Why do TP run a Newcastle to York shuttle.

[DaiB]

Noticed now for a few weeks that TP are running a shuttle service from Newcastle to York. I have no idea why they should do this. In 50/60 years of following railways I have never known this before. The line is not exactly short of services.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

It might be to keep traction and route knowledge current during the present circumstances; it's in a path that would otherwise run through further isn't it?

 

[J-P_L]

I am assuming you are referring to the 12:44 Newcastle to York and the 14:07 York to Newcastle. It was introduced in the last change to the temporary timetable to facilitate the extension of a couple of the Scarborough services to/from Liverpool during the day (rather than just the peak time services) using 68/MK5 stock.

The 12:34 SCA-LIV runs in the path of the Newcastle between York and Liverpool with the subsequent 12:44 ex Newcastle service terminating at York. This is to maintain a 30 minute frequency from York towards Manchester.

That train then picks up the normal Newcastle path back north at 14:07, with a Scarborough service running the 11:54 departure from Liverpool (minus the layover at Manchester Victoria so it can run in the Scarborough path), but still allows a 10 minute connection at York for Newcastle passengers.

Aside from that train, there is a late night service that terminates at York to form ECS to Doncaster for maintenance. Similarly some early trains start at York and head for Newcastle as the stock comes from Doncaster.

 

[Class 170101]

Does it serve smaller stations like Thirsk and Chester Le Street as well?

 

[Segedunum]

Does it serve smaller stations like Thirsk and Chester Le Street as well?

Calling pattern is Durham, Darlington & Northallerton on the outbound, and Northallerton, Darlington, Durham & Chester-le-St on the inbound. In normal times these would be Manchester Airport runs.

 

[Class 170101]

Calling pattern is Durham, Darlington & Northallerton on the outbound, and Northallerton, Darlington, Durham & Chester-le-St on the inbound. In normal times these would be Manchester Airport runs.

And this is why it runs serving the smaller stations between York and Newcastle.