Killingworth
Established Member
.. and the fastest when many leisure users are happy to take a little longer than commuters and business travellers....and appropriate train length!
MARK
.. and the fastest when many leisure users are happy to take a little longer than commuters and business travellers....and appropriate train length!
MARK
...and appropriate train length!
MARK
This has happened around Manchester since the pandemic but not quite enough yet. Most services through Castlefield are now either 6 x 23m or 5 x 26m. The upgrade seems to have noticable increased reliability to Hope Valley services but some people seem to have been expecting miracles. Routes involving entry into Lime Street, Castlefield, significant use of the MML and the case of some EMR services Ely, are never going to have very high reliability.
From a signalling point of view, excellent. Trains do regularly stand on the chord at Dore, usually going South waiting a path onto the MML. Its a lot easier too, now that everything fits.Do those with knowledge of freight services or signalling know how well the loops are working?
That may partially help explain why Northern punctuality at Dore hasn't noticeably improved. TPE late departures from Sheffield continue to blight the westbound stoppers, something the scheme can't improve.In my personal experience, I've used it more fore the late Hope Valley Stoppers, if they're 7-8 mins late at Edale in front of the Cleethorpes, I have found it worthwhile putting the stopper in the loop. If not the Cleethorpes follows it signal to signal all the way to Sheffield.
What isn't immediately obvious is that that particularly combination - late running TPE going west knocking Northern - then hits the whole hour's services following. There's a standard freight path behind the Northern train - if that ends up late it loses more time section to section and it is only 9 minutes ahead of the EMR service as booked by the time you get to Edale. Hit the EMR train and it loses it's path at Hazel Grove and ends up 20 late into Lime St.That may partially help explain why Northern punctuality at Dore hasn't noticeably improved. TPE late departures from Sheffield continue to blight the westbound stoppers, something the scheme can't improve.
The loop commonly described as the Up Heeley Loop had it’s usable length increased by repositioning the exit signal (no track alterations).Did I imagine it or was there some talk a while ago of the Up Millhouses Loop being lengthened? It could actually be extended almost as far as Sainsburys.
Was it ever seriously considered or was it just wishful thinking? Would it offer any benefit?
Actually there was an area of sleeper replacement(no track alterations)
Exactly.... indeed in the case of Liverpool to Norwich services, 90mph units might not be welcomed on the ECML as the demand for paths hots up. At Manchester Oxford Road, even 5 car trains can limit services if trains cannot use adjacent platformsThis has happened around Manchester since the pandemic but not quite enough yet. Most services through Castlefield are now either 6 x 23m or 5 x 26m. The upgrade seems to have noticable increased reliability to Hope Valley services but some people seem to have been expecting miracles. Routes involving entry into Lime Street, Castlefield, significant use of the MML and the case of some EMR services Ely, are never going to have very high reliability.
And trains now going into Heeley Loop can now get flashing aspects entering the loop, making a lot quicker to enter. It used to be approach control.The loop commonly described as the Up Heeley Loop had it’s usable length increased by repositioning the exit signal (no track alterations).