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Post by londonstuff on Dec 19, 2008 8:39:33 GMT
Could any Picc drivers tell me why Easbound trains are seemingly always held at Hyde Park Corner to 'regulate' the service.
I could understand it if there were delays at the time and the service controllers needed to eliminate large gaps, but it seems to be every single time I'm on the train. Is there a really severe speed restriction between HPC and Green Park or something, or is there a different reason?
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Post by upfast on Dec 19, 2008 9:24:28 GMT
Could any Picc drivers tell me why Easbound trains are seemingly always held at Hyde Park Corner to 'regulate' the service. I could understand it if there were delays at the time and the service controllers needed to eliminate large gaps, but it seems to be every single time I'm on the train. Is there a really severe speed restriction between HPC and Green Park or something, or is there a different reason? Two reasons: When the signalling desk that controls Hyde Park Corner is open, and the service is running well and on time, you may be held until right time by the Programme Machine, if it is in Programme mode, then the EB starter signal won't clear until the correct time. The newest timetable has a lot of "slack" in it, so if nothing happens, trains will wait at timing locations. There is also gizmo called a Balanced Headway (also one at Finsbury Park WB). This regulates the service automatically by seeing how far the train ahead is and how far the one behind is. If the train is being regualted for too long, then this can be taken out and the train let go. Regulating can be irritatiing if you are on the train, especially if you have a connection or meeting to get to at the next station. If you come down the stairs though and see a massive gap, you might have wanted some regualtion - you might have benefited! |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 19, 2008 14:07:54 GMT
Is there a really severe speed restriction between HPC and Green Park or something, or is there a different reason? Not "severe", but there is a 30mph for about 60% of it, followed by a 25mph as you enter Green Park platform - full line speed on the Picc is 45mph, for reference. However, the proper reason is as given above - balanced headways and being held to time. Therefore if you've got a fast driver/train (or are behind a slow driver/train!) you're more likely to be held. As mentioned there is quite a lot of 'give' in the current timetable when conditions are clear, so quite a few people manage to run early - even I've managed to get to Arnos up to five minutes early on occasion. Today was three minutes early, and that was *after* being held at Hyde Park for just under a minute, having to wait outside Kings Cross for the previous train to leave, and not having an especially powerful train. |
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Post by londonstuff on Dec 19, 2008 22:32:04 GMT
Cheers all, I'll try not to get so impatient next time  |
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Post by happybunny on Dec 20, 2008 0:04:06 GMT
LUL's cure to 'slower drivers' and 'operational problems (i.e. trouble junctions) is to.... loosen up the timetable... of course all trains are on time... but that is cos they allow 45 minutes to do a trip which could take 30 minutes if driven properly! The result.... HOLDING EVERYWHERE ! *sigh* ... for example, leaving Upminster in evening.. by the time your train reaches Whitechapel it can be about 8 minutes early (assuming, as usual the starter is clear at Barking WB), resulting in a big hold for about 8 minutes.. cos the timetable is so loose to look after the dawdlers and the 'no-flaggers' (which is what they want these days it seems :S )
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Post by 21146 on Dec 20, 2008 0:52:28 GMT
LUL's cure to 'slower drivers' and 'operational problems (i.e. trouble junctions) is to.... loosen up the timetable... of course all trains are on time... but that is cos they allow 45 minutes to do a trip which could take 30 minutes if driven properly! The result.... HOLDING EVERYWHERE ! *sigh* ... for example, leaving Upminster in evening.. by the time your train reaches Whitechapel it can be about 8 minutes early (assuming, as usual the starter is clear at Barking WB), resulting in a big hold for about 8 minutes.. cos the timetable is so loose to look after the dawdlers and the 'no-flaggers' (which is what they want these days it seems :S ) Exactly, "This train is being held at a red signal etc". Ken is gone. How long before we get a management interested in substance and not PR/Spin? |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 20, 2008 2:44:58 GMT
I'd give it at least 4 years if I were you.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 20, 2008 20:24:29 GMT
The signalling desk that controls Hyde Park Corner is the King's Cross Desk it is normally open 24 - 7 but sometimes it is closed due to shortage of staff. The functions we have is Push Button this is when the signal person controls the signals manually, there is a mode called Programme this routes the train be train description and also maintain the train to time provided it has the correct train number this function is normally used before 7 a.m. Mon - Sat & 8 a.m. Sun and also there is a "Balanced Headway" this regulates the service between the train in front and the train behind with a train in the platform. This tries and keep an even service but this will only work until the train in-front gets to Leicester Square then the starting signal will clear even if the train is early. PLEASE NOTE Train Drivers when balance headway is in and you are running late the "Balanced Headway" will still regulate your train, Sorry.
The Balanced Headway at Finsbury Park WB works the same but the control of the signalling is done from Cobourg Street but the use of the Balanced Headway is controlled from the Hammersmith Desk.
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