Routes that are always empty!

[northwichcat]

as I guard I can make quite a bit of commision on all those routes

I imagine two big factors affecting your commission are:
1. The insufficient ticket selling facilities at a lot of Northern stations
2. How cheap/expensive the fare is.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I don't agree with Manchester-Buxton being empty during the day. I've seen plenty worse!

Manchester-Buxton route is the only line I've ever been on an early afternoon train and had a whole carriage to myself.

I did mention in school term time and I was really referring to 11am-3.30pm when I said 'off-peak' as many people travel just after the peak period on any line and after 3.30ish you start getting all the schoolkids.

Imagine the Buxton line was in the South East. The 300+ passengers on some peak services would likely mean 4 carriage trains (not pairs of 2 carriage trains) would be used on all services. If you then have 20-30 on an off-peak 4 carriage service it would look very empty.

 

[Chapeltom]

I find the Manchester to Rose Hill Marple fasts to be more-or-less dead, from peak and off peak experience of it

I totally agree about Rose Hill. Caught the 1351 out of it to Manchester yesterday, 8 people got off and only 8 ended up on the train into Manchester, just 3 when it set off! These services always look pretty quiet and yet get 2tph

The Buxton line which some have mentioned, can be pretty full off peak from what I've experienced but I've also seen it very light on numbers.

 

[ANorthernGuard]

I imagine two big factors affecting your commission are:
1. The insufficient ticket selling facilities at a lot of Northern stations
2. How cheap/expensive the fare is.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


Max fare if going into town from Rose Hill is only £3.30 for an adult and then it usually only stops at Romiley, Ryder Brow, Belle Vue, Ashburys and Picc

Buxton line (mainly am's) Buxton, Chapel-en-le-frith, New Mills Newtown, Disley and Hazel Grove all have ticket offices

some can be quiet but some can be busy regardless what part of "off Peak" they travel, its luck of the draw, they all make reasonable money even with subsidies

 

[northwichcat]

Max fare if going into town from Rose Hill is only £3.30 for an adult

I'm sure a small group of people travelling from Rose Hill to Blackpool would make some nice commission for the guard.

 

[Chapeltom]

I imagine two big factors affecting your commission are:
1. The insufficient ticket selling facilities at a lot of Northern stations
2. How cheap/expensive the fare is.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


Max fare if going into town from Rose Hill is only £3.30 for an adult and then it usually only stops at Romiley, Ryder Brow, Belle Vue, Ashburys and Picc

Buxton line (mainly am's) Buxton, Chapel-en-le-frith, New Mills Newtown, Disley and Hazel Grove all have ticket offices

some can be quiet but some can be busy regardless what part of "off Peak" they travel, its luck of the draw, they all make reasonable money even with subsidies

Never spotted the ticket office at Chapel before?

 

[tom1649]

I imagine two big factors affecting your commission are:
1. The insufficient ticket selling facilities at a lot of Northern stations
2. How cheap/expensive the fare is.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


Max fare if going into town from Rose Hill is only £3.30 for an adult and then it usually only stops at Romiley, Ryder Brow, Belle Vue, Ashburys and Picc

Buxton line (mainly am's) Buxton, Chapel-en-le-frith, New Mills Newtown, Disley and Hazel Grove all have ticket offices

some can be quiet but some can be busy regardless what part of "off Peak" they travel, its luck of the draw, they all make reasonable money even with subsidies

Chapel-en-le-frith was destaffed in 1989. Whaley Bridge still has a ticket office though.

Don't half the Rose Hill services run via Hyde still? Rose Hill is still staffed in the morning peak too.

 

[northwichcat]

Rose Hill is still staffed in the morning peak too.

National Rail shows it as not having a staffed ticket office.

 

[Chapeltom]

It has a tickets window yet I've never seen it open. Apparently its open from 0620 to 1250, M-F.

 

[me123]

I don't. Glasgow is the main route for both towns.

London is the main route from both Cambridge and Peterborough, yet there are services between those two towns. I don't see any reason why an hourly Kilmarnock service wouldn't be worthwhile, encouraging more travel between these key towns in Ayrshire, and facilitating onward travel from Ayr to Carlisle (for example). Of course, they'd ideally be timed to connect with Southbound services from Kilmarnock.

Ideally, I'd like to see an hourly Kilmarnock-Girvan service, with extensions to Stranraer as required. This would serve a number of functions. It would link Ayr to Killie, it would allow people from the Ayrshire Coast to travel South to Carlisle via Dumfries (and beyond), and it would connect into mainline services from Glasgow to give Maybole and Girvan in effect 1tph to Glasgow (albeit with a change at Ayr).

Sorry, I've taken this OT Another one I've noticed is quite quiet is Cumbernauld-Falkirk Grahamston. It only runs hourly, but I think the issue is that every route it serves is already served elsewhere. Falkirk has faster Glasgow services via Croy. Croy-Edinburgh is faster and more frequent than changing at Falkirk G. Croy-Stirling is the same.

 

[ANorthernGuard]

Chapel-en-le-frith was destaffed in 1989. Whaley Bridge still has a ticket office though.

Don't half the Rose Hill services run via Hyde still? Rose Hill is still staffed in the morning peak too.

Ooops my bad..Whaley Bridge lol heck so many routes so little time lol (ive always got them mixed up)
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

It has a tickets window yet I've never seen it open. Apparently its open from 0620 to 1250, M-F.

Yep its open Mon Fri am's, friendly lad whos in there as well always having a chat when we have our half hour turn around

 

[Any Permitted]

The Greenford Branch Line is usually very quiet outside of peak-times. There's been a few times I've had the train to myself between Greenford and South Greenford or even West Ealing if it's very early or very late.

 

[telstarbox]

Gatwick Express - most of the day and evening - 10 coach high density trains with 20 or so passengers on

As I've said before, the Gatwick Express is only slightly faster than the fast Southern services from Victoria to Gatwick, yet much more expensive!

 

[class156]

London is the main route from both Cambridge and Peterborough, yet there are services between those two towns. I don't see any reason why an hourly Kilmarnock service wouldn't be worthwhile, encouraging more travel between these key towns in Ayrshire, and facilitating onward travel from Ayr to Carlisle (for example). Of course, they'd ideally be timed to connect with Southbound services from Kilmarnock.

Ideally, I'd like to see an hourly Kilmarnock-Girvan service, with extensions to Stranraer as required. This would serve a number of functions. It would link Ayr to Killie, it would allow people from the Ayrshire Coast to travel South to Carlisle via Dumfries (and beyond), and it would connect into mainline services from Glasgow to give Maybole and Girvan in effect 1tph to Glasgow (albeit with a change at Ayr).

The main problem with providing an hourly service is slotting the passenger trains between the freight trains. It would be possible if Network Rail redoubled the line or put a passing loop somewhere. The service whenever I have used it was reasonably busy and if the frequency were to be doubled then there would be more usage.

 

[gnolife]

Don't half the Rose Hill services run via Hyde still? Rose Hill is still staffed in the morning peak too.

Aye, half the Rose Hill services stop Fairfield, Guide Bridge, Hyde North, Hyde Central, Woodley, Romiley and Rose Hill, the other half call at Romiley and Rose Hill only

 

[ANorthernGuard]

The usual Hyde branch services still run (and getting busier it feels like) the expresses are what used to run to Marple but as Rose Hill and a barely used large Car Park it made sense to divert it there instead (an actual common sense idea lol)

 

[OxtedL]

The bad quote discipline on here is beginning to irk me ...

I've done Beckenham Jn towards Crystal Palace a few times, and the loadings have been less than exciting. Other than that though, trains are busy in my part of the world. Particularly at weekends. Even when there are replacement buses.

 

[HST Power]

The bad quote discipline on here is beginning to irk me ...
[/QUOTE

You what?

 

[Essexman]

Romford to Upminster branch is usually pretty quiet

I use this quite often.
Off peak I'd say it ranges from 10 - 30, but more in rush hour.
Doesn't need a 4 coach train though - pre electrification was 2 or 3 coaches.
And when I was little the driver sometimes used to let us go in the cab - how things have changed!

 

[Spaceflower]

London is the main route from both Cambridge and Peterborough, yet there are services between those two towns. I don't see any reason why an hourly Kilmarnock service wouldn't be worthwhile, encouraging more travel between these key towns in Ayrshire, and facilitating onward travel from Ayr to Carlisle (for example). Of course, they'd ideally be timed to connect with Southbound services from Kilmarnock.

Ideally, I'd like to see an hourly Kilmarnock-Girvan service, with extensions to Stranraer as required. This would serve a number of functions. It would link Ayr to Killie, it would allow people from the Ayrshire Coast to travel South to Carlisle via Dumfries (and beyond), and it would connect into mainline services from Glasgow to give Maybole and Girvan in effect 1tph to Glasgow (albeit with a change at Ayr).

Sorry, I've taken this OT Another one I've noticed is quite quiet is Cumbernauld-Falkirk Grahamston. It only runs hourly, but I think the issue is that every route it serves is already served elsewhere. Falkirk has faster Glasgow services via Croy. Croy-Edinburgh is faster and more frequent than changing at Falkirk G. Croy-Stirling is the same.

I disagree Me123. I think Glasgow is a far more convenient change point for both north and south connections from both towns. Traffic between the two towns I think is better handled by road.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

The Tattenham Corner trains south of Purley seem pretty quiet off-peak and weekends...

 

[craigwilson]

I don't agree with Manchester-Buxton being empty during the day. I've seen plenty worse!

I've seen peak trains be pretty quiet in the Buxton direction. The first one of the day (at 0702 I think it was) was generally always quiet - not so 1 hr later though when it filled with schoolkids!

 

[yorksrob]

I really can't think of many times I've been on my own on the train - Except the Addiscombe and Bromley North shuttles in the middle of the day in the good old days (with my dad of course).

Even the little North Western beyond Hellifield in the middle of winter had a sturdy handful of walkers and country folk last time I was on it (and of course it got fuller at either end).

 

[317666]

About a year ago, I managed to be the only passenger on a 153

This was on the 06:43 from Cambridge, which now runs as the 06:41, and the last time I caught it there were about 15 people on board. Strange...

 

[ashworth]

The Robin Hood line between Mansfield Woodhouse and Worksop is always pretty empty in my experience.

As I have already mentioned on numerous occasions before, the main problem here is the lack of convenient connections for Sheffield at Worksop.

Worksop is not a large enough town, or any sort of tourist attraction including shopping, that is going to attract people to travel to/from there off peak from either Nottingham or Mansfield.
Worksop is much closer to Sheffield than Nottingham and therefore the people of Worksop look to Sheffield and not Nottingham for employment, shopping and leisure. Anyone travelling further afield from Worksop will probably travel via Sheffield or even Retford rather than via Nottingham because the journey time to Nottingham is quite long.

The southern half of the Robin Hood Line from Mansfield southwards has been a fantastic success, but people from Mansfield would also like to be able travel north, especially to Sheffield without a 40 minute wait at Worksop. An average journey time of 1hr 51min from Mansfield to Worksop is not attractive for a journey that is well under 1 hour by road.

Like Worksop, the communities on the RHL including Shirebrook, Langwith, Cresswell and Whitwell all look more towards Sheffield than Nottingham but they travel there by road becuse the train takes too long. I live just south of Mansfield but never use the RHL to travel north because you can save up to 2 hours journey time by driving to stations at Newark or Chesterfield.

It is up to EMT, Northern, Notts and Derbys County Councils to get together to do something about this but they won't. The whole line revolves around getting people to/from Nottingham and as Notts County Council subsidises the line they don't want people to go to Sheffield!
EMT say there is nothing they can do because the services revolve around arrival and departure times at Nottingham and any changes at the Worksop end would cause problems. Well it certainly isn't connections at Nottingham that is the problem because these days the trains depart to Mansfield and Worksop just before trains arrive from both London and Birmingham leaving long waits for connections. However, the problem could be platform space at Nottingham.

I believe Mansfield and stations north to Sheffield is a completely untapped market, which with good connections at Worksop, or better still through trains to Sheffield, could see a significant rise in passenger numbers north of Mansfield.

 

[Jeff Worsnop]

Even the little North Western beyond Hellifield in the middle of winter had a sturdy handful of walkers and country folk last time I was on it (and of course it got fuller at either end).[/QUOTE]

Surely the Little North Western closed many years ago.
Do you mean the Midland route from Settle Junction to Carnforth?

 

[Blindtraveler]

The main problem with providing an hourly service is slotting the passenger trains between the freight trains. It would be possible if Network Rail redoubled the line or put a passing loop somewhere. The service whenever I have used it was reasonably busy and if the frequency were to be doubled then there would be more usage.

stranrar will without a doubt be empty soon as any ferry passengers wil avoid an extra change and use the coach when the ferry moves. much as I like the idea of generating more travel opportunitties for punters in airshire they will soon need to look at more coaches on carlisle via dumfries runs. I did it up and down the other day for the first time in yonks and it was pritty wedged.

Maybe the spare 158s freed up by Bathgate could take more strain on shots line workings and allow extra 156s for southwest Scotland runs? Also, a direct Edinburgh - Carlisle run would be useful too starting with a booked edinburgh - shots - glasgow fast and then reverse. Sorry, OT.

 

[WatcherZero]

Closest ive ever been to an empty train was a friday early evening into Windermere, three carriages and three passengers. By contrast the morning return on Sunday was relativley packed, though I was waiting forever for it (first time ive had to wait more than an hour for a train, im spoiled living in GM).

 

[YorkshireBear]

Even the little North Western beyond Hellifield in the middle of winter had a sturdy handful of walkers and country folk last time I was on it (and of course it got fuller at either end).

Surely the Little North Western closed many years ago.
Do you mean the Midland route from Settle Junction to Carnforth?[/QUOTE]

Hes refeerring to the line from hellifield to clitheroe? which is definitely still there

 

[route101]

I always find that Bellgrove to Springburn is always a peaceful journey. Most of the time, there is NOBODY on there, even on the return journey. Empty.

What about you? Thanks.

Barnhill strikes me as a v quiet station .I think springburn is well served by buses. Whifflet and Paisley Canal used to strike me as quiet services but ive seen a few more on the Whifflet Recently .

 

[HST Power]

About a year ago, I managed to be the only passenger on a 153

This was on the 06:43 from Cambridge, which now runs as the 06:41, and the last time I caught it there were about 15 people on board. Strange...

You were very lucky! Was it at the weekend?