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Avanti trains reversing between London and Glasgow

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Basil Jet

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I met a woman Thursday night who had taken an Avanti northward on Wednesday and southward on Thursday, and in both directions the train "reversed in a cul-de-sac" somewhere between Carlisle and Glasgow. The southbound train was on time at every station apart from 1 minute late at Oxenholme - I don't know about the northbound. Is this common, and do all of the timetables allow for it? Where might it have been? Note: I definitely mean Glasgow and not Edinburgh (where a reversal at Carstairs would not have surprised me).
 
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RTT says Midcalder Junction in both directions, and yes it is timetabled. Links above are to random trains in the day but looks like all trains did the reversal.
 

plugwash

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Seems to be the case, I looked at a train in the middle of the day on Wednesday and found a reversal at Midcalder Jn Sig Ej982 https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:C50932/2023-03-22/detailed#allox_id=0

Matching up realtimetrains with tracksy and project mapping maps, It seems that the train went to Carstairs south junction as normal but then rather than continuing direct to glasgow via carstairs turned east towards edinburgh. Then reversed near kirknewton and travelling via shotts to rejoin the mainline at Uddingston.

If the trains were showing as "on time" I presume this was a planned diversion and the timetable had been adjusted to take account for it.

I presume this route has only been made possible by the recent scottish electrication programme.
 

Ex-controller

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All trains between London Euston and Glasgow Central are diverted via Midcalder Junction for the next couple of months due to the Carstairs remodelling project.
 

Cheshire Scot

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I was on the 16.40 from Glasgow yesterday. Interesting to note that whilst RTT had the train in correct formation - first class rear ex GLC and front ex Midcalder Jn, the PIS screen at Preston station said First class rear! This lead to station over time as the catering top up trolley was at the wrong end of the platform.

Impressed to note the new line speed round the curve at Carstairs is already in use (40mph - previously 15) and the down to up crossover for down trains now 50 vice 30. .
 
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swt_passenger

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I was on the 16.40 from Glasgow yesterday. Interesting to note that whilst RTT had the train in correct formation - first class rear ex GLC and front ex Midcalder Jn, the PIS screen at Preston station said First class rear! This lead to station over time as the catering top up trolley was at the wrong end of the platform.

Impressed to note the new line speed round the curve at Carstairs is already in use (40mph? - previously 15) and the down to up crossover for down trains now 50 vice 30. .
You may be interested in a couple of videos taken from trains passing over the upgraded routes in the infrastructure forum thread on the work - posts #87 & #93 are the relevant ones:
 

route101

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Looking at taking a spin on a reversal service. Its only Monday to Fridays?
 
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