Lines/Stations with no Sunday service

[A0]

Finsbury Park - Moorgate doesn't have a Sunday service.

I'm tempted to say Macclesfield to Stoke... given the level of service it might just as well not have one

 

[142094]

not to have a sunday service in 2012 is ridiculous.

That's one of the main reasons why I'm asking - Network Rail say they want to move towards a 24 hour railway, when some lines don't even get a 7 day railway.

I understand that in some cases this is due to signalling arrangements (Lincolnshire springs to mind) and staffing, but I'm sure many lines could have some sort of Sunday service.

 

[WillPS]

Shirebrook-Worksop

What? I've been on the whole of the RHL on a Sunday, I'm sure? Only like 4 return journeys but still...

 

[fairysdad]

Finsbury Park - Moorgate doesn't have a Sunday service.

It doesn't have a Saturday service either.

I know it's not NR, but does the Waterloo & City Line not have a Sunday service either?

 

[Eagle]

I'm tempted to say Macclesfield to Stoke... given the level of service it might just as well not have one

XC still do Macclesfield to Stoke 1tph on Sundays though...



Oh, what about the Snow Hill tunnel (well, until they've finished the works there)?

 

[142094]

It depends on demand, not year...

You could say that a lack of service is the reason for a lack of demand (and not vice versa).

TBH it is very hard to judge demand without putting a service in.

 

[Eagle]

You could say that a lack of service is the reason for a lack of demand (and not vice versa).

TBH it is very hard to judge demand without putting a service in.

Would that the rail system be more open to experimentation like this...

 

[A0]

XC still do Macclesfield to Stoke 1tph on Sundays though...



Oh, what about the Snow Hill tunnel (well, until they've finished the works there)?

Sorry, should have been clear - I meant Macc - Stoke stoppers. First one is about 4 in the afternoon....

 

[Harlesden]

West Ealing-Greenford
Moorgate-Finsbury Park
Several lines have a summer Sunday service but nothing in the winter

 

[jopsuk]

London Cannon Street, unless Charing Cross is closed.

I reckon this must be far and away the busiest station with no Sunday service. Makes perfect sense, of course, what with The City being rather dead on Sundays- and it isn't that far from London Bridge, which (usually) has a good service from all points served from Cannon Street. Why open and staff a large london terminal that isn't needed on a Sunday?

 

[TGVDUDE]

aswell as my local line, the Maesteg line lacks a Sunday service, although the Cardiff - Cheltenham stops is operated I think

 

[Cundy66]

I know this wouldn't class as a zero service but the Sheffield-Lincoln line has only 4 services in the afternoon, departures from Sheffield 1342, 1543, 1743 and 1932... I don't see personally why all the services are in the afternoon I don't know but OT I would have put 2 morning 2 afternoon anyway hope it helps a bit

Tom

 

[MidnightFlyer]

I know this wouldn't class as a zero service but the Sheffield-Lincoln line has only 4 services in the afternoon, departures from Sheffield 1342, 1543, 1743 and 1932... I don't see personally why all the services are in the afternoon I don't know but OT I would have put 2 morning 2 afternoon anyway hope it helps a bit

Tom

As with quite a few similar probelms, I suspect it all comes down to staffing signal boxes - see Whitehaven-Carlisle and Crewe-Derby on Sundays as further proof.

 

[WillPS]

Signal box only works half a day on Sunday. Same with Derby - Crewe.

 

[p123]

Anderston -a stones throw from Glasgow Central - is closed on a Sunday. It's always unique to sit on the train and fly through it semi in the dark!

 

[Eagle]

Holton Heath is weekday daytimes only.

 

[causton]

I reckon this must be far and away the busiest station with no Sunday service. Makes perfect sense, of course, what with The City being rather dead on Sundays- and it isn't that far from London Bridge, which (usually) has a good service from all points served from Cannon Street. Why open and staff a large london terminal that isn't needed on a Sunday?

Indeed - I believe this is the same reason the Moorgate-Finsbury Park section is closed on Saturdays and Sundays... although with changing travel patterns, a lot of people change straight off the trains at Finsbury Park to catch the Victoria Line southbound, so Highbury and Islington would be good to serve (for Overground connections too!)

I am unsure as to whether there needs to be staff at the stations for them to remain open - I believe there is a dispatcher at Moorgate required but you could run Moorgate - Highbury and Islington - Drayton Park for AC/DC switchover - Finsbury Park easily - if there is the demand for it at weekends!

 

[Temple Meads]

Liskeard - Looe has no Sunday service in the inter.

 

[iphone76]

Prittlewell on the Southend Vic NXEA line is not served on a Sunday. (I believe due to some old covenant).

 

[tom1649]

What? I've been on the whole of the RHL on a Sunday, I'm sure? Only like 4 return journeys but still...

There was for a little while. However, this was funded by Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire county councils. Since this funding was cut, the Sunday service now only runs Nottingham - Mansfield Woodhouse.

 

[SWT_USER]

Incredibly annoyingly Hanwell and West Ealing are not served on a Sunday despite Heathrow Connect trains still running.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Don't think Acton Mainline has a Sunday service either.

 

[Cliveblackpool]

One piece of good news.. Introduction of Sunday service on the Newquay branch line. (Sadly, at the expense of the early morning weekday service) 1/2 price fares, hope it is a success! http://www.greatscenicrailways.com/Newquay.pdf

Already mentioned by driver9000. No services to Blackpool South (Blackpool South to Colne) Winter Sundays. Nov - Feb. Sunday service restarts in March. Colne to Preston still runs. Blackpool Pleasure Beach opens weekends from 10/02/12, and was open in December 2011 till the 24th. The line is also well used by locals.

 

[matchmaker]

I find some of these services, or the lack thereof, bizarre when you can do a return trip from Thurso to Glasgow on a Sunday!

OK, you spend 15 hours and over 600 miles on a 158 and only have time to visit Burger King and WH Smith at Queen Street Station, but it is still do-able

 

[charlee]

Newquay to Par doesnt have sunday service. I lived there for 3 years and could never leave on a sunday, was annoying to say the least!

 

[cle]

Indeed - I believe this is the same reason the Moorgate-Finsbury Park section is closed on Saturdays and Sundays... although with changing travel patterns, a lot of people change straight off the trains at Finsbury Park to catch the Victoria Line southbound, so Highbury and Islington would be good to serve (for Overground connections too!)

I am unsure as to whether there needs to be staff at the stations for them to remain open - I believe there is a dispatcher at Moorgate required but you could run Moorgate - Highbury and Islington - Drayton Park for AC/DC switchover - Finsbury Park easily - if there is the demand for it at weekends!

I think this must get looked at, at some point. Old St is a huge nightlife and weekend hangout (Brick Lane etc...) and is always busy.

Especially now H&I has so many Overground connections, and the Hertford loop is likely to become more self-contained.

 

[Shimbleshanks]

One could also add large random sections of the London Underground, which is often shut for engineering work - and often on a Saturday too.

Llandudno Junction-Blaenau Ffestiniog doesn't have a service in winter.

In fairness, the railways do seem to be making a bit more of an effort in this respect. I can remember a time not so long ago when the Central Wales and Cambrian Coast services had nothing on Sunday, not even in summer. Even the Uckfield branch in south-east England only had trains on summer Sundays.

One issue with (re)introduction of Sunday trains is what to do in the event of engineering works. The rail operator may have been willing to introduce a service but not to foot the bill for replacement buses. I think services on the Uckfield and Barking-Gospel Oak lines were introduced some years ago with the proviso that if the line was shut by engineering work, no replacement bus would be provided. Having said that, I have checked the National Rail timetable and a replacement bus is being shown this Sunday (15 Jan) for Oxted-Uckfield (albeit with a rather mind-boggling journey time of 1hr 42 mins as against 44mins for the regular train service).

 

[lincolnshire]

There is no Sunday service at he stations between Doncaster and Scunthorpe, the line is open but only TPE trains run , as the stopping service is provided by Northern trains.
Used have a limited service in summer , but none at all now.
If you live at Thorne near Thorne South station you have to walk to Thorne North where you can catch a Northern service but only to Hull direction or Doncaster.

 

[rmt-driver]

Greenford branch closes to passenger trains on Sundays (ridiculously)

Meaning no trains at all from Acton Main Line. Also West Ealing and Hanwell close on Sundays (West Ealing is a very busy station!)

 

[SWT_USER]

Greenford branch closes to passenger trains on Sundays (ridiculously)

Meaning no trains at all from Acton Main Line. Also West Ealing and Hanwell close on Sundays (West Ealing is a very busy station!)

Can understand the Greenford branch as its generally empty past West Ealing off peak, however Heathrow Connect should still serve Hanwell and West Ealing and possibly stop additionally at Acton Mainline.

 

[Cliveblackpool]

Newquay to Par doesnt have sunday service. I lived there for 3 years and could never leave on a sunday, was annoying to say the least!

On Winter Sundays 2011 to 2012 there is a train departing Newquay at 11.12, 15.10, & 17.30.
1/2 price tickets, only available from guard on the train.
£2.20 day rtn, that has to be a bargain!!