Slowest Passenger Route

[RichmondCommu]

G'day everyone,

It was recently mentioned on here that the DC lines from Euston to Watford are restricted to 45 mph. Does this make it the slowest passenger route in the country, obviously excluding TSR''s and PSR's?

Thanks in advance,

Richmond Commuter!

 

[TheEdge]

No, there are far slower speeds all over the place.

 

[RichmondCommu]

No, there are far slower speeds all over the place.

What, for an entire route?

 

[AndyLandy]

What, for an entire route?

How are you defining "route" for your question? Do you mean a specific line, or a specific service? Or an overall journey time?

 

[RichmondCommu]

How are you defining "route" for your question? Do you mean a specific line, or a specific service? Or an overall journey time?

Yes sorry a specific line

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Most of the 10miles~ from Oxford North Jn to Bicester Town was 30mph or so when I did it - I think it's down to track condition and vegetation clearance. I don't know if that's changed under Chiltern but it certainly should come E-W.

 

[cle]

What about the Penistone line? That is seriously slow going, but that's more to c*** trains and lots of stations and passing waits I guess.

 

[craigwilson]

There's quite a few 20 mph limits down the Marshlink what with all the level crossings and single track. Not sure if it's over the whole route though.

 

[RichmondCommu]

Most of the 10miles~ from Oxford North Jn to Bicester Town was 30mph or so when I did it - I think it's down to track condition and vegetation clearance. I don't know if that's changed under Chiltern but it certainly should come E-W.

I dare say it will! Thats pretty poor stuff for a passenger line in the UK. Will the route remain single track with the introduction of E-W?

 

[francisoldfield]

what about the stourbridge line. thats about 10mph?

 

[IrishDave]

what about the stourbridge line. thats about 10mph?

20mph on the Stourbridge Town branch (but 10mph on approach to the stations at either end).

 

[Philip Elliott]

Coventry to Nuneaton is 40 or 45 mph maximum.

 

[route:oxford]

I dare say it will! Thats pretty poor stuff for a passenger line in the UK. Will the route remain single track with the introduction of E-W?

There is still a chance for locals to appeal to have an artifically slow speed applied to the upgrade line through Wolvercote.

Apparerenly hundreds of lives will be ruined by the upgrade and introduction of the E-W rail link.

Consultants have also advised that there will multiple fatalities at an equestrian centre due to increased speeds on the line.

http://www.chiltern-evergreen3.co.uk/uploads/08Oct2010/OBJ-238-3.pdf

http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/yourtown/oxford/10024605.print/

 

[Darandio]

The Esk Valley line comes close I guess, 35 miles or so at no greater than 50mph but much of it lower than that. The section between Battersby and Whitby doesn't exceed 45mph and again many parts are lower.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Darlington to Bishop Auckland would be as well, over 11 miles at no greater than 45mph, again with lower sections throughout.

 

[Haydn1971]

Barnsley to Huddersfield - I'm sure it's quicker to walk

 

[starrymarkb]

Liskeard to Looe?

 

[gnolife]

Maesteg to Bridgend? I don't know what it is for most of the line, but I do know that its 5 mph through Tondu.

 

[gazthomas]

Llandudno Junction to Blaenau Ffestiniog - about 28 miles in just under an hour

 

[12CSVT]

If you mean slowest average journey times, here are some suggestions:

FCC Wimbledon Loop services take 90 minutes to cover 28 miles (Blackfriars - Streatham - Wimbledon - Sutton - Streatham - Blackfriars).
Marston Vale (Bedford - Bletchley) takes 42 minutes to cover 17 miles.

 

[Lampshade]

Blackpool South - Colne - 49mi 11ch in 1h 48m, average speed of 27.3mph.

Not sure what the linespeed on the East Lancs is but the York service never seems that fast.

 

[DavidBrown]

Surely has to be Plymouth-Gunnislake? Yes, the Plymouth-Bere Alston section is generally around 50/55mph, but after reversing at Bere Alston the speed limit is 10 and 15mph for the rest of the way - that section takes around 20 minutes for a 5 mile journey.

 

[RichmondCommu]

The Esk Valley line comes close I guess, 35 miles or so at no greater than 50mph but much of it lower than that. The section between Battersby and Whitby doesn't exceed 45mph and again many parts are lower.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Darlington to Bishop Auckland would be as well, over 11 miles at no greater than 45mph, again with lower sections throughout.

Is that all down to the state of track?

 

[ATW Alex 101]

The merseyrail Wirral line must be a contender, it only really picks up speed Between Hooton and Capenhurst then Capenhurst to Bache

 

[O L Leigh]

I chatted to an ELL driver who said that, although the linespeed is around 50mph, even the Capitalstars never reach that speed before the driver has to brake for the next station.

So linespeed is not really an indicator, necessarily.

O L Leigh

 

[RichmondCommu]

I chatted to an ELL driver who said that, although the linespeed is around 50mph, even the Capitalstars never reach that speed before the driver has to brake for the next station.

So linespeed is not really an indicator, necessarily.

O L Leigh

Thats a very good point. I'd be interested to know the line speed of the NLL which I'm guessing is similar to the ELL despite all the recent renewals.

 

[Sidious]

I would like to nominate Ipswich to Lowestoft.

1h42 to cover 49 miles = 28.82 mph average.

 

[transmanche]

Thats a very good point. I'd be interested to know the line speed of the NLL which I'm guessing is similar to the ELL despite all the recent renewals.

The sectional appendix says the maximum speed is 45mph - but there are significant stretches with much lower line speeds.

 

[Darandio]

Is that all down to the state of track?

I'm not entirely sure to be honest. It's been a few years since I went down the Esk Valley and I always recall it being a terrible ride in terms of quality.

For Darlington to Bishop Auckland [[stn]BIA[/stn]], I would imagine it is the state of track to a certain extent. After leaving North Road and heading past the old works towards BIA, the track is nauseating. Granted it is on a Pacer, but even so it is quite a harrowing experience.

 

[Marton]

Is that all down to the state of track?

I am not an expert, but there have been several closures week long in the past few years (during half terms so the school train isnt stopped) and much of the route is continuous welded track, so i presume its the bridges, level crossings and such.

 

[southerner2174]

Max Speed on the core route of the ELL between Highbury and New Cross Gate is 40mph with a lot of 30, 25 and 20 sections.
Now that its 16 trains per hour over that section, the likelihood of being checked down by restrictive signals has greatly increased.

On the southern section you will only hit 60mph if running ECS, most you can do is about 55mph between Anerley and Norwood Junction and between Brockley and Honor Oak Park and thats if your on greens which is maybe 20% of the time if lucky.

Again on the extension to Clapham Junction max linespeed is 60mph from Old Kent Road Junction to Peckham Rye but you will only get upto around 40mph before braking for Queens Road.