05:49 Cleethorpes-Newark, any point?

[Boothby97]

All I am asking is there any point in this service. I know this is one of two departures from Cleethorpes-Lincoln/Newark, and if any you lot use it regularly. All opinions welcome.
Thanks, Sam

 

[Failed Unit]

It exists to replace the HST service lost in the 1990s not very well loaded to be honest probably about 5 or 6 people on arrival at Market Rasen and maybe departing with about 12. Not many people use it to get to London because of the infrequency of the line people tend to drive to Newark.

But you could ask the question about ALL services on the line, the timetable is poor, large gaps, poor connections at Lincoln (for east midlands) and Newark (for London). That service is one of the best for getting elsewhere, but people will drive to Newark as the return connections are so poor. Take a look at the timetable there are NO decent departures from London in the afternoon. Take the 1730 and have a 40 minute wait at Newark? No you could drive it in that time.

 

[Boothby97]

It exists to replace the HST service lost in the 1990s not very well loaded to be honest probably about 5 or 6 people on arrival at Market Rasen and maybe departing with about 12. Not many people use it to get to London because of the infrequency of the line people tend to drive to Newark.

But you could ask the question about ALL services on the line, the timetable is poor, large gaps, poor connections at Lincoln (for east midlands) and Newark (for London). That service is one of the best for getting elsewhere, but people will drive to Newark as the return connections are so poor. Take a look at the timetable there are NO decent departures from London in the afternoon. Take the 1730 and have a 40 minute wait at Newark? No you could drive it in that time.

I agree with you 100%. The service operating every 2 hours, usually with a 153 on Saturdays, is stupid. I can understand on putting a 153 on the service mentioned because about 4 people were on it this morning. I know connections are much better by traveling on train to Doncaster or car to Newark. I think the timetable really needs a think.
Could I just ask if a conductor normally comes in on the ECS working, didn't see a conductor on board till the service was in revenue earning service.
Thanks, Sam

 

[Failed Unit]

One of the regular ones I know well, lives at Market Rasen and does drive to Lincoln to get the ECS, the rules won't allow the train to pick him up at Market Rasen heading north. One of the worse ECS in existence, shame the unit can't be stored at Cleethorpes with a taxi back for the crew. It could from a 2130ish Lincoln - Cleethorpes service which passengers want to use!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
When you think about the route, the run down is amazing during privatisation. Problem 1 connections are not guaranteed. Problem 2 for most destinations route Scunthorpe is better including the East Midlands. In the 1980s no-one would travel from Grimsby - Nottingham, Derby, leicester and Birmingham via Sheffield. Now unless you enjoy sitting at Lincoln you would be mad not too!

From Grimsby most trains have decent connection a Newark for London, only 3 do towards the midlands at Lincoln. The other way just 3 trains have decent connections at Newark from London none if you want to leave London after 1030! In this direction connections from Nottingham are better.

 

[Boothby97]

One of the regular ones I know well, lives at Market Rasen and does drive to Lincoln to get the ECS, the rules won't allow the train to pick him up at Market Rasen heading north. One of the worse ECS in existence, shame the unit can't be stored at Cleethorpes with a taxi back for the crew. It could from a 2130ish Lincoln - Cleethorpes service which passengers want to use!

21:16? Departure from Cleethorpes to Lincoln, usually it has 0,1,2 or maybe 3 passengers if you're lucky on board. But I don't believe EMT crews sign on at Grimsby Town or Cleethorpes, only TPE staff sign on at Cleethorpes (TPE staff operate Barton Line as well).
Thanks, Sam

 

[Failed Unit]

In the 1980s there used to be a service to Cleethorpes leaving Newark at about 2100 connecting from the 1930 ex kings cross and the 1918 ex Birmingham at Lincoln. It used to be well loaded. The route towards Grimsby has always had more demand in the evening as people making long distance journeys return.

Oh most Lincoln based EMT crew sign Cleethorpes, look at the Sunday timetable

I know the 2116 Cleethorpes - Lincoln has few passengers just like the 0550ish lincoln - Grimsby is mainly fresh air as cargo!

 

[2Dogbox]

The problem with services on this line as already pointed out well by Failed Unit is that any connections to the midlands from the Grimsby direction and towards Grimsby via Newark Northgate coming back from London in the afternoon are very poor. This has got worse since the East Coast timetable was changed in May.

From conversations I have with passengers there is a real issue with frequency on this route, it being two hourly (ish) and not running to any structured pattern. I gather if there was a regular service this line would be very well used. Its not ideal for someone commuting into Lincoln from Grimsby/Market Rasen to miss the 1723 or don't leave work at 1700, a wait for the 1955 is the the only option.

To answer another couple of points, all Lincoln traincrew sign Cleethorpes and in the morning the guard travels on the ECS from Lincoln to Cleethorpes. Indeed in the winter the only time a lincoln guard or driver sees Cleethorpes is in the dark, either on 557 back to Lincoln and Newark or the 2115 at night back to Lincoln. All our other trains turn round at Grimsby Town.

 

[WillPS]

Railways in Lincolnshire are generally under-served, adding to the region's plight.

 

[Grimsby town]

I used this service the other day there was only me at cleethorpes about 15 people by grimsby and by Market Rasen it was pretty full. I think if the service frequency was made hourly a lot of people would use it.

 

[Jordy]

Yes, Market Rasen used to attract a lot more passengers - I think a lot of them gave up as they couldn't fit onto the trains!

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Railways in Lincolnshire are generally under-served, adding to the region's plight.

I'll give you that, services around Lincolnshire are exceptionally poor. The first service out of the county town on a Sunday isn't until after midday!

Wasn't the line from Gainsborough Lea Rd to Doncaster proposed for closure a while back?

 

[boing_uk]

I'll give you that, services around Lincolnshire are exceptionally poor. The first service out of the county town on a Sunday isn't until after midday!

Better than it used to be. When I worked in Lincoln back in 2002, I couldnt get back to Grimsby at all on a Sunday after a Saturday night out. Station was completely locked up

Catching the bus to Grimsby with a roaring hangover is NOT good.

 

[AlexS]

Jump the fence/gate if possible

I once had a similar issue at Loughborough - turned up at 2100 on a Sunday evening to find the station security gate locked up and a few confused Chinese bods (there are quite a number at the Uni) stood outside trying to get home for a train in a few minutes.

Having tried and failed to open it, I jumped over it using either the nearby flower bed/bike shed for a step up, can't remember which, and wandered over to the dispatcher's office, where, it turns out much consternation occurred because a contractor working on the lines appeared to have swung it shut behind him by mistake and the lock had engaged - both he and the dispatcher came back with me somewhat red faced to reopen it.

It's probably one of the only times I'm likely to be thanked for having jumped over someone's security measure!

 

[Boothby97]

The Sunday Service is appalling, especially for the Summer service, although theirs no service in the Winter.
Thanks, Sam