St Pancras before HS1

[YorksLad12]

It's a nice place to wander around, but I wouldn't go there to catch a train...

If the circulation area for the MML trains was larger (buy not having such a big hole cut in the floor, and the escalators moved back 10 feet away from the trains, say (I'm going from memory)) it might be more bearable, but the queuing system to board looks like an angry mob when you arrive off an incoming set and try to get past them!

 

[Joe Paxton]

It's a nice place to wander around, but I wouldn't go there to catch a train...

If the circulation area for the MML trains was larger (buy not having such a big hole cut in the floor, and the escalators moved back 10 feet away from the trains, say (I'm going from memory)) it might be more bearable, but the queuing system to board looks like an angry mob when you arrive off an incoming set and try to get past them!

I recall hearing something along the lines of when the design specs for the 'new' St Pancras were being finalised, it ultimately came down to one senior railway manager (in which organisation I'm not sure) who decided that the Midland main line only needed four high-level platforms rather than six. I've no idea whether there's anything in this, but given passenger growth on the MML one can't help but conclude this was a suboptimal choice.

 

[Bald Rick]

I've no idea whether there's anything in this, but given passenger growth on the MML one can't help but conclude this was a suboptimal choice.

This comes up repeatedly. 4 platforms is sufficient. There is no capacity on the MML for more than 6tph ‘EMR’ services, as now, and no prospect of the very significant capital investment that would be required to increase it. 6tph (2 of which are EMUs with short turnround) off 4 platforms is simple.

 

[TheBigD]

This comes up repeatedly. 4 platforms is sufficient. There is no capacity on the MML for more than 6tph ‘EMR’ services, as now, and no prospect of the very significant capital investment that would be required to increase it. 6tph (2 of which are EMUs with short turnround) off 4 platforms is simple.

The EMUs on the Corby services generally have around 23 minutes turnaround at St Pancras.

The Meridians on the Nottingham and Sheffeild have as low as 10 minutes (1255 arrival forms the 1305 departure), but usually have around 40 minutes for the Nottinghams, and 23 minutes for the Sheffields, though it does vary a fair bit during the day.