Enhanced shoulder peak frequency

[northwichcat]

A lot of lines have more trains at peak times (before 09:30 and between 16:30 and 18:30.) However, on a lot of lines there's also a shoulder peak period (quite often 09:30-11:00 and 15:00-16:30) which can have passenger numbers approaching the peak level but with an off-peak frequency. However are there any local lines which have extra trains in the shoulder peak period?

 

[causton]

My local line does!

(First Capital Connect Great Northern)

The second off-peak service from my station is an extra train which calls at Welwyn Garden City, Hatfield, Potters Bar, Finsbury Park and Kings Cross only. This is because the semi-fast 10 minutes later is usualy rammed anyway, let alone before people from the first 3 stops get on!

There are also other services running contra-peak flow and in the evenings out of London, I believe some are worked by 313s running semi-fast as described above!

 

[asylumxl]

On the TL side there are a few shoulder peak trains. I do think that some of them could do with lengthening in the long run though. Some are 4 carriages which just isn't enough.

 

[Bald Rick]

On the TL side there are a few shoulder peak trains. I do think that some of them could do with lengthening in the long run though. Some are 4 carriages which just isn't enough.

Not enough trains, as they are all used on the peak services and are in the wrong place. However WHEN the new trains arrive, it won't be a problem; they will all be 8 or 12 coaches long. Even at 7am on Sunday morning.

 

[Class377/5]

But not every 12 car capable route will get 12 cars all day long. Even in the shoulder peaks.

 

[TheJRB]

On Southeastern, the 08:51 (extra unit attaches at Ashford) and 09:53 from Margate to St Pancras (arriving at 10:21 and 11:21 respectively) are both formed of twelve coaches. I know the former is especially popular.

 

[Darren R]

I thought this concept of shoulder peaks was fairly common these days. Even in this tiny corner of Lancashire the service from Manchester Victoria steps up from a basic hourly to every 45 mins or so then to every half hour. Doesn't it make it easier operationally at major stations? It certainly means there isn't suddenly a massive rush of ECS runs to the depot all at once.

 

[northwichcat]

I thought this concept of shoulder peaks was fairly common these days. Even in this tiny corner of Lancashire the service from Manchester Victoria steps up from a basic hourly to every 45 mins or so then to every half hour. Doesn't it make it easier operationally at major stations? It certainly means there isn't suddenly a massive rush of ECS runs to the depot all at once.

Northern actually seem to have removed a lot of what were shoulder peak services in favour of more strengthened standard pattern services.

The Mid-Cheshire line used to have:
15:0x Chester to Manchester - all stops (2 car 150)
15:4x Chester to Manchester - semi-fast (2 car 142)
16:0x Chester to Manchester - all stops (2 car 142)

It now has:
15:0x Chester to Manchester - all stops (4 car 150)
16:0x Chester to Manchester - all stops (2 car 142)

Also under First North Western we had something along the lines of:
09:0x Chester to Manchester - all stops
10: xx Northwich to Blackpool - semi-fast (Summer only)
10:0x Chester to Manchester - all stops

When Northern took over this became:
09:3x Northwich to Blackpool - stopper (north of Manchester this took the path previously taken by a Buxton-Manchester service)
10:0x Chester to Manchester - all stops
10: xx Manchester Piccadilly to Blackpool - semi-fast (Summer only)

And then got changed again in the Dec 08 timetable change.