Hayes Line peak frequency

[Mastermind88]

How easily could the Hayes and Sidcup line diagramming be separated, so the formations allocated to each line stay on that line all day, rather than alternate between the two as they do currently? There might be scope for one or two 12-car diagrams if these were separated out. The Sidcup line could just about get away with no 12-cars on the basis of its enhanced frequency in the peaks, although if possible I'd have the 17:51 CHX-Gillingham and one of the Strood-CHX morning peak diagrams 12-car, as these are usually very busy. The Gillingham service in particular is formed of an allocation that runs ECS before and after this service so could be easier to make any length (usually 10-car atm).

The issue is train crew and lack of PNB points for the Hayes route, the only location is at Charing Cross and it isnt great for performance to have all train crew being relieved at Charing Cross since the Depot is not the largest and if any thing happens service recovery is not easy, therefore Hayes services need to be interworked with another service and if you calculate the time it takes from Dartford - CHX - Hayes - CHX - Dartford it is a nice block of work for Drivers to have before their maximum Driving time is up and they need relieving

 

[Stephen42]

How easily could the Hayes and Sidcup line diagramming be separated, so the formations allocated to each line stay on that line all day, rather than alternate between the two as they do currently? There might be scope for one or two 12-car diagrams if these were separated out. The Sidcup line could just about get away with no 12-cars on the basis of its enhanced frequency in the peaks, although if possible I'd have the 17:51 CHX-Gillingham and one of the Strood-CHX morning peak diagrams 12-car, as these are usually very busy. The Gillingham service in particular is formed of an allocation that runs ECS before and after this service so could be easier to make any length (usually 10-car atm).

In addition to the train crew complexity, the main challenge is Charing Cross rather than any of the other stations along the route. There's nothing stopping a 12-car cycling between Hayes and Dartford via Sidcup if it remains on the right half of Charing Cross throughout. At peak times normally the train needs to arrive two minutes earlier or later swapping with another one to be able to use the other half of the station.

12-car Networker operation is only allowed up to Gravesend, anything to Strood or Gillingham isn't currently permitted. Gillingham depot would also need to couple/decouple within the depot for 12-car trains as none of the stabling roads are long enough.

 

[brad465]

The issue is train crew and lack of PNB points for the Hayes route, the only location is at Charing Cross and it isnt great for performance to have all train crew being relieved at Charing Cross since the Depot is not the largest and if any thing happens service recovery is not easy, therefore Hayes services need to be interworked with another service and if you calculate the time it takes from Dartford - CHX - Hayes - CHX - Dartford it is a nice block of work for Drivers to have before their maximum Driving time is up and they need relieving

I see, thanks for confirming.

12-car Networker operation is only allowed up to Gravesend, anything to Strood or Gillingham isn't currently permitted. Gillingham depot would also need to couple/decouple within the depot for 12-car trains as none of the stabling roads are long enough.

Do you know why they can't be in service that far as 12-car? AIUI all the platforms involved are 12-car, unless it is solely the depot length problems.

 

[Mastermind88]

I see, thanks for confirming.

Do you know why they can't be in service that far as 12-car? AIUI all the platforms involved are 12-car, unless it is solely the depot length problems.

There isnt any issue with running 12 car networkers except that due to dispatch sighting issues 4 members of staff are required at Strood (even though its DOO) and Gillingham Platform 1 can be very tight to turn a 12 car round in because there would be signal sighting issue at the London End.

Also all roads other than the Shunt Neck and Reception Road at Gillingham are maximum of 10 cars so units would need to be detached and formed up on the Reception Road which isnt reliable for performance