Portishead Line reopening for passengers - ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[ChrisB]

It seems that the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) suggested to Bristol Counciul to put in a bid to the Regional Growth Fund to reopen the line. Bid duly submitted I hear.

[vacman]

Sorry to seem really dumb here folks, been away for a while, I thought the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) had rejected the Portishead proposal? is it back in the limelight again???

[bambam]

Sorry to seem really dumb here folks, been away for a while, I thought the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) had rejected the Portishead proposal? is it back in the limelight again???

I don't think it was rejected. I think it got funding from the regional development agency, which was then abolished.

40 minutes for 11 miles is poor going. I get that to make 16pmh. Thats very poor for only 3 stops.

[JayMac]

I was just using the example of a low line speed in comparison to journey times by road. You don't need to trundle along the branch at any great speed to beat the time taken to commute by road.

I've no doubt that line speeds will be better than 20mph should the route to Portishead be re-opened.

[Chris from Nailsea]

In view of some obvious and understandable confusion, I've now merged these topics, in the interests of continuity and completeness.

Chris. 

[Mookiemoo]

I was just using the example of a low line speed in comparison to journey times by road. You don't need to trundle along the branch at any great speed to beat the time taken to commute by road.

I've no doubt that line speeds will be better than 20mph should the route to Portishead be re-opened.

The big problem - which is something that nailsea suffers from - is getting to say BTM^▸ (Bristol Temple Meads (strictly, it should be BRI)) for the very early morning trains

There seems to be two options

1. go from the station but basically 7am from BTM is the first choice
2. drive to BTM and pay a fortune in parking

opening the portishead line would be great and actually possibly would make me give up my car - IF I could get the 6am train from BTM without paying 25 quid in a taxi

[bambam]

For the best business you will want a higher average than that. The faster it is the more people will be attracted.

[eightf48544]

Tram/trains running on the branch should be able to do 60mph on 25Kv with no problems. I've a picture of the speedo on a Karlsruhr tram/train doing 100 clicks between Heilbronn and Karlsruhr.

[anthony215]

Looks like another campiagn has been launched to re-open the portishead line:

http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/New-fight-launched-reopen-railway-line/story-12794171-detail/story.html

I am sure it would be a commercial sucess like the severn beach line is now if it was opened. I also think it would be better if the Great Malvern/Gloucester - Weymouth route was split with the services to/from Great Malvern etc running to Portishead.

Now doubt that may help reduce some of the delays which  cause problems on the route.

[bambam]

Looks like another campiagn has been launched to re-open the portishead line:

http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/New-fight-launched-reopen-railway-line/story-12794171-detail/story.html

I am sure it would be a commercial sucess like the severn beach line is now if it was opened. I also think it would be better if the Great Malvern/Gloucester - Weymouth route was split with the services to/from Great Malvern etc running to Portishead.

Now doubt that may help reduce some of the delays which  cause problems on the route.

It may help reliability problems but would be way less attractive to use as a service.

[JayMac]

Looks like another campiagn has been launched to re-open the portishead line:

I met a nice lady today from (I think) Transport for Greater Bristol Alliance on a stall in the Green Forum tent at the Bristol Festival of Nature. Had a chat with her about the line to Portishead - she was most enthusiastic about the Ultra Light Rail Hybrid (Flywheel, Biomethane) Tram for Bristol with extension to Portishead. I'm yet to be convinced about ULR and heavy rail sharing the same infrastructure. Is it really feasible to have 2000+ ton freight trains and a ULR Tram sharing the same tracks?

I'd rather see conventional rail return to Portishead as it would be a lot quicker to get up and running once funding was secured. 

I've found more information about the proposals to re-open the line to Portishead, including projected costings, Network Rail's GRIP^▸ (Guide to Railway Investment Projects) (Guide to Rail Investment Projects) process and a list of FAQs^▸ (Frequently Asked Questions) at the following link:

http://travelplus.org.uk/public-transport/train/portishead-rail-corridor (see 'related links' on the top right of that web page)

From the list of FAQs at that link you'll see that my ultra-conservative figure of 40mins for Portishead to Temple Meads was way out. Proposed journey time with one intermediate stop at Pill would be 17 minutes. Now, that pees all over the road alternative!

[Mookiemoo]

Looks like another campiagn has been launched to re-open the portishead line:

I met a nice lady today from (I think) Transport for Greater Bristol Alliance on a stall in the Green Forum tent at the Bristol Festival of Nature. Had a chat with her about the line to Portishead - she was most enthusiastic about the Ultra Light Rail Hybrid (Flywheel, Biomethane) Tram for Bristol with extension to Portishead. I'm yet to be convinced about ULR and heavy rail sharing the same infrastructure. Is it really feasible to have 2000+ ton freight trains and a ULR Tram sharing the same tracks?

I'd rather see conventional rail return to Portishead as it would be a lot quicker to get up and running once funding was secured. 

I've found more information about the proposals to re-open the line to Portishead, including projected costings, Network Rail's GRIP^▸ (Guide to Railway Investment Projects) (Guide to Rail Investment Projects) process and a list of FAQs^▸ (Frequently Asked Questions) at the following link:

http://travelplus.org.uk/public-transport/train/portishead-rail-corridor (see 'related links' on the top right of that web page)

From the list of FAQs at that link you'll see that my ultra-conservative figure of 40mins for Portishead to Temple Meads was way out. Proposed journey time with one intermediate stop at Pill would be 17 minutes. Now, that pees all over the road alternative!

I know its been done in 12 minutes - by road

[eightf48544]

Is it really feasible to have 2000+ ton freight trains and a ULR Tram sharing the same tracks?

Yes given suitable signalling. The whole object of running railways is keep trains from crashing into each oterh either you have faith in suitable technology or you build in vast crumple zones.
 
But don't see point of ULR TRam the lines is too long lacks capacity of full tram/tram. Probably alos too slow. No a dual voltae tram train ie a tram equipped with suitable signalling to travel on main lines at 25KV AC  plus street running.on 600 DC^▸ (Direct Current).  Good acelaration to 60 mph plus excellent braking.

[JayMac]

I know its been done in 12 minutes - by road

At 8am on a Monday morning?

Had your lead boots on did you? 

[bambam]

I know its been done in 12 minutes - by road

At 8am on a Monday morning?

Had your lead boots on did you? 

It isn't always 8 am on a Monday morning though. You want the train to be able to attract off peak passengers?