Great Western Coffee Shop

Thames Valley Electric Multiple Unit Capability Works

Project reference code: W004
HLOS driver: Other electrification projects
Operating route: Western
Last updated: March 2014

CP5 output driver
To provide infrastructure capability enhancements to enable the operation of EMUs in the
Thames Valley area ^ Paddington to Newbury, Oxford and associated branch lines. This
will enable additional capacity and a cleaner environment. Capacity is as per Great Western
Main Line and Thames Valley branch electrification.

Scope of works
Network Rail believes that the constituent parts of these infrastructure capability works are
as follows:

• gauge clearance for the new or cascaded EMUs in the Thames Valley - it is expected that
  all gauging works will be covered under the IEP capability workstream as the kinetic
  envelope for a Class 319 is inside the new Class 800 and Class 801 trains and the
  Class 16x that it replaces; and
• a review of station operations at all stations where EMU trains are due to stop; this may
  result in changes such as: platform extensions; selective door opening; revisions to
  permissive working for attaching, detaching; platform sharing arrangements and
  alterations to signal controls and signal locations to deal with changes to train operations
  and alterations to DOO equipment (CCTV, lighting and mirrors).
  DfT have indicated that the initial EMU operations will utilise class 319 units operating up to
  12-car in length over the following core route sections:

Core routes

• Paddington to Oxford.
• Slough to Windsor and Eton Central.
• Maidenhead to Marlow.
• Twyford to Henley.
• Reading to Newbury.
• Reading to Basingstoke.

...

Hello,

Just wondering of anyone knows if platforms will be extened between Reading and Oxford/Newbury in conjunction with the electrification works? Currently many of the stations can only just take 6 car trains - will they need to be lengthened to take longer electric trains? Also what will happen to Appleford and Culham which might struggle to even take 4 (assuming that is how long the EMUs will be?!).

Thanks - apologies if this is covered elsewhere