Group: uk.transport.london · Group Profile
Author: Paul ScottPaul Scott Date: Sep 17, 2008 15:33
"Peter Masson" privacy.net> wrote in message
news:k_ednZSKINW6HEzVnZ2dnUVZ8s3inZ2d@bt.com...>
> "Standing at HN28 signal" yahoo.co.uk> wrote>>
>> I believe the stops between Clapham Jnc and East Croydon are because
>> there are quite a lot of people who use the West London Line to get to
>> those places. The evening train from Watford (17??) to East Croydon
>> that runs now is quite popular from Kensington to the intermediates.
>> Also the train in the morning that runs to Kensington from the
>> intermediates is also very popular. Presumably there is expected to be
>> a lot of patronage from the new shopping complex at Shepherds Bush as
>> well.
>
> The reason why the trains will not run fast from Clapham Junction to East
> Croydon, or south of East Croydon, is that it is difficult to path the
> crossing move between Slow and Fast at Balham, and it is a cause of
> further
> delay if trains don't run exactly to time. But, as you say, there is
> demand
> between the West London Line and East Croydon, and intermediate stations,
> so
> it is worthwhile running through to East Croydon on the Slows, rather than
> terminating at Clapham Junction.
>
A small point which some may haveforgotten, [probably not you Peter!] is
that the decision to get this service off the fast lines was done and dusted
a while ago, because the fast line services were sorted out as part of the
Brighton Main Line RUS, consulted about way back, leading to certain other
major decisions such as the Gatwick Express transfer, peak 442s etc.
So although the service in question crops up for discussion in the SL RUS
consultation, which is still current, we're really stuck with the EC to CJ
on the slow lines part I think. Of course once running in amongst other slow
services, there isn't a lot of point in not stopping...
Paul S
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