Why this one-off inter-station time?

[ian1944]

For many years, the last weekday and Saturday trains to North Berwick have been allowed about 20 minutes from Drem, while all others on those days and throughout Sunday show about 10 minutes. I assume that it's some kind of fiddle to avoid late-running penalties, but can't see how it works if it's applied to only six trains a week out of 130 odd. Can someone enlighten me?

 

[najaB]

For many years, the last weekday and Saturday trains...

If it's the last train of the day then it's likely an engineering allowance in case one line is shut.

 

[ian1944]

I don't understand the point you're making. It's single-track between Drem and NB, if that has any relevance.

 

[najaB]

I don't understand the point you're making. It's single-track between Drem and NB, if that has any relevance.

D'oh! I read it as Berwick (-on-Tweed). Should've twigged that it takes longer than 10 minutes to get to Berwick. In that case I'm not sure why there would be an engineering allowance.

 

[Tetchytyke]

In that case I'm not sure why there would be an engineering allowance.

There is though, at Drem:

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/G65237/2016/03/21/advanced

 

[edwin_m]

In case one line is shut between Edinburgh and Drem?

 

[greatkingrat]

It is better to put in the extra time between Drem and North Berwick as then when there is no engineering work the train can go straight through (arriving at North Berwick early).

If the extra time was added somewhere between Edinburgh and Drem, then the train would be forced to sit at Drem waiting for booked departure time, delaying North Berwick passengers unnecessarily.

 

[ian1944]

OK, I see the point but it seems surprisingly defensive. Rather than the last train (Mon to Sat, why not Sunday - are there never engineering delays then?) occasionally arriving late at NBW, instead it doesn't arrive early occasionally. I wonder if there are similar cases elsewhere, with the same conservative timetabling.

 

[najaB]

...why not Sunday - are there never engineering delays then?

Isn't the last train earlier on a Sunday?

 

[30907]

OK, I see the point but it seems surprisingly defensive. Rather than the last train (Mon to Sat, why not Sunday - are there never engineering delays then?) occasionally arriving late at NBW, instead it doesn't arrive early occasionally. I wonder if there are similar cases elsewhere, with the same conservative timetabling.

Not uncommon practice in the wee small hours, though it's more usual on longer routes. Often combined with Set Down Only stops to allow flexibility.

Examples: 0350 Brighton to London (sufficient time to divert via Lewes or Hove); WCML trains (time to go via Northampton or run Slow Line), 2330 King's Cross to Leeds (all sorts of possibilities!) and plenty more....

 

[Barracuda]

All allowances are mandated in Section 5.5 of the Timetable Planning Rules (available online), single line working allowances are very common nationally.

Allowances vary by day of week, most likely Sunday is missing as maintenance staff are elsewhere on heavier weekend works.

 

[Class 170101]

Also they want trains to get off the network quicker so the engineers can have all lines blocks on Saturday and Sunday nights.

 

[causton]

Not uncommon practice in the wee small hours, though it's more usual on longer routes. Often combined with Set Down Only stops to allow flexibility.

Examples: 0350 Brighton to London (sufficient time to divert via Lewes or Hove)

Doesn't this one have enough padding time to be replaced by a bus to Haywards Heath (or maybe further) that can still leave at 0350 to keep to the original schedule?

 

[30907]

Doesn't this one have enough padding time to be replaced by a bus to Haywards Heath (or maybe further) that can still leave at 0350 to keep to the original schedule?

It has an extended stop at Three Bridges, so bus from Brighton straight up the A23 to TBG would work if there's work north of Keymer Jn.