Could a St Albans Abbey to Euston service be viable?

[Flinn Reed]

Moderator note: Split from https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/london-northwestern-class-730s.171835/

Yes it was a curvature of the line issue, and that pretty much put paid to plans to run direct from St Albans Abbey to Euston. The signalling was redesigned to allow for such services.
There were also sighting issues at certain points, mainly the foot crossings which have a high incidence of misuse along the line. An enclosed cab such as a 350 allows for less "viewing time" than a 319, that said 313's used to run along there quite happily.....

Had there been plans to run direct services from St Albans Abbey to Euston?

The Abbey line currently offers a quick connection between Watford and St Albans, but can be underused (at least at off peak) due to the low frequency. A higher frequency to 2tph (by introducing a passing loop, perhaps near Bricket Wood), plus a direct connection to Euston, could really improve usage of the line. The stopping services through Watford Junction use the next platforms from the Abbey line bay. A likely journey time (Abbey line + stopping LNR to Euston) would only be 5 mins slower than a Thameslink stopping service from St Albans City to St Pancras, but the Abbey station is slightly closer to parts of the city centre. Such a service could perhaps take over all intermediate stops towards Euston from the Tring services, with these replaced by 2tph to Milton Keynes (fast to Watford then all stations).

 

[hooverboy]

Had there been plans to run direct services from St Albans Abbey to Euston?

The Abbey line currently offers a quick connection between Watford and St Albans, but can be underused (at least at off peak) due to the low frequency. A higher frequency to 2tph (by introducing a passing loop, perhaps near Bricket Wood), plus a direct connection to Euston, could really improve usage of the line. The stopping services through Watford Junction use the next platforms from the Abbey line bay. A likely journey time (Abbey line + stopping LNR to Euston) would only be 5 mins slower than a Thameslink stopping service from St Albans City to St Pancras, but the Abbey station is slightly closer to parts of the city centre. Such a service could perhaps take over all intermediate stops towards Euston from the Tring services, with these replaced by 2tph to Milton Keynes (fast to Watford then all stations).

at risk of going somewhat off topic.
st albans- watford junction should be ideally some sort of rapid transit type set-up (perhaps sheffield tram-train type)connecting st albans city and watford junction.
that way could could get proper connectivity.

I agree the abbey line is under utilised though, its only full for school run times.