Circle line from Mile End!

[Deleted]

This afternoon, after a slightly longer wait than normal for my westbound H&C at Mile End, the train approached the station with 'Circle line to Edgware Road' on the blinds. I assumed initially this was an error but after getting on the train the driver made the announcement that it had been diverted because it was running behind. Needless to say it took about 15 separate announcements for some passengers to work out what was going on and change at Aldgate East if they wanted to go via King's Cross.

This also confused the station destination boards. Mile End and Whitechapel still showed Hammersmith, but when the train got into Aldgate East the destination board was showing 'Parsons Green via Earl's Court'.

Some questions:

- Why would the train be diverted because it was running behind? Surely that is more reason to stick with the original route, as no passengers at stations east of L. Street/ T. Hill could get a train via KX for longer than usual anyway.
- How often does this happen?
- Does it happen in reverse? (i.e. could a Circle line train via T Hill and L Street be diverted to Barking?)

[21146]

Last Sunday the DMI at Bow Road showed "Harrow-on-the-Hill all stations" around 0720.

[charleyfarley]

Surely if you got on a Circle Line heading towards Edgware Road from Mile End, you were travelling westbound. Not sure why you would be waiting for an eastbound H & C train if you finally got on a train heading west.

[Deleted]

Sorry, you know what I meant! Edited.

[Deleted]

Nov 28, 2012 16:25:45 GMT @shelsey said:

This afternoon, after a slightly longer wait than normal for my westbound H&C at Mile End, the train approached the station with 'Circle line to Edgware Road' on the blinds. I assumed initially this was an error but after getting on the train the driver made the announcement that it had been diverted because it was running behind. Needless to say it took about 15 separate announcements for some passengers to work out what was going on and change at Aldgate East if they wanted to go via King's Cross.

This also confused the station destination boards. Mile End and Whitechapel still showed Hammersmith, but when the train got into Aldgate East the destination board was showing 'Parsons Green via Earl's Court'.

Some questions:

- Why would the train be diverted because it was running behind? Surely that is more reason to stick with the original route, as no passengers at stations east of L. Street/ T. Hill could get a train via KX for longer than usual anyway.
- How often does this happen?
- Does it happen in reverse? (i.e. could a Circle line train via T Hill and L Street be diverted to Barking?)

If the train is running very late, it is off its booked path to Hammersmith. Sometimes it's better to send it via Tower Hill as this gets it back on time at Edgware Road on the Eastbound.
It happens every day as there are trains timetabled to do this early in the morning, and it does happen in reverse for exactly the same reasons, late running and filling gaps in the Circle Service.
It can come from Aldgate East to Liverpool Street then gets described as an Inner Rail Circle. Once it gets around to Tower Hill, it the continues to Aldgate East and beyond.