Tarka line overcrowding - possible solutions

[Halsebee]

Given the reports of severe overcrowding on the Tarka line with trains leaving Barnstaple full and standing, would it not be possible to run a five car train from Exeter to Crediton, split the train, run 3 cars to Barnstaple with just a couple of stops, and run the remaining two cars up to Eggesford or somewhere.

These would return to Crediton picking up passengers from the intermediate stations, followed by the return working from Barnstaple to rejoin at Crediton?

I'm sure there would be signalling issues to work out, but would this not be a fairly cheap and viable way of providing a much enhanced service without the need for new passing loops etc?

 

[zwk500]

The signalling issue would not be cheap to resolve - not only would you need the permissive working installing at Crediton but you'd need the controls on the section of single line to be used by successive trains.
You'd also need another driver for the detached section, and of course the running costs of the additional unit.

Making the existing trains longer would presumably be the most cost-effective solution, even if it meant platform extensions.

 

[Amlag]

The signalling issue would not be cheap to resolve - not only would you need the permissive working installing at Crediton but you'd need the controls on the section of single line to be used by successive trains.
You'd also need another driver for the detached section, and of course the running costs of the additional unit.

Making the existing trains longer would presumably be the most cost-effective solution, even if it meant platform extensions.

Sometimes one of the hourly each way North Devon line three car cl 158 daytime diagrams is formed of 2 x 2 car 150 sets = 4 cars which existing platform lengths CAN accommodate.

 

[30907]

In timetabling terms, there's little benefit in running fast Crediton-Eggesford, as you'd only end up waiting to cross the other train, and the same is true beyond Eggesford.

To make a real impact you would need to double Crediton-Coleford Jn AND put in a loop at Umberleigh, which would allow a half-hourly service (or at least 3per2h). Lengthening platforms would be cheaper - or SDO!

The recent discussion (despite the title) is here from post #73
https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...inks-through-fares.240027/page-4#post-6560783

 

[Irascible]

Lengthening intermediate platforms ( or other lower tech solutions to enable longer trains ) seems the best option right now - the ends of the route can handle turning around longer trains.

*Then* all the other stuff that needs resignalling!

 

[HSTEd]

The line needs resignalling, moving of the crossovers for the Okehampton branch to the actual point of divergence, and probably another loop.

But all that is rather expensive, in the short term the best that can be hoped for is platform extensions or SDO.