XC's weekend diversions.

[Mugby]

On Sunday last and Sunday next XC services on the NE/SW route were/are diverted once again between Derby and Birmingham via Lichfield.

However, the Nottingham - Cardiff services are operating via Tamworth and then diverted via Whitacre and Coleshill to Water Orton.

Is there any reason why NE/SW services can't go the same way as the Cardiffs? Are Voyagers and HSTs barred from the Whitacre route?

 

[hux385]

I was on a Voyager that went via Whitacre on Sunday! I was also very confused about the diversion though?

 

[louis97]

On Sunday last and Sunday next XC services on the NE/SW route were/are diverted once again between Derby and Birmingham via Lichfield.

However, the Nottingham - Cardiff services are operating via Tamworth and then diverted via Whitacre and Coleshill to Water Orton.

Is there any reason why NE/SW services can't go the same way as the Cardiffs? Are Voyagers and HSTs barred from the Whitacre route?

Voyagers and HSTs are not barred from the Coleshill route, Voyagers have booked work that way and HSTs have diverted many times in the past. I think this is an example of putting performance ahead of journey time. The trains could likely just about have diverted via Coleshill, but this requires making use of the extended dwells at Derby and New Street to make it work, using this time means there is less scope to recover small primary delays. You'll see some of the services in the morning are booked via Coleshill, when there is less traffic about. Secondly with the amount of potential future work for HS2 in the Birmingham area this is a good opportunity for XC to maintain crews route knowledge via Lichfield. Every opportunity helps when it comes to maintaining diversionary route knowledge, as it means there is less likelihood in the future of the need for crews to be released to refresh the route.

 

[The Planner]

The diversions were for HS2 work. You would be surprised at how little disruptive access HS2 need along there in general.