services you'd like to see

[Xenophon PCDGS]

on a serious note, i don't see the point of the Leeds-Victoria stoppers.

So I'd run a Bradford-Liverpool fast instead

Bradford Interchange
Halifax
Todmorden
Manchester Victoria
Newton le Willows
Liverpool Lime Street

Have you been looking at my recent posting on the Infrastructure section under "Manchester Victoria improvements". I had this service as semi-fast and running on to Leeds Still, great minds think alike

I think that I will have to go for my second choice of a coast to coast, with a treat in the middle:-
HULL
SELBY
LEEDS
DEWSBURY
HUDDERSFIELD
STALYBRIDGE
GUIDE BRIDGE
DENTON
REDDISH SOUTH
STOCKPORT
NAVIGATION ROAD
ALTRINCHAM
NORTHWICH
CHESTER
RHYL
COLWYN BAY
LLANDUDNO JUNCTION
BANGOR
HOLYHEAD

 

[Class172]

It would have to stop at Redhill and reverse to get to Gatwick and Brighton

I couldn't remember if it was Redhill or Reigate so I left it out. Thanks for telling me
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Why are you running via Camp Hill between Bromsgrove and Birmingham? It would take longer compared to the direct route, and for the Cardiff to Nottingham/Sheffield it would need a reverse at New Street.

You obviously haven't seen how busy the cross-city line is between Kings Norton and Birmingham New St via University is - it is already over 100% capacity so how are you meant to put more trains on it. The camp hill line is much quieter and doesn't have any stations on it (at the moment ) if there was room I would make the Cardiff service go via University, but there just isn't the room

 

[Lampshade]

Manchester Victoria to Colne
Calling at: Rochdale, Littleborough, Walsden, Todmorden, Burnley MR, Burnley Barracks, Burnley Central, Brierfield Nelson and Colne.

You may as well call at Rose Grove as well as you'd need a reversal there anyway to access the Colne branch.

on a serious note, i don't see the point of the Leeds-Victoria stoppers.

The people who can pack out a five car 144+142 or a 2x155 may argue differently

 

[Cheshire Rover]

Holyhead to Liverpool - Two hourly service.
Bangor
Llandudno Junction
Rhyl
Chester
Helsby
Frodsham
Beechwood (New station?)
Runcorn
Liverpool South Parkway
Liverpool Lime Street

Shrewsbury to Liverpool via Chester - Two hourly service.
Ruabon
Wrexham
Chester
Helsby
Frodsham
Beechwood (New station?)
Runcorn
Liverpool South Parkway
Liverpool Lime Street

 

[danfitz123]

Liverpool to Bristol Temple Meads

Crewe
Shrewsbury
Hereford
Cheltenham
Bristol Parkway
Bristol Temple Meads
Operated by Cross Country

 

[DarloRich]

Darlington - St Tropez direct - non stop, soley for my useage!

I think some more XC services form say sheffield/Leicester - Scotland woould be a good idea, like the old Nottingham-Glasgow (via S&C) services. However the old problems of Stock and pathing problems might cause trouble.

A return to a more varied XC system, as in the past, would also be a good idea

I would also like to see a unified Northern franchise, with services between York and Newcastle. EMU services Doncaster -York-Newcastle (from Leeds as an aspiration with fill in OHLE!) might alos be an idea, stoping all stations. Doubt there are stock and paths for those either!

 

[Aictos]

They are endless.

Nonetheless, I'd get two services an hour from Potters Bar to Cambridge and Peterborough (instead of the current one). The fifteen minutes past services to WGC would run at ten past, terminating at Welwyn North. The Cambridge services (run at twenty one past) would go from Potters Bar at about seventeen minutes past. They'd skip out Hatfield and WGC and stop first at Welwyn North, allowing passengers from Brookmans Park, Welwyn Garden City and Welham Green to join the Cambridge/Peterboro services (having hopped on the ten past trains from Potters Bar). There's really no need for the Cambridge and Peterborough services to stop at Hatfield or Welwyn Garden City.

One small problem with your plan is the feasibility of terminating services at Welwyn North, surely Welwyn Garden City is a much better place.

Although I do have a different take on your proposals, I rather remove Hatfield from the slow Peterborough's and Cambridge's and instead alternate them between the Welwyn routes and the Hertford routes.

It would be possible to do this by terminating all existing Letchworth/Stevenage services at Hertford and rely on the Cambridges and Peterboroughs for the though services to Stevenage however what would be much better is if a a single faced platform was built at Stevenage with a line independent to the existing Down Slow which would be bi directional and join up with the Down Slow just north of the station.

This way all the existing Letchworth services would be cut back to terminate at Stevenage which would then enable a half hourly service between Hertford and Stevenage with new direct journeys to Cambridge and Peterborough.

 

[tbtc]

on a serious note, i don't see the point of the Leeds-Victoria stoppers

You mean, other than serving all of the places on the Calder Vale line between Leeds and Manchester?

So, what, you'd withdraw them and leave intermediate stations with no service?

 

[Yew]

Manchester - Lincoln via Wakefield Kirkgate:

Manchester Victoria > Rochdale > Hebden Bridge > Brighouse > Wakefield Kirkgate > Sheffield > Retford > Gainsborough Lea Road > Lincoln

I would put worksop in there too, to give connections to the robin hood line

 

[PR1Berske]

Liverpool Lime Street --> Blackburn

St Helens Central
Wigan North Western
Euxton Balshaw Lane
Leyland
((Fantasy Lostock Hall platforms I'd have installed at some point))
Bamber Bridge
Mill Hill
Blackburn

 

[Anvil1984]

Just a couple of points on a couple of posts thus far.

To the person who posted that they cant see the point in the Leeds to Man Víc shoppers, it is evident that you have never even used the service. The stopping service via Bradford is by far the busiest of the 3 services between Leeds and Man Víc.
The point of the service is not for end to end passengers think of it as 2 very busy services joined together. Man Víc to Littleborough is very busy (even with the daytime services missing out the intermediate stops between Man Víc and Rochdale) then it quietens down between Littleborough and Todmorden then picks up again all the way through to Leeds. It also provides Sowerly Bridge and Mytholmroyd a service to Halifax and Bradford.

There is room for a Leeds to Liverpool semi fast via Rochdale in the current slot of the XX08 Man Vic semi fast, omitting the call at Bramley except in the peaks. Heeded Bridge is a handy stop for passengers from Blackburn and Burnley travelling towards Rochdale. You could also run it semi fast from Hull (after Leeds calling at Crossgates, Garforth, South Milford, Selby, Brought and Hull) making
it Liverpool to Hull and its a service you could have stock for as it just wouldnt layover in Selby for nearly an hour.

As for the Newcastle to Edinburgh EMU if we could find stock I would agree but run it in place of the Newcastle to Morpeth service (with current extensions) and run it as far south as York replacing the TPE service.It won't be a fast end to end but that's not the point in the service. You would need new stock but it would release a couple DMUs for Northern and possibly 3 or 4 185s for TPE to concentrate on core routes .

 

[HST Power]

One small problem with your plan is the feasibility of terminating services at Welwyn North, surely Welwyn Garden City is a much better place.

I admit this is a problem. I did consider it, but I was on the 1551 to Peterborough yesterday and the journey between WGC and Welwyn North is barely a minute or two. The drivers could always change ends and reverse back to the rail yard at WGC.

Alternatively, I did have a slightly easier plan. If FCC were to change the twenty one minutes past and fifty one minutes past trains to Cambridge/Peterboro from four coach services into eight or more, the train could divide at WGC. Passengers for stations to Cambridge/Peterboro travel in the front four.

 

[Southern]

An extra departure from Ashford International, at xx:00, to Ramsgate via Dover Priory and a return working to connect with the xx:33 to Charing Cross. This would give the Kent Coast a Half-Hourly Saturday service. Something which a town like Wye gets (despite being the size of an postage stamp), yet Folkestone has to do without...but at least we have the wonderful HS1

 

[ainsworth74]

As for the Newcastle to Edinburgh EMU if we could find stock I would agree but run it in place of the Newcastle to Morpeth service (with current extensions) and run it as far south as York replacing the TPE service.

I think more of an issue for that service is less finding the stock to run and more the fact that it would chew up a lot of paths on the northern end of the ECML. There aren't many places that an express can overtake a stopper (Dunbar being one of the only north of Newcastle), so it would be likely that you could end up with quite a few expresses getting constant signal checks north of Newcastle which would slow them down even more.

I agree that it would probably be a worthwhile service but I don't think the infrastructure is there to make it work without causing disruption to the existing traffic on the route.

 

[Aictos]

I admit this is a problem. I did consider it, but I was on the 1551 to Peterborough yesterday and the journey between WGC and Welwyn North is barely a minute or two. The drivers could always change ends and reverse back to the rail yard at WGC.

Alternatively, I did have a slightly easier plan. If FCC were to change the twenty one minutes past and fifty one minutes past trains to Cambridge/Peterboro from four coach services into eight or more, the train could divide at WGC. Passengers for stations to Cambridge/Peterboro travel in the front four.

I've got a much better idea, instead of dividing at Welwyn Garden City which restricts the trains to 8 cars which is the maximum permitted there in normal service, why not split 12 car services at Stevenage or Hitchin?

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

You mean, other than serving all of the places on the Calder Vale line between Leeds and Manchester?

So, what, you'd withdraw them and leave intermediate stations with no service?

Well said, young man!! There would be something akin to the French Revolution in the Calder Valley and a guillotine erected at Hebden Bridge for anyone found guilty of train reductions of any sort.

Offenders who would repent would be forced to take numerous journeys on the "E" bus from Hebden Bridge to Blackshaw Head....then have to walk back in bare feet:cry:

 

[Class172]

Liverpool to Bristol Temple Meads

Crewe
Shrewsbury
Hereford
Cheltenham
Bristol Parkway
Bristol Temple Meads
Operated by Cross Country

Hereford-Cheltenham?? what, via Worcester, that would seriously slow down the route unless the Malvern-Tewkesbury line was reopened. Nice idea though

 

[HST Power]

I've got a much better idea, instead of dividing at Welwyn Garden City which restricts the trains to 8 cars which is the maximum permitted there in normal service, why not split 12 car services at Stevenage or Hitchin?

I like it! So, WGC and Hatfield will be skipped out for Cambridge/Peterboro services from PBR, with the trains splitting at Stevenage/Hitchin. Agreed?
I think it would probably be better to split at Hitchin.

 

[dfishw]

1. Hull to Plymouth: Hull, Tinsley, goole, doncastor, Sheffield, Chesterfield, Derby, Burton, Tamworth, Birmingham, Chelthnham, Gloucster, Bristol (both), Taunton, Bridgewater, Tiverton, Exeter, Newton Abbots, totnes, Plymouth.

2. Swansea to edinbrugh: Swansea, Port talbot Pkwy, Neath, Bridgend, Cardiff, Newport, Bristol (both), Glouster, Cheltnham, Birmingham, Tamworth, Burton, Derby, Chesterfield, Shefffield, Wakefield Westgate, Leeds, york, Darlington, Durham, Newcastle, berwick, Dunbar, Edinbrugh.

3. Some existing Xc services, but involving nottingham which has no trains to the north east, south west or south (bar a one way only service) despite being a core city.

4. Brighton to Manchester: Brighton, Haywards Heath, burgess Hill, East Croydon, London Kensan Olympia, London Gatwick airport, Reading, Oxford, banbury, Coventry, Birmingham Int, Birmingham new street, Wolverhampton, Stoke, Congleton, Macclesfield, stockport, manchester

5. Swansea To southend: Swansea, Port Talbot Pkwy, neath, Bridgend, Cardiff, Newport, Glouster, chelthnham, Birmngham uni, Birmigham new street, Coleshill Pkwy, Nuneton, Hinckley, Leicester, Mleton, Oakham, Stamford, Peterbouorugh, Ely, Newmarkey, Bury St Edmunds, Stowmarket, Colchester, Ipswich, Chelmsford, Brentwood, Bilaraichy, Wickford, Rayleigh, Southend

6. Leicester to blackpool: Leicester, Loughborough, EMD, Long Eaton, Derby, Sheffield, Stockport, Manchester picc, Manchester ox rd, Bolton, Chorley, Leyland, Preston, Poutlon, Blackpool.

 

[NXEA!]

Three NX services I would like to see: a curve to be put in at Shenfield to allow trains from Southend and Southminster to access the Chelmsford bound line without reversing at Shenfield. I'd have an hourly service from Southend to Ipswich joining with a set from Southminster at Wickford and a set at Witham from Braintree call at all stations to Billericay from Southminster and Southend, then Chelmsford, Witham, Kelvedon, Marks Tey, Colchester, Manningtree and Ipswich. I realise that that is twelve coaches from Witham, but its something I'd like to see.

 

[Bakerbloke]

A route that would permit Carnforth to Windermere direct - it is a pain having to go South to Lancaster first!

 

[Class172]

I would like more XC services to go via Droitwich Spa and Worcester Shrub Hill, especially the 170 services, just like when Central Citylink operated. Both the stations can fit 6 23m cars.

 

[Gareth]

Some 'Scouseland' proposals

Liverpool to Scotland
--------------------
Liverpool Lime Street
Edge Hill
Huyton
St Helens Central
Wigan North Western
Preston
Lancaster
Oxenholme Lake District
Penrith
Carlisle
Lockerbie or Haymarket
Motherwell Glasgow Central or Edinburgh Waverley


Liverpool to Hull
---------------
Liverpool Lime Street
Edge Hill
Liverpool South Parkway
Warrington Central
Birchwood
Manchester Oxford Road
Manchester Piccadilly
Stockport
Sheffield
Meadow Hall
Rotherham Central
Doncaster
Goole
Hull


Modified Liverpool - Norwich, cutting out Sheffied/Dore & Ely
----------------------------------------------------------
Liverpool Lime Street
Edge Hill
Liverpool South Parkway
Widnes
Warrington Central
Birchwood
Manchester Oxford Road
Manchester Piccadilly
Stockport
Chesterfield
Alfreton
Langley Mill
Nottingham
Grantham
Peterborough
Norwich
Thetford
Norwich


Liverpool - Stansted Airport
--------------------------
Liverpool Lime Street
Edge Hill
Liverpool South Parkway
Runcorn
Crewe
Stafford
Rugeley Trent Valley
Lichfield Trent Valley
Tamworth
Altherstone
Nuneaton
Leicester
Melton Mowbray
Oakham
Stamford
Peterborough
March
Ely
Cambridge
Stansed Airport

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

A southern route from Manchester Airport:-

MANCHESTER AIRPORT
WILMSLOW
ALDERLEY EDGE
HOLMES CHAPEL
SANDBACH
CREWE
ALSAGER
KIDSGROVE
STOKE ON TRENT

 

[Ivo]

Three NX services I would like to see: a curve to be put in at Shenfield to allow trains from Southend and Southminster to access the Chelmsford bound line without reversing at Shenfield. I'd have an hourly service from Southend to Ipswich joining with a set from Southminster at Wickford and a set at Witham from Braintree call at all stations to Billericay from Southminster and Southend, then Chelmsford, Witham, Kelvedon, Marks Tey, Colchester, Manningtree and Ipswich. I realise that that is twelve coaches from Witham, but its something I'd like to see.

Not sure I see the point of merging like this. I do agree with the idea of skipping SHN though, and would probably suggest that the present 3tph is improved to 4tph (SMN becomes every 45 minutes), with two calling at RMF and two not calling at PRL, RFD or HOC; the latter two would be formed of 8 cars which would split at BIC. The rear half would then call at CHM, WTM and COL; then one WIV, TLS and CLT and one MNG-IPS. This also gives IPS 4tph and CLT 2tph.

(TLCs FTW )

 

[dfishw]

I would like more XC services to go via Droitwich Spa and Worcester Shrub Hill, especially the 170 services, just like when Central Citylink operated. Both the stations can fit 6 23m cars.

I agree! I think at the least peak period services should call there.

 

[Welshman]

Well said, young man!! There would be something akin to the French Revolution in the Calder Valley and a guillotine erected at Hebden Bridge for anyone found guilty of train reductions of any sort.

Offenders who would repent would be forced to take numerous journeys on the "E" bus from Hebden Bridge to Blackshaw Head....then have to walk back in bare feet:cry:

Well, Halifax used to have a gibbet, so they'd only be following historical tradition in those northern Caldervale towns.

 

[Class172]

I agree! I think at the least peak period services should call there.

Also, to increase frequency towards Birmingham, trains from Kiddy to Snow Hill could be extended so that they merge and split at Droitwich Spa with the new St services - this would mean longer trains going towards Worcester/Hereford (this will work better when the 172s are introduced) and more frequent services to Snow Hill for all stations from Droitwich to Hereford.

eg. The 16:53 service that currently runs Kidderminster-Leamington Spa could be extended to Hereford, merged with the 15:40 Hereford-Birmingham New St service. This would form a 5/6 car train from Hereford to Droitwich Spa. At Droitwich, the first 2 carriages would split at 16:34 and depart for New St while the latter 3/4 carriages continue to Snow Hill

 

[TheWalrus]

On great western, id leave london-bristol/wales/cheltenham as is, hourly london-malvern, cardiff-pompey similar to now with dilton stops on some services, two-hourly cheltenham-westbury via melksham, additional london-paignton via bristol and cardiff-paignton, using better paths between taunton and cardiff, a few additional weymouths, hourly semi oxford-padd, half-hourly london-exeter with a semi and a fast, possibly an hourly/2 hourly newbury-padd, maybe look at the prospect of an hourly/2 hourly bristol-bham semi-fast as a joint venture with xc.

I like the newcastle-edinburgh idea! You would essentially need to run it in place of the morpeths. I would maybe have some services calling at smaller stations such as chathill on request. Maybe electrify metro centre and run from there as now?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I agree! I think at the least peak period services should call there.

One problem: time Penalty. And my bristol-bham idea would address this issue

 

[danfitz123]

I would like more services to Manchester to call at Halewood. Thats a service I would like to see.