Marston Vale line suspension over - FULL services start running 19/02/24

[Bald Rick]

I presume that any compensation Network Rail might owe a ToC for preventing them running a train doesn't get paid if the train is removed from the timetable.

It does get paid, but because it was notified before the day of operation there is a small discount.

For this line, the rates for delay / cancellation are rather small.

 

[AdamWW]

It does get paid, but because it was notified before the day of operation there is a small discount.

For this line, the rates for delay / cancellation are rather small.

So if they pcode the last train and don't provide any alternative they get the compensation and don't incur any costs?

 

[Bald Rick]

So if they pcode the last train and don't provide any alternative they get the compensation and don't incur any costs?

They will still incur costs with DfT under their perfromance regume contract. And of course the costs of crew who were rostered to work it (but will instead be sitting in the mess room or be allowed to go home).

 

[aleandrail]

Well, it’s all about being able to fit an event around one’s schedule and careful planning. I did everything I would have done on a Sunday evening, but rather than head to bed I popped over to Euston. I was back in London by 10 am the next morning, so although it was exhausting I didn’t take any time out of my schedule to do it.

I feel like it was worth the wait, not just because of the resumption of the full timetable, but because I don’t often have cause to ride a Class 150 in the first place or use any of Northern’s services, so it was a bit of a change in experience for me (the 150s still kept their full Northern colours inside).

On the other hand, I haven’t bothered with any of the South Wales Metro re-openings due to the longer distances involved. Maybe when the Class 756s and 398s enter service (and then I may consider booking a hotel)!

I admire your dedication to your hobby.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Sloppy delays of 1 minute here, 4 minutes there today by the looks of it. Is the new timetable perhaps unrealistic?

 

[Frothy_B]

Trains consistently pick up 3-4 minutes over the route, particularly in wet weather and they have been since the reduced service/test trains came back in the autumn. Whether this will improve as the drivers naturally become more comfortable with the route and stock or if the timing points are just unrealistic remain to be seen. 2S14 today shows it can be done even in the current conditions.

Conversely, non stopping Freights will consistently gain 10-15 minutes back across the route. Even today with a passanger service running, the 6X gained 12 minutes between Bedford and Ridgmont before needing to be held to let the +30 6H10 through the single line, which itself gained 10 minutes back by the time it reached Bedford.

 

[H&I]

Sloppy delays of 1 minute here, 4 minutes there today by the looks of it. Is the new timetable perhaps unrealistic?

I wonder if that has got anything to do with the Class 150s having snaillike acceleration.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I wonder if that has got anything to do with the Class 150s having snaillike acceleration.

The timetable is planned for them, no? It's not the same as the one for the 230s.

 

[43096]

Sloppy delays of 1 minute here, 4 minutes there today by the looks of it. Is the new timetable perhaps unrealistic?

And you can’t blame Vivarail for slow doors/faults/existing now…

 

[andythebrave]

Trains consistently pick up 3-4 minutes over the route, particularly in wet weather and they have been since the reduced service/test trains came back in the autumn. Whether this will improve as the drivers naturally become more comfortable with the route and stock or if the timing points are just unrealistic remain to be seen. 2S14 today shows it can be done even in the current conditions.

Conversely, non stopping Freights will consistently gain 10-15 minutes back across the route. Even today with a passanger service running, the 6X gained 12 minutes between Bedford and Ridgmont before needing to be held to let the +30 6H10 through the single line, which itself gained 10 minutes back by the time it reached Bedford.

I'd imagine that it will improve over time.
It was very noticeable on Monday that the getaways were more leisurely and the arrivals very sedate compared to when 150s last ran.
I'm not certain about the reason for this but each stop was 20 to 30 seconds longer than back then too as there seems to be a different (more convoluted) door procedure.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I'm not certain about the reason for this but each stop was 20 to 30 seconds longer than back then too as there seems to be a different (more convoluted) door procedure.

Are they working from the cab or the saloon?

 

[pokemonsuper9]

Are they working from the cab or the saloon?

150/1s don't have saloon controls.
Manual swing door from the little corridor bit next to the cab.

 

[Bletchleyite]

150/1s don't have saloon controls.
Manual swing door from the little corridor bit next to the cab.

Odd that it's slow, then. Because of the manual door it should be very quick!

 

[pokemonsuper9]

Odd that it's slow, then. Because of the manual door it should be very quick!

Doors are usually quite quick to open up here with a 150/1 at the back.
Assume it's something procedure based that's causing the slowdown

 

[andythebrave]

At each stop it was rear cab door open step out, look up and down, release saloon doors and the same in reverse.

 

[Silverlinky]

I'd imagine that it will improve over time.
It was very noticeable on Monday that the getaways were more leisurely and the arrivals very sedate compared to when 150s last ran.
I'm not certain about the reason for this but each stop was 20 to 30 seconds longer than back then too as there seems to be a different (more convoluted) door procedure.

The 150's on the line do not have automatic sanding when slipping or sliding, there were 2 or 3 station overruns whilst they were being tested and on training, it will take time for crews (many who only signed 230's previously) to get used to these units. Also Monday, there was conductor training still ongoing leading to longer dwells than might be normal.

 

[LUYMun]

Not a very good day today on the Marston Vale. As of writing a few round trips have been cancelled due to a shortage of staff.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Not a very good day today on the Marston Vale. As of writing a few round trips have been cancelled due to a shortage of staff.

This "all guns blazing" restart isn't going to go very well unless they prioritise it even if it means cancelling a Euston...maybe they should have foregone the publicity and crept it back in.

 

[Silverlinky]

This "all guns blazing" restart isn't going to go very well unless they prioritise it even if it means cancelling a Euston...maybe they should have foregone the publicity and crept it back in.

Hardly "all guns blazing"......but if it was its only to a relatively small audience. I was on the line today and there were 15-20 people on the train I travelled on.

To cover the missing diagram today would have meant at least two or three evening services out of Euston cancelled and a set or two of 350's in the wrong place for tomorrow. Cancellations on a self-contained branch line are easier to manage and affect a fraction of customers however unpalatable that might seem to the users of the line unfortunately.

 

[H&I]

If cancellations are regular, perhaps having a bus on standby to fill in the gaps would be helpful.

 

[LUYMun]

If cancellations are regular, perhaps having a bus on standby to fill in the gaps would be helpful.

As was the case for the cancelled 13:45 Bletchley-Bedford service.

 

[Sunil_P]

Wish me luck for Friday then

I don't really "need" Marston Vale, I did the route way back in November 2011, but I would like to "reprise" it all the same!

 

[Brush 4]

I'm waiting until the whole Oxford-Bedford line is open and then I'll do the lot....

 

[D6130]

I'm waiting until the whole Oxford-Bedford line is open and then I'll do the lot....

I suspect that you will have a very, very long wait!

 

[Brush 4]

No prob, I was going to do the 1987 Bicester branch until I heard that E-W was proposed for reopening.......

 

[dk1]

At each stop it was rear cab door open step out, look up and down, release saloon doors and the same in reverse.

So glad we don't have that nonsense anymore at GA hence the superb punctuality.

 

[LowLevel]

So glad we don't have that nonsense anymore at GA hence the superb punctuality.

Driver door release has always been reasonably sensible - that said on our guard operated trains things are sped up considerably by allowing the guard to observe arrival through a droplight and then release the doors when the train stops providing all is well.

The "ScotRail" mod to 170 saloon doors also helps with dispatch, IE the local door hustle alarm doesn't sound before the guard closes their local door, it just shuts as soon as the switch is turned. Setting things up in a sensible fashion is half the battle.

 

[Sunil_P]

Caught the 11.45 from Bedford, and the 12.47 from Bletchley. No probs, all went smooth! Even avoided the rain, until I got on the train back to St Pancras! Noticed that there seems to be an elevated bit to Bletchley station on the bridge towards Bicester. Spotted the old alignment towards Cambridge (fenced off) as we swung left on the approach to St John's.

 

[Jimini]

Tomorrow’s cancellations are in; three hour gap in service between 12:45 and 15:45 Bletchley > Bedford.

 

[dk1]

Tomorrow’s cancellations are in; three hour gap in service between 12:45 and 15:45 Bletchley > Bedford.

It is the weekend