adamedwards
Member
- Joined
- 4 Apr 2016
- Messages
- 796
I read major changes are planned in particular to Fort William. Does anyone know roughly what is planned yet? Excuse for speculative timetables. Unleash those spreadsheets!
With the addition of the 153 bike carriage, changes will absolutely be necessary! I suspect we will see splitting of Oban and Fort William services to facilitate a 4 car 156+153, or perhaps an increase in Fort William services with 2 car 156+153 on the busiest bike/tourist services. Would be nice to see improved connections at Crianlarach between Oban and Fort William, but I accept that passing points may restrict this.
But then again, I don't know much about timetabling!
If i remember correctly, there will be seating along with the luggage/bikes.Does the addition of the 153's mean some services will be 5 carriages throughout? as some services to Fort William are 2 156 units already and if so will they be able to keep to current timings?
Also this may be an obvious question but I am slightly confused as to whether the 153's will be just for luggage/bikes or will also be available to sit in?
Think it’s a half and half set up with half the coaches for seats. Is there not also a small cafe being set up in the coach too?Does the addition of the 153's mean some services will be 5 carriages throughout? as some services to Fort William are 2 156 units already and if so will they be able to keep to current timings?
Also this may be an obvious question but I am slightly confused as to whether the 153's will be just for luggage/bikes or will also be available to sit in?
According to a post in the thread about a possible Faslane station the plan is for hourly trains to Crianlarich alternating between Oban and Fort William.
I don't believe a proper hourly service is possible as the passing loops are in the 'wrong' place. You would need to utilise loops that are about 25 minutes apart to allow a reliable hourly service to operate. Trains would have to pass at Garelochhead but going North the next options are ~20 minutes away and then ~35 minutes. It might be possible to operate two trains in two hours with intervals of 45m/1h15m.
I forgot about Glen Douglas but judging by RTT it's of limited use. Transit from Craigendoran Jn to Glen Douglas is 27-28 minutes which is on the limit with virtually no real possibility of recovering from minor delays. Add a new station at Faslane and it becomes impossible on the current speed profile. Looking Northwards loops can be found at 9, 22 and then 38 minutes. Passing 22 minutes away would be at Ardlui which has some slack and might work as would give a buffer to balance the very tight section to the South! Certainly Southbound services would have an increased chance of being able to depart from Glen Douglas punctually. However this is all without the proposed Faslane station, if it's built forget Glen Douglas!Arrochar & Tarbet may be 20 minutes away but couldn't Glen Douglas be used as a passing loop?