Stenson Jct To Sheet Stores Jct

[RichmondCommu]

G'day,

I've often wondered whether it would be worth upgrading the current freight line to allow some Nottingham - Birmingham trains to avoid Derby and improve journey times. And at the same time increase service frequency as in effect there would be two routes (almost!).

Your thoughts would be welcome!

Richmond Commuter!

 

[MidnightFlyer]

I think that Derby may be too big an interchange to miss. I'm not sure how many use the trains through from Nottingham-Birmingham etc direct, but I think Derby caters for a lot of traffic on this route - whenever I use it I tend to find the majority of the train alights and a whole new set get on, in essence it combines the Derby-Birmingham and Derby-Nottingham flows. Also, don't forget that even if just 1tph went the 'new' way, you'd only have a half-hourly service between DBY and NOT, and none express (unless you wish to cut calls at Long Eaton); and reduce the service by 25% from DBY-BHM, forcing people onto the already busy long-distance XC services.

Nice idea, but I think Derby's size rules it out from ever being viable.

 

[Welshman]

A few years ago, when the junction just to the south of Derby station was being relaid, Crewe-Nottingham services [they used to run through, then], were diverted via this route. I remember they waited at Tutbury and Hatton for about 6-7 minutes so they would regain their path through Trent Junction. So you would have a small saving in journey-time, but I agree with the previous poster that this would not be worth the loss of such an important traffic centre as Derby.

 

[Tomnick]

There shouldn't be any 'upgrading' necessary - the route's already signalled to passenger standards.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

It was a bad decision in the 60s to close the route from Spondon into Derby station from the north via Chaddesden.
No doubt it was thought pointless then, but it would have double-ended Derby and provided vital alternative routeings today to the congested London Rd Junction.
I used it a few times in the early 60s on Sunday Manchester-St Pancras trains which avoided Derby.
Not that this sort of working is needed today, but to be able to depart to Nottingham/London towards the north would be invaluable.
I did not appreciate until recently that that was the original Midland Counties route into Derby.

 

[Kneedown]

There shouldn't be any 'upgrading' necessary - the route's already signalled to passenger standards.

The linespeed is only 50mph max though, and would need raising considerably to offer any time benefits as it's currently almost as quick to go via Derby.

 

[Bald Rick]

The linespeed is only 50mph max though, and would need raising considerably to offer any time benefits as it's currently almost as quick to go via Derby.

Incorrect, it's much quicker via Sheet Stores - Stenson, being considerably shorter and avoiding a reversal.

In days gone by it used to be done on Sundays.

BUT Derby is a significant traffic centre, and all the numbers point to it being more worthwhile to stop there as the revenue generated there more than outweighs that by getting to Nottingham 10 mins (or so) quicker.

 

[ElectronicaL33]

Or maybe a tad quicker than 10 minutes? Given the stop at Long Eaton, entry into Derby, reversal & back out of Derby etc, surely a 20 min saving would be had in the form of 1 Morning/evening service to benefit the Notts Brum commuters? that is course if XC could find an exclusive path & extra 170 to do the turns

 

[GadgetMan]

extra 170 to do the turns

No chance.


Only Leics depot sign Sheet Stores - Stenson. Introducing a service timetabled to be routed over this line would be risky as other depots would not be able to cover the work when required.

 

[The Planner]

Derby is too important to XC. This is why you will find in the Dec 12 timetable some trains sitting there for an age. They want to sprint from A-B as quick as possible with big dwells inbetween.