When will something be done about the Whitby branch ?

[bearhugger]

I mean the fare is priced by TPE so yes it would be them you should direct any complaints at. Though I'm not sure it's risen by any greater amount than any other fares priced by TPE or any other operator?

True, as I've not bought that particular ticket for what must be at least six years it just seemed like quite a hike on price when I researched the price for someone else. From what I remember back then it was very well priced.

 

[yorksrob]

Well, on a cold February morning, I was impressed to see the throng of passengers waiting at Middlesborough for the 10:20 to Whitby today. Far more than the passengers waiting to go to such pedestrian destinations as Manchester Airport etc.

True, they didn't fill the 156 that arrived to take us to the coast, but there were a surprising number of people who got on at the stations between Middlesborough and Battersby Jnc.

I shouldn't make a fuss. All the seats were taken, and there were only a few people stood in the vestibules, rather than along the aisles, but this is afterall, a quiet winters day on the Whitby line.

Let's hope the company is properly prepared for the summer !

 

[Skipness]

S

I shouldn't make a fuss. All the seats were taken, and there were only a few people stood in the vestibules, rather than along the aisles, but this is afterall, a quiet winters day on the Whitby line.

Let's hope the company is properly prepared for the summer !

This weekend is a “steampunk weekend” in Whitby, which could account for the extra passengers on a February Saturday.
Some readers may want to Google “steampunk” to explain how you need to dress (written as storm Ciara drops its rain in the area)

 

[ainsworth74]

This weekend is a “steampunk weekend” in Whitby, which could account for the extra passengers on a February Saturday.

Whilst Steampunk enthusiasts were very visible in Whitby I didn't notice any on the train I used this weekend!

 

[yorksrob]

This weekend is a “steampunk weekend” in Whitby, which could account for the extra passengers on a February Saturday.
Some readers may want to Google “steampunk” to explain how you need to dress (written as storm Ciara drops its rain in the area)

There were a couple on my train in, however it was mainly the locals having a day out.

 

[Marton]

Nothing obvious on the 1755 last night.
There are no trains today. It’s buses to Battersby.

 

[bearhugger]

Nothing obvious on the 1755 last night.
There are no trains today. It’s buses to Battersby.

Isn't there engineering works somewhere in the area? I'm fairly sure that I saw a couple of weekends listed on the poster at James Cook (JCH).

 

[markindurham]

Isn't there engineering works somewhere in the area? I'm fairly sure that I saw a couple of weekends listed on the poster at James Cook (JCH).

There are indeed. A Class 70 ran to Whitby with an engineering train last week, I understand.

 

[Bantamzen]

Whilst Steampunk enthusiasts were very visible in Whitby I didn't notice any on the train I used this weekend!

That's because most will have arrived Thursday or Friday & will be staying the weekend, much the same as the Goth weekends.

 

[ainsworth74]

There are indeed. A Class 70 ran to Whitby with an engineering train last week, I understand.

There were some moves on Saturday as well. Including one on the afternoon which led to the first time I've ever seen the passing place at Glaisdale be used which was a novel experience!

 

[gg1]

That's because most will have arrived Thursday or Friday & will be staying the weekend, much the same as the Goth weekends.

Add to that they fact they'll also be travelling in from all over the country, and as was mentioned earlier in the thread, the line is of little use to anyone travelling to Whitby from anywhere much further south than Darlington.

 

[yorksrob]

Add to that they fact they'll also be travelling in from all over the country, and as was mentioned earlier in the thread, the line is of little use to anyone travelling to Whitby from anywhere much further south than Darlington.

I've seen a minibus full of people from a late diverted TPE have to be bussed on from Middlesborough before. And this was after staff had been advising people to turn back if they were only on a day trip.

 

[Skipness]

Latest timetable on Esk valley line.
As from this weekend the service will be doubled from two Whitby arrivals/departure to four. The “essential workers only” means that the lunchtime arrival is still not being operated, presumably to deter day visitors to the town.

 

[Baxenden Bank]

Latest timetable on Esk valley line.
As from this weekend the service will be doubled from two Whitby arrivals/departure to four. The “essential workers only” means that the lunchtime arrival is still not being operated, presumably to deter day visitors to the town.

I saw the timetable and assumed the same.

Dft / RDG COVID-19 Rule No 1: If it is likely that social distancing cannot be achieved, simply cancel (or fail to re-instate) the relevent trains. Force your customers into the arms of your competitors, watch the business die, collect your P45 from the office in time for Christmas.

 

[yorksrob]

I'm a bit far away to consider travel to Whitby, but this timetable doesn't surprise me.

 

[Skipness]

I saw the timetable and assumed the same.

Dft / RDG COVID-19 Rule No 1: If it is likely that social distancing cannot be achieved, simply cancel (or fail to re-instate) the relevent trains. Force your customers into the arms of your competitors, watch the business die, collect your P45 from the office in time for Christmas.

I can understand the social distancing rule. It was not unusual on a sunny August day to see the lunchtime arrival (2 coach unit) packed to overflowing on arrival in Whitby.

 

[yorksrob]

Given that the service needed strengthening before social distancing, it's not surprising.

 

[30907]

Latest timetable on Esk valley line.
As from this weekend the service will be doubled from two Whitby arrivals/departure to four. The “essential workers only” means that the lunchtime arrival is still not being operated, presumably to deter day visitors to the town.

So you now have the "school trains" ready for September and the back workings which are reasonably good for short break/holiday visitors. How much does Whitby want the day trippers ATM? Autocorrect suggested strippers...

 

[geoffk]

Day trippers will still go to Whitby by car or bus. How much will the town miss those who used to go by train?

 

[Skipness]

So you now have the "school trains" ready for September and the back workings which are reasonably good for short break/holiday visitors. How much does Whitby want the day trippers ATM? Autocorrect suggested strippers...

I like the use of the word strippers!!
We often commented on those arriving whose hem length or tightness of shorts was in inverse proportion to waist size.

 

[yorksrob]

I see that Whitby has recently had some semblance of a timetable reinstated with the restoration of the 10:20 departure from Middlesborough.

Anyone know how well this has been loading recently with the good weather ?

 

[Skipness]

I see that Whitby has recently had some semblance of a timetable reinstated with the restoration of the 10:20 departure from Middlesborough.

Anyone know how well this has been loading recently with the good weather ?

Over the weekend Northern were running two 2 car 158 units to allow for social distancing presumably, especially on the midday services.

 

[30907]

Over the weekend Northern were running two 2 car 158 units to allow for social distancing presumably, especially on the midday services.

I see that Whitby has recently had some semblance of a timetable reinstated with the restoration of the 10:20 departure from Middlesborough.

Anyone know how well this has been loading recently with the good weather ?

Can't answer, but the timetable now has 5 tpd not 2 which is almost complete.

 

[yorksrob]

Well, that's sounding hopeful !

 

[johnnychips]

Can all the platforms on the branch take four car trains or is there single-door operation?

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Can all the platforms on the branch take four car trains or is there single-door operation?

Commondale and Kildale have shortish (2 car) platforms, but otherwise, yes.

 

[Skipness]

Can't answer, but the timetable now has 5 tpd not 2 which is almost complete.

From my vantage point at Grosmont they appeared sufficiently loaded, but not rammed as occurred often last summer.

 

[bearhugger]

Can all the platforms on the branch take four car trains or is there single-door operation?

Commondale and Kildale have shortish (2 car) platforms, but otherwise, yes.

Correct, at Kildale especially I've often seen the driver sticking their head out of the window to check the whole of the train is at platform.
Also, I believe that a couple of stations have special instructions that when 158s are used the middle doors must be used. Can't remember off hand which stations this applies to but I *think* Commondale is one of them.
My runs out to Whitby have been very limited this year. Once in mid January and then the beginning of March which must have been right before lockdown. The next chance of going to Whitby on a Saturday for a full day will be the back end of September now due to my work shift pattern.

 

[Class195]

Correct, at Kildale especially I've often seen the driver sticking their head out of the window to check the whole of the train is at platform.
Also, I believe that a couple of stations have special instructions that when 158s are used the middle doors must be used. Can't remember off hand which stations this applies to but I *think* Commondale is one of them.
My runs out to Whitby have been very limited this year. Once in mid January and then the beginning of March which must have been right before lockdown. The next chance of going to Whitby on a Saturday for a full day will be the back end of September now due to my work shift pattern.

They do that with the double 158s on the Darlington to Saltburn route.

Conductor uses the middle of the train.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Conductor uses the middle of the train.

So, does that mean at a short platform such as Kildale, a 4 car DMU would draw up at the platform in such a way that carriage numbers two and three are then located immediately alongside the platform, but carriage numbers one and four mostly wouldn't be?