"John C" wrote in message
...


"Paul Scott" wrote in message
...
HSTs (rather than Mk3 coaches) are only cleared into platforms 17, 18 and
19. As this is a subset of the platforms allowing Mk3 coaches, the
suspicion is that it's the power cars themselves that are the critical
issue for gauging.

Once you've decided those platforms are to be used, an approach via the
Windsor lines is apparently less disruptive to other mainline services,
and there has also been limited track capacity via Surbiton these last
couple of days due to engineering work. Lastly, the HSTs are not yet
cleared on the SW main line east of Byfleet Junction.

Paul S

If this diversion is likely to be used again over the next few years, it
would be worth getting route clearence for HSTs along the main line
through Surbiton. Taking an hour to get to Woking instead of 25 minutes is
not funny. Even the stopper via Surbiton that departed 17 minutes later
beat us to Woking.

John

Two thoughts about that

1) The railway has recently begun to learn that people don't want to be
turfed off a train on to a bus or even off one train onto another. What
they haven't learned is that journey time remains relevant.
2) I don't understand the detail but apparently the HSTs need to use high
numbered platforms at Waterloo. The route being used gets them there
without having to cross the station throat (or at least somewhere between
Clapham Junction and Waterloo).