Because there is a massive demand and people use it.
www.railforums.co.uk
Who else would run it? With your logic Avanti and LNWR can’t run it as the WLL and BML are outside their area, and neither could Overground for similar reasons
There aren’t platforms on the WCML for Willesden Junction. It only has platforms on the DC side (which is effectively a different railway line) and the high level, where Southern have already branched off.
Looking at a Google satellite view of the area, there appears to be some space to build new platforms for the WCML fast and slows opposite the existing station and approach road. I respect that there isn’t anything there now but I can’t imagine it being that complicated of a build for what could be a significant interchange flow, particularly with the wider Old Oak Common works in the area.
The main line platforms were closed in 1963 in connection with WCML electrification - all trace of them was removed as the track layout was remodelled. At the time of closure they were little patronised; unlike today the North London Line was in decline and under threat of closure so none of the modern interchange opportunities were obvious
4tph max between Euston and Tring. Not much point of anything else as it’s already really well served at the moment. Anyways we’ve gone really off-topic
But if someone else ran it, Clapham Junction would be out of their area.
Because it's part of their franchise/management contract.
You're right, I used it once to get from Southampton Central to Berkhamsted, when it ran to Milton Keynes Central. It avoids a cross terminal journey from WAT to EUS. Change at Clapham Junction. Enjoyed the odd experience of a through service in London.
Maybe not if it were London Overground, although then some people would say London Overground services are "out of area" at Watford Junction because it's not in London.
But that would be no different to when London Transport ran the Bakerloo Line trains to Watford Junction.Maybe not if it were London Overground, although then some people would say London Overground services are "out of area" at Watford Junction because it's not in London.
However you slice it something is going to be out of area by definition... except for the Waterloo & City line I guess.
Watford Junction is already served by the Overground though. Being out of your area is subjective, and in cases like these its a silly point.
I know, that's exactly what I was saying. Some people would say an operation called London Overground can't serve stations in Hertfordshire because it's "out of area". But they do. And it works great! That is equally as meaningful as saying Southern can't serve stations in Hertfordshire because it's not in the South. It's also really not relevant because the route isn't being transferred or changed again, it's just going to be run by Southern in its new abbreviated form.
That is what my post said, yes. It also rarely means anything whatsoever. The only time it ever means anything is when it comes to the location of train crew and rolling stock depots, or secondarily the management structure for stations. Neither are relevant here...
I wondered about that too.
Potentially got in the way of faster, longer distance WCML services, to/from Euston, especially when there was any disruption?
Because the Class 455 had just been scrapped
It ran slow lines.
There was a recast of the LNR timetable as well. This means that it no longer could occupy the previous path between Milton Keynes and Watford Junction (or would run very close to a Milton Keynes to Euston service), regardless of what was going on with 455s.
Not really. This just saved a unit (or a double unit) and crew.
Has far more to do with reducing cost than that.
