.
I think it's similar for the Alderley Edge terminators, they sit in one of the turnback sidings for a good 40 minutes.
Better to have a long turn around time than too little.
Indeed, I always thought some of the shorter turnaround times were a bit crazy. IIRC at one time the Victoria-Southampton Central was in xx05, out xx11. Very tight for a total journey of 2hr+. No wonder they always turned back at Fareham; can't help thinking it would have been better (off-peak at least, when there was spare stock around) to interwork the Victoria and Brighton services at SOU to allow longer turnarounds and recovery time. (There are sidings available at the west end of the station if they could not lay over in the platforms). Could have been a good way for units to get back to the depot if needed too.
Kings Lynn is an interesting example.
20 years ago the down trains were xx45 from Kings Cross arriving at Kings Lynn at xx19 for a journey time of 94 minutes. There was a 37 minute turnround at Kings Lynn with departure of up trains at xx56, arriving Kings Cross xx33 for a journey time of 97 minutes.
Now the down trains are xx42 from Kings Cross arriving at Kings Lynn at xx31 for a journey time of 111 minutes. There is a 13 minute turnround at Kings Lynn with departure of up trains at xx44, mostly arriving Kings Cross xx33 for a journey time of 109 minutes.
So significantly slower journeys, and this is despite the fact there are lots of Thameslink services to pick up the intermediate stops to Cambridge. OT I know, but why is this?
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