MML - Any thoughts?

"David Thornhill" <worlddiesel@proweb.co.uk> wrote in message news:<b4Wab.166$%G1.57@newsfep4-winn.server.ntli.net>...
> At meeting yesterday I was surprised that SRA still had an open mind on
> structure of the future MML timetable. The cross platform connections
> between fast and slow trains at Leicester will disappear, but deciding what
> replaces this is undecided. The debate is over the core Derby/Nottingham -
> St P bit of the MML - extensions to Leeds/Barnsley are another topic.

Interesting. I've thought about this and come up with some sort of
idea.

First thing is to run an hourly 6 car turbostar 2 x 3 car stopper at
all stations south of Leicester (Luton Airport Parkway, Luton,
Bedford, Wellingborough, Kettering, Market Harborough) at say xx:30.
At Leicester this train can split, the front three coaches going
forward to Beeston and Nottingham only, and the rear three going
forward to Loughborough, Long Eaton and Derby.

The x:55 Nottingham can run as an HST and call at one of Luton /
Bedford and one of Wellingborough / Kettering and onwards to Leicester
and Nottingham only (with the two hourly Loughborough stop removed to
save time for the extra calling point south of Leicester - since there
is adequate provision of Central services between Loughborough and
Nottingham).

The x:25 to Sheffield will run as an HST and I'd have one stop south
of Leicester out of Wellingborough and Kettering (depending where the
Nottingham stopped), and I'd also insert the Loughborough stop on this
service. Controversially, to make up time I'm going to send this train
via Alfreton so the Derby stop is missed out, as Virgins half hourly
Voyagers provide a frequenty enough Derby - Sheffield service), so
after Loughborough it would run fast to Chesterfield and Sheffield.

Assuming the Manchester services are continued with, the x:00 to
Manchester will also run as an HST. I'd have it stop at say Luton or
Bedford, then fast to Leicester, then calling Derby, (Chesterfield?),
Stockport, Manchester. If the Manchester service is no longer
required, I'd send this train to Leeds, via Sheffield and Wakefield.

This way Wellingborough, Kettering, Loughborough, Derby and Nottingham
have half hourly services from London with a choice of fast HST or
Stopping turbostar. The only real disadvantages I can see with this is
Market Harborough relegated to an hourly turbostar (although the
population of it is fairly small), and the services between
Wellingborough, Kettering and Market Harborough reduced to hourly
also. I would imagine Manchester and Sheffield - London times may
decrease, although the Nottingham and the turbostar services would
increase.. I'd assume with the release of HST's from VXC, we'd have
enough of them to run three an hour out of London.

Good idea's or wholly unrealistic?

"Jim Screech" <enjoythedoig@m> wrote in message
news:3e51b46.0309201329.62078b9e@co m...
>
> First thing is to run an hourly 6 car turbostar 2 x 3 car stopper at
> all stations south of Leicester (Luton Airport Parkway, Luton,
> Bedford, Wellingborough, Kettering, Market Harborough) at say xx:30.
> At Leicester this train can split, the front three coaches going
> forward to Beeston and Nottingham only, and the rear three going
> forward to Loughborough, Long Eaton and Derby.
>
> The x:55 Nottingham can run as an HST and call at one of Luton /
> Bedford and one of Wellingborough / Kettering and onwards to Leicester
> and Nottingham only (with the two hourly Loughborough stop removed to
> save time for the extra calling point south of Leicester - since there
> is adequate provision of Central services between Loughborough and
> Nottingham).
>
> The x:25 to Sheffield will run as an HST and I'd have one stop south
> of Leicester out of Wellingborough and Kettering (depending where the
> Nottingham stopped), and I'd also insert the Loughborough stop on this
> service. Controversially, to make up time I'm going to send this train
> via Alfreton so the Derby stop is missed out, as Virgins half hourly
> Voyagers provide a frequenty enough Derby - Sheffield service), so
> after Loughborough it would run fast to Chesterfield and Sheffield.
>
> Assuming the Manchester services are continued with, the x:00 to
> Manchester will also run as an HST. I'd have it stop at say Luton or
> Bedford, then fast to Leicester, then calling Derby, (Chesterfield?),
> Stockport, Manchester. If the Manchester service is no longer
> required, I'd send this train to Leeds, via Sheffield and Wakefield.
>
I suspect splitting the Turbostar at Leicester will take too long, so that
the second portion won't keep out of the way of the following HSTs. Also,
you have the xx00 Manchester following, but making fewer stops than, the
xx55 Nottingham. However, tweaking your idea might give something that could
be worked on to give nearly as good a service as now to all stations, and a
better one to many. Something like:

xx30 all MML stations to Derby. Turbostar, possibly going forward to Matlock
instead of Central Trains.
xx55 Bedford, Kettering, Leicester, Nottingham. HST
xx00 Luton, Wellingborough, Leicester, Loughborough, Derby, Chesterfield,
Stockport, Manchester. HST
xx25 Leicester, Alfreton, Chesterfield, Sheffield. HST
This last will connect at Leicester into a Turbostar from Coventry or
Birmingham to Loughborough, Beeston and Nottingham.

Peter