Trivia: Furthest distance a train has been held for

[Peter0124]

To explain better:
I'm looking for real examples were a train has been held at a junction (usually a local train awaiting a fast one overtaking), but how far was the fast train from the junction at the time of the local train pulling up to the red signal?
Usually the fast train is running late aswell on a mainline and the slow trains are held for it to pass first.

For example, Shieldmuir Junction on the WCML has had a local Lanark-Glasgow train be held at it whilst the fast Euston-Glasgow train was around Carluke, about 5-6 miles away. I'm sure there's something that's much longer than this elsewhere on the network.

The best answer for this trivia can be measured by distance from the fast train to the junction, or by the time held at the red signal on the slower train, preferably the former though.

Also, it doesn't have to just be booked waits at junctions, I'm mainly looking for instances were a fast train is running late and stuff is held for it, but I also accept booked waits! And I even accept freight trains being held too!

 

[j37401]

I suppose there will be many instances across the rail network like this every day in every region. A similar instance that gets me in the role as a shunter is departing the bin train from Knowsley onto the single line to Rainford. The passenger service that reverses at Headbolt Lane could be 20-25 minutes late. Usually we aren't allowed out of the siding at Knowsley early so that we clear the single line and pass the late running passenger train on the double track section at Rainford. The signaller doesn't like having the trains out of sequence and won't see enough margin making this move. ie perhaps delaying the passenger by a few more minutes by letting the freight out early. But by not doing this you still have a late running passenger and now have a late running freight service as well! i suppose thats just the railway today.
In answer to your question, probably about 15 miles holding the freight when the passenger is in the Wigan area, but it does involve a single line which isn't quite what the OP had in mind.

 

[ExRes]

To explain better:
I'm looking for real examples were a train has been held at a junction (usually a local train awaiting a fast one overtaking), but how far was the fast train from the junction at the time of the local train pulling up to the red signal?
Usually the fast train is running late aswell on a mainline and the slow trains are held for it to pass first.

For example, Shieldmuir Junction on the WCML has had a local Lanark-Glasgow train be held at it whilst the fast Euston-Glasgow train was around Carluke, about 5-6 miles away. I'm sure there's something that's much longer than this elsewhere on the network.

The best answer for this trivia can be measured by distance from the fast train to the junction, or by the time held at the red signal on the slower train, preferably the former though.

Also, it doesn't have to just be booked waits at junctions, I'm mainly looking for instances were a fast train is running late and stuff is held for it, but I also accept booked waits! And I even accept freight trains being held too!

Sorry but who do you think is likely to be able to answer this without making totally uninformed guesses?

 

[Bald Rick]

There‘s lots of very long distance holds during disruption - For example line blocked at MK, Avanti services held at Manchester.

 

[Peter0124]

Sorry but who do you think is likely to be able to answer this without making totally uninformed guesses?

Based on looking at signal maps or RTT when you're sat waiting for example and wondering what is holding you up? I've been sat waiting at junctions for trains that were over 4 miles away, mostly ones running late.

I'm wanting to know what is the furthest away train you've been held for and if it beats the example in the OP. Or those who work in signalling/in the know could help out?

I can only apologise if my question was misunderstood as its hard to explain.

 

[endofthetunnel]

To be honest your 5 mile example is pretty low in the grand scheme of regulating!

For a couple of quick examples off the top of my head from my patch:
-we would hold a 2Pxx Northern stopper at Thorne Jn for a 1Bxx TPE express that’s not left Doncaster- so that’s 8 miles ish.
- we would hold a southbound ECML Newark or Grantham stopper for a non-stop to London, either held in Doncaster station or at Loversall Jn when the express is still north of Joan Croft Jn, again perhaps 10 miles away
- we would without hesitation hold a northbound ECML freight at Doncaster if there was a northbound non-stop express passing Newark Flat Crossing, which is 35 miles or so away

 

[Taunton]

The former Southern Region used to have a formal ban on any freight trains running in their London area from 0700-1000 and 1600-1900 on weekdays. Anything turning up late just after the start of these periods would be put in a loop until it was over, which of course would mean waiting for trains which might be down at Weymouth or Exeter at that time.

 

[Falcon1200]

On the Far North (Inverness-Wick & Thurso) line, if the afternoon Down train, 2H57 1400 Inverness-Wick, was running late, it became the practice, and then a Regulating Instruction, to hold this train at Helmsdale to cross 2H64 1600 Wick-Inverness, instead of Forsinard as booked. The reason being that 2H57 set and crew had no further work after Wick, whereas 2H64 being late caused chaos with other crossings and next workings, spreading delay onto the Kyle line and southwards as well. The times at Helmsdale are 2H57 1636, 2H64 1744. So 2H57 would be around 70 minutes late departing Helmsdale...

 

[Peter0124]

I can imagine Scotrail stoppers are held at Drem junction for late running LNER trains which are very far away, as there's 5 stations to call at on a high speed line with nowhere to overtake.

Eg this train was held for a late running LNER which was at approximately Dunbar at the time of the SR arriving at Drem junction, some 11 miles away.

Realtime Trains | 2Y13 1120 North Berwick to Edinburgh | 17/08/2025

Real-time train running information for 2Y13 1120 departure from North Berwick to Edinburgh on 17/08/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

It'd be interesting to see how regulating, ARS etc works here.

 

[trainmania100]

Newhaven freight trains are regularly held at balcombe tunnel junction to allow the fast trains from Gatwick and Haywards heath to pass on the fast lines.

Although it's booked to wait there, there probably have been instances where a train leaves Gatwick and the freight is held at the balcombe junction. It's about 4.5 miles from Gatwick to balcombe tunnel junction

There may even be fast trains through Gatwick non stopping to Brighton idk