Great Western Coffee Shop

Because of a signalling problem in the Cholsey area, journeys are being delayed by up to 90 minutes.

Trains between Reading and Bristol Parkway are being diverted

Buses will replace trains between Reading, Didcot Parkway, Swindon and Chippenham

Route Affected:

London Paddington, Slough, Reading, Pangbourne, Cholsey, Didcot Parkway & Oxford / Swindon and Reading, Oxford, Banbury & Birmingham New Street 

An ALMIGHTY cock-up it has to be said. Imagine the chaos had that happened on Sunday when everyone will be trying to get home...  :o

Not related to this incident but what will happen when the transfer of the control of the existing signaling system from Reading Panel to the new Box at Didcot; the kit on the ground is not going to be changed just where its being controlled from ..................... of course it will all go smoothly

Some cross country services arrived at their destinations upto 130 minutes late... and a lot of FGW services were short worked or cancelled (cotswold line especially) I've been in these situations stuck at Reading before, i can imagine it was pretty much pandemonium.

AIUI the kit will all be renewed and that is when control will move to didcot. It is just that most of the kit will renewed in the same location as now you might not notice the difference.

Initially there will be an interface between all the existing interlockings currently controlled by Reading and the new Didcot Signalling Centre.  This will allow Reading PSB to be demolished to allow for the re-modelling and the equipment in that area will be renewed at the same time.  Other interlockings such as Twyford, Cholsey,  Southcote, Theale, Newbury etc will follow once the station re-modelling at Reading is complete.