Thameslink Dec 2019 - Where are we at?

[bramling]

Would it be selfish to say that I don't want to see more additional stops on PBO services..!

Probably not given they’ve tended to gain more stops over the years. In the 1990s ISTR most were fast London to St Neots, nowadays Biggleswade is a standard call, and in most cases Stevenage.

The current setup works reasonably well, and combining with the Baldock services giving an extra fast service to Hitchin and Letchworth. More of the same off-peak would no doubt be welcomed. The only change I would probably make is cut the Baldock service back to Letchworth, simply as the turnback setup at Baldock is a nightmare when things are disrupted.

 

[jon0844]

Would it be selfish to say that I don't want to see more additional stops on PBO services..!

Of course not! But it was a major step backwards when services south of the viaduct all went to Cambridge. A side effect is that when there's disruption that results in a PBO train being terminated at WGC, it is then a nightmare for people to get to their destination without having to get a train to Stevenage and then another train from there.

If there were some additional stops for PBO trains even just at WGC (people from other stations could use the slows to get there) then it would potentially give some more resilience.

 

[Verulamius]

The May 2020 track access application for GTR is on the network rail website.

The key changes are the opening of Stevenage 5th platform with the Watton services extended to Stevenage. The Saturday Cambridge to Brighton goes half hourly and the Saturday Rainham services are extended from Kentish Town to St Albans.

 

[Verulamius]

The May 2020 track access application for GTR is on the network rail website.

The key changes are the opening of Stevenage 5th platform with the Watton services extended to Stevenage. The Saturday Cambridge to Brighton goes half hourly and the Saturday Rainham services are extended from Kentish Town to St Albans.

Sorry Rainhams extended to Luton.

 

[Need2]

Any chance you could post a link to this 2020 track access document?
Thanks

 

[Verulamius]

Any chance you could post a link to this 2020 track access document?
Thanks

This is the best I can do. The network rail website is no conducive to linking direct to documents.

Select current track applications and then the recent GTR folder.

https://www.networkrail.co.uk/indus...ormation-for-operators/sale-of-access-rights/

 

[387star]

Extending the rainham to Luton on a Saturday presumably gives space for the orpington to.Kentish town Saturday service

The missing littlehampton ..what service will that make?
Understand Brighton link 1 drivers now learning to finsbury park. Original intention was for them to keep Bedford and learn littlehampton but stay away from the canal tunnels

 

[westcoaster]

Brighton link 1, is just for resilience. They keep bedford.

 

[Aictos]

This is the best I can do. The network rail website is no conducive to linking direct to documents.

Select current track applications and then the recent GTR folder.

https://www.networkrail.co.uk/indus...ormation-for-operators/sale-of-access-rights/

Will they actually extend the Rainhams to Luton as they propose or is this wishful thinking?

 

[387star]

Will they actually extend the Rainhams to Luton as they propose or is this wishful thinking?

Why wouldn't they ? On weekdays that's the service

 

[Aictos]

Why wouldn't they ? On weekdays that's the service

I know it’s the service on a weekday but seeing as they’ve promised a lot of other enhancements such as Welwyn Garden City to Sevenoaks can you blame me for being slightly negative?

Also 4tph for the GN Inners need I go on?

I’m just of the view that until it actually happens then it’s pie in the sky talk.