NRT: generally a welcome improvement

Table 28

There is some criticism of poor connections at Barton-on-Humber into the buses for Hull. An example is that the 0648 arrival connected with the 0653 bus, but while the bus still runs at that time the train now arrives 0652 – clearly not a proper connection.

Similarly, the 1949 train arrival connected with the 1953 bus, but the train now arrives 1952. The last train arrives 2157 and misses the 2153 last bus.

It’s so sad that true integration is still just a pipe dream in Britain, with operators merely paying lip service to it, and each mode blaming the other.

Table 41

A new service runs at 0728 from Halifax to Leeds. Although the timetable doesn’t say so, of course, this is operated by a Grand Central Class 180 ‘Adelante’ unit.

It fills a short gap between existing 0720 and 0734 departures from Halifax but has the advantage for local users of starting there, as well as offering a far higher standard of accommodation than the usual trains on the route. I’m told the 0720 and 0734 are only two-car formations!

Tables 42 & 94

This time the NRT has the correct timetable for the Settle & Carlisle line, including the bus connections – at least for the period while it remains blocked north of Armathwaite (probably until the end of March).

It also correctly shows the Sunday shuttles between Blackpool, Preston and Hellifield to connect with Settle & Carlisle trains.

As before, these latter services are shown in table 94, but only as Blackpool North to Clitheroe services, with nothing to say they extend to Hellifield.

Tables 51, 65 & 84

Northbound Bournemouth-Manchester Piccadilly services leave Stafford as before (generally XX28) but now arrive Stoke-on-Trent 10 minutes earlier than before (at XX43) and similarly at Macclesfield, Stockport and Manchester itself (arr XX26).

Reports say this is owing to a faster transit since the construction of the Norton Bridge flyover, but that must be understood in context. It is because the flyover avoids what was a pathing problem as the Manchester trains crossed the ‘Up’ main line.

The West Country trains to Manchester had no conflict before and so were already 10 mins faster than those from Bournemouth.

Table 58

On Sundays the 1203 Cheltenham Spa-Bristol Temple Meads now starts back from Worcester Shrub Hill at 1138, calling at Ashchurch (1153).

Table 61

St Alban’s Abbey has gained a later last service each way at 2221 from Watford Junction (2242 return) Mon-Sat, and 2304 from Watford, 2326 return on Sundays.

Table 62

The normal service between Barking and Gospel Oak resumes on February 13 and this is shown in table 62. However before then it is only showing buses from Gospel Oak to Harringay in that direction, with a note to say they extend to Seven Sisters.

In the other it shows buses only from Barking to Leyton Midland Road with a note to say they extend to Walthamstow Central! Clearly once again the NRT team has not seen the inconsistency or, if it did, not checked to see what the true picture is.