Doncaster to Selby

[MontyP]

When did Northern stop serving the Doncaster to Selby route? I was trying to plot a route from London to Garforth a few weeks ago, avoiding Leeds because of the OHLE damage. And was surprised to see that the only services on this route are now the Hull Trains services. I remember that when the ECML Selby bypass opened, there were local trains Doncaster-Selby-York. These were split into separate Doncaster-Selby and (Hull-)Selby-York when the Hull-York frequency was increased (1990s?) but I didn't realise that Northern had stopped the locals between Doncaster and Selby.

 

[3RDGEN]

Northern still run one Hull - Sheffield service each way a day via Selby, purely for route knowledge purposes;

"https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:W46061/2024-12-20/detailed#allox_id=0"
"https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:W46062/2024-12-20/detailed#allox_id=1"

Hull Trains now provide the Doncaster - Selby service in general with the two above ones and odd LNER service.

The Selby - Doncaster services went years ago but I can't say when, once HT's started running there was no need for it apart from retaining route knowledge with the daily Hull - Sheffield service as above. Historically it would have been a 70/75mph DMU which would cause issues on the ECML but now it's booked a 170 so is 100mph which will help a bit with the pathing.

 

[Helvellyn]

I'm surprised LNER hasn't withdrawn from the Doncaster-Hull route in favour an extra service into York. Sunderland, Glasgow and Stirling extensions in marginal time all went with the timetable change but Hull clings on.

 

[3RDGEN]

I'm surprised LNER hasn't withdrawn from the Doncaster-Hull route in favour an extra service into York. Sunderland, Glasgow and Stirling extensions in marginal time all went with the timetable change but Hull clings on.

Me too, can't understand why it still runs with seven HT's services per day it's not required and should have gone years ago. Perhaps give the peak time paths to HT's and then LNER can use the unit to better effect and save the empty stock move from Doncaster.

 

[Wilts Wanderer]

I think even if you go back to the early 1990s there were only a small handful of local services between Doncaster and Selby, maybe 3-4 per day max? By contrast Selby-York was pretty much hourly, alternating between a local shuttle and a Hull-York most of which ran via Church Fenton.

 

[mike57]

I have a cousin living in Selby and the poor connectivity south has been a cause for complaint ever since the Selby diversion opened. Once Hull trains began operations at least there was 1 service per 2 hours, but prior to that the service was very poor. Prior to the diversion I seems to remember there was 'Semi fast' York - London service which called at Selby.

The time penalty by other routes is such that if you are travelling to London then you are best off just timing your journey around the Hull trains timetable.

I also wonder why the token LNER service to and from Hull still operates, particularly now HT are managing to run 10 cars on the busiest services. The LNER service used to call at Peterborough, but now calls at Grantham instead, so doesn't even offer any alternative journey possibilities. What is the loading like on it? I havent used it for years, as the early HT departure leaves from Beverley which is a much easier rail head for us if we need an early start for London.