LNER diversions on the joint line

Sadly recently a couple of fatalities near Grantham have closed the ECML. However we have resignalled the joint line for such an event.

Does anyone know what % of LNER drivers sign the joint line as a although some services went that way, others did not.

For example the 0730 Lincoln - London stock made it to Lincoln but was cancelled throughout. As were the majority of Lincoln - London Kings Cross services that day. Understand that a 5 car train isn't the best use of capacity but could they not have ran the London - Lincoln services as London - Lincoln - Newark services to keep the route flowing or isn't there enough capacity on the route to do this?

With the extra time taken, it also interests me when control decide to divert Diesel traction trains or sit it out?

Final question, now Lincoln is on the LNER map, I wonder on weekend diversions if LNER will operate or stop trains at Lincoln (as it will be a better option for Newark passengers as well) or if Lincoln passengers will still require to change at Peterborough onto EMR services during engineering work?

Thanks

They still bin the Lincoln trains during diversions. The line has LNER, Hull Trains, Grand Central and freight along with the usual Northern and EMR stopping trains so it is rather busy - it's still only a 75 mph (in some parts slower) railway with long signal sections.

LowLevel said:

They still bin the Lincoln trains during diversions. The line has LNER, Hull Trains, Grand Central and freight along with the usual Northern and EMR stopping trains so it is rather busy - it's still only a 75 mph (in some parts slower) railway with long signal sections.

Click to expand...

I did wonder about that last point, how many trains per hour can be accomodated? Do they still need to route through Sleaford station (and the single track sections) in one direction (can't remember which) now or is the direct route avialable in both directions between Ruskington and Spalding (avoiding Sleaford station?)

Failed Unit said:

I did wonder about that last point, how many trains per hour can be accomodated? Do they still need to route through Sleaford station (and the single track sections) in one direction (can't remember which) now or is the direct route avialable in both directions between Ruskington and Spalding (avoiding Sleaford station?)

Click to expand...

Not sure how many per hour really. At least 3 express plus freight plus stopper all in I think. They use the Sleaford avoider nowadays, that was fully reinstated in 2014.

LowLevel said:

Not sure how many per hour really. At least 3 express plus freight plus stopper all in I think. They use the Sleaford avoider nowadays, that was fully reinstated in 2014.

Click to expand...

You can get a fair idea of capacity by looking at a Saturday diversion timetable, though of course that may be partly influenced by the continued use of 91s: last Saturday there were 2-3 an hour altogether including the odd freight path.

Last Thursday when the 0945 ex LDS failed at Claypole there were very few up the Joint Line: 1 Lincoln, 1 York (reversed at Newark) and 1 Leeds, but surprisingly not the first Aberdeen.

The OP mentions he lines been resignalled. Does that mean all the semaphores including semaphore distant signals have been replaced by colour lights?

Scotrail84 said:

The OP mentions he lines been resignalled. Does that mean all the semaphores including semaphore distant signals have been replaced by colour lights?

Click to expand...

I think they are, I can't think of any following the Lincoln resignalling programme. Lincoln still doesn't look right

30907 said:

You can get a fair idea of capacity by looking at a Saturday diversion timetable, though of course that may be partly influenced by the continued use of 91s: last Saturday there were 2-3 an hour altogether including the odd freight path.

Last Thursday when the 0945 ex LDS failed at Claypole there were very few up the Joint Line: 1 Lincoln, 1 York (reversed at Newark) and 1 Leeds, but surprisingly not the first Aberdeen.

Click to expand...

That is really what raised the question, maybe the Aberdeen driver didn't have the route knowledge whereas on a Saturday they are planning the timetable to drivers with knowledge.

It is not the first time I have waiting on a HST at Retford (which could have diverted from Doncaster.)

Scotrail84 said:

The OP mentions he lines been resignalled. Does that mean all the semaphores including semaphore distant signals have been replaced by colour lights?

Click to expand...

Sort of. Most of the Joint line proper from south of Gainsborough Trent Junctions to Werrington Junction north of Peterborough is track circuit block with axle counters and modular signals, plus obstacle detector crossings (CCTV in Lincoln City area and Spalding). Gainsborough to Doncaster is still relatively old fashioned as is Lincoln to Newark which is pretty slow (between 50 and 70 mph) and while track circuit block throughout has an island of wooden gates and semaphores at Swinderby and unreliable signalling controlled by Doncaster powerbox between Collingham and Newark which is prone to frequent track circuit and level crossing failures. That's all due to be renewed in the next 5 years.