Linking Nottinghamshire to the World (Robin Hood Train Line)

Member Name: stephen2001

Product:	Robin Hood Train Line
Date:	14/05/01 (216 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cheap, Reliable

Disadvantages: No Sunday service, Too popular in rush hour

For years and years, the coalfield areas of West Nottinghamshire and North East Derbyshire have been cut off from nation's railway system. This even included the town of Mansfield which, at the time, held the title of the largest urban area in Britain without a commuter railway station.
Much of the line was already there serving the coal mines like Shirebrook and Whitwell. A small 2 mile stretch had to be re-built between Kirkby and Hucknall but the rest was there.
Over time, the line has been built up in stages. Stage One linked Nottingham to Newstead, Stage Two ran up to Mansfield Woodhouse and Stage Three completed the line to Worksop. In Summer 1998, amid wild celebration through all the stations on the route, the line was officially opened. Much was hoped. The rail network was non-existant in West Notts until that point.

Now in Summer 2001, it has been open for 3 year and there are mixed views amongst travellers. Some who travel during the rush hour down to Nottingham find that the journey is dangerously over crowded and in the aftermath of Selby and Hatfield, did not feel very safe. Off peak or weekends, when I travel to friends in Mansfield, all is fine. There are plenty of seats, the trains are reliable and punctual and clean. Central train has and will continue to invest a lot of money into this line to make it one of the most efficient routes in the UK.

Trains run every hour during weekdays between 6am and 10pm and at weekends, once every hour Nottingham-Worksop and half-hour, Nottingham-Mansfield Woodhouse. There is unfortunately no Sunday service.

On the route, there is also a special offer where you can travel to certain stations on the Central Trains network from any of the Robin Hood Stations for a mere £10, which is very good value if you compare actual costs.

Finally, it has opened up Nottinghamshire to the people who want a quick transit up the county.

Summary: