Hertford East branch?

[Harry Douthwaite]

I may be coming to England this summer, but I'd like to ask a question or two about the line before I jump in and make a mistake about timing, like I did last time. (Filmed train at Stanstead Abbotts, waited for second train to come with the camera waiting, and then I figure out that the other train comes back in 25 minutes! (The same unit as the last one!)

Anyway, here is what I'd like to ask...

1. Are any Class 315s still running from Hertford? I haven't got many of them on camera, only one. The Intalink one in July, 2004.
2. The schedule is bound to have changed again, what time should the trains come through Stanstead Abbotts and Ware? I'd read the NXEA timetable, but it's not too easy to read.
3. Has anything changed since 2006 on the line? I know it's been maintained since (June 2007), but have they changed the sirens on the crossing again or anything else changed?

 

[Jordy]

The 315s still run on the branch, cant help you on the rest but i'm sure someone can!

 

[O L Leigh]

1) Yes there are Cl315's on the branch, but generally only on Sundays or in the morning peak on weekdays. In the morning peaks there are 2 x Cl315 diagrams with double units on each and you may find a single unit deputising for a Cl317 on one or both of the Stratford runs. On Sundays, almost all Hertford trains are covered by Cl315's.

2) Generally the interval is 2tph to Liv St via the Lea Valley line, with trains crossing at Rye House. This means that, under the current timetable, you will get an 'Up' train calling at St Mags at xx16 and xx46 with the 'Down' trains at xx21 and xx51 (timings for Ware are xx12 and xx42 on the 'Up' and xx25 and xx55 on the 'Down'). There are also trains to and from Stratford in the weekday peaks; these being the 0715, 0745, 1818 and 1918 from Hertford and the 0550 (the 0537 ex Liv St), 0650, 1700 and 1800 returns. Saturdays are the same but without the Stratfords. Sundays are a bit different because all trains run via Seven Sisters, so the timings are different with 'Up' trains calling at St Mags at xx02 and xx32 (xx58 and xx28 at Ware) and 'Down' trains at xx03 and xx31 (xx07 and xx35 at Ware).

3) Nothing much has changed since 2006. Some of the jointed track has been replaced with CWR but that's really about the size of it.

I hope you enjoy your visit. Perhaps you'll even be on my train. Just wear your stab-proof vest and don't look too much like a tourist.

O L Leigh

 

[Harry Douthwaite]

Lol, and you watch out for my video camera! It takes excellent quality videos! Even though it's 13 years old! You should see my videos when they are NOT on Youtube! They're twice as good quality as that!
Still, I'm not coming until July, so the weather should be good for trainspotting then.