Improving Conwy Valley services and infrastructure

[Bletchleyite]

You don't need a signaller to pass trains. NST-R can do that. To close the box you just need to redirect the crossing phones to Junction PSB (or SWCC) and install token instruments on the platform. Obviously you need someone to answer those phones and it remains to be seen whether they're deemed an acceptable extra workload for the Junction signaller. No chance of rationalising the loop. Apart from charter traffic it also allows Network Rail's test trains and any potential freight to pass the passenger service during the hours the line is open. Do away with the loop and you can't fit them in, and you also quash any potential extra services - the WG has expressed vague aspirations to improve frequencies in the long term

Unless you were going for an uneven service the loop is slightly in the wrong place to increase to two hourly clockface which is the likely best you are going to achieve without seriously major works (the spare time could be used to do more Llandudno-Jn shuttles or run stopping to Holyhead so the expresses could run fast). A second platform at Betws (or a Dyfi Junction style arrangement there as the platform is quite long) would probably be needed. I did try to work out a timetable a while back and it couldn't be done with the loop where it is.

You would want clockface because of the Sherpa bus connections.

 

[30907]

2-hourly is OK as is, if not ideal for bus connections, but makes it awkward to run any extras owing to the single platform at Blaenau.

 

[Krokodil]

The existing loop would be fine for 2tp3h which is not ideal but avoids substantial capex and only requires two units rather than three to operate. That's the best that could be hoped for in the foreseeable future.

but makes it awkward to run any extras owing to the single platform at Blaenau.

There's a few possible workarounds there. Run full-frequency in mornings and evenings to provide a decent service to working locals. Then MFO during the summer holidays you poach the second unit for the middle of the day to strengthen services along the coast during the holiday camp changeover peak and free up paths for specials. It's a fudge, but needs must.

 

[Bletchleyite]

2-hourly is OK as is, if not ideal for bus connections, but makes it awkward to run any extras owing to the single platform at Blaenau.

It's 3 hourly as is.

 

[30907]

It's 3 hourly as is.

sorry, meant with present signalling.