Thameslink services on Sundays

[infobleep]

I noticed today that on Sundays there are trains to Bedford that start at Three Bridges. Why don't these services start from Brighton, like they do Monday to Saturdays.

Is there not so much demand south of Three Bridges? I thought have thought Beighton would be popular, more so in the summer but this still 2 services an hour even then.

I know Gatwick is popular and I guess Luton might be. Are connections to them from London the sole reason four services run with two of them terminating at Three Bridges?

 

[Class 170101]

I think its due to limited capacity between Three Bridges and Brighton.

 

[neilm]

This only happened recently up until 2 years ago (I think) 2 terminated at blackfriars, then they went to East Croydon and now Three Bridges. I imagine terminating them at East Corydon might of been an issue (platform capacity?) and the next best place was Three Bridges?

I have wondered myself why they do not go to brighton, it cannot be because of capacity as they do it the other 6 days a week. Maybe lack of requirement as there is still (4 - 5) trains an hour from Brighton and I wonder if it is to do with a lack of maintenance window to service the 319's and many are in the depot on Sunday?

Its safe to say with the new timetables over the next few years I think you will see 4 thameslinks to Brighton on Sundays.

 

[Hophead]

Perhaps a cost-saving measure in case of engineering work? No need to replace a service that doesn't run.

 

[MrCub]

The bad thing about this is that the Three Bridges services are typically formed of four coaches, and these are typically insufficient. Exceptionally busy today; is it really that difficult to run eight coaches on a Sunday? The Brighton services are typically formed thus.

 

[87015]

Perhaps a cost-saving measure in case of engineering work? No need to replace a service that doesn't run.

It would be the opposite - TOCs generally profit from the compensation received from Network Rail when disruptive engineering takes place.

I'd suggest the extension south was to get to Gatwick for the revenue.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

The bad thing about this is that the Three Bridges services are typically formed of four coaches, and these are typically insufficient. Exceptionally busy today; is it really that difficult to run eight coaches on a Sunday? The Brighton services are typically formed thus.

Summer time the full service goes to Brighton - engineering work on winter Sundays cuts it back to Three Bridges. 4 cars in some scenarios , as no walking route / change ends "patio" for driver. Problem goes away with more 387 and of course 700.s

 

[infobleep]

Summer time the full service goes to Brighton - engineering work on winter Sundays cuts it back to Three Bridges. 4 cars in some scenarios , as no walking route / change ends "patio" for driver. Problem goes away with more 387 and of course 700.s

I wasn't aware 4 FCC trains ran to Brighton in the summer. That's good.

Surely though Drivers have to be able to get out of their cab during emergencies to check the train so surely there is always a walking route for them, given their line side training. Or is that not the case? Three Bridges itself has a platform but if it goes to a siding a platform would not exist.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I'm assuming North of London they have 4 tracks, which is why it's not an issue on Sundays.

 

[neilm]

Thameslink/FCC do not run 4 an hour on summer Sundays to Brighton and at three bridges they remain in the platform.

 

[infobleep]

Thameslink/FCC do not run 4 an hour on summer Sundays to Brighton and at three bridges they remain in the platform.

So the driver can easily switch ends.

 

[ushawk]

The services use to only run to East Croydon, but were extended South in order to give Gatwick 4tph for Thameslink on Sundays. Since Gatwick isnt a great place to turn services around, they continue to Three Bridges.

 

[neilm]

The services use to only run to East Croydon, but were extended South in order to give Gatwick 4tph for Thameslink on Sundays. Since Gatwick isnt a great place to turn services around, they continue to Three Bridges.

Was that the real reason or do you think they did not like turning them around at East Croydon either?

 

[ChiefPlanner]

Was that the real reason or do you think they did not like turning them around at East Croydon either?

Combination of "market opportunities and operational practicality" - apologies for 4 tph to Brighton mentioned - fact is that on Summer Sundays - some of the BTN's are (and need) 12 cars. FCC ran the extensions south of E Croydon as a commercial venture.

I still cannot get over the need for 12 car Cambridge to Kings Cross fasts on a Sunday morning around 10 am !

 

[LBSCR Times]

It's done solely for the Gatwick Airport traffic.
They can berth in Platform 1 at Three Bridges, so drivers can have their breaks.
When there are engineering works south of East Croydon, then they are often diverted via the Wimbledon Loop instead.

 

[Aictos]

I still cannot get over the need for 12 car Cambridge to Kings Cross fasts on a Sunday morning around 10 am !

You should see the 09:09 Great Northern service on Saturdays from Peterborough to Kings Cross which only calls at Huntingdon, St Neots and Biggleswade which is a 8 car 365 yet is full and standing after Peterborough!

As to Sundays on the Cambridge branch, you be surprised how busy the GN services can be!

 

[W230]

I still cannot get over the need for 12 car Cambridge to Kings Cross fasts on a Sunday morning around 10 am !

I've taken this a couple of times and it absolutely heaving. Standing room only (or first class).

 

[infobleep]

I've taken this a couple of times and it absolutely heaving. Standing room only (or first class).

Surely if there is standing room only it's fine for a Sunday. Surely it's only a problem if they leave people behind. After all unless a seat can be reserved, the ticket doesn't entitle you to a definite seat.

 

[87015]

Surely if there is standing room only it's fine for a Sunday. Surely it's only a problem if they leave people behind. After all unless a seat can be reserved, the ticket doesn't entitle you to a definite seat.

It was a NSE aim that in the area off-peak there should be no standing as stock is (nearly) always available. Some TOCs still strive for that, others don't... LO are about the only ones that can be fully excused as stock requirements are almost identical on Saturday/Sunday rather than lower than peak frequencies and train length found elsewhere.

 

[W230]

Surely if there is standing room only it's fine for a Sunday. Surely it's only a problem if they leave people behind. After all unless a seat can be reserved, the ticket doesn't entitle you to a definite seat.

I have no comment either way! Just letting you know its a busy service!