I think the TPE service that is proposed to run to Edinburgh via the ECML is from Liverpool, not Manchester Airport. Not a very sensible route for end-to-end traffic, I would have thought, but perhaps it's justified by intermediate traffic.
TPE are meant to start a direct Glasgow - Liverpool service in December, 5tpd in each way I believe. Although publicity on that new service that TPE seemed to be bigging up for a while has gone quiet all of a sudden...You might as well allow XC to run that as it seems more a XC service then a TPE service.
As to TPE, instead of proposing a Liverpool to Edinburgh service via Newcastle I rather they offer a Liverpool to Edinburgh via Carlisle service as it would be quicker and would give Merseyside a direct link to Scotland.
As to Dunbar the reason I asked if they were going to reinstate the lifted northbound loop is because of all the extra traffic that the station will see, it might be a good idea for services stopping there to use the loop platforms and allow the non stop services to continue to use the though lines.
It’s all very bizarre. I feel for Linlithgow and Polmont passengers once the new timetable comes into effect.
I'm pretty sure the general delay/cancellation of the December 2018 timetable changes has push this back to May 2019.TPE are meant to start a direct Glasgow - Liverpool service in December, 5tpd in each way I believe. Although publicity on that new service that TPE seemed to be bigging up for a while has gone quiet all of a sudden...
Agreed. I think most Linlithgow passengers will be heading for Edinburgh. Will the Cumbernauld and/or Dunblane trains stop at Edinburgh Park?It's no different for Linlithgow and Polmont passengers unless they are heading for Stirling. If not heading for Stirling then the services will be faster and quieter. What's not to like?
2. I believe that the second platform at Dunbar MUST take priority over any reopening of Reston and indeed must be operational before Reston even sees construction.
The second platform at Dunbar must also see the reinstatement of the northbound loop that was ripped up by BR.
Agreed. I think most Linlithgow passengers will be heading for Edinburgh. Will the Cumbernauld and/or Dunblane trains stop at Edinburgh Park?
How certain do you think the delivery of the Almond Curve to be. It seems a vital piece of infrastructure for South East Scotland.Dunblane and Cumbernauld services both stopping at Edinburgh Park I believe giving it 8tph each way in total.
Eventually post Almond Curve you might expect that to fall back to 6tph again with the other services going to Edinburgh Gateway.
As to TPE, instead of proposing a Liverpool to Edinburgh service via Newcastle I rather they offer a Liverpool to Edinburgh via Carlisle service as it would be quicker and would give Merseyside a direct link to Scotland.
TPE are meant to start a direct Glasgow - Liverpool service in December, 5tpd in each way I believe. Although publicity on that new service that TPE seemed to be bigging up for a while has gone quiet all of a sudden...
It's no different for Linlithgow and Polmont passengers unless they are heading for Stirling. If not heading for Stirling then the services will be faster and quieter. What's not to like?
The Cumbernauld service is supposed to be a 3 or 4-car 385 even at peak times. There is no ‘extra seats’ for Polmont or Linlithgow passengers.
EGIP promised so much, but it has barely improved, and in some cases worsened the services on intermediate stations.
Delayed until May 2019 and should be 3 trains per day via the WCML.
Unless Cumbernauld, Stepps and Gartcosh suddenly becomes a commuting Mecca for people working in Edinburgh Falkirk Grahamston, Polmont and Linlithgow are effectively getting their own service and will not have to share it with loads of people travelling to/from Larbert and beyond.
So in effect there will be more seats and more space for Polmont and Linlithgow whilst Stirling passengers also get more seats and space due to the removal of Polmont and Linlithgow passengers.
To suggest that nothing is being done to improve the quality of the journey for the vast majority of passengers from those two stations is in my opinion wrong. The only group being disadvantaged is the smallest one which is those that travel from Polmont or Linlithgow to Larbert or beyond and as long as a timely connect exists at Grahamston this shouldn't be a major problem.
I'd happily bet the total number of passengers in an average day travelling from Linlithgow to Stirling would struggle to fill an eight car 385.
How certain do you think the delivery of the Almond Curve to be. It seems a vital piece of infrastructure for South East Scotland.
Unfortunately, for Linlithgow, it's one of the smaller stations on the route but I hardly think it's a disaster.You obviously don’t know much about Linlithgow.
We have waited the best part of a decade, and all EGIP has delivered for the intermediate stations is a slight increase in capacity (still full and standing in the mornings) and a slight increase in journey times (still held at Newbridge every morning, and is only going to get worse with the Cumbernaulds added), as well as a removal of an important link, replaced with a single-unit, almost pointless westbound service.
There has been no increase in service, and frankly not much at all to benefit Linlithgow, or any of the intermediate stations. EGIP has been a disaster, and can only be saved (only maybe) by the Almond Chord.
You obviously don’t know much about Linlithgow.
We have waited the best part of a decade, and all EGIP has delivered for the intermediate stations is a slight increase in capacity (still full and standing in the mornings) and a slight increase in journey times (still held at Newbridge every morning, and is only going to get worse with the Cumbernaulds added), as well as a removal of an important link, replaced with a single-unit, almost pointless westbound service.
There has been no increase in service, and frankly not much at all to benefit Linlithgow, or any of the intermediate stations. EGIP has been a disaster, and can only be saved (only maybe) by the Almond Chord.
Unfortunately, for Linlithgow, it's one of the smaller stations on the route but I hardly think it's a disaster.
Unfortunately, for Linlithgow, it's one of the smaller stations on the route but I hardly think it's a disaster.
Is this a joke?
So EGIP is delivering Linlithgow 2tph longer trains that will get you to Edinburgh and Glasgow faster with more capacity and 2tph of quieter trains that will get you to Edinburgh and Falkirk faster. It also provides a new commuting opportunity to Cumbernauld and Gartcosh for the Scottish Crime Campus.
These are all benefits.
There is a disbenefit for those travelling to Larbert and Stirling. But really that is a very small number of people compared to those going to Edinburgh and Glasgow who will have longer, faster trains with less people on them.
A northbound loop at Dunbar would only be of use for freight, and I'm not sure if it's long enough to be useful. It's not much longer than the platform. And building a northbound platform on the mainline means that trains don't have to slow down (approach control) and cross the southbound line.Both East Linton and Reston are meant to be reopened as part of the local North Berwick services as of Dec 2016 as proposed by a study in 2013 however I believe this will now start in Dec 2018 due to lack of rolling stock.
However while I back the proposal to reopen East Linton, I don't support the same proposal for Reston for two reasons:
1. Dunbar is a acceptable railhead for Reston as local buses take about 46 mins, trains could do that in half the time.
2. I believe that the second platform at Dunbar MUST take priority over any reopening of Reston and indeed must be operational before Reston even sees construction.
The second platform at Dunbar must also see the reinstatement of the northbound loop that was ripped up by BR.
As to Winchburgh, what services would call there?
It's the sort of comment that appears on here from people who haven't a clue.
You obviously don’t know much about Linlithgow.
We have waited the best part of a decade, and all EGIP has delivered for the intermediate stations is a slight increase in capacity (still full and standing in the mornings) and a slight increase in journey times (still held at Newbridge every morning, and is only going to get worse with the Cumbernaulds added), as well as a removal of an important link, replaced with a single-unit, almost pointless westbound service.
There has been no increase in service, and frankly not much at all to benefit Linlithgow, or any of the intermediate stations. EGIP has been a disaster, and can only be saved (only maybe) by the Almond Chord.
Unfortunately, for Linlithgow, it's one of the smaller stations on the route but I hardly think it's a disaster.
It does need a better service but until the chord is built that isn’t going to happen.