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Post by br7mt on Sept 29, 2013 19:51:06 GMT
A little muse brought on by the new Tube Challenge record thread - if you had a train capable of running on all lines (specifically excluding Waterloo & City as there is no physical link), would it be possible to visit all stations on the LU network on that train only in a 24 hour period? What would the most optimal route be? Assuming fairly straightforward transfer between signalling systems. Some assumptions: 1) 24 hour period includes an element of cancelled engineering hours wherever required; 2) Train can run on all current and future signalling systems, therefore all link lines can be used; 3) Train can't match performance of more recent fleets therefore passenger trains can be cancelled to create paths; 4) Network Rail sections of LU network have to be visited; 5) Only signalled moves are allowed, so no wrong line working; 6) It is one train only, cannot be split and reformed. Over to you  Regards, Dan |
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Post by superteacher on Sept 29, 2013 20:34:51 GMT
A very interesting, albeit purely hypothetical, pondering exercise. I would be inclined to say that it isn't possible, since there would have to be a lot of doubling back on yourself. On the actual tube challenge, a lot of time is saved by changing between lines either on foot or by bus. This wouldn't be possible if you had to stay on the same train.
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Post by br7mt on Sept 29, 2013 21:26:05 GMT
You're probably right, given the number of turn backs required plus mileage to reach those locations, the extra time from a full 24 hour period is unlikely to be enough. I suspect the only chance of doing it would be to start from one of the system extremities such as Amersham / Chesham, Epping or Upminster.
Regards,
Dan
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Chris M
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Post by Chris M on Sept 29, 2013 22:46:30 GMT
My guess would be that the optimum start and finish would be the points furthest (in travel time) from a link to another line.
As a first atempt, using not much more than carto.metro, what about:
Epping -> Leytonstone (reverse) -> Woodford via Hainault -> Ealing Broadway -> North Acton (reverse) -> West Ruisip (reverse) -> Ruislip Depot (reverse) -> Uxbridge (reverse) -> Harrow-on-the-Hill (reverse) -> Amersham (reverse) -> Chalfont & Latimer (reverse) -> Chesham (reverse) -> Watford -> Wembley Park (reverse, via Neasden Depot if needed) -> Stanmore -> West Ham (reverse via depot reception roads) -> Baker Street (reverse) -> Lambeth North (reverse) -> Harrow & Wealdstone (reverse) -> Willesden Junction -> Stratford GEML via NLL and Channelsea Junction -> Barking via Woodgrange Park Junction -> Upminster (reverse) -> [1] (reverse) -> Aldgate (reverse) -> Hammersmith (H&C) via Kings Cross -> Edgware Road Circle (reverse) -> Tower Hill via Victoria (reverse) -> Kensington Olympia (reverse) -> Earl's Court (reverse) -> Wimbledon -> Richmond via Kingston Loop -> West Kensington (reverse) -> South Harrow (reverse) -> Acton Town (reverse) -> Heathrow T123 via T4 (reverse) -> T5 (reverse) -> Cockfosters -> Mill Hill East via Kings Cross Loop (reverse) -> Finchley Central (reverse) -> High Barnet (reverse) -> Morden via Bank (reverse) -> Edgware via Charing Cross (reverse) -> Euston (city branch) -> Finchley Road via Kings Cross Loop -> Walthamstow Central (reverse) -> Brixton.
[1] The easternmost station on the north side of the circle where you can reverse west to east.
This relies on two further assumptions
* Only need to visit each station once, don't have to visit e.g. Elephant & Castle using Bakerloo and Northern.
* All National Rail lines can be used, not just those with LU services (e.g. Kingston loop)
I don't think I've missed anything there, and while I don't know how long it would take I guess longer than 24 hours. There are probably more efficient routes.
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Post by br7mt on Sept 30, 2013 19:56:20 GMT
I hadn't thought about using other NR bits - that would certainly help reduce duplication, but would require a vehicle that could operate on multiple traction sources. Don't think Battery Loco's at 30mph top speed could do the system in a day.
My thinking was the same up to Harrow & Wealdstone (although I think Baker Street reverse would have to be at West Hampstead), but then went:
Piccadilly Circus (reverse) -> Neasden Depot (reverse) -> Barbican -> Upminster (reverse) -> Liverpool Street (reverse) -> Edgware Road (via Temple and Gloucester Road) (reverse) -> Hammersmith (reverse) -> Edgware Road (reverse) -> Wimbledon (reverse) -> High Street Kensington (reverse) -> Kensington (Olympia) (reverse) -> Lillie Bridge Depot (reverse) -> Richmond (reverse) -> Cockfosters(reverse)
back on your suggested route, then after Brixton:
Seven Sisters (reverse) -> Finsbury Park -> Heathrow T1,2,3 via T4 (reverse) -> Heathrow T5 (reverse) -> Acton Town (reverse) -> South Harrow.
As you can see, a lot more doubling back! Brixton does seem a more logical place to finish though as otherwise most of the Vic line has to be traversed just to get off it again.
Regards,
Dan
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Post by Chris M on Sept 30, 2013 20:19:36 GMT
I think you really have to start or end at the east end of the Central as Epping-Ruislip Depot is by far the longest stretch with no connection to anything else. The other end is more flexible although it probably has to be the Northern or the Vic. The Northern's branches though mean that you have to traverse either Kennington-Morden or either the City or West End branches twice regardless of where you end up.
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