This evening I was at Doncaster waiting for the 1758 XC service to Reading. It was a couple of minutes late but nothing which wasn't recoverable. However, after departure it was slowed past Hexthorpe Sidings by signals at caution and these continued all the way down through Conisborough and Mexborough, then up to Swinton, still double yellows through Parkgate to Masborough. At last a green on Masborough curve but back to yellows through Meadowhall and Attercliffe Road.
About six minutes late into Sheffield but on departure the cautions continued, down through Dronfield towards Tapton and Chesterfield, two double yellows then a single yellow, the train was travelling at about 40-50 mph through Chesterfield station which it wasn't booked to stop at. Finally, south of Chesterfield, green signals at last and the first chance for any sustained fast running since leaving Doncaster.
If there was something in front, I presume it must have gone down the Erewash route but I couldn't help wondering what it could have been and why it couldn't have been put out of the way somewhere, such as the Millhouses Loop. The XC service was 10 mins. late arriving at Derby but it didn't really matter as I noted on RTT that it recovered later on it's journey.
It was a little irritating not knowing what was causing the delay for such a long distance though!
About six minutes late into Sheffield but on departure the cautions continued, down through Dronfield towards Tapton and Chesterfield, two double yellows then a single yellow, the train was travelling at about 40-50 mph through Chesterfield station which it wasn't booked to stop at. Finally, south of Chesterfield, green signals at last and the first chance for any sustained fast running since leaving Doncaster.
If there was something in front, I presume it must have gone down the Erewash route but I couldn't help wondering what it could have been and why it couldn't have been put out of the way somewhere, such as the Millhouses Loop. The XC service was 10 mins. late arriving at Derby but it didn't really matter as I noted on RTT that it recovered later on it's journey.
It was a little irritating not knowing what was causing the delay for such a long distance though!
