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.

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.

I agree about the speed issue, and seemingly nonsensical signal hold-
ups.

Why, for example, is the Eastbound District Line ALWAYS held up as it
approaches Earl's Court - from either the Wimbledon branch or from
West Kensington? There is no flat junction obstructing either entry.
There are also 2 platforms at Earl's Court, and rarely if ever does a
train from Wimbledon go into platform1 or a train from West Ken. go to
platform 2 (can't remember even if there are cross-overs allowing
this).

The last time I used the line, around 7.00a.m., even though there was
no train ahead of mine for at least 10 minutes, my train from West
Kensington was held up at red signals outside Earl's Court for a
couple of minutes. Why? There cannot have been a train ahead of it on
the same line, with the 10+ minute headway already described. When it
entered the station on platform 1, platform 2 was empty as well.

It's one of the many factors that makes me avoid using the Underground
at all costs. Funnily enough, at that time in the morning, it's
quicker (and far more comfortable and less hassle) to get an 11 bus
from Fulham to Liverpool Street than using the Underground, especially
with the now complulsory platform change, using stairs, at Edgware
Road or a walk of many hundreds of yards if using the Central Line via
Notting Hill Gate.

M.M.

wrote in message
...
I agree about the speed issue, and seemingly nonsensical signal hold-
ups.

Why, for example, is the Eastbound District Line ALWAYS held up as it
approaches Earl's Court - from either the Wimbledon branch or from
West Kensington? There is no flat junction obstructing either entry.
There are also 2 platforms at Earl's Court, and rarely if ever does a
train from Wimbledon go into platform1 or a train from West Ken. go to
platform 2 (can't remember even if there are cross-overs allowing
this).

There is no route from the Wimbledon branch to platform 1 (according to
current Quail), but there is from West Ken to P2.

Paul S

On 12 Oct, 19:49, "Paul Scott" wrote:
wrote in message

...

I agree about the speed issue, and seemingly nonsensical signal hold-
ups.

Why, for example, is the Eastbound District Line ALWAYS held up as it
approaches Earl's Court - from either the Wimbledon branch or from
West Kensington? There is no flat junction obstructing either entry.
There are also 2 platforms at Earl's Court, and rarely if ever does a
train from Wimbledon go into platform1 or a train from West Ken. go to
platform 2 (can't remember even if there are cross-overs allowing
this).

There is no route from the Wimbledon branch to platform 1 (according to
current Quail), but there is from West Ken to P2.

Paul S

But there is a route from Olympia to platform 1 (and 2). There's a
train currently arriving Earl's Court at 0712, for example.

On 12 Oct, 22:27, MIG wrote:
On 12 Oct, 19:49, "Paul Scott" wrote:





wrote in message

....

I agree about the speed issue, and seemingly nonsensical signal hold-
ups.

Why, for example, is the Eastbound District Line ALWAYS held up as it
approaches Earl's Court - from either the Wimbledon branch or from
West Kensington? There is no flat junction obstructing either entry.
There are also 2 platforms at Earl's Court, and rarely if ever does a
train from Wimbledon go into platform1 or a train from West Ken. go to
platform 2 (can't remember even if there are cross-overs allowing
this).

There is no route from the Wimbledon branch to platform 1 (according to
current Quail), but there is from West Ken to P2.

Paul S

But there is a route from Olympia to platform 1 (and 2). *There's a
train currently arriving Earl's Court at 0712, for example.

And I should have said one leaving Earls Court at 0702 and crossing
all routes on the flat (given that from High Street Ken it's only
possible to get to platform 4, a departure to Olympia has to block
every track at some point, except the one from Wimbledon to platform
2).

"MIG" wrote in message
...
On 12 Oct, 19:49, "Paul Scott" wrote:
wrote in message

...

I agree about the speed issue, and seemingly nonsensical signal hold-
ups.

Why, for example, is the Eastbound District Line ALWAYS held up as it
approaches Earl's Court - from either the Wimbledon branch or from
West Kensington? There is no flat junction obstructing either entry.
There are also 2 platforms at Earl's Court, and rarely if ever does a
train from Wimbledon go into platform1 or a train from West Ken. go to
platform 2 (can't remember even if there are cross-overs allowing
this).

There is no route from the Wimbledon branch to platform 1 (according to
current Quail), but there is from West Ken to P2.

Paul S

But there is a route from Olympia to platform 1 (and 2). There's a
train currently arriving Earl's Court at 0712, for example.

I was really only intending to point out that a train from Wimbledon can't
reach platform 1. As you say ex-Olympia trains are another potential
conflict.

Paul S

Thanks for those helpful insights. So Olympia trains (to/from) have
the potential to block any line EXCEPT the line from Wimbledon into
platform 2, which has nothing obstructing it (except of course another
train in platform 2)?

M.M.

In article
,
" wrote:

I agree about the speed issue, and seemingly nonsensical signal hold-
ups.

This morning on a return journey from Dalston J to Temple the District
line driver decided he had to visit 'the smallest room in the house' at
Mansion House, explaining that we'd only be going slowly anyway.

At least the westbound indicators at Whitechapel were working.

But the ELL had a brainstorm - leaving Dalston we were told the next
stop was Norwood Junction, and then at Hoxton we were told this is
Dalston Junction, all change. After that it gave up. On the way back the
announcements and indicators were off.

E.