I would agree that there is a 'degree of interest' in a possible Stratford - Honeybourne reopening within the industry, although I don't think anyone realistically expects it to be anything other than a longer-term possibility at this stage.

I've heard much less talk recently, however, about Honeybourne - Cheltenham, although the benefits of a direct link to the G&WR at Honeybourne will not be lost on main line charter operators, in the hopeful event that the heritage line eventually makes it to Honeybourne.

Thanks Will, excellent photos as usual.

The whole job was going very well when I last checked earlier this afternoon.

The job is actually going very well based on reports earlier today, as evidenced by your superb photos.

Apart from Honeybourne bridge, the bridge at Common, east of Evesham, is being re-lined and the track re-laid over it, and there is also a major track slew taking place at Mickleton, which I presume is what you saw there. Less obvious is the S&T^▸ (Signalling and Telegraph) work going on towards the Moreton end of the possession.

The current work includes shore supply to two of the three 'Hereford' sidings, plus the siding behind platforms 2 & 3, which is where the 3 sets will go overnight during the Reading remodelling in December 2010. Access to the 'Hereford' sidings is either via the north end as at the moment, or via the ground frame at the Wyldes Lane end, where track fettling will bring that connection back into use. The connection to the siding behind platforms 2/3 is controlled by the Shrub Hill signaller. No signalling alterations are currently envisaged, or necessary, for the level of stabling requried. DB^» (Deutsche Bahn - German State Railway - about) Schenker are fully involved in the discussions, and another of the 'single-ended' 'Hereford' sidings will be brought back into use to 'compensate' for the fact that the other two are being (partially) used by FGW^▸ (First Great Western) on nights.

Birse Rail are getting on well with the job at the Honeybourne bridge, where the currently single OWW^▸ (Oxford Worcester and Wolverhampton) passes over the trackbed of the former Cheltenham to Stratford line. Steel reinforcement rods are in place for new concrete abutments, which are being constructed in front of the old brick ones (which will effectively be buried behind the new ones). The have started pouring the concrete this week. The new bridge spans arrive in a few days, ready for the big weekend possession on 2nd and 3rd October.