In article
,
TRAXX F140 wrote:

The explanation I was given as to why the District (and Circle/H&C) is
sometimes driven at such a dull pace is because there's so much slack
in the timetable, the only gain from rushing means catching the next
train up, especially in town. It's better to cruise along at a merely
speed rather than stop-start-stop-start at every signal.

Despite that the trains are almost 30-35 years old, they can still be
very nippy when they want - especially on the long open sections to
Upminster/Wimbledon/Richmond.

I've just been on it again from Whitechapel to Temple. A long wait, no
working westbound train indicators at Whitechapel and the usual sluggish
progress, with the train cruising slowly into stations, and the
obligatory long red signal before Tower Hill.

E.