East-West Rail (EWR): what service (frequency, train type/length) should be provided?

[12LDA28C]

Can any train switch power mode on the fly? As if they aren't wired to Leicester would they have to either all stop at Market Harborough engage/disengage or run Diesel all the way.

Yes, the Hitachi Class 800/801 are able to switch from OHLE power to diesel mode and vice versa on the move.

 

[zwk500]

Can any train switch power mode on the fly? As if they aren't wired to Leicester would they have to either all stop at Market Harborough engage/disengage or run Diesel all the way.

Yes, in fact most trains can, it's infrastructure or operating instructions that prevent them from doing so more often. But the TPE bi-modes and the IETs are certainly switching on the move in service today. Overground also change between OLE and third rail on the move at Mitre bridge Jn, and Class 373s used to change between power on the Fawkham Jn link on the move.

You need the OLE to be ready for the slightly greater strains placed on it to go diesel-OLE but dropping the pan and firing up the diesel is very easy. There are now devices fitted trackside to automatically switch the IETs between modes.

 

[Nottingham59]

Ah, would be interesting to see that

https://www.networkrail.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Midland-Main-Line-Congested-Infrastructure-Capacity-Analysis-240315.pdf

See section 2.4 Kettering to Leicester.

Basically a class 6 aggregates train can't traverse that section southbound without getting in the way of a passenger train.

So freight has to go via Manton, which is going to get more congested when/if they sort out Ely. And has to double back through Leicester if heading to/from Nuneaton.

 

[zwk500]

https://www.networkrail.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Midland-Main-Line-Congested-Infrastructure-Capacity-Analysis-240315.pdf

See section 2.4 Kettering to Leicester.

Basically a class 6 aggregates train can't traverse that section southbound without getting in the way of a passenger train.

So freight has to go via Manton, which is going to get more congested when/if they sort out Ely. And has to double back through Leicester if heading to/from Nuneaton.

Many thanks!

 

[cle]

But I still don't think the operational disadvantages for passengers outweigh the benefits of a direct train for such a small market.

By this, do you mean the local stations' demand on the MML? I agree that I can't see legions travelling from Wellingborough to Leicester (but more than to Corby) - but by this point, there will be EWR. So journeys like Leicester-Oxford or Bicester (and Bletchley/MKC/Hemel/Watford - albeit all very fast by car) will be accessible from Bedford. Eventually Cambridge too, probably an hour faster than the current B'ham-Stansted!

So yes I get your point, but I think Corby survives with 1tph to London and one other. And we do see these conversations about stopping services on other fast mainlines (the London-York does this function) which all have connections and some local demand... the Euston-B'ham-Scotland does this for the WCML but there has often been talk of Crewe-Preston EMUs for similar purpose, to include Hartford etc.

And yes, services stopping at Market Harborough and Kettering could be sped up, benefitting Loughborough and Nottingham especially, from memory. Electric services by then too, with good journey times. And sub/at-hour Leicester, perhaps. As I don't see HS2 to EMP eventuating.

 

[zwk500]

By this, do you mean the local stations' demand on the MML? I agree that I can't see legions travelling from Wellingborough to Leicester (but more than to Corby) - but by this point, there will be EWR.

No, I mean the flows from North Northants and Leics to MK and Oxford. The market just isn't that big.
In contrast, EWR being tied into Oxford, MK (even on a spur) and Thameslink would make it very susceptible to delays being transferred around. It would also mean much longer round trips requiring more stock and drivers as well as displacing the far more popular route to London.
We regularly see posts saying that 4 Car Corby trains are heavily loaded and that 8s are desperately needed, while EWR isn't planning anything longer than 4 car at all. If 2tph can load 8 car why should it go down to 1tph for the sake of a handful of people heading to Oxford. I just don't see an EWR Corby train competing on MK traffic given the extended journey time and interchange at Bletchley.

 

[swt_passenger]

Can any train switch power mode on the fly? As if they aren't wired to Leicester would they have to either all stop at Market Harborough engage/disengage or run Diesel all the way.

Yes. The IEP trains were specified to change power on the move, and all the existing in service bi-mode variants do so. I’d expect the EMR 810s will be no different.