Airdrie-Bathgate service

[MidnightFlyer]

As the opening of this new line draws near, here is the planned service pattern (according to TRUK):
2tph Helensburgh Central-Edinburgh
2tph Milngavie-Edinburgh
2 of these services per hour will call at stations west of Airdrie, as well as the new stations en-route, and two will be fast calling only High St, Coatbridge Sunnyside, Airdrie, Drumgelloch, Bathgate, Livingston North, Uphall, Edinburgh Park and Haymarket.
The current 2tph Milngavie-High St service will be extended to Airdrie, giving all stations Bellgrove-Airdrie 4tph, and Coatbridge Sunnyside and Airdrie 6tph.

 

[route101]

So are the Ballochs going to Springburn ?

 

[MidnightFlyer]

So are the Ballochs going to Springburn ?

I dunno, not too up on North Clyde services. Think ^^^^^ accounts for all services ex-Helensburgh C and Milngavie, and if Balloch has two deps per hour, then yes

 

[swt_passenger]

This NR track access stuff gives all the details, unfortunately not in timetable format, but the info page 7 of the pdf onwards 'Strathclyde Electrics' seems to be where all the major tweaks have occured:

Passenger Train slots

 

[me123]

So Edinburgh-Helensburgh and Edinburgh-Milngavie... pretty much as expected. With Airdrie-Balloch via Singer and Springburn-Dalmuir via Yoker. So it looks like an extention of the existing services.

One thing that slightly worries/dissapoints me is that the calling pattern for Milngavie-Edinburgh services is ...Queen Street, High Street, Coatbridge Sunnyside, Airdrie, Drumgelloch...

Note the omission of Blairhill and Coatdyke. They are shown as additional stations Eastbound only (I'm assuming that it's simply an omission on WB services). I would be very disappointed if Blairhill does not see a quarter-hourly service to Edinburgh (as it is the busier Coatbridge station, with a significant population who would travel Eastbound). They should serve both stations, which realistically would have a negligible impact on journey times.

Furthermore (and more importantly), I would be angry if Blairhill were to be totally omitted from the peak time express services, as this would decrease service frequency at this station (and at Coatdyke).

On the plus side, I'm glad to see that there will be a service from Bathgate calling at Drumgelloch, Airdrie, High Street... I think that will be instrumental in kepping crowding down, and I'm glad to see this "super-fast" service come through.

But, I'm going to wait for the proper timetable to come through before I start getting worked up and writing irate letters to MSPs and Scotrail and whatnot. (If anyone has more info, I'd appreciate it).

 

[Nightrider]

Might try and get along for the first train on this new part of the line.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Might try and get along for the first train on this new part of the line.

Plenty of railtours are doing this in November when it opens, passenger services commence in December

 

[CarterUSM]

So Edinburgh-Helensburgh and Edinburgh-Milngavie... pretty much as expected. With Airdrie-Balloch via Singer and Springburn-Dalmuir via Yoker. So it looks like an extention of the existing services.

One thing that slightly worries/dissapoints me is that the calling pattern for Milngavie-Edinburgh services is ...Queen Street, High Street, Coatbridge Sunnyside, Airdrie, Drumgelloch...

Note the omission of Blairhill and Coatdyke. They are shown as additional stations Eastbound only (I'm assuming that it's simply an omission on WB services). I would be very disappointed if Blairhill does not see a quarter-hourly service to Edinburgh (as it is the busier Coatbridge station, with a significant population who would travel Eastbound). They should serve both stations, which realistically would have a negligible impact on journey times.

Furthermore (and more importantly), I would be angry if Blairhill were to be totally omitted from the peak time express services, as this would decrease service frequency at this station (and at Coatdyke).

On the plus side, I'm glad to see that there will be a service from Bathgate calling at Drumgelloch, Airdrie, High Street... I think that will be instrumental in kepping crowding down, and I'm glad to see this "super-fast" service come through.

But, I'm going to wait for the proper timetable to come through before I start getting worked up and writing irate letters to MSPs and Scotrail and whatnot. (If anyone has more info, I'd appreciate it).

Me123, just remember, they will generally stop at the stations with the most footfall, so if you are correct about Blairhill then i would expect it to call. Though i would expect some analysis to be carried out regarding numbers of people who intend to travel in the eastern direction anyway.

 

[First ScotRail]

What you also have to remember is that stations Drumgelloch side of Glasgow with still have 4tph as per current timetable, its just some with now have an additional 2 with the Milngavie service. Also remember the whole aim of A-B is to bring Airdrie/Drumgelloch area closer to Edinburgh as thats the key market they will try to capture, not say people from Blairhill who will mostly always use a service to Glasgow as currently, its quicker and cheaper.

 

[me123]

I'm just saying that the above track access document actually shows (accidentally or otherwise) that Blairhill and Coatdyke will actually see a decreased service frequency in the peak times! We have 6tph in these stations, and nowhere on that document suggests that that frequency will be maintained. I hope it's just an error, and that we will at the very least continue to see 6tph in the peaks when we need it.

Plus, as I said, we do have more passengers than Sunnyside. And a significant number of people who would travel Eastbound. It just would not make sense to call trains at Sunnyside without calling trains at Blairhill, as there are more passengers using the station than Sunnyside, and probably just as much (if not more) demand for Eastbound travel.

But, as I've said above, I am happy to wait for the new timetable to come out before moaning too much!

 

[rail-britain]

The new timetable has always planned to have 4 trains per hour, in each direction, as outlined above
The previous Drumgelloch service now terminates at Airdrie
The previous Bathgate service is maintained, resulting in a revised 4 trains per hour between Edinburgh and Bathgate

I'm just saying that the above track access document actually shows (accidentally or otherwise) that Blairhill and Coatdyke will actually see a decreased service frequency in the peak times! We have 6tph in these stations, and nowhere on that document suggests that that frequency will be maintained. I hope it's just an error, and that we will at the very least continue to see 6tph in the peaks when we need it

I've had a look at this
Blarhill and Coatdyke are listed :
Service description 6.1 Edinburgh - Helensburgh Central via Yoker
Service description 6.1 Edinburgh - Helensburgh Central via Singer
The Milngavie is limited stop
Service description 6.30 Bathgate - Helensburgh Central via Yoker
Service description 6.30 Bathgate - Helensburgh Central via Singer
The Milngavie is limited stop
The above, give 2 trains per hour, in each direction
Service description 6.4 Airdrie - Balloch
Service description 6.4 Airdrie - Helensburgh
The above, give 4 trains per hour, in each direction
Therefore, that retains the 6 trains per hour, albeit the frequency is a little unequal

 

[me123]

As I see it, Monday-Saturday services are:

2tph Edinburgh-Helensburgh (6.1) - All stops through Monklands
2tph Edinburgh-Milngavie (6.2) - Airdrie & Sunnyside only
2tph Airdrie-Balloch (6.3) - All stops through Monklands
2tph Springburn-Dalmuir (6.7) - N/A

Plus EB services as well. That gives Coatdyke and Blairhill 4tph throughout the day. That's no different to just now. I'll live.

But what about peak services? In the peak, there are actually 6tph to Blairhill, Sunnyside, Coatdyke and Airdrie. (Milngavie-Airdrie "express" services, running non-stop from High Street to Blairhill). But I can't find any trace of this service existing any more. The only hope I've got is that service 6.14 (Milngavie-Edinburgh) lists Coatdyke and Blairhill as "Additional Stations", but this does not happen on 6.2 (Edinburgh-Milngavie).

Basically, if this is correct, we're going to see a reduced service in the morning peak, and perhaps also in the evening peak, as a result of the reopened line Airdrie-Bathgate. That's my main problem with the proposed services.

PS: 6.30 is only scheduled to run twice a day. Presumably this service is going to run as some of the earliest trains, and not regularly throughout the day.

 

[rail-britain]

The document is only for the core service, it does not take into account peak patterns
You would be best waiting for the timetable when published (looks like 21 September)

 

[me123]

...but it does! Table 2.1 shows the number of slots and includes peak flows. Indeed, it includes a handful of services running only in the peaks. And there are no service patterns that would maintain a 6tph frequency through Blairhill in the peak periods.

But I will wait for the timetable to be published, as a final confirmation of service patterns.

 

[rail-britain]

For the peak patterns I have found that many "normal" patterns go out the window, so you really need to understand how they are being applied which I am not going to take the time to do as I am only interested in the core service
As an example is the Glasgow - Largs
This is shown as 1 train per hour
However, we all know that between 16:00 and 18:00 there are three trains, when in effect there should be only two!
Therefore this same imbalance will apply between Bathgate and Partick

 

[Bittern]

Plenty of railtours are doing this in November when it opens, passenger services commence in December

Any links? I'm thinking of doing one.

 

[Nightrider]

Getting closer every day.

http://www.airdriebathgateraillink.co.uk/news/final_tracks_laid_on_britainrsquos_longest_passenger_line_for_100_years/?sid=a5998ee28c067e29b3aa623ca39ecac6

 

[rail-britain]

I do wonder how long this "gold" rail joiner will last!
I can see someone stealing it, putting it in an envelope, sending it to a cash-for-gold company, and then getting a reply "Sorry this is not gold"

edit :
How many speeling mistokes can you spot in that press release!

Two major milestones coming next;
Completion of electrification between Newbridge and Bathgate
Opening of Bathgate (replacement) station

 

[swt_passenger]

I do wonder how long this "gold" rail joiner will last!
I can see someone stealing it, putting it in an envelope, sending it to a cash-for-gold company, and then getting a reply "Sorry this is not gold"

edit :
How many speeling mistokes can you spot in that press release!

Yes... perhaps it is ALL 'pandral clips' that are golden, and only 'Pandrol' clips that are steel...

This from the same experts who used a picture of TPWS grid near Axminster to illustrate a 'supermarket trolley' on the line... :roll:

 

[Nightrider]

http://news.stv.tv/scotland/194701-130-jobs-to-be-created-as-new-rail-line-opens/

 

[p.d87]

I'm just saying that the above track access document actually shows (accidentally or otherwise) that Blairhill and Coatdyke will actually see a decreased service frequency in the peak times! We have 6tph in these stations, and nowhere on that document suggests that that frequency will be maintained. I hope it's just an error, and that we will at the very least continue to see 6tph in the peaks when we need it.

Plus, as I said, we do have more passengers than Sunnyside. And a significant number of people who would travel Eastbound. It just would not make sense to call trains at Sunnyside without calling trains at Blairhill, as there are more passengers using the station than Sunnyside, and probably just as much (if not more) demand for Eastbound travel.

But, as I've said above, I am happy to wait for the new timetable to come out before moaning too much!

With Blairhill being my local station I am a little confused as to what to expect from the new timetable. I thought that we would see a 15 min frequency through to Edinburgh. I can understand why 2 of the 3 new stations are getting a 30 min service each way as they are relatively small but Blairhill and Coatdyke both serve a large area of commuters and for them to only recieve a half hourly service to West Lothian and the Capital would not in my mind "make the A2B beneficial to the people of North Lanarkshire and West Lothian" as the website promotes.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

IN OTHER A-B NEWS... the new rail link is creating 130 new jobs. Good stuff

EDIT: just seen the link above, thanks NightRider

 

[tbtc]

With Blairhill being my local station I am a little confused as to what to expect from the new timetable. I thought that we would see a 15 min frequency through to Edinburgh. I can understand why 2 of the 3 new stations are getting a 30 min service each way as they are relatively small but Blairhill and Coatdyke both serve a large area of commuters and for them to only recieve a half hourly service to West Lothian and the Capital would not in my mind "make the A2B beneficial to the people of North Lanarkshire and West Lothian" as the website promotes.

So, your local station is getting a brand new half hourly service to the capital (with no loss in the service into Glasgow), and you don't think its beneficial?

A half hourly train to Edinburgh is still better than many places in Scotland get

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Apparently Garrowhill and Blairhouse have similar passenger numbers, so why all this 'it must stop at Blairhouse'? It just down the road from CBS*, so why not just go to/park there, if they are that desperate for the train? I'm oging to get done over for this post

* = Coatbridge Sunnyside

 

[rail-britain]

With Blairhill being my local station
I thought that we would see a 15 min frequency through to Edinburgh

No, just two trains per hour to Edinburgh
The other two (or four) only go to Airdrie
That retains the four (or six) trains per hour in the minimum service requirement
What ever the frequency was prior to the project commencing it will be returned to on completion

 

[MidnightFlyer]

No, just two trains per hour to Edinburgh
The other two (or four) only go to Airdrie
That retains the four (or six) trains per hour in the minimum service requirement
What ever the frequency was prior to the project commencing it will be returned to on completion

Maybe it gets four TPH to EDB and the fasts terminate at Airdrie?

 

[route:oxford]

Blairhill and Coatdyke both serve a large area of commuters and for them to only recieve a half hourly service to West Lothian and the Capital would not in my mind "make the A2B beneficial to the people of North Lanarkshire and West Lothian" as the website promotes.

A half-hourly service is a good service.

It's pretty much the same as what Stirling & Larbert have.

 

[CarterUSM]

A half-hourly service is a good service.

It's pretty much the same as what Stirling & Larbert have.

I think the same myself. I'm not convinced there will be a multitude of commuters from the area going to EDB anyway, though perhaps there will be in the future. I'll be interested in the passenger numbers anyway.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

I think the same myself. I'm not convinced there will be a multitude of commuters from the area going to EDB anyway, though perhaps there will be in the future. I'll be interested in the passenger numbers anyway.

when is the official SR timetable available from the project/SR site? Soon I hope

 

[rail-britain]

when is the official SR timetable available from the project/SR site? Soon I hope

I applied and it was refused
Therefore need to wait until the full publication in two weeks time (or 13 days)