Train routing and scheduling Durham to Sleaford

[bill masen]

May I ask for enlightenment / advice?
My son has recent found a need to visit Swineshead Lincs area a few times each month.

We have realised that we can get to Sleaford from Durham via Doncaster, Gainsborough and Lincoln, only changing once at Doncaster frequently and easily. But though there appears a reasonable amount of trains going from DHM to SLR on East Mids/Northern lines from Doncaster there does not appear to be many/any returning the same way. Most appear to have multiple changes or weird routes via Reford, Newark Newgate or Grantham.



I obviously accept it is what it is, but I'm curious as to WHY?
Cheers for any wisdom offered in advance.

 

[yorkie]

Our ticket site will offer a valid combination of tickets for an itinerary of your choice; we allow up to 3 via and up to 3 avoid locations, and we also allow you to only include, or to exclude, TOCs of your choice.

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Simply type your origin, destination, day/time requirements

If you want to specify via a particular place (including changing at, or calling at), this can be specified under 'More Options'

If you just want an itinerary without fares, you can use:

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[bill masen]

Our ticket site will offer a valid combination of tickets for an itinerary of your choice; we allow up to 3 via and up to 3 avoid locations, and we also allow you to only include, or to exclude, TOCs of your choice.

RailUK Tickets, powered by Trainsplit

The Split Ticketing Champions - Compare fares and get the best value for money through split tickets and booking cheap train tickets online and on our mobile app, E-Tickets to your phone, no booking fee, save up to 90%

tickets.railforums.co.uk

Simply type your origin, destination, day/time requirements

If you want to specify via a particular place (including changing at, or calling at), this can be specified under 'More Options'

If you just want an itinerary without fares, you can use:

Home Page - FastJP

www.fastjp.com

Thanks Yorkie

 

[30907]

There are only 5 trains a day on the Gainsborough-Doncaster section (essentially they seem to run when EMR have a spare train!) so you have to choose your time.

The East Coast timetable isn’t symmetrical, so the Grantham route works very well going North with a good hourly connection but has an extra half-hour wait southbound.

 

[a_c_skinner]

Train routes can sometimes be puzzling, with varying schedules and connections.

The moderators will move this to the "Understatement" forum and leave a red note explaining.