Originally Posted by
davidjohnson6
Forgive my asking - but is there spare capacity on the railway line between Luton and St Pancras to run extra trains ?
If spare capacity does not exist, then does the Thameslink service by necessity have to see a reduced service ?
There are currently 5 EMR express trains per hour from St Pancras on the MML and this will increase to 6 once the line to Corby is electrified.
Corby is currently served hourly using a 4 or 5 car diesel unit. This will increase to half hourly using 8 or 12 car electric multiple units and it is these units which will provide the non-stop airport express service.
The units are currently in use on semi-fast commuter services on the East Anglia mainline from London Liverpool St, but will be refurbished prior to entering service with EMR.
Thameslink services will remain relatively unchanged, although certain peak time express services may be rescheduled to accommodate the 6 EMR expresses per hour.