Matlock-Newark

[mikestone1952]

I believe that pre-May the Matlock-Nottingham service was worked by a 156, a 158 and a pair of 153s so assumed that the ex-SWT 158 would allow the service to remain all two-cars, taking into account the long Nottingham turn round - however RTT suggests the 15.37 from Matlock detaches at Nottingham to attach to the 16.39 from Newark.
;
Any observations welcome.

 

[High Dyke]

I can't see where the option to detach at Nottingham occurs, but can confirm that the two car unit from Matlock works through to Newark Castle (returning as the 17:39 ex NCT).

Most of this week the service mentioned by the OP has been worked by a 156, with a 158 shown on the Tuesday (26th)

 

[louis97]

Going by what High Dyke has said, that the service has been formed of a 156 or 158 (and assuming nothing else) there is potential that the train suggesting a detachment (here) is an old path left in from when the service start and terminated at Nottingham. This can be further supported by the fact that any potential attachment would take place on Platform 4 (a 4-car platform) with a 2-car already present - Suggesting the service of which it would attach to (here) arrives as a single 153, which seems unlikely.

 

[MichaelAMW]

Going by what High Dyke has said, that the service has been formed of a 156 or 158 (and assuming nothing else) there is potential that the train suggesting a detachment (here) is an old path left in from when the service start and terminated at Nottingham. This can be further supported by the fact that any potential attachment would take place on Platform 4 (a 4-car platform) with a 2-car already present - Suggesting the service of which it would attach to (here) arrives as a single 153, which seems unlikely.

I think you're basically right. That "old path" was, I believe, just a way of shunting the Matlock terminator out of the way after its 16.40ish arrival before it went back at 17.20. It can't stay in 6 because London trains need the platform. The reason was (and actually still is) that the 16.34 to Norwich doesn't do the typical thing of dropping off the rear portion for it to be shunted for the front portion of the next Liverpool, e.g. the 12.34 Norwich detaches and the shunted bit goes on the 13.47 Liverpool. Instead, the rear portion of that Norwich waits in platform 4 and goes to Derby at 16.44 (and then to Crewe). The use of platforms 1 and 3, which the Norwich trains generally leave from, by other trains would block the route west for the 16.44 if the Norwich went in either of those as it does earlier in the day. Specifically I think the 17.10 XC to Cardiff or the 16.55 Mansfield would be in the way.

 

[bunnahabhain]

I believe that pre-May the Matlock-Nottingham service was worked by a 156, a 158 and a pair of 153s so assumed that the ex-SWT 158 would allow the service to remain all two-cars, taking into account the long Nottingham turn round - however RTT suggests the 15.37 from Matlock detaches at Nottingham to attach to the 16.39 from Newark.
;
Any observations welcome.

It used to be booked for two 156s and a pair of 153s. Its now currently booked for three 153s and a 158 Mondays to Fridays, and three 153s on Saturdays to release vehicles for Skegness and will likely revert to all two car operation from the cycle change in September.

 

[Bevan Price]

It used to be booked for two 156s and a pair of 153s. Its now currently booked for three 153s and a 158 Mondays to Fridays, and three 153s on Saturdays to release vehicles for Skegness and will likely revert to all two car operation from the cycle change in September.

That sounds like a recipe for saturday chaos on the Derby - Matlock section. Single 153, with every seat taken, and the gangway wedged from end to end with standing passengers was what I twice encountered on summer saturdays in the past couple of years.

 

[mikestone1952]

Thanks - I thought it might be a leave-in, but the shunt was shown as running in real time trains each day.

 

[louis97]

Thanks - I thought it might be a leave-in, but the shunt was shown as running in real time trains each day.

Was reported with data input by the Signaller each time - this can happen even if the service does not run.

 

[LowLevel]

That sounds like a recipe for saturday chaos on the Derby - Matlock section. Single 153, with every seat taken, and the gangway wedged from end to end with standing passengers was what I twice encountered on summer saturdays in the past couple of years.

It is indeed a pain in the butt - cyclists still try and get on which amazes me given I refused on last year that had failed to board the previous 2 consecutive trains as well.