Apart from:
* The weekly nuclear waste train which will be running for some years yet
* The triangle is frequently used to turn on-track plant and units with a defective cab/coupler
* It is used in some timetable periods to accommodate Leeds-Morecambe services that can't be pathed via Lancaster in both directions
Weekly neculear train I didn't know about.
For turning trains around, does it really happen that often.
Leeds-Morecambe the vast majority of services are pathed via Lancaster. I'm sure that work could be undertaken to in the relevant timetable periods to get all trains via Lancaster
I suppose the question I ask is, if the line didn't have the curve towards Carnforth, would it be put forward to be built? I say no since the use is so limited. trains can go via Lancaster.
Anyway, if the track stays, so beit but there doesn't need to be a parly train in the TSR over it.
Surprisingly busy, appears to be a train timed for kicking out time at the offices near Bristol Parkway. Almost full and standing when I caught one.
I believe it's to serve MoD staff from Abbey Wood, some of whom relocated from Bath but still live there.
Interesting. Would I be right in thinking there isn't a morning equivalent though? From what I can see, morning trains go via Temple Meads in which case, surely this is suitable in the afternoon as well.
The marginal cost of running some of these is minimal. Battersea Park for East London services serves an already open station and the service is there primarily to retain driver route knowledge. Why not open doors if the crew is there and the station open.
I often think of Dronfield, had a poor service until ten years ago, now hourly, can't see that being taken away in a hurry.
Wedgewood and Barlaston must be on borrowed time I'd have thought. Eturia... suspect there was a a business case to close that and straighten the tracks and increase line speed. Minute off journey times = £££
Polesworth, one train per day in one direction. Not sure whether the timetable is built to serve that each hour in theory in both directions.
Sometimes just easier to serve the station. Stop, open doors, close doors, go. Saves the closure process, I've read some of them and some... i don't know the words... frustrating objections... from people who live 300 miles away from a station serving nothing. Each has to be looked into and replied. Cheaper to stop, open doors, close doors, go.
Wedgewood and Barlaston have proposals to reopen i think with WMT.
Polesworth I can see it having some potential if introduced. I do wonder why a subway can't be built here rather than going for a costly bridge with lifts. Subways can then just have ramps since they don't go as low down as a bridge goes high (if that makes sense).
Some things which are cheaper short term cost more longer term as the tracks need maintaining (if it's line not used much), there is the cost of 1 less path perhaps or just the cost of people not wanting to use the stations due to the journey time increase. As you've said above, reduced journey time means more money.