What additional services could XC operate while retaining longer trains?

[Jamesrob637]

I wonder how much more XC could introduce while keeping long trains? Could the Reading to Newcastle, even without the Southampton extension, plus Bristol to Manchester, even without the Exeter extension, run every two hours?

 

[43055]

I wonder how much more XC could introduce while keeping long trains? Could the Reading to Newcastle, even without the Southampton extension, plus Bristol to Manchester, even without the Exeter extension, run every two hours?

Looks like some extra services are being reintroduced from Monday. Looking at the timetables the 0622 and 1222 from Birmingham extend to Stansted airport from Leicester with 1127 and 1727 returns on weekdays only.

On Saturday the 8th August there is also a additional Plymouth to Birmingham service at 1155 with a 1542 return.

Personally I would say it is unlikely that much more could be added without reducing the number of long trains. The current Bristol - Paignton and Banbury - Birmingham - Newcastle services I would say are likely to be single sets.

 

[DannyMich2018]

Looks like some extra services are being reintroduced from Monday. Looking at the timetables the 0622 and 1222 from Birmingham extend to Stansted airport from Leicester with 1127 and 1727 returns on weekdays only.

On Saturday the 8th August there is also a additional Plymouth to Birmingham service at 1155 with a 1542 return.

Personally I would say it is unlikely that much more could be added without reducing the number of long trains. The current Bristol - Paignton and Banbury - Birmingham - Newcastle services I would say are likely to be single sets.

Thats great.
Still a shame more use cannot be made of the HSTs. Only 2 are used daily I believe. These trains have been extensively and expensively rebuilt with power doors, PRM mods, retention toilets etc. With 7 coaches social distance capacity much higher than a 4 or 5 car Voyager.

 

[Jamesrob637]

Thats great.
Still a shame more use cannot be made of the HSTs. Only 2 are used daily I believe. These trains have been extensively and expensively rebuilt with power doors, PRM mods, retention toilets etc. With 7 coaches social distance capacity much higher than a 4 or 5 car Voyager.

Tuesdays and Wednesdays only two are due out anyway so they're doing ok on those days!

 

[py_megapixel]

Thats great.
Still a shame more use cannot be made of the HSTs. Only 2 are used daily I believe. These trains have been extensively and expensively rebuilt with power doors, PRM mods, retention toilets etc. With 7 coaches social distance capacity much higher than a 4 or 5 car Voyager.

But not more than a 8 car voyager which is what most formations seem to be at the moment

 

[43055]

Thats great.
Still a shame more use cannot be made of the HSTs. Only 2 are used daily I believe. These trains have been extensively and expensively rebuilt with power doors, PRM mods, retention toilets etc. With 7 coaches social distance capacity much higher than a 4 or 5 car Voyager.

There was a post on facebook suggesting that the Plymouth - Birmingham - Plymouth run next Saturday will be a HST. Real time trains has it pathed as a HST but it doesn't mean it will be. There is also another additional 1153 from Plymouth and 1642 from Birmingham showing for Friday but is not in the timetable on the website.

 

[Stephen Lee]

It will be good to start a Swansea-Birmingham service or maybe extend to Carmathen or even extension to Matlock/Bath/Portsmouth?

 

[The Planner]

It will be good to start a Swansea-Birmingham service

Doesn't exactly work with the title of the thread though.