East Coast Main Line closure this week

[38Cto15E]

The ECML is closed for through trains on the 16th and 17th May between Peterborough and Doncaster, it seems unusual for a midweek closure, what is the reason for the closure?

 

[Gaelan]

I believe LNER is trying to move away from weekend closures now that rail demand is shifting more towards leisure.

 

[swt_passenger]

The ECML is closed for through trains on the 16th and 17th May between Peterborough and Doncaster, it seems unusual for a midweek closure, what is the reason for the closure?

This is already explained here, in post #16:

What's happening on the ECML? on 18/19 April and 16/17 May

Hull Trains website says for both of these two-day midweek periods: "We are awaiting confirmation of Network Rail engineering works on our route. Confirmed service details will be added below as soon as we have received a confirmation." It's unusual for midweek engineering works to impact on...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[dan4291]

I believe LNER is trying to move away from weekend closures now that rail demand is shifting more towards leisure.

Network Rail you mean? LNER don't run the ECML, despite what some lazy journalists write!

 

[pdeaves]

Network Rail you mean? LNER don't run the ECML, despite what some lazy journalists write!

LNER pressure NR to avoid weekend closures

 

[Gaelan]

Network Rail you mean? LNER don't run the ECML, despite what some lazy journalists write!

D'oh! You're right, of course.

 

[800001]

Network Rail you mean? LNER don't run the ECML, despite what some lazy journalists write!

LNER are actively encouraging these weekday closures.
This is a trial to see how customers react to it.
Saturday and Sunday are now the busier days for LNER, and when you think on Sundays they run extra Edinburgh - Kings Cross trains which are often full all day, you can see why they would be keen for week day engineering work.

 

[dan4291]

LNER are actively encouraging these weekday closures.
This is a trial to see how customers react to it.
Saturday and Sunday are now the busier days for LNER, and when you think on Sundays they run extra Edinburgh - Kings Cross trains which are often full all day, you can see why they would be keen for week day engineering work.

I get that completely, my general point is that it's not just LNER running the show, not just them encouraging the weekday engineering work. All other TOCs on the route are doing the same thing and working round it (Hull Trains and Grand Central on Lincoln diversions, Lumo running to Doncaster once a day) precisely for the same reasons as LNER, that weekend travel is booming.

 

[Halish Railway]

Can the Lincoln joint lines accommodate all of the diverted ECML traffic given that the Intermodal trains that normally use the route run more frequently on weekdays?

 

[The Planner]

Can the Lincoln joint lines accommodate all of the diverted ECML traffic given that the Intermodal trains that normally use the route run more frequently on weekdays?

Presumably yes or the FOCs would have soon disputed it.

 

[TheBigD]

Can the Lincoln joint lines accommodate all of the diverted ECML traffic given that the Intermodal trains that normally use the route run more frequently on weekdays?

No problem. Was upgraded in 2013/4. Transformed from the previous manual crossings, absolute block signalling and 55mph line speed. Now 75mph for most of it, modern 3 aspect signalling, and modern level crossings.

 

[railfan99]

No problem. Was upgraded in 2013/4. Transformed from the previous manual crossings, absolute block signalling and 55mph line speed. Now 75mph for most of it, modern 3 aspect signalling, and modern level crossings.

It'd due to history, but terrific that in UK there can sometimes be the option of an alternative route.

In my country, due to less density of the rail network, mostly no chance. So road coaches in rural areas or buses in suburban areas it is, at a great cost in lost time to passengers.

 

[snowball]

No problem. Was upgraded in 2013/4. Transformed from the previous manual crossings, absolute block signalling and 55mph line speed. Now 75mph for most of it, modern 3 aspect signalling, and modern level crossings.

Pretty frustrating if you want to get about by road in Spalding, though.