Some trains via Kingston-upon-Thames only allocated 4 cars?

[Liam_Hendry]

Hi all, quick questions. Ive been to Kingston Upon Thames twice now and for some reasons on Thursdays the trains only run 4 cars, yet are extremely overcrowded. Can anyone explain why only 4 cars ?

 

[Ivo]

What time of day is this?

 

[Southern]

I believe the derailment at Wimbledon Park may have something to do with the short formations at present...unless SWT are now detaching the 455's off peak now?

 

[Liam_Hendry]

Maybe it's for off peak times. Over the past 3 years I've noticed 4 cars on thursdays.

 

[Matt Taylor]

All services on weekdays are booked for 8 cars, in fact there are no booked 4 car workings at all on weekdays for the 455s on SWT. There have been a few short formations this week but these are the exception. For added comfort please not there is a booked Class 450 working through Kingston at around 1933 to London via Wimbledon.

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

All services on weekdays are booked for 8 cars, in fact there are no booked 4 car workings at all on weekdays for the 455s on SWT. There have been a few short formations this week but these are the exception. For added comfort please not there is a booked Class 450 working through Kingston at around 1933 to London via Wimbledon.

It always surprises me that as you say weekday suburban SWT are 8 carriages, but on Sat & Sundays which are also busy they are often only 4 cars. I should have thought keeping it as 8 cars 7 days a week would be logical and more comfortable for passengers, especially if there are any sporting events like Rugger at Twickenham or Racing at Kempton Park, apart from when having to do maintenance etc. It would save time and effort having to split and re attach the units from 8 to 4 and 4 back to 8.

 

[NSEFAN]

It always surprises me that as you say weekday suburban SWT are 8 carriages, but on Sat & Sundays which are also busy they are often only 4 cars. I should have thought keeping it as 8 cars 7 days a week would be logical and more comfortable for passengers, especially if there are any sporting events like Rugger at Twickenham or Racing at Kempton Park, apart from when having to do maintenance etc. It would save time and effort having to split and re attach the units from 8 to 4 and 4 back to 8.

It depends on what demand is expected. Monday-Friday will always have very busy peak hours and plenty of traffic throughout the day, so it's easier to just keep all the trains 8 cars throughout the day.

On weekends, some days will have specific events (such as rugby at Twickenham or races at Kempton Park) and I have seen SWT running longer / additional trains on these days. In general however, weekend services are busy but not in the same order as the Monday-Friday rush hours. It's the perfect opportunity to get maintenance work done on the fleet.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I've known SWT to stick to 4 cars on the Epsom route on Derby Day... :roll:

 

[mister-sparky]

I've known SWT to stick to 4 cars on the Epsom route on Derby Day... :roll:

but they also add in extra services as well...

 

[Southern]

Really? Thought that was just Southern services to Tattenham Corner/Epsom Downs.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Really? Thought that was just Southern services to Tattenham Corner/Epsom Downs.

It is.

SWT just run the normal Saturday timetable on Derby Day!