Intermodals between Retford and Worksop

[ryan125hst]

I went to Meadowhall on the train today and, while working to Platform 3 at Retford station, an intermodal train arrived into platform 2, before setting off again. I thought it had headed into Babworth Loop, but shortly after departing Retford on the 10:02 to Adwick, I noticed an intermodal train waiting to join the line to Worksop at Thrumpton West Junction. It was clearly heading north on the ECML before using Retford North Curve to access the line to Worksop.

In addition to this, I saw another intermodal train on the way home while travelling between Shireoaks and Worksop, heading in the Sheffield direction once again.

I'm not aware of intermodal trains using this line normally as the usual freight trains on the route are the coal trains to West Burton and Cottam power stations.

This two trains appear to be the ones, both running under a VAR schedule:
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/H37578/2014/08/20/advanced
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/H32182/2014/08/20/advanced

Is there any reason why they aren't using the East Coast Main Line between Retford and Doncaster as (presumably) they usually do?

On a slightly related note, what happened at Doncaster this afternoon? My train home, the 16:33 to Lincoln, was delayed by 8 minutes, and most other trains heading in the Sheffield direction were too. A quick look on Realtime Trains shows that several trains were delayed around this time.

Thanks you

Ryan

 

[Class 170101]

Do these trains usually run via any part of the GN?GE Joint Line to reach Doncaster?

The Gainsborough to Doncaster section is closed until 30 August as part of the upgrade to enable the Joint Line to become a more useful freight route removing said freight traffic off the ECML.

These trains may be routed via Worksop as either this is the only route available to Doncaster Railport or if routed via the ECML the train is frozen out by a faster East Coast Class 1 service.

 

[Freightmaster]

I'm not aware of intermodal trains using this line normally...

Not now, but an early morning train used to run that way regularly
until a couple of years ago.

Is there any reason why they aren't using the East Coast Main Line between Retford and Doncaster as (presumably) they usually do?

I can confirm that 170101's theory is correct - their usual route
via Gainsborough is blocked and they cannot access the railport
from the ECML without fiddly reversals.


MARK

 

[ryan125hst]

Thanks to both of you. I thought it was unusual but couldn't understand why they were having to be diverted as the line between Retford and Doncaster is open.