East Coast Mainline Stupidity

[HST43108]

I arrived at Wakefield Westgate

What clown has designed this timetable ? Is it Souter's doing?

Ah that made me laugh, there's nothing like a good rant sometimes as you say

 

[43094]

In short:

On 9th April, there was engineering work in the Hambleton Jn area all day, meaning that Anglo-Scottish trains were reduced to one an hour from London and diverted via Askern (where there are only a certain number of paths available, and rolling stock constraints also need to be considered, as the route is not electrified).

The second train each hour to Edinburgh generally started from and terminated at York as a result.

As Leeds services were able (in infrastructure terms) to run as booked, these were broadly unaffected, except where there were a small number of changes as a consequence of the engineering above.

On such change was that the 0615 departure from Kings Cross, which on a Saturday usually runs to Edinburgh, was planned to be diverted to Leeds, serving all stops up to and including Doncaster as booked.

Other than noting that this service wouldn't normally call at Wakefield in any case, I don't want to get into the whys and wherefores of adding a call there on this date - however I hope this provides a brief background as to the reason for the planned service alterations on that date

 

[AndrewE]

Completely off-topic but you completely misunderstand the main reason behind Crossrail (and Crossrail 2). It is NOT predominantly to offer enhanced long-distance travel but to offer augmented intra-London travel opportunities. The Central line is already swamped hence the requirement to augment it. Had your plan been the proposal Crossrail would not have been built as TfL would not have provided the bulk of the funding.

Hmmm...
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Also, Lancaster Gate (pretty much Paddington) to Liverpool Street is 10 stops (inclusive) on the Central Line. On Crossrail it is five

I though that extra stations were added in to appease the boroughs that were going to suffer from the construction but weren't getting a station in the original plan.

 

[Marton]

I couldn't agree more... When there are 4 transpennine trains an hour on the core of the route between Piccadilly and Leeds, plus another that comes from Victoria (on top of the locals) I can't understand why they all call at Huddersfield. One or two per hour could be promoted to "Inter-city".



I have been left behind at Leeds coming home in the evening (physically unable to board) when most of the westbound trains I have travelled on in the afternoon/early evening have emptied out at Huddersfield. Not a very good offering to long-distance travellers.



A (Grabs tin helmet and ducks for cover)

Best place to change between Manchester airport and Liverpool trains. All the other places have the risk of platform changes stir stairs lifts etc.