Virgin Trains picking up an extra 20mins to London

[NathanPrior]

Does anyone know where abouts Virgin Trains pick up the extra 20mins or so journey time on the way back to London..examples:

11:43 EUS >> 13:08 BHM 1:25hrs
21:10 BHM >> 22:55 EUS 1:45hrs

There is a total of 4mins at stations on the way back so take that off but its still 16mins longer than the outward journey.

11:20 EUS >> 13:28 MAN 2:08hrs
18:35 MAN >> 20:59 EUS 2:24hrs

Return journey has 3mins total station stopping time so again its all rather odd

 

[sonic2009]

Its possible that extra time is built into the timetable to allow for engineering work, at night.

 

[SS4]

Probably Engineering works/diversions. Should I search for 19th April
1030 BHM >> 1154 EUS 1:24
1923 EUS >> 2045 BHM 1:22

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Running via Northampton at a guess.

 

[NathanPrior]

Had a look on VT site and the only affected trains due to engineering work are after the examples used

 

[MidnightFlyer]

What dates are you looking at? I suggest it may be the WCML via Weedon that is closed, or the Fasts south of Roade.

 

[323235]

well the 1835 Manchester - Euston takes longer on a Saturday because it is pathed to use the slow lines from Hanslope Junction - Euston as the fast lines into/out of Euston close around 8pm for maintenance inspection. Same applies for the 2110 Birmingham - Euston.

 

[NathanPrior]

What dates are you looking at? I suggest it may be the WCML via Weedon that is closed, or the Fasts south of Roade.

Well I'm on the 21:10 BHM to EUS on the 14th

Also, I'm on the 20:04 Preston which gets to Euston at 22:44 on the 28th, which is 40mins slower than from London to Preston but I think thats due to it going via Crewe

 

[Mr Spock]

The longer times ar only on Saturdays and if the comparison was done on the same times from Euston you would see that the 21.03 also takes an additional 20 mins to get to Birmingham. These later trains also make 2 additional stops from/to Birmingham calling at Rugby, Milton Keynes and Watford Junction.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Also, I'm on the 20:04 Preston which gets to Euston at 22:44 on the 28th, which is 40mins slower than from London to Preston but I think thats due to it going via Crewe

All Preston services go via Crewe

 

[NathanPrior]

All Preston services go via Crewe I think you might mean Manchester.

Well thes ones before don't stop at Crewe, but my one does, so technically

 

[MidnightFlyer]

From the VT website:

Late night route improvements between Northampton and Rugby
Routes:
London - Birmingham - Wolverhampton
Date: Saturday 14 April
What is happening?
The last services on the London Euston to Wolverhampton route, will be diverted en route.
2107 Wolverhampton to London Euston – As booked to Rugby, diverted via Northampton and runs later into London Euston.
2143 London Euston to Wolverhampton – As booked to Milton Keynes Central, diverted via Northampton and runs later from Rugby.