Croton West Junction to Hare Park Junction

[Cambus731]

Hi. Just looking for advice about how to clear this bit of track. Preferably on a Monday, as that’s when I’ll be travelling from Horsforth to Chelmsford and I’m looking to clear some line en route.

 

[jfollows]

Hare Park Junction - Crofton West Junction (020,028,096) YE05

Grand Central services Kings Cross from/to Bradford Interchange (on table 020) not shown to call at Pontefract Monkhill plus:

Mondays to Fridays:

2N37 2315 Sheffield – Leeds

2N34 2230 Leeds - Sheffield

Sundays:

1E75 1827 Plymouth - Leeds

¶ Diversionary use: when works block Hope Valley line:

Sunday to Friday nights:

1B52 2330/2331 Manchester Airport – Sheffield

Saturday nights:

1B52 2313 Manchester Piccadilly - Sheffield

Tuesday to Saturday mornings:

1B59 0320 Sheffield – Manchester Airport

¶ Diversionary use: when works block Hare Park Junction - Leeds

Same trains as under Calder Bridge Junction - Turners Lane Junction entry, above

from https://www.branchline.uk/rail_chronology/PSUL/2026.htm

1A70 08:56 Bradford to King’s Cross, for example, https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:Y14827/2026-06-03/detailed#allox_id=0
09:41 from Wakefield Kirkgate

 

[Cambus731]

Thank you.
actually I think I traversed it in 2012 in the opposite direction, as I caught an early evening train Grand Central train from Doncaster to Halifax so presumably that would have traversed it.

 

[jfollows]

Thank you.
actually I think I traversed it in 2012 in the opposite direction, as I caught an early evening train Grand Central train from Doncaster to Halifax so presumably that would have traversed it.

Only if it didn’t stop at Pontefract Monkhill; currently only the 20:00 from King’s Cross meets this requirement.

 

[Cambus731]

Actually in hindsight I think it did go via Pontefract.

 

[Peterthegreat]

The 22.30 Leeds to Sheffield stopping service omits Sandal and Aggbrig and goes that way.

 

[156401]

As does the 2315 Sheffield to Leeds going the other way.

 

[lipson89]

I'm afraid your best best is on a Sunday. If that works for you, check RTT for Grand Central departures from Bradford Interchange, calling at Wakefield Kirkgate.
Last Sunday I stayed on the train all the way to Kings Cross and had the bonus of travelling out of Doncaster (8) and connecting with Loversall Carr Junction on the Up line via Decoy South before rejoining the ECML.

 

[Cambus731]

I'm afraid your best best is on a Sunday. If that works for you, check RTT for Grand Central departures from Bradford Interchange, calling at Wakefield Kirkgate.
Last Sunday I stayed on the train all the way to Kings Cross and had the bonus of travelling out of Doncaster (8) and connecting with Loversall Carr Junction on the Up line via Decoy South before rejoining the ECML.

as it happens it looks like my plans are going to change and I’m now going to be travelling from Blackburn to London on Sunday 21st. Any advice on whether I’ll be able to traverse that line en route? I’m guessing Grand Central are my best bet. Do they accept safeguarded staff boxes?

 

[lipson89]

as it happens it looks like my plans are going to change and I’m now going to be travelling from Blackburn to London on Sunday 21st. Any advice on whether I’ll be able to traverse that line en route? I’m guessing Grand Central are my best bet. Do they accept safeguarded staff boxes?

Good news, Grand Central do accept safeguarded staff boxes. I used one for the journey I outlined above.

If travelling from Blackburn on the 21st, you'll only be able to traverse Crofton Park West to Hare Park junction if you head east and board one of the first three GC trains from West Yorkshire to Kings Cross, which can all be picked up from Bradford Interchange or Wakefield Kirkgate. As an alternative, the third train starts from Halifax and still calls at those other two stations.

My service was the 1142-1446 Bradford to Kings Cross, which is the only one that does both the Wakefield and Doncaster areas of rare track.

 

[Cambus731]

Good news, Grand Central do accept safeguarded staff boxes. I used one for the journey I outlined above.

If travelling from Blackburn on the 21st, you'll only be able to traverse Crofton Park West to Hare Park junction if you head east and board one of the first three GC trains from West Yorkshire to Kings Cross, which can all be picked up from Bradford Interchange or Wakefield Kirkgate. As an alternative, the third train starts from Halifax and still calls at those other two stations.

My service was the 1142-1446 Bradford to Kings Cross, which is the only one that does both the Wakefield and Doncaster areas of rare track.

Looks like I’ll have to change at Halifax for a rail replacement bus or coach to Wakefield Kirkgate but it’s worth the minor inconvenience to clear that bit of track.

 

[Sunil_P]

Did it in October last year, normal service trains of a Sunday: KGX to Wakefield Kirkgate and return.

 

[Cambus731]

Just done it on the 1142 Bradford Interchange to Kings Cross

 

[lipson89]

Just done it on the 1142 Bradford Interchange to Kings Cross

Good to hear.

I can see on RTT, that service did the rare bit of track to rejoin the Up main at Loversall Carr Junction after Doncaster. A bonus for you if you were still on the train.

 

[Cambus731]

I was. I took it all the way to London. Yes that was a nice bonus. I’m pretty sure I’ve done that before though. But now I can say for certain.