LNER Set Down Only (Haymarket and Edinburgh)

[VT 390]

On most Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in August 1E11 (07:52 Aberdeen to Kings Cross) and 1E15 (09:52 Aberdeen to Kings Cross).

I assume this is because of Edinburgh services expected to be busier in August due to Edinburgh Festival event.
But I am wondering why it is only these 2 services and not the other Aberdeen to Kings Cross or even the Inverness to Kings Cross services as well as when I have used the Inverness in the summer it has been as busy as the Aberdeen services?

From what I can see none of the northbound services have equivalent pick up only restrictions as surely there will be many people coming into Edinburgh as well as going out?

I would appreciate any insights anyone may have relating to the specifics of why only those 2 services have the restrictions and why there are no restrictions on northbound services.
Also, are these restrictions going to be strictly enforced (potentially difficult at Haymarket) like Avanti restrictions at Watford Junction or are they more of a guide like Greater Anglia services at Stratford?

 

[Kite159]

Made sense when the service from Aberdeen & Inverness were the fast trains to London, but limited sense when those are the stoppers these days.

Just means for anybody wanting to travel from Edinburgh to say Darlington, they will need to catch an earlier service from Edinburgh (the TPE stopper) and change at Berwick.

 

[The exile]

On most Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in August 1E11 (07:52 Aberdeen to Kings Cross) and 1E15 (09:52 Aberdeen to Kings Cross).

I assume this is because of Edinburgh services expected to be busier in August due to Edinburgh Festival event.
But I am wondering why it is only these 2 services and not the other Aberdeen to Kings Cross or even the Inverness to Kings Cross services as well as when I have used the Inverness in the summer it has been as busy as the Aberdeen services?

From what I can see none of the northbound services have equivalent pick up only restrictions as surely there will be many people coming into Edinburgh as well as going out?

I would appreciate any insights anyone may have relating to the specifics of why only those 2 services have the restrictions and why there are no restrictions on northbound services.
Also, are these restrictions going to be strictly enforced (potentially difficult at Haymarket) like Avanti restrictions at Watford Junction or are they more of a guide like Greater Anglia services at Stratford?

Whether enforceable or not, what it will mean is that no itinerary-based tickets from Edinburgh (and anywhere involving a change there) will be sold for those services.

 

[Carntyne]

Lots of ScotRail service from Haymarket to Edinburgh are set down only, so they can depart immediately when ready, given the frequency of trains between the stations. Assume it'll be something along those lines?

 

[VT 390]

Lots of ScotRail service from Haymarket to Edinburgh are set down only, so they can depart immediately when ready, given the frequency of trains between the stations. Assume it'll be something along those lines?

I do believe that is the reason for the ScotRail eXpress services at Haymarket having set down restrictions but for these 2 LNER services I do not think this is the case as they still have the usual dwell time in the working timetable and outside of August they stop at both Haymarket and Edinburgh to pick up and set down.

 

[Kite159]

Lots of ScotRail service from Haymarket to Edinburgh are set down only, so they can depart immediately when ready, given the frequency of trains between the stations. Assume it'll be something along those lines?

Other than the Glasgow - Edinburgh 'Express', other ScotRail services are open calls at Haymarket heading into Edinburgh, just with a 'go when ready' policy if they arrive ahead of schedule. See similar to South Eastern at London Bridge heading into Charing Cross or Cannon Street

 

[Peter0124]

Wait so are those two services not boardable from Edinburgh then? Seems a bit silly.

 

[VT 390]

Wait so are those two services not boardable from Edinburgh then? Seems a bit silly.

Yes on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays throughout August (plus 1 on Sundays).
They are booked to use platform 1/2 so should be relatively easy to block platform access if LNER wanted to, it will be more difficult at Haymarket though.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/detailed/gb-nr:EDB/to/gb-nr:KGX/2026-08-21/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt&toc=GR