In message , at 15:14:12 on Fri, 31 May
2019, Basil Jet remarked:
On 31/05/2019 14:45, Roland Perry wrote:

Is bustituting an entire line on weekdays just so they can run more
trains on a different one a year before the paths to run both were
available unprecedented?
Not sure what element of that is the core of you question. Doing
engineering works ahead of time, or works on a main line needing an
adjacent branch line to be closed to facilitate it.

They're not closing the branch for engineering work. They're closing it
because they've stolen its weekday paths to strengthen services on the
main line.

If that's the case, I've misconstrued the following reason posted by GN:

"We are providing rail replacement bus services while Network
Rail complete a major upgrade to Stevenage station and the track
that connects Stevenage with Watton-at-Stone and destinations
further south on the Hertford Loop. This upgrade involves the
construction of a new fifth platform at Stevenage and the track,
signalling and other infrastructure required to connect it to
Watton-at-Stone.

This major upgrade will mean that Great Northern can run more
trains per hour between Stevenage and Watton-at-Stone."

Is it possible that closing the branch line connection for the reasons
they give has *incidentally* released some main line paths which are
useful to LNER ahead of re-timing the whole line for IEP running and KGX
throat upgrade from 2020 (when the branch line reopens for normal
business)?
--
Roland Perry