West Highland train looping the loop

[RGM654]

I recently had occasion to visit Helensburgh Upper and was bemused to find that my train (1Y26, 1036 from Queen Street to Oban) turned right at Cowlairs and completed a 270° turn to run through Queen Street Low Level, continuing via Clydebank, instead of the normal route through Westerton. RTT confirms the same on other days, and that one Up train (1Y48 from Mallaig) likewise goes this way.

Can anyone tell me the reason?

I wondered at first why a stop isn't included at Low Level to allow passengers a slightly later start, but I suppose Scotrail are preserving the option of going straight out via Westerton if the start is delayed.

 

[Western Gaffer]

This has come up in a few threads in the past couple of months, with route retention being mentioned as the explanation in at least one:

"Trivia" Through stations with extremely few passenger trains which do not call

Wolverhampton has a once a day Avanti West Coast service passing through non stop (9F02 06:16 London Euston to Liverpool Lime Street).

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[smtglasgow]

I have to go to Gartnavel Hospital every few months and back in May I noticed a 156 running slowly through Hyndland just after 9 in the morning. Checking RTT there seemed to be two return workings between Eastfield and Dumbarton via the Low Level with 3XXX headcodes. Perhaps there is a longer -term closure of the route via Maryhill planned at some point?

 

[BorderCollie]

May be closures/diversions in relation to this ongoing upgrade:

Major £20m upgrade for Scotland’s original electrified railway

A £20m project is underway to upgrade the overhead power lines on Scotland’s original electrified railway.

www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk

A £20m project is underway to upgrade the overhead power lines on Scotland’s original electrified railway.

The work will focus on sections of the North Clyde lines, which run from Helensburgh, Balloch and Milngavie through Glasgow’s west end and low‑level stations. It’s the busiest suburban network outside London and one of the most critical parts of Scotland’s railway.

 

[scotraildriver]

The route via Singer will be closed at multiple times in the near future for renewal of the overheads so West Highland services will operate via Yoker. The only alternative to this would be to terminate all southbound services at Crianlarich and use buses between there and Glasgow due to no suitable stabling or crew break facilities anywhere further South. It makes a lot of sense.

 

[Rab Smith]

As well as the route through the low level platform via Springburn, would it be possible to route the trains through Knightswood South junction and the Hyndland West chord? Not sure if the chord is suitable for passenger traffic or not but does give the train another option of heading West.

 

[RGM654]

Thanks for replies. Presumably sending two trains the roundabout way every day is to ensure route knowledge for when the route through Singer is closed.

This has come up in a few threads in the past couple of months, with route retention being mentioned as the explanation in at least one:

"Trivia" Through stations with extremely few passenger trains which do not call

Wolverhampton has a once a day Avanti West Coast service passing through non stop (9F02 06:16 London Euston to Liverpool Lime Street).

www.railforums.co.uk

Before I posted I searched for threads with "Highland" in the thread title but of course didn't see that one.

 

[Western Gaffer]

Thanks for replies. Presumably sending two trains the roundabout way every day is to ensure route knowledge for when the route through Singer is closed.


Before I posted I searched for threads with "Highland" in the thread title but of course didn't see that one.

I searched for 'Springburn', having vaguely recalled mention of that being on this unusual routing!

 

[liamf656]

Mentioned here too

Oddball Journeys (Trivia)

There is a evening Crewe - Shrewsbury TfW service, but rather than going via Nantwich it goes via Wrexham. Seems to have replaced a Wrexham - Shrewsbury service which arrived in Wrexham ECS which connected with the daily Euston - Wrexham train. So better these days, at least when Avanti cancel...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[james73]

As well as the route through the low level platform via Springburn, would it be possible to route the trains through Knightswood South junction and the Hyndland West chord? Not sure if the chord is suitable for passenger traffic or not but does give the train another option of heading West.

I have seen empty trains using the Whiteinch North junction to Whiteinch West junction chord so unless there's a specific technical reason I dont see why not.

 

[sh24]

I have seen empty trains using the Whiteinch North junction to Whiteinch West junction chord so unless there's a specific technical reason I dont see why not.

It was used for passenger services during engineering works roughly 3 years ago.

 

[Bikeman78]

I recently had occasion to visit Helensburgh Upper and was bemused to find that my train (1Y26, 1036 from Queen Street to Oban) turned right at Cowlairs and completed a 270° turn to run through Queen Street Low Level, continuing via Clydebank, instead of the normal route through Westerton. RTT confirms the same on other days, and that one Up train (1Y48 from Mallaig) likewise goes this way.

Can anyone tell me the reason?

I wondered at first why a stop isn't included at Low Level to allow passengers a slightly later start, but I suppose Scotrail are preserving the option of going straight out via Westerton if the start is delayed.

It's also booked into the loop at Craigendoran Junction, which is relatively unusual.

 

[IrishDave]

It was used for passenger services during engineering works roughly 3 years ago.

Yes, on Sundays during the blockade of Glasgow Central Low Level in March-May 2022, there were services round the Hyndland West Curve.