HOW THE BRIGG LINE COULD GET MORE PASSENGER TRAINS

How come they don't re-route passenger trains through Brigg when there's a problem on the line between Sheffield, Doncaster, Scunthorpe and Cleethorpes?
This question came to mind again recently when there was a problem at Keadby, near Scunthorpe, which resulted in trains being cancelled.
Brigg line rail campaigner Paul Johnson suggested to Brigg Blog that "under the First TransPennine franchise,  diversion routes need to be examined."
He added: "Via Brigg would be one of these. A number of Cleethorpes crews know the route via Brigg, but services were cancelled instead of using the line."
The same issue arose when a big landslip near Doncaster a few years ago put the Doncaster-Scunthorpe route out of action for many weeks.
The current Saturdays-only passenger trains between Sheffield and Cleethorpes, via Brigg, use the original Manchester, Sheffield & Lincolnshire Railway mainline.
However, First TransPennine's Sheffield to Cleethorpes trains operate through Doncaster, Scunthorpe and Barnetby.
Freight trains are often re-routed along the Brigg line due to issues on the Scunthorpe route. 
You'd think they could do the same with passenger trains, perhaps with a connecting bus service from Brigg station to Scunthorpe.
However, things are more complex today.
Once there was just British Rail, with all its faults in many eyes, operating the tracks and running freight and passenger trains.
Now there's Network Rail looking after the infrastructure and a host of other companies moving people and goods about the country.
Read more about our railway station and passenger service by visiting Paul Johnson's Blog through this link...


ARCHIVE PICTURE ABOVE: A rarity spotted at Brigg station - a First TransPennine unit, but not recently. This scene could be seen more often if they re-routed Sheffield to Cleethorpes trains along the Brigg line when, for whatever reason, the Doncaster-Scunthorpe-Barnetby route is out of action.