Connections at Manningtree

[martinsh]

Hi there,

I need to go to Harwich on business on Thursday. Am planning to take the Norwich express from Liverpool Street and change at Manningtree, but I've noticed that there is only a 5 minute connection there. Is that feasible ? What is the likelihood that the branch train would be delayed slightly to await a late-running connection ?

I don't want to be an hour late for my appointment !!

All the best

Martin

PS hope I've put this in the right section

 

[Searle]

Just by looking at OTT, the Harwich train always leaves after the mainline train, even if it means leaving over 5 minutes late, if that eases your mind at all!

 

[30907]

The connection is perfectly doable, especially if you sit towards the front (the subway is in line with the branch platform IIRC), but during the day thé branch train operates as a shuttle with normal a 6 min turnround so is unlikely to be held for more than a couple of minutes. I've no recent experience but I expect others on here can comment.

 

[306024]

As a rough rule of thumb the Harwich train will be held for as long as the turnround time at Harwich Town, if it comes back a couple of minutes late it still makes it's return connections. Coach C is by the stairs, but the station staff ensure everyone gets across.

And while on Manningtree funding has been agreed for lifts to be installed, one day.

 

[smudga331]

Hello, I'm a tad new to all this but stumbled across this on the forum, I live in Harwich and have never really had a major problem with connection times at Manningtree. As mentioned earlier, best to head towards the front of the train when you board at Liverpool Street. They usually say the cut-off time for holding back the Harwich train is a 10 minute delay, any longer and they usually send it on it's way.

I hope this helps!

 

[martinsh]

Thanks everyone, and welcome to Smudga. I'm planning to be on the 1400 from Manningtree on Thursday ...

 

[smudga331]

In which case im guessing youll be on the 13:00 out of Liverpool Street. If so then you shall be fine unless anything drastic/out-of-the-ordinary happens. As this service runs fast from Liverpool Street to Colchester, on many occasions when I have caught it, it has arrived at colchester 3 or 4 minutes early and sat waiting for its departure time for the 7/8 minute trip down to Manningtree.

Have a nice journey none the less and I hope all goes well

 

[martinsh]

All worked out fine - thanks a lot