On Fri, 11 Apr 2008 16:33:31 -0700 (PDT), Adrian
wrote:

On Apr 11, 4:15*pm, "Peter Masson" wrote:
"Recliner" wrote

As I recall, Wembley and the two Sudbury stations were four-tracked (two
through lines, two platform lines), but there was only double track
between the stations. Re-instating that arrangement would make it easier
to have more stoppers at those three stations (not something Chiltern
favours), but wouldn't do much for the overall capacity.

IIRC that was the arrangement at all stations between Wembley Hill and
Princes Risborough (both inclusive), with the exceptions of Denham Golf
Club, Seer green, and Saunderton. The only 4-track section was from Northolt
Junction to West Ruislip. Is it still the case that, if an all-stations
train is let out of Marylebone immediately in front of a fast, the fast
can't overtake until Princes Risborough?

Peter

You are I believe correct and that it is the case. Even this is an
improvement. For many years Princes Risborough was reduced to one
thru platform, and I think, one bay.

In the present timetable, there is not a single "all-stations" train
out of Marylebone on the High Wycombe line. There are no
"many-station" trains that go as far as Princes Risborough, most
terminating at High Wycombe with a few destined for the turn-back
siding at Gerrards Cross.
So it is true that no overtaking movements can take place between
Marylebone and P.R but I suspect there is rarely a call for such a
facility.
In the UP direction, overtaking can take place at P R, H W and West
Ruislip and does so at the latter every morning. I have seen that
taking place at HW one evening when a fast Up swept past a
late-running train in the Up platform by using the fast facing
crossover west of the station put in to allow most trains in either
direction to use the town-side platform a few years ago.

Guy Gorton