Trivia: Instances where a local service has been bustituted to make way for diverted fast trains

[PTR 444]

As we’ve heard on the Eastleigh derailment thread, routine engineering work on the Romsey - Salisbury line has been cancelled to make way for XC and freight trains diverted by the blockage. You’d think that in this instance, SWR and GWR would reinstate their services along the line, but nope, that hasn’t happened. We are now left with the bizarre situation of a line having its local stations bustituted because fast trains are being diverted that way, even though there are plenty of paths available along the line.


I’m sure there are other examples of local rail bustitution (where the line is open but no trains are stopping at stations) around the country for more legitimate reasons though. I seem to recall Melksham having a replacement bus service for the day due to a planned closure of the Berks and Hants Line diverting all fast trains through that station (and taking up available paths).

 

[Kite159]

One which pops to mind which has happened in the past is buses between weybridge & virginia water serving Chertsey & Addlestone on Saturdays when the mainline has been closed.


Another example which pops to my head is between Aylesbury & Princes Risborough, the local service for Little Kimble & Monks Risborough is bused whenever the mainline is closed and Birmingham trains are diverted via Aylesbury

 

[The Planner]

There will be countless occasions, every weekend.

 

[bramling]

As we’ve heard on the Eastleigh derailment thread, routine engineering work on the Romsey - Salisbury line has been cancelled to make way for XC and freight trains diverted by the blockage. You’d think that in this instance, SWR and GWR would reinstate their services along the line, but nope, that hasn’t happened. We are now left with the bizarre situation of a line having its local stations bustituted because fast trains are being diverted that way, even though there are plenty of paths available along the line.


I’m sure there are other examples of local rail bustitution (where the line is open but no trains are stopping at stations) around the country for more legitimate reasons though. I seem to recall Melksham having a replacement bus service for the day due to a planned closure of the Berks and Hants Line diverting all fast trains through that station (and taking up available paths).

The Hertford loop in the aftermath of both the Hatfield and Potters Bar accidents. The entire local service was withdrawn in order allow the outer suburban and long distance services exclusive use of the loop.

 

[Mag_seven]

A couple of weeks ago there was no GWR stopping service on the Greenford branch in order to make way for diverted Chiltern services which were running to/from West Ealing (the diverted services did not make stops intermediately in lieu)

 

[swt_passenger]

We are now left with the bizarre situation of a line having its local stations bustituted because fast trains are being diverted that way, even though there are plenty of paths available along the line.

I thought it was explained in the Eastleigh thread that leaving the buses in place wasn’t directly because of the diversions, but more likely because it was too late to bring additional staff in?
(Please see pompeyfan’s post #241 in that thread.)The diversions had run with the normal Salisbury to Southampton timetable in place all week.

But as others have said the general point about using local buses to make room for other long distance trains isn’t at all unusual.

 

[gingerheid]

Happens on the Hertford Loop?

 

[tbtc]

Isn't this the plan on some of the crayonista suggestions on the forum? That a route be built for local trains but with the capacity to abandon such services so the line could accommodate long distance diversions when required? I thought that was therefore seen as A Good Thing?

I suppose one "long term" example in recent times has been the EMT/EMR peak time service from Bedford to Wellingborough (?), so that trains could run non stop (since Thameslink services strangled paths available to East Midlands services) - I say "long term" to mean that it wasn't just a temporary thing for a few weeks due to engineering works or disruption.

A parallel thread might be "Instances Where A Local Station Has Seen An Improved Service Due TO Disruption/ Diversions" (e.g. places temporarily gaining a better class of stock serving it or a faster service to the nearest big city or additional departures)

 

[tsr]

One line of route where this happens is Dorking-Horsham. If trains between London and Gatwick are diverted via Horsham as part of a planned weekend closure, buses or taxis will generally replace trains calling at Holmwood, Ockley and Warnham. The off-peak traffic to these stations is so scarce that even one taxi can be overkill, and in fact would probably be more useful to any passengers who do turn up... except when you get a completely random group of hikers and you suddenly need 3 buses. Oh, the joys of Things Which Are Not Quite As Good As Trains.

This only applies during weekend blocks which include the Saturday, as there is no Sunday service on this line. You can therefore get the occasional Sunday service (as tomorrow) running non-stop through these stations when the line would usually be completely shut.

There will be countless occasions, every weekend.

Not quite "countless". It's a reasonably well-worn tactic, but there aren't that many places each weekend where there are both diverted trains and significant impact if services stopped at all stations.

The Hertford loop in the aftermath of both the Hatfield and Potters Bar accidents. The entire local service was withdrawn in order allow the outer suburban and long distance services exclusive use of the loop.

Happens in shorter-term disruption as well. On Monday, for example, the signalling issues at Knebworth meant that there was a plan to run all express trains via the Hertford Loop and cancel the stoppers. Fortunately, just as buses arrived, the plan was cancelled.

The same can potentially happen if there is any other major blockage (loss of signalling, fatality etc.) on the ECML between Alexandra Palace and Stevenage.

Likewise, if there is congestion caused by an incident and the Welwyn area gets congested, some trains won't stop at Welwyn North or (in a few cases) Knebworth.

 

[185143]

IIRC during the Lamington Viaduct diverts, ScotRail cancelled 1tph between Glasgow and Kilmarnock to facilitate VTWC diverts, with Kilmarnock gaining a roughly hourly non stop 221 to both Carlisle and Glasgow?

 

[AlbertBeale]

Another example which pops to my head is between Aylesbury & Princes Risborough, the local service for Little Kimble & Monks Risborough is bused whenever the mainline is closed and Birmingham trains are diverted via Aylesbury

Are there often closures on the Chiltern line that affect the stretch from Pr Risborough to Neasden, but not the part northwards to Brum and not the part from Neasden to M'bone? So trains have to reverse twice to get to and from M'bone? Wouldn't it be possible to get some of those passengers from Brum to London more efficiently via Oxford and the Paddington line?

 

[JonathanH]

Are there often closures on the Chiltern line that affect the stretch from Pr Risborough to Neasden, but not the part northwards to Brum and not the part from Neasden to M'bone? So trains have to reverse twice to get to and from M'bone? Wouldn't it be possible to get some of those passengers from Brum to London more efficiently via Oxford and the Paddington line?

The days when there were paths for Paddington to Oxford and Banbury for Chiltern line trains are long gone so it is through diversion via Aylesbury or DIY diversion on GWR / XC services. Chiltern need to maintain their own links to Princes Risborough, Haddenham and Bicester in any case.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

When Fast Lines are closed Stoats Nest Jcn to Gatwick Airport and traffic via Slows Earlswood and Salfords are bustituted

 

[thenorthern]

Norton Bridge, Stone, Barlaston and Wedgwood, it's been the case in some sort of way since 2004.

 

[Parallel]

TransWilts services via Melksham.

 

[Samuel88]

I really think especially in these cases, that rail companies should be laying on replacement buses free of charge, and you shouldn't be required to have a rail ticket before boarding!

 

[ANDREW_D_WEBB]

A couple of weeks ago there was no GWR stopping service on the Greenford branch in order to make way for diverted Chiltern services which were running to/from West Ealing (the diverted services did not make stops intermediately in lieu)

Technically this is an example of a service being suspended without any replacement as no buses were provided, passengers being directed to regular TfL buses. It did mean that West Ruislip to West Ealing had a half hourly service both days instead of the usual weekday Parliamentary service.

In the same area, Hanwell, West Ealing and Acton Main Line all get no replacement buses when the slow lines are closed on the GWML (these stations have no fast line platforms

 

[mr williams]

About 15 years ago engineering work on the Filton Bank meant that long distance trains to the north between Bristol Temple Meads and Parkway were rerouted through Avonmouth for a couple of weeks and all Severn Beach line local services were cancelled and bustituted. Whilst unpopular with the regulars it was popular with the railfan fraternity as they could travel around the Henbury Loop for the first time in decades.

I also remember that one day trains were bustituted because either the Queen and/or Phil were visiting Avonmouth by Royal Train so the trains were taken off as a security measure!

 

[MCSHF007]

I really think especially in these cases, that rail companies should be laying on replacement buses free of charge, and you shouldn't be required to have a rail ticket before boarding!

I doubt whether those with advance tickets/longer term season tickets would be happy with this barmpot suggestion.

 

[ANDREW_D_WEBB]

I really think especially in these cases, that rail companies should be laying on replacement buses free of charge, and you shouldn't be required to have a rail ticket before boarding!

Last weekend the Piccadilly Line was closed west of Hammersmith with Heathrow served by coaches. As there was no Oyster / Contactless reader on the coaches the service was in practice free for those wanting to use Oyster / Contactless as a payment method

 

[JonathanH]

Last weekend the Piccadilly Line was closed west of Hammersmith with Heathrow served by coaches. As there was no Oyster / Contactless reader on the coaches the service was in practice free for those wanting to use Oyster / Contactless as a payment method

The idea is that you touch in at the station before you board the bus. It amazes me that after 17 years TfL is still prepared not to seek this revenue when rail replacement is in place particularly given its budget issues.