York-Newcastle changes from 3/3/25

[D1537]

I can't see that this has been raised before, apologies if it has.

For the next 3 weeks, the weekday York-Newcastle LNER shuttle is not stopping at Northallerton, apart from the first and last northbound services. The gap is being filled by Liverpool-Newcastle TPE trains stopping there instead. This is apparently due to "engineering work" but I'm struggling to understand the rationale as to why a train would be prevented from stopping whilst a train 15 minutes in front of it, taking exactly the same route, stops instead?

(Not that I'm complaining, because I picked up a new 802/2 on my journey to York this morning instead of a non-required 801/1!)

 

[Tetchytyke]

This is apparently due to "engineering work" but I'm struggling to understand the rationale

TPE services are diverted via Wakefield Kirkgate, between Leeds and Huddersfield. It appears that this means the Liverpool-Newcastle TPE is in the path that the LNER shuttle would usually occupy. Presumably pathing reasons mean the TPE has to pick up the Northallerton stop.

 

[D1537]

Ah, that makes sense - thank you.

 

[JRT]

There are two paths used by TPE

● semi-fast (used May–Dec 2024 & VAR timetable) calling at Northallerton
Leeds xx:41 & Newcastle xx:43

● FAST (FROM Dec 2024, normal times), this omits Northallerton
Leeds xx:52 & Newcastle xx:01

The TRU project (Stalybridge – Huddersfield – Leeds – York) usually involves weekend engineering works and occasional weekday engineering works that necessitates using the semi-fast (former) path.

The LNER service runs in the semi-fast path vacated by TPE (this doesn't run on Saturdays), but obviously can't run if TPE are using the semi-fast path. So the LNER service uses the FAST path on these occasional days.

 

[Class 466]

There are two paths used by TPE

● semi-fast, calling at Northallerton (used May–Dec 2024 & VAR)
Leeds xx:41 & Newcastle xx:43

● FAST, omitting Northallerton (Dec 2024–May 2025 normal times)
Leeds xx:51 & Newcastle xx:03

The TRU project (Stalybridge – Huddersfield – Leeds – York) usually involves weekend engineering works and occasional weekday engineering works that necessitates using the semi-fast path. The LNER service runs in the semi-fast path vacated by TPE (this doesn't run on Saturdays), but obviously can't run if TPE are using the semi-fast path.


So the LNER service uses the FAST path on these occasional days.

Should say Dec 24 onwards really for that second one. It’s not changing back!