Atomic Systems

I'm utterly confused as to the pathings of trains on the WCML.

As I live in Northampton I'm on the slow loop off the WCML passing through Northampton and Long Buckby. Now the majority of services I see are freight and London Midland Commuter trains. I can expect these to use the Northampton loop. Freight moves at a slower speed and this frees up the main WCML for high speed services. London Midland have a bit of hub at Northampton, so most of their services pass through and stop.

This doesn't explain however, why I see so many Pendolinos travelling through Northampton. They don't stop, but they cruise through at about 15mph. Why are they not using the WCML? Any info would be greatly appreciated!

Its not just at weekends is it?

Astrovana wrote:
This doesn't explain however, why I see so many Pendolinos travelling through Northampton. They don't stop, but they cruise through at about 15mph. Why are they not using the WCML? Any info would be greatly appreciated!

It's probably because the fast lines are shut (the Northampton loop being on the slow line)

My assumptions would've been both of the above, except this was a friday morning, and the WCML was well and truly open for normal running.

Seems odd that Network rail would route through Northampton instead of utilising the greater line speeds on the WCML.

Track cicuit problems, faulty points, Faulty Signals, the usual stuff you never hear about would send Pendolinos round the loop.

I do the Picc - Euston run a couple of times a week and a diversion round Northampton is not unusual. Not that you always get much of an explanation but it's usually points failures, track circuits, signals down. It only adds 15 - 20 mins and they can usually just about turn the set around in time with that sort of delay.

oh well the world is their oyster on sunday then as they'll have no stoppers to worry about.

im starting to feel sorry for those who live near London Midland only stations