SWR Sunday timetable

[ap2048]

I was wondering if anyone can explain why trains between Poole and London take 30 minutes longer on Sundayd than on weekdays and Saturdays. It looks like every Sunday they are being diverted via Virginia Water rather than taking the SWML. This is not displayed on the SWR timetable where fast 2hr trains to Poole are advertised but they never seem to run!

Is this because of regular engineering works or some other reason? If so does anyone know how long it will continue for? Thanks

 

[ap2048]

Apologies posted in wrong section. Meant to post in timetabling. Could one of the mods move it? Thanks

 

[30907]

Could you please link to an example?

 

[swt_passenger]

Could you please link to an example?

Yes, we’d need specific dates to be able to pass comment. But diversions via Virginia Water on Sundays have happened for quite a few weekends every year that I can remember...

 

[ap2048]

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/W11424/2020-01-12/detailed

This is one example...on 12/1/20 departing Weymouth for Waterloo. Appears to be pathed via Virginia Water

 

[ap2048]

It seems to be virtually every weekend in January and February. It also happened most weekends in the last few months although not in the coming week or two due to Xmas I suspect.

 

[swt_passenger]

It seems to be virtually every weekend in January and February. It also happened most weekends in the last few months although not in the coming week or two due to Xmas I suspect.

Quite usual - every now and again some area of the mainline gets major maintenance or renewal, and it could be anywhere between Byfleet and Clapham Jn. So although there’s peaks and troughs, I’d expect a few weeks on average every year.

I think there’s also been occasions where up trains only have operated separately round the diversion, when tracks have been out of action nearer Waterloo, and they’ve wanted them on the Windsor side through Queenstown Rd and Vauxhall.

 

[daveshah]

Recently there have been diversions at the weekend via Guildford and Fareham too, presumably due to works around Basingstoke and Winchester.

 

[swt_passenger]

Recently there have been diversions at the weekend via Guildford and Fareham too, presumably due to works around Basingstoke and Winchester.

Same, it probably happens for 5 or 6 weeks every year that I can remember...