Concerts in Glasgow and Edinburgh

[michael769]

Just seen the advanced notice for next weeks Take That and Bon Jovi concerts: http://www.scotrail.co.uk/content/major-concerts.

I normally leave Edinburgh Waverley (on the Shotts line) on the 1748, which by my reckoning is around the time this might kick off for folks trying to get over to Glasgow. I know that folks will probably all use the Falkirk and Bathgate services, but I am wondering if I'm likely to get caught in in queueing at the station, or if a lot of folks take the Shotts train to get into central?

Does anyone know what it is like in Waverley around 5-6 when there is something like this going on? Would I be better off trying to get to the station an hour earlier?

 

[sonic2009]

I'm not quite sure but the queuing system may apply on the way back from Glasgow, this is usally what happens at Cardiff Central after a Rugby International.

 

[michael769]

Thanks, I would imagine that both Haymarket and Mount Pleasant will have long lasting queues after the events.

I more thinking about the impact going to the event as I will be passing through Waveley at about 5:45, which (assuming the take that starts at 7:30) will probably when concert goers will be trying to get on a train too. Scotrail have a notice up on Journey Check warning that they will have a queueing system in place at Waverley during the peak hours.

I'm hoping that we will have some folks on forum that have past experience of this sort of thing, and who can help me work out if I'd be better adjusting my travel times to avoid it.

 

[rail-britain]

Mount Pleasant will have long lasting queues after the events

Presumably you mean Mount Florida?
Usually queues are not an issue after the events as additional / lengthened trains are used, just as the platform fills up the next train arrives and is held until full

Equally, I don't expect there to be any major issues prior to the events from the outlying stations but I would expect some services to be about 10% over capacity compared to normal
More likely will be issues at the final stations and routes as listed, such as between Glasgow Central and Mount Florida

 

[shotts56]

Presumably you mean Mount Florida?
Usually queues are not an issue after the events as additional / lengthened trains are used, just as the platform fills up the next train arrives and is held until full

You would think this is what would happen, but in reality it doesn't. After Scotland games at Hampden, the queue at Mount Florida station is generally around 30-45 mins long, and very often when you do get onto the platform you can often to wait quite some time for the next timetabled train. I've seen me queueing 45 mins to get onto the platform, and then another 10 mins for the next timetabled train.

The "specials" you refer to used to happen in the past, but being honest I havent seen any for years and I go to every Scotland game. The last few games I've just walked the three miles back to the city centre. Quicker than Scotrail.

 

[Dewedin]

Specials still operate between Mount Florida and Glasgow Central on football days but there aren't many of them. Certainly can be a fair gap between services.

 

[rail-britain]

I've seen me queueing 45 mins to get onto the platform, and then another 10 mins for the next timetabled train.

The "specials" you refer to used to happen in the past, but being honest I havent seen any for years and I go to every Scotland game. The last few games I've just walked the three miles back to the city centre. Quicker than Scotrail.

Yes, that is the way the queueing system should work
The platform is filled up (counting) and then the next train arrives
As soon as it has left (and is no longer visible) the process is repeated

However, on this occasion there are no special services
This is considered more of a general event, so it is not known where passengers were travelling from

Football specials were used earlier this year
As previous, the normal method is increase sets from 3 to 6 car
However, depending on the game it may be known where passengers are travelling from
As an example an Edinburgh v Glasgow football team game
It therefore may be advantageous to run two additional specials to ensure they match up to the last hour of services to Edinburgh (from Glasgow QS)
However, earlier this year it was a an Aberdeen v Glasgow football team, so there was no need for additional Glasgow services, instead it was a direct service to Aberdeen

 

[CarterUSM]

Specials still operate between Mount Florida and Glasgow Central on football days but there aren't many of them. Certainly can be a fair gap between services.

I don't know, there are 4 services an hour calling at Mount Florida from central plus 2 that call at Kings Park, which is equally satisfactory for Hampden. Add a special an hour and that is a fantastic level of service. Walking back to the city is a good way to relieve the blues of another poor Scotland performance however!