Question about the direction of trains from Nuneaton to London

[snuk]

Hi all,

I travelled on a Virgin Train from Nuneaton to London Euston yesterday.

I was standing on Platform 4 convinced we would leave to the station to the left - thinking that the train was coming down the WCML northbound which is Atherstone from the right and heading WCML southbound to the left - if that makes sense - also when I travelled to Rugby on London Midland I was sure the train left to the left - towards Coventry - perhaps I'm wrong - perhaps I was on a different platform on that day.

But yesterday the Pendolino on the WCML came in from the right and left in the same direction.

Just been looking at the tracks on Google maps and I'm unable to work it out.

I'm sorry I don't know much about the technicalities of the rail network just curious about how this worked assuming that WCML north would be in one direction and WCML south would be the other direction?

Many thanks,

Steve.

 

[yorkie]

Platform 4 is the Up Fast.

Although trains will always head "to the left" if you are stood on platform 4 facing the Fast lines in normal circumstances, they would not normally head for Coventry unless there was engineering work, so perhaps the train you got to Rugby that went on the Coventry line was diverted.

If a train came "from the right" (ie from the North) and then left "in the same direction" (ie went back North), I suspect it immediately crossed over onto the line toward Water Orton and Birmingham, due to engineering work.

 

[snuk]

In hindsight I might have been confused. I remember now when I boarded the train wanted to face the direction of travel - sitting at a 1+1 seat and changing to the other seat when the train was moving so it is possible I misread the direction.
:roll:

 

[rower40]

In hindsight I might have been confused. I remember now when I boarded the train wanted to face the direction of travel - sitting at a 1+1 seat and changing to the other seat when the train was moving so it is possible I misread the direction.
:roll:

Easily done. I remember waking up at Exeter St Davids on the Sleeper from Paddington, and being very disorientated, as the train was facing back towards London. As I'd slept, the train had gone via the Berks & Hants, Castle Cary, Yeovil Junction and Exeter Central.