Doncaster - Sheffield line prospects?

[edwin_m]

My view is that the game changer on this issue is whether/when the East Coast franchise extend the current Newark terminators to York. My understanding is that XC have always been keen to have 2tph via Leeds so this would enable that.

I would, however propose a further XC service with an origin south of Birmingham, to run via Derby and Sheffield, then calling at Rotherham Central/Meadowhall (alternate hours), Doncaster, Goole, Brough and Hull.

This would maintain the South XC connections at Doncaster, provide Hull with a link to Birmingham, and mitigate the likely withdrawal of through services to/from the Yorkshire Coast when electrification reaaches the line via Goole.

Seems like a good idea. A third service on the central part of the XC route was proposed in a RUS a few years back but I haven't heard anything of it since then. Not sure where it would go south of Birmingham though!

 

[BantamMenace]

Seems like a good idea. A third service on the central part of the XC route was proposed in a RUS a few years back but I haven't heard anything of it since then. Not sure where it would go south of Birmingham though!

Swansea or Cardiff?

 

[Haydn1971]

Two extra CrossCountry services in peak would be nice - probably running from York to Birmingham as a core, picking up alternatively Meadowhall and Rotherham. Is there space at Leeds is another question though :-/

 

[tbtc]

My view is that the game changer on this issue is whether/when the East Coast franchise extend the current Newark terminators to York. My understanding is that XC have always been keen to have 2tph via Leeds so this would enable that.

I would, however propose a further XC service with an origin south of Birmingham, to run via Derby and Sheffield, then calling at Rotherham Central/Meadowhall (alternate hours), Doncaster, Goole, Brough and Hull.

This would maintain the South XC connections at Doncaster, provide Hull with a link to Birmingham, and mitigate the likely withdrawal of through services to/from the Yorkshire Coast when electrification reaaches the line via Goole.

It could be a simple replacement of the current Sheffield - Hull service (though obviously longer than the two coach DMUs that Northern currently use on it)?

 

[unlevel42]

An alternative for Rotherham Cross Country passengers would be:

To use the current direct services from Rotherham Central to/from York.
To use the Cross County train service from Rotherham Central on a Saturday to Southampton-if it stopped (this train does not use Holmes Chord).

A new Masboro' station would probably be less attractive than a Meadowhall stop to many residents of Rotherham/Barnsley and east Sheffield.

The tram train does not help Rotherham Central users as it does not go to any other railway station. Changing at Meadowhall South or Fitzalan Square for Sheffield Station is as awkward as using the regular X78.
The new BRT is no use either to Rotherham rail users if as is planned uses Meadowhall South rather than Meadowhall and uses the long way round via the Markets to get to or from Sheffield Interchange
An extension of TT to Swinton would be logical as well as useful to rail users if TPEs stopped there.

 

[IanXC]

It could be a simple replacement of the current Sheffield - Hull service (though obviously longer than the two coach DMUs that Northern currently use on it)?

Absolutely, for that section it would replace a Hull-Sheffield but run onwards to Birmingham and beyond.

 

[IKBrunel]

More platforms at Dore ? I'd say you could easily fit a second platform in for the Hope Valley line, but given a reduced express service on the MML, the option of platforms on the mainline starts to open up, coupled up with a second car park south of Twentywell Lane and CrossCountry links south start sounding a great idea

Drawings for dualling the Hope valley line at Dore with a 2nd platform are out for consultation by NR. it's discussed in another thread along with passing loop at Grindleford.

Platforms on the lines towards Chesterfield aren't in the plan. But maybe post HS2 Ph2 there might be a stronger argument for more stops on the MML.