A simpler Doncaster to Lincoln service

[HST43257]

Ok this isn’t one of my usual radical ideas, but anyway, I’ve noticed that the Donny to Lincoln service is a fairly random 5tpd service. This seems to use 1 unit, taking 45 minutes. Could this not be a 1tp2h service, with a fixed path at each end every 2 hours and c15 min turnarounds? 1 unit still. More efficient, attractive service (except for extra use of diesel). Seems simpler for the controllers, the passengers and the overall railway. Thoughts?

 

[clagmonster]

At present, the units used on Doncaster - Lincoln interwork with other Lincolnshire rural services. This has been done since the days of Regional Railways to provide as good a service as is possible with limited resources. The timetable changes in May with all services running through to Peterborough. In Dec 2021 (possibly May 2022), I believe the plan is to go up to hourly Doncaster - Peterborough, with additional units sourced and traincrew recruited.

 

[Bigman]

Or you could get Northern to operate it as a through Leeds-Lincoln service and bang a 769 on it .

 

[Iskra]

I thought it had got upto 7 per day pre Covid? I thought that was about the right level for that line and I was glad the frequency was improved, it's an under utilised route.

 

[johnnychips]

Or you could get Northern to operate it as a through Leeds-Lincoln service and bang a 769 on it .

I see the smiley, but crossing ECML is difficult in the middle of the station. It’s not too easy with the trains terminating from Lincoln at the south end anyway.

 

[Bigman]

I see the smiley, but crossing ECML is difficult in the middle of the station. It’s not too easy with the trains terminating from Lincoln at the south end anyway.

Would they need to cross the ECML though? If they went through 4 or 8, would they not be able to take the lines South of Belmont yard and then take the flyover from Decoy South Jcn over to Bessacarr Jcn as the current 153 does now from Platform 5?

 

[johnnychips]

Would they need to cross the ECML though? If they went through 4 or 8, would they not be able to take the lines South of Belmont yard and then take the flyover from Decoy South Jcn over to Bessacarr Jcn as the current 153 does now from Platform 5?

@Bigman. You are right, but platforms 4 and 8 do seem incredibly busy. For the amount of through passengers from Leeds and Wakefield to Lincoln, and the prospect of knock-on delays, it wouldn’t be worth it. Once again, I note you had a smiley in your post.

 

[YorksLad12]

Ok this isn’t one of my usual radical ideas, but anyway, I’ve noticed that the Donny to Lincoln service is a fairly random 5tpd service. This seems to use 1 unit, taking 45 minutes. Could this not be a 1tp2h service, with a fixed path at each end every 2 hours and c15 min turnarounds? 1 unit still. More efficient, attractive service (except for extra use of diesel). Seems simpler for the controllers, the passengers and the overall railway. Thoughts?

I don't recall it taking 45 minutes! Perhaps that's the effect of being in Lincolnshire, time seems to run more slowly...

I actually found Leeds-Doncaster and Doncaster-Lincoln to be easier than Leeds-Sheffield-Lincoln, even though I am averse to changing trains mid-journey. The Doncaster-Lincoln frequencies were all over the place, but they were supposedly going hourly before the Great Kerfuffle hit. Got my vote for my occasional visits.

 

[clagmonster]

The Doncaster-Lincoln frequencies were all over the place, but they were supposedly going hourly before the Great Kerfuffle hit. Got my vote for my occasional visits.

I believe the plan was hourly from December 2021. Not sure if that will end up being put back to May 2022. The May 2021, put back from December 2020, changes are only an intermediate stage.

 

[David Goddard]

Phase one of the "Joint Line" enhancements is from May 2021, with the Southern section going roughly hourly (a few gaps) to Peterborough all day.
There will still be five daily services to Doncaster, all as through trains to or from Peterborough so an improvement on the present split at Lincoln.
Understand the Doncaster section will see an uplift in a later change.

I think that the suggestion above to link Leeds-Doncaster services through to Lincoln under Northern does have merit.
If we want to be radical (and as we are in the Speculative Ideas forum I hope I can write this without fear of being shouted down, ridiculed or insulted), then how about having:
*Leeds - Doncaster joins with Doncaster - Lincoln to provide faster through train between Leeds and Lincoln
*Leeds - Sheffield - Lincoln amended to run on to Gainsborough Central stopping service
*Sheffield- Lincoln semi fast moves to EMT and joins with the Peterborough service.

 

[HST43257]

I think that the suggestion above to link Leeds-Doncaster services through to Lincoln under Northern does have merit.
Leeds - Doncaster joins with Doncaster - Lincoln to provide faster through train between Leeds and Lincoln

Interesting, I’d say yes as long as it can do this without crossing the ECML (which I’d guess is possible)

Leeds - Sheffield - Lincoln amended to run on to Gainsborough Central stopping service

I’d make this part of a ’Shef Bahn’, with a Stocksbridge to Chesterfield via Sheffield Victoria and Barrow Hill service and a Dore (+ new platforms and stations along route) to Gainsborough via Sheffield Midland

Sheffield - Lincoln semi fast moves to EMT and joins with the Peterborough service.

Don’t see why not, I want to see more connections to Sleaford.