Timetable Changes 31st July 2011

[graeme186]

On my way home through Rickmansworth this evening, I noticed that the station staff had kindly put up a notice advising that as from 31/07/11, the 0744 and 0816 ex Amersham to Aldgate trains would be calling at all stations between Harrow and Baker Street.

I wondered whether these adjustments might be a 'warm-up' for what's coming in December(!) but on interrogating Journey Planner, I find that these two services will run in the paths south of Harrow of the former 0748 and 0821 ex Uxbridge services which are withdrawn. I also had a look at the evening peak and it would appear that the 1809 Aldgate-Uxbridge is withdrawn.

Is anyone able to advise why there appears to be these slight reductions in the maximum number of trains required for service? I don't have immediate access to WTT330.

[bengley]

Great! Make very busy peak hours trains into London slow so people can't get to work on time any more so they have to get the train before! Good thinking LU!.

[knap]

Not good, just causes a longer journey - thanks. I don't have an alternative of Chiltern as I have to go to Finchley Road.

Anyway, is this wise to make these two services stop at more stations making them busier for part of August when Marylebone is closed for one week and for another the Wycombe line to Marylebone is closed meaning services from Amersham will be more heavily loaded when they arrive at Harrow?

[metman]

Doesn't sound like its well planned at all!

With fewer seats and more stops it sounds like it's all designed to upset the Bucks crowd! Thankfully I drive to work and as part of my job now!

The S Stock CIS cannot be set up for 'fast to Harrow, then all stations' journies; at least it's not an option on the list of codes we've been issued. I wonder if we'll see a software update, or if not we'll have to put it up as a 'fast' to Harrow, then change the calling pattern to 'all stations', triggering announcements that the 'destination of this train has changed', when in fact it hasn't!

[Uzair Siddiqi]

Jul 21, 2011 9:12:32 GMT @setttt said:

The S Stock CIS cannot be set up for 'fast to Harrow, then all stations' journies; at least it's not an option on the list of codes we've been issued. I wonder if we'll see a software update, or if not we'll have to put it up as a 'fast' to Harrow, then change the calling pattern to 'all stations', triggering announcements that the 'destination of this train has changed', when in fact it hasn't!

What about using the semi fast configuration?

[metman]

Semi fast is normally non stopping Northwick Park, Preston Road and (often) Wembley Park.

Indeed, selecting a semi-fast code would indicate all stations Moor Park-Harrow, then fast to either Wembley or Finchley Rd.

[Ben]

Thats not too great. Considering the multitude of non-stopping timtabling codes on the Met, its suprising this isn't reflected in the software on the S stock. Perhaps this is deliberate...

Perhaps though, this is being done so that when the signalling upgrade comes, fasts can be reintroduced, and then the time saving from that can be included in the overall % improvement that can be claimed for the new signalling on posters; suitably worded, of course. Classic tactics, make something worse, wait till people forget, then return to previous way and make a big PR reward.

[Uzair Siddiqi]

I'm guessing a software update will add the new semi fast service. It is classified as semi fast though, right?

[metman]

Perhaps? It may be called a semi-fast train, running non-stop between Moor Park and Harrow!

Jul 20, 2011 21:26:51 GMT graeme186 said:

On my way home through Rickmansworth this evening, I noticed that the station staff had kindly put up a notice advising that as from 31/07/11, the 0744 and 0816 ex Amersham to Aldgate trains would be calling at all stations between Harrow and Baker Street.

I wondered whether these adjustments might be a 'warm-up' for what's coming in December(!) but on interrogating Journey Planner, I find that these two services will run in the paths south of Harrow of the former 0748 and 0821 ex Uxbridge services which are withdrawn. I also had a look at the evening peak and it would appear that the 1809 Aldgate-Uxbridge is withdrawn.

Is anyone able to advise why there appears to be these slight reductions in the maximum number of trains required for service? I don't have immediate access to WTT330.

The alterations have been tried, tested and lived with for a number of months now - albeit in maybe a slightly different form and at slightly different timings.

You may recall that back when WTT 329 was introduced, we had numerous issues with the weather, a new train crew facility, and new staff unfamiliar with the line. There were also stock shortages, and a couple of timetable clashes that needed attention.

Back then we had a plan for both peaks, which involved diversions, altered stopping patterns and cancellations. Gradually over the weeks and months, most services were re-instated, and the publicity surrounding them was dropped.

However, a couple of altered stopping patterns and cancellations still existed to help keep the service more reliable. These same (well more or less) current "cancellations" will become permanent alterations from 31st July.

There has never been any real effect on passenger loadings around the "gaps" that were created, and to be honest I doubt your average customer even noticed the holes. Thanks to this publicity, unfortunately it will become common knowledge, and so for the first time we'll probably get complaints.

Jul 21, 2011 8:42:18 GMT knap said:

Not good, just causes a longer journey - thanks. I don't have an alternative of Chiltern as I have to go to Finchley Road.

Anyway, is this wise to make these two services stop at more stations making them busier for part of August when Marylebone is closed for one week and for another the Wycombe line to Marylebone is closed meaning services from Amersham will be more heavily loaded when they arrive at Harrow?

this why i get off of chiltern its of no use south of harrow its straight to marylebone.

whats so puzzling why after all these years' decades in fact. this happening now,since this new train has arrived its caused nothing but controversy.

now this new proposed timetable,its as if someones going out of their way to rile up people.

Jul 21, 2011 17:43:40 GMT @redsetter said:

Jul 21, 2011 8:42:18 GMT knap said:

whats so puzzling why after all these years' decades in fact. this happening now,since this new train has arrived its caused nothing but controversy.

now this new proposed timetable,its as if someones going out of their way to rile up people.

As written elsewhere, the S-stock has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with the new timetables in December 2010, 31st July or in December 2011.

Admittedly, the loss of the Chesham shuttle is a double-edged benefit - the patrons of Chesham got their through service, and the S-stock doesn't fit in the bay - but the campaign for through services was fought and won before the first S-stock turned a wheel.

Jul 21, 2011 17:43:40 GMT @redsetter said:

since this new train has arrived its caused nothing but controversy.

As MetControl says, and as a line controller he should know, this has nothing to do with S Stock. As far as causing "nothing but controversy" is concerned, I'd like to know how you can assume nobody is happy with it and how you actually arrive at such a conclusion?