Direct journeys in one direction only

[MidnightFlyer]

Over studying timetables for years I've noticed a few rather unique services that as the title says, operate one way only.

The following are actual services that operate one way only between two stations. For these I was wondering do any others exist, and also why this occurs - I can only assume it is to do with timetabling?

- Manchester Victoria-Bradford Interchange-Selby runs the other way as Selby-Bradford Interchange-Huddersfield-Wakefield Kirkgate / Westgate. The return to Manchester Victoria starts from Leeds, and the inbound journey from Wakefield terminates at Leeds.
- Scunthorpe-Sheffield-Lincoln runs the other way as Lincoln-Sheffield-Adwick. The return to Scunthorpe starts from Sheffield, and the inbound jounrey from Adwick terminates at Sheffield.

The other thing I've noticed is that calling patterns sometimes alter depending on direction - the only example I can find of this is on the Robin Hoodie line, where the Worksop trains serve Newstead northbound only and Bulwell southbound only. As above are there any more examples of these?

(Please could we try and steer clear of mentioning Stockport-Stalybridge and other famous ones too? Ta )

Cheers

 

[causton]

Sorry if this counts as mentioning the famous, but I wonder why the Kensington Olympia - Wandsworth Road train starts its return from Clapham High Street but does not continue to it on the morning journey? Would provide better Tube connections at least for anyone... that uses it... if there are any!

 

[34D]

Over studying timetables for years I've noticed a few rather unique services that as the title says, operate one way only.

The following are actual services that operate one way only between two stations. For these I was wondering do any others exist, and also why this occurs - I can only assume it is to do with timetabling?

- Manchester Victoria-Bradford Interchange-Selby runs the other way as Selby-Bradford Interchange-Huddersfield-Wakefield Kirkgate / Westgate. The return to Manchester Victoria starts from Leeds, and the inbound journey from Wakefield terminates at Leeds.
- Scunthorpe-Sheffield-Lincoln runs the other way as Lincoln-Sheffield-Adwick. The return to Scunthorpe starts from Sheffield, and the inbound jounrey from Adwick terminates at Sheffield.

The other thing I've noticed is that calling patterns sometimes alter depending on direction - the only example I can find of this is on the Robin Hoodie line, where the Worksop trains serve Newstead northbound only and Bulwell southbound only. As above are there any more examples of these?

(Please could we try and steer clear of mentioning Stockport-Stalybridge and other famous ones too? Ta )

Cheers

Indeed. But in the two examples given, end-to-end journeys would be virtually non-existant. Any passenger going from Scunthorpe to Lincoln would presumaby go via Barnetby, Doncaster to Lincoln via the direct route or ECML to Retford, and Selby to Manchester via TPE.

The reasons will simply be the most efficient utilization of units and crew.

 

[Lewisham2221]

Longport gets a couple of Northern SOT-MAN services, northbound only, in the mornings. No southbound or afternoon/evening stops on that route. Rest of the day it gets just the EMT Crewe-Derby service, in both directions.

 

[Roverman]

The longest is Aberdeen-Penzance, direct going Southbound but on the way back you have to change at least once if not twice!

 

[ChrisTheRef]

The Liverpool loop system. You can travel from Moorfields to Lime St direct, but Lime St to Moorfields involves a change, same for Lime St - Central.

 

[Roverman]

Is this to do with stock needing to be in a particular place to make the timetable work?

 

[hairyhandedfool]

Wigan North Western-Liverpool Lime Street (via Newton-Le-Willows), Southbound trains only.

Is this to do with stock needing to be in a particular place to make the timetable work?

The Liverpool one? no, it is a single track loop (James Street (P1)-Moorfields-Lime Street-Central-James Street (P3))

 

[Cheshire Rover]

Chester to Runcorn, Saturdays only during the summer.

 

[Coolguy22468]

There is a single evening train from Newcaste to Whitehaven but no return.

I think there is also a single train from Windermere to Barrow-in-Furness which operates via Morecombe with no return.

 

[tbtc]

Using the daytime frequency, the lines from Manchester Piccadilly to New Mills/ Rose Hill have a fairly odd stoping pattern, with some direct journeys only possible in one direction (presumably due to squeezing the Pacers in between the TPE departures out of Picadilly?).

As for "one off" direct services, the Highland Sleeper only runs in one direction between Dunblane and London IIRC Southbound

ETA - great idea for a thread

 

[calc7]

Horsforth is a stop on the 0728 Harrogate - Kings Cross daily HST. However the return working leaving London at 1733 does not call there.

 

[Frothy]

There's an early morning XC from Bath Spa to Edinburgh, with no return.

 

[steamybrian]

I thought this thread was going to be for lines or consecutive stations that are served in one direction only such as the notorious Stockport-Stalybridge line.
There are a few connecting spurs such as Streatham Hill-Tulse Hill which I believe has only one northbound train per day to maintain the service.
The Kensington Olympia-Wandsworth Road service will be withdrawn in December with the opening of the East London line Overground service to Clapham Jn thus providing a regular passenger service over the section between Factory Jn and Clapham Jn.

 

[Coolguy22468]

Polesworth has one platform and is only served by a single daily northbound train.

Ribblehead for a while also only had a southbound platform but im not sure if trains there only stopped in one direction or in fact crossed over before and after the station.

 

[northwichcat]

Deansgate to Stoke only has one direct southbound service per day IIRC.

I think there's also still some Chester-Liverpool-Ellesmere Port services and I'm not sure they operate in reverse formation.

While it still doesn't run I think one of the weirdest ones I've heard of is the old daily St-Annes-on-Sea to Greenbank service that finished in 2008. When it was loco-hauled the return working was an afternoon Chester-Blackpool North service (semi-fast), then under Northern it switched to a morning Northwich-Blackpool North (stopping) service.

 

[route:oxford]

As for "one off" direct services, the Highland Sleeper only runs in one direction between Dunblane and London IIRC Southbound

As does the "Highland Chieftan".

12.27 every Sunday (well, not today as it is cancelled*).

The Highland Chieftan did originally stop daily in both directions, but, from what i recall the time loss of the unit stopping heading north (on a steep gradient and short platform) was too great.



*Ok, I'm a touch confused.

Right now the National Rail Journey planner is telling me that:-

The 12.27 direct service to Kings Cross is cancelled.

The 12.27 East Coast Service from Inverness is running 42 minutes late and I may not meet a connection with the Kings Cross service from Edinburgh.

(Rather glad I'm travelling tomorrow on the Chieftan rather than today).

 

[SS4]

The 1tpd direct Walsall to Wolverhampton train doesn't run in the opposite direction.

 

[dzug2]

Sorry if this counts as mentioning the famous, but I wonder why the Kensington Olympia - Wandsworth Road train starts its return from Clapham High Street but does not continue to it on the morning journey? Would provide better Tube connections at least for anyone... that uses it... if there are any!

It didn't used to stop at Clapham High Street - don't know why it was added

The only time I've used it there was one other passenger over the 1TPD section (instantly recognisable as an enthusiast), though a few got on at Imperial Wharf.

 

[N Levers]

The Kensington Olympia-Wandsworth Road service will be withdrawn in December with the opening of the East London line Overground service to Clapham Jn thus providing a regular passenger service over the section between Factory Jn and Clapham Jn.

No it isn't.

It runs at 10.02 Monday - Friday. http://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/service/timesandfares/KPA/WWR/171212/0945/dep?directonly

 

[dzug2]

Gloucester to Stansted Airport is another example of the type originally requested

 

[steamybrian]

No it isn't.

It runs at 10.02 Monday - Friday. http://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/service/timesandfares/KPA/WWR/171212/0945/dep?directonly

Apologies-- I must admit I had not checked the new timetable but only relaying information given elsewhere.
This service will now provide the only service on the short section between Longhedge Jn and Latchmere Jn .

 

[Max]

Lincoln has a direct service to Hull on weekday afternoons but this is not reciprocated. Similarly Beverley-York Monday-Saturday mornings with no return.

 

[Wolvercoter]

It runs at 10.02 Monday - Friday. http://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/service/timesandfares/KPA/WWR/171212/0945/dep?directonly

I travelled on the 10:02 Kensington Olympia to Wandsworth Road on Friday. I'm pretty sure I was the only passenger between Imperial Wharf and Wandsworth Road.

Is there still an early morning XC Nottingham to Bournemouth? I think that one might be a one-way journey for Nottingham.

 

[Liam]

There is an evening Glasgow-Markinch service, the morning service in the opposite direction starts at Kirkcaldy.

 

[tbtc]

Gloucester to Stansted Airport is another example of the type originally requested

I had no idea about that one!

 

[louis97]

Penzance to Cardiff, service in the other direction terminates at Plymouth
Keyham/Dockyard to Exeter, only a service in the morning peak (Mon-Fri) no returning trains calls.
Taunton to Frome - one HST from Taunton calls, service in other direction withdrawn few years ago!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
From the new timetable in December

Frome to Tiverton and Exeter
Bruton to Taunton, Tiverton and Exeter

One train a week on a Friday.

 

[Coolguy22468]

Also until it closed wernt the National Rail platforms at Barbican one direction only.

 

[transmanche]

21:09 ATW MF Birmingham Intl to Warrington BQ via Shrewsbury & Chester (FO extended to Manchester Piccadilly)
06:10 ATW SO Shrewsbury to Manchester Piccadilly via Chester

These are the only direct trains from Gobowen/Chirk/Ruabon/Wrexham to Warrington/Manchester

17:10 NR MF Metrocentre to Chathill. The only direct train between MetroCentre and stations north of Morpeth.

There are no return workings.

 

[hairyhandedfool]

Also until it closed wernt the National Rail platforms at Barbican one direction only.

The Thameslink services stopped on the up line (to Moorgate) but not the down line (to Farringdon).