Tight and missed connection advice

[hexagon789]

Travelling from Glasgow to Lincoln and I'm slightly concerned over, firstly whether the connections are sufficiently robust to change trains and secondly what to do if any are missed or trains are cancelled.

The itinerary is:

Train 1 Glasgow to Edinburgh
Depart Glasgow Queen Street 0900
Arrive Edinburgh Waverley 0945, plat. 9

15 mins to change, MCT = 10 mins*
(*this one I'm not too worried about, as m very familiar with Waverley and consider even 10 mins is more than ample, for this change)

Train 2 Edinburgh to York
Depart Edinburgh Waverley 1000, platform 6
Arrive York 1214, platform 3

13 mins to change, MCT = 8 mins

Train 3 York to Retford
Depart York 1227, platform 7
Arrive Retford 1306, platform 1

10 mins to change, MCT = 10 mins

Train 4 Retford to Lincoln
Depart Retford 1316, platform 4
Arrive Lincoln Central 1354


Essentially, I'm asking about the connections at York and Retford.

I've been to York a few times, but never to change trains. 3 to 7 is I believe lift to Subway, then lift up on to 6 and walk around the buffers. Any estimate to how quickly that can be done? I assume the MCT accounts for going all the way from 3 by the entrance to the furthest platforms, so 3 to 7 should be a bit less than 8 mins?

Secondly, Retford, I've looked at the arrangement and it seems to be a ramped walkway off the Southern end of 1 which leads towards the low level platforms. Again I assume the MCT accounts for the furthest change, which would be 2 to 3 I think? So 1 to 4, should be doable in less than 10 mins? Again I'd appreciate an estimate of how long it might take.

Finally, I've noticed the 1000 Edinburgh to London KX, is often 5 mins or so late into York, and today it was in fact cancelled.

I presume the onus is to try and make the connection to the 1227 to London at York, unless it falls below the MCT?

If it was missed, is it an absolute must to wait two hours for the 1427 or would using the following Newcastle to London KX semi-fast, alighting at Grantham and changing to the LNER London to Lincoln at Grantham likely be allowed?

Any practical advice or thoughts would be most welcome.

I should add that I'm travelling with someone a bit slow on their feet, hence my heightened concern over connections.

Many thanks

 

[Haywain]

3 to 7 is I believe lift to Subway, then lift up on to 6 and walk around the buffers.

There are steps down to, and up from, the subway as well.

Any estimate to how quickly that can be done?

Pretty quick as there are no lengthy walks involved. The 1227 will usually be parked up by the buffer stop on platform 7, and isn't usually going to be allowed out in front of the faster train. If the connection is tight the Edinburgh train might get diverted to platform 5 to make it a bit easier.

Secondly, Retford, I've looked at the arrangement and it seems to be a ramped walkway off the Southern end of 1 which leads towards the low level platforms. Again I assume the MCT accounts for the furthest change, which would be 2 to 3 I think? So 1 to 4, should be doable in less than 10 mins? Again I'd appreciate an estimate of how long it might take.

I'm not overly familiar with that change but it is easily done in 10 minutes.

If it was missed, is it an absolute must to wait two hours for the 1427 or would using the following Newcastle to London KX semi-fast, alighting at Grantham and changing to the LNER London to Lincoln at Grantham likely be allowed?

If the connection at York is missed, which I would regard as unlikely, talk to LNER staff about the alternatives. I would expect that the 1255 from York to Newark, and 1410 Newark to Lincoln (both LNER services) would be the most likely alternative, and is a cross platform connection at Newark, albeit with half an hour to wait.

 

[Failed Unit]

Retford is probably the most simple change within the station as you don't have to cross any of the railways. 10 minutes is normally fine.

However is there any reason you are selecting these trains (price is a good reason)

The 1030 Edinburgh service stops at Newark (as stated above arrives at Newark at 1342) - With a cross platfrom change to the Lincoln service. This repeats every 2 hours, but you also have the advantage that if it all goes wrong then you can walk to Newark Castle for the pretty much every 30 minute service to Lincoln.

I have done the reverse with is much longer in 5 minutes (You need to cross the bridge over the Lincoln - Sheffield line and use the Subway under the ECML) - I would add however I am able bodied and reasonably fit. When my parents do it I always direct them to Newark Northgate.

 

[Haywain]

you also have the advantage that if it all goes wrong then you can walk to Newark Castle for the pretty much every 30 minute service to Lincoln.

That's a much longer walk than those at York and Retford put together.

 

[Failed Unit]

That's a much longer walk than those at York and Retford put together.

I was meaning if it all goes wrong, normally it is cross platform at Newark with about a 30 min wait. (so unlikely you need to do the walk)

 

[hexagon789]

There are steps down to, and up from, the subway as well.

Thanks, the person I'm travelling with will likely prefer lifts whenever possible, which will likely add a few mins to transfers.

Pretty quick as there are no lengthy walks involved. The 1227 will usually be parked up by the buffer stop on platform 7, and isn't usually going to be allowed out in front of the faster train. If the connection is tight the Edinburgh train might get diverted to platform 5 to make it a bit easier.

It looked pretty short on the old NRE station map, but the exact positioning of the Subway and lifts isn't 100%.

I'm not overly familiar with that change but it is easily done in 10 minutes.

Thanks.

If the connection at York is missed, which I would regard as unlikely, talk to LNER staff about the alternatives. I would expect that the 1255 from York to Newark, and 1410 Newark to Lincoln (both LNER services) would be the most likely alternative, and is a cross platform connection at Newark, albeit with half an hour to wait.

It seems to have been missed a few times this year, hence my concerns but I appreciate the confirmation that one of my two back-up options is at least feasible. Hopefully if it comes to it, station staff at York will allow the alternative without qualm.

Retford is probably the most simple change within the station as you don't have to cross any of the railways. 10 minutes is normally fine.

However is there any reason you are selecting these trains (price is a good reason)

The 1030 Edinburgh service stops at Newark (as stated above arrives at Newark at 1342) - With a cross platfrom change to the Lincoln service. This repeats every 2 hours, but you also have the advantage that if it all goes wrong then you can walk to Newark Castle for the pretty much every 30 minute service to Lincoln.

I have done the reverse with is much longer in 5 minutes (You need to cross the bridge over the Lincoln - Sheffield line and use the Subway under the ECML) - I would add however I am able bodied and reasonably fit. When my parents do it I always direct them to Newark Northgate.

It was the cheapest and quickest, but I only later appreciated how the connections aren't as robust as I might like in reality.

 

[Haywain]

It looked pretty short on the old NRE station map, but the exact positioning of the Subway and lifts isn't 100%.

The one thing I would recommend is to be towards the back of the train from Edinburgh as this will put you closer to the lifts when you alight at York.

 

[Failed Unit]

Likewise at Retford from memory the middle of the train is better for the link path. As you have probably looked up if you miss the connection at Retford the services is hourly to Lincoln.

I suspect missing at York isn't too bad as I can see no reason why LNER wouldn't let you travel via Newark anyway.

 

[Haywain]

Likewise at Retford from memory the middle of the train is better for the link path. As you have probably looked up if you miss the connection at Retford the services is hourly to Lincoln.

It will only be a 5 coach Azuma so there's less room for manouvre!

 

[Failed Unit]

It will only be a 5 coach Azuma so there's less room for manouvre!

Where does a 5 car stop at Retford, the front of the platform (which would make the rear of the train better) - I haven't use a short train at Retford before

 

[hexagon789]

The one thing I would recommend is to be towards the back of the train from Edinburgh as this will put you closer to the lifts when you alight at York.

Thanks. Booked in Coach A, so hopefully that's more-or-less bang in line with the lift.

Where does a 5 car stop at Retford, the front of the platform (which would make the rear of the train better) - I haven't use a short train at Retford before

I wondered that, but assumed the front stopped at the same mark, so rear of a 5-car would be near enough at the access point to the footpath down?

 

[Haywain]

Where does a 5 car stop at Retford, the front of the platform (which would make the rear of the train better) - I haven't use a short train at Retford before

LNER practice is generally to use the same stopping point for all formations, so that would suggest in a 5-car set the best place to be is the front of the third coach (based on this photo on Google Maps).