The 4.21/4.24pm from Kings Cross to Royston

[CLIVEJ]

Whilst a schoolboy in the late 1950's I used to catch this train on a daily basis from Finsbury Park to Potters Bar.
It had different winter/summer timings.

Winter - dep. Kings Cross 4.21pm. dep Finsbury Park 4.28 on the slow line with a Potters Bar arrival at 4.47. Hauled by a single Hirchin L1.

Summer - dep. Kings Cross 4.24pm. dep. Finsbury Park 4.32 on the fast line with a Potters Bar arrival at 4.48. Double headed by a Hitchin L1 and a B1 which was, I think a Kings Cross loco. Standard Class 5's 73157/8/9 and Black Five 44911 were also used on occasion whilst shedded at Kings Cross.

The load was just 6 outer suburban coaches so why the different timings and why the double header in summer? Unlike the later double headers at 5.00 and 5.52pm which had 11 coaches and split into Peterborough and Cambridge portions at Hitchin, the earlier Royston train would not have needed the extra locomotive, unless it was a balancing turn during the summer.

Are there any ex. 34A/34D men out there who can clear this up for me?

[jwealleans]

Doesn't Peter Townend mention this in Top Shed? I think it was a balancing working.