With HS2 potentially freeing up paths along several mainlines in the Midlands and North, I have been wondering whether there is any merit in a wider reorganisation of services along the East Midlands - Manchester/Leeds axis.
Firstly, with the HS2 eliminating the need for 2tph between Kings Cross and Leeds, you could use the freed up path on the Wakefield Line for a new Leeds - East Anglia service, as well as doubling of the Leeds - Doncaster stopper which would extend to Lincoln in place of the EMR shuttle. In the case of the latter, this would be a much quicker route between the two cities and allow the existing Lincoln - Leeds via Sheffield to be carved up to provide better connections elsewhere.
At the same time, I would also divert the Nottingham - Manchester service via Stoke-on-Trent. This would provide a doubling of frequency on the main part of the Derby - Crewe line and give Derby direct trains to Manchester. I am not sure if this route would be quicker than going via the Hope Valley, but it would avoid a reversal at Sheffield, while in a post-HS2/NPR scenario I would expect all Hope Valley services to pick up additional stops on that line anyway.
With the diversion of both the Leeds to Lincoln and Nottingham to Manchester away from Sheffield, you remove both reversals at that station and unlock four spare paths in each direction (1 each for Hope Valley, Hallam, Worksop and Erewash Valley lines). I would use these to create a brand new direct Manchester - Lincoln service, and a doubling of the Leeds - Nottingham to 2tph. The latter would call at the same stations as now but with the addition of 1tph alternating between Darton and Normanton to provide the much needed 2tph service to these.
To summarise, my proposed changes would consist of:
1tph Leeds - Lincoln
Outwood, Wakefield Westgate, Sandal & Abrigg, Fitzwilliam, South Elmsall, Adwick, Bentley, Doncaster, Gainsborough Lea Road, Saxilby, LINCOLN
2tph Leeds - Nottingham
Normanton (1tph), Wakefield Kirkgate, Darton (1tph), Barnsley, Meadowhall, Sheffield, Dronfield, Chesterfield, Alfreton, Langley Mill, Ilkeston, NOTTINGHAM
1tph Manchester Piccadilly - Lincoln
Stockport, Hazel Grove, Chinley, Edale, Sheffield, Worksop, Retford, Gainsborough Lea Road, Saxilby, LINCOLN
1tph Manchester Piccadilly - Nottingham
Stockport, Macclesfield, Congleton, Stoke-on-Trent, Uttoxeter, Derby, NOTTINGHAM
Also under this plan, the Manchester - Cleethorpes service would call additionally at Hazel Grove, Chinley and Dore & Totley. This is in anticipation of dedicated NPR infrastructure being built between Leeds and Manchester, which would allow a direct high speed service between Sheffield and Liverpool.
Thoughts?
Firstly, with the HS2 eliminating the need for 2tph between Kings Cross and Leeds, you could use the freed up path on the Wakefield Line for a new Leeds - East Anglia service, as well as doubling of the Leeds - Doncaster stopper which would extend to Lincoln in place of the EMR shuttle. In the case of the latter, this would be a much quicker route between the two cities and allow the existing Lincoln - Leeds via Sheffield to be carved up to provide better connections elsewhere.
At the same time, I would also divert the Nottingham - Manchester service via Stoke-on-Trent. This would provide a doubling of frequency on the main part of the Derby - Crewe line and give Derby direct trains to Manchester. I am not sure if this route would be quicker than going via the Hope Valley, but it would avoid a reversal at Sheffield, while in a post-HS2/NPR scenario I would expect all Hope Valley services to pick up additional stops on that line anyway.
With the diversion of both the Leeds to Lincoln and Nottingham to Manchester away from Sheffield, you remove both reversals at that station and unlock four spare paths in each direction (1 each for Hope Valley, Hallam, Worksop and Erewash Valley lines). I would use these to create a brand new direct Manchester - Lincoln service, and a doubling of the Leeds - Nottingham to 2tph. The latter would call at the same stations as now but with the addition of 1tph alternating between Darton and Normanton to provide the much needed 2tph service to these.
To summarise, my proposed changes would consist of:
1tph Leeds - Lincoln
Outwood, Wakefield Westgate, Sandal & Abrigg, Fitzwilliam, South Elmsall, Adwick, Bentley, Doncaster, Gainsborough Lea Road, Saxilby, LINCOLN
2tph Leeds - Nottingham
Normanton (1tph), Wakefield Kirkgate, Darton (1tph), Barnsley, Meadowhall, Sheffield, Dronfield, Chesterfield, Alfreton, Langley Mill, Ilkeston, NOTTINGHAM
1tph Manchester Piccadilly - Lincoln
Stockport, Hazel Grove, Chinley, Edale, Sheffield, Worksop, Retford, Gainsborough Lea Road, Saxilby, LINCOLN
1tph Manchester Piccadilly - Nottingham
Stockport, Macclesfield, Congleton, Stoke-on-Trent, Uttoxeter, Derby, NOTTINGHAM
Also under this plan, the Manchester - Cleethorpes service would call additionally at Hazel Grove, Chinley and Dore & Totley. This is in anticipation of dedicated NPR infrastructure being built between Leeds and Manchester, which would allow a direct high speed service between Sheffield and Liverpool.
Thoughts?
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