Changing off LNER at Retford - which end of the train?

[becky_rtw]

Hello very knowledgeable peeps.

We are travelling from Surrey to Worksop via Kings Cross on Weds. The Northern train from Retford is once an hour and of course the LNER train doesn't align.

There's a possibility of a 3 minute connection at Retford which would save an hour hanging around at Retford.

I know we need to get to low level platform, but which end of the LNER train would be best best for this?

I've changed at Retford a few times before but in the other direction.

If we miss it no worries we'll get the timetabled connection

 

[JonathanH]

There is a map on the National Rail website.

https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations-and-destinations/stations-made-easy/retford-station-plan

The main issue connecting from the South is the need to get through the subway from the middle of the northbound platform and then progress along the southbound platform to its southernmost point. Three minutes is probably too tight.

 

[800001]

As above, 3 minutes would be way too night. Alight towards middle, under Sunday, and then follow the covered walkway from the London bound platform down to the low level.

 

[DanNCL]

A 3 minute connection arriving from the South is unlikely to work I’m afraid as there’s quite a bit of walking as well as 3 flights of stairs. You’ll arrive at Platform 2 so will want to be at the North end of the train. Which carriage I’d recommend depends what formation the LNER service is - I’d recommend to be closest to the exit from the platform coach D on any train that has a coach D, or coach G if it doesn’t (9 car Azumas).

You’ll need to use the subway to get to the ticket hall, then walk down Platform 1 to reach the low level platforms, the route is signposted quite well.

If arriving at Retford from Doncaster or York you’d likely be able to make a 3 minute connection if you were at the very front of the LNER train, but that won’t work from a train coming from London unfortunately.

 

[yorkie]

Hello very knowledgeable peeps. We are travelling from Surrey to Worksop via Kings Cross on Weds. The Northern train from Retford is once an hour and of course the LNER train doesn't align. There's a possibility of a 3 minute connection at Retford which would save an hour hanging around at Retford. I know we need to get to low level platform, but which end of the LNER train would be best best for this? I've changed at Retford a few times before but in the other direction. If we miss it no worries we'll get the timetabled connection

Would this be a 9 car? If you can say which service it would be, that would help

Assuming a 9 car I think maybe somewhere approximately in the middle; I suspect @robbeech could give an exact coach letter!

If it was the other direction that would be a lot easier and I'd say the very front. However you will need to use the subway to get to the southbound platform, turn right and walk to the very font of that platform and then you reach the low level platforms, so 3 mins is very tight. It's worth giving it a go though.

 

[ainsworth74]

Think this is one of those that it's worth checking if the Northern is a few minutes down in which case it's going to be doable. But if the Northern is on time unless you're up for a sprint it isn't going to happen I suspect!

 

[becky_rtw]

Cheers guys. We're on the 13:06 from King's Cross to Leeds so will keep an eye on the Northern service to see if possible.

 

[robbeech]

3 minutes would be almost impossible without a dangerous run I’m afraid. The timings have always been poor for connections there but unfortunately you can’t really improve one without messing up the other.

You’ll need to be at the front of the 4th carriage to be fairly close to the underpass but the transfer involves the following steps. (Note to all, this has changed so the south bound advice given above is now obsolete too).

1) alight the train about 1/3 of the way from the front of a 9/10 car.
2) head to the underpass opposite the door to the waiting room.
3) head down the steps, under the tracks and you the steps on the other side.
4) turn left through the double doors. This takes you onto platform 1 (the London bound platform)
5) turn left here and head all the way to the end of the building, past the toilets.
6) turn left and immediately right (a staggered straight on) into the newly opened covered walkway.
7) head all the way to the end and around to the left.
8) head over the footbridge over the 2 low level lines
9) head down the steps onto the Sheffield bound Platform.

The minimum connection time at Retford is 10 minutes for a reason.


For reference heading southbound now, the path off the end of platform 1 is now closed so to alight not it’s best to do it from about a 1/3 of the way up the train from the front (back end of 1st class on a 9 car) to access the new covered walkway.

If you’re not on an advance then sometimes the hull trains services connect better in that direction but they’re only 5 car, have no catering in standard class and are not as reliable.

Depending on the nature of your visit to Worksop, the Mallard pub on the platform you’ll arrive on is well worth a visit.

 

[becky_rtw]

Cheers Robbeech I can do Willesden junction Watford train to Richmond line in 3 minutes but I am a runner so can shift when needed. However will have backpack so will take a leisurely stroll and catch the next one instead

Well be jumping in a taxi at Worksop as we have to get somewhere before it gets too dark. I'll keep the pub in mind though should no taxis be available

 

[becky_rtw]

So we made the connection because the LNER train was 2 minutes early

We did have to hustle a bit but no actual running. Absolute win as it got us to Worksop in time to catch a bus the rest of the way.

We were in the perfect carriage so thanks again for the advice.