Direct Services to Western "Branch" Lines

[whole diary]

[Andy]

Given the success of the direct Paddington-Newquay service, is there an argument for the introduction of direct summer services from the capital to other western "branch" line termini, particularly Barnstaple (from Waterloo or Paddington) and Falmouth? Such services, which ran up to and during the seventies, when the industry was contracting, could also provide relief for overcrowded trains and/or enable current main-line services to cut out certain stops.   

[Btline]

The problem is a shortage of stock.

Running a few direct trains is not the best use of stock or staff. Virgin and XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) found this out.

It also disrupts the "clockface" timetable we all want now.

It is more important for branch lines to have a frequent clockface service with good connexions at the junction stations.

[devon_metro]

The only branchlines suitable are Paignton or Newquay. The rest either require reversals or can't feasibly operate with the infrastructure in place.

[cereal_basher]

Falmouth is physically possible with the infrastructure without any reversals. It is just impractical. It would disrupt the clockface timetable and there would be little demand.

[vacman]

Falmouth is physically possible with the infrastructure without any reversals. It is just impractical. It would disrupt the clockface timetable and there would be little demand.

On Falmouth the time table would be totally cocked as HST^▸ (High Speed Train)'s/loco's/anything other than a unit are restricted to 30 on there.

[IndustryInsider]

Not only that, but at Falmouth Docks how long is the terminating platform these days? Long enough for a HST^▸ (High Speed Train) power car and how many coaches? 1? 2? It would have to be a slow old trundle from Waterloo if anything.

[vacman]

Not only that, but at Falmouth Docks how long is the terminating platform these days? Long enough for a HST^▸ (High Speed Train) power car and how many coaches? 1? 2? It would have to be a slow old trundle from Waterloo if anything.

could fit power car+2, a 150+153 fit's snuggly into the platform.

[RailCornwall]

Newquay failure this afternoon .....

13:14 Newquay to London Paddington due 18:23

This train has been cancelled.This is due to an earlier train fault. Last Updated: 13/06/2009 12:47

[6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01]

Newquay failure this afternoon .....

13:14 Newquay to London Paddington due 18:23

This train has been cancelled.This is due to an earlier train fault. Last Updated: 13/06/2009 12:47

it never got to newquay, terminated at exeter presumably fixed there or at laira if it could make it

[cereal_basher]

It went ECS^▸ (Empty Coaching Stock) to Laira to be fixed.