XC /EC/ VT via Mount Florida or Shotts

[route101]

Hi , is there any services diagrammed to go via queens park or maxwell park . In 2008 i took a xc voyager from EDI and it routed via Shotts , Hamilton Circle and Mount Florida . Does this still happen?

 

[NightatLaira]

Sounds like a great bash... I presume whenever Haymarket to Carstairs is closed for engineering they have to do that.

 

[CarterUSM]

Hi , is there any services diagrammed to go via queens park or maxwell park . In 2008 i took a xc voyager from EDI and it routed via Shotts , Hamilton Circle and Mount Florida . Does this still happen?

Only during certain scheduled engineering works or as a diversionary route during disruption. This was the case a month or two ago, when the WCML was shut at Rutherglen central junction area for engineering. Many services took the queens park route, hitting the main line again at Newton junction.

 

[route101]

When i took that voyager it was weekday and no engineering work was in place Yep i was having a drink in Clockwork and nearly shat myself when i saw a EC 91 go through mount florida , never though they could fit through crosshill . I thought they would route via maxwell park . It would be interesting to see what diversions the airdrie to bathgate line will get

 

[Techniquest]

There have been/are some booked to go via the Cathcart Circle, regardless of engineering works, on weekdays to maintain crew knowledge.

Only time I've been on a train up that way which was booked via the Circle, the 1025 Plymouth to Glasgow Central in July 2008, we didn't take it and went the normal way. Mind you, this was on a Sunday evening so could well have been engineering works on or something.

Just because something's shown to be booked via a certain way, doesn't mean it will go that way! Had that problem before on a Voyager booked to go via Pontefract Baghill between Sheffield and York, way back in summer 2006, but we got sent via the through road at Doncaster instead. Still need Moorthorpe to Church Fenton via Pontefract Baghill as it stands, 4 years later!

 

[CarterUSM]

There have been/are some booked to go via the Cathcart Circle, regardless of engineering works, on weekdays to maintain crew knowledge.

They certainly used to, but the crews just go a quick run to Newton on the ScotRail service for a refresher nowadays, and there are plenty of ECS movements via Benhar(Shotts) for that particular diversion.

 

[route101]

Quite often the XC services at night will be diverted via Bellshill or Wishaw aswell . Why is the Shotts line called the ' Benhar'?

 

[CarterUSM]

Quite often the XC services at night will be diverted via Bellshill or Wishaw aswell . Why is the Shotts line called the ' Benhar'?

Named after Benhar junction between Shotts and Fauldhouse. On a similiar note of interest, the route via Carstairs is called the Cobbenshaw after the small Loch a few miles before Midcalder junction.

 

[route101]

I guess these are staff terms then ha . in april i overheard 2 fort william staff refer to the sleeper as london up /down , they never mentioned the sleeper at all . Staff speak.

 

[CarterUSM]

I guess these are staff terms then ha . in april i overheard 2 fort william staff refer to the sleeper as london up /down , they never mentioned the sleeper at all . Staff speak.

Yes, i'd agree with that.

 

[Stephen_H]

Been on a few XC (and previous Virgin) services from Edinburgh to Motherwell that went the Shotts way, but never an East Coast/NXEC/GNER one. End up at Platform 3 in Motherwell, and very confused. You get there quicker though!