the 2 great things...

You do realise that you can buy Staffordshire oatcakes in other places outside Stoke, right?