I think Chiltern Trains should take over the running of the Oxford to Hereford service ! I do not think GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) want it why would you let things get so bad??

I get the impression that GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) do not really want to be operating the Oxford to Worcester/Hereford line looking at the recent service or lack of service, (is it to far north of the patch for them)? Perhaps the franchise should be offered to chiltern trains as they now operate to and from Oxford, also they have a depot just north of Worcester at Kidderminster!!

A new topic I know , but any news on when the work to install the lifts at Worcester Shrub Hill Station will be starting ?? The poor old place always seems to get left behind when it comes to improvements !!

Hi 81F welcome to the north Cotswold line ! I do hope that the 0642 Hereford Paddington train was found , a bit of a worry that (whereabouts unknown)!!

 At last some positive talk about the Worcester Parkway Station. I for one think that the Worcester Parkway Station will be a good boost for Worcester. Close to the M5 and the southern link road (the council know this road is a pain, but it is to be sorted). The railway infrastructure does need to be sorted out two tracks on the Cotswold line would be better (it will come). As for the two stations at Malvern its had two stations for well over a century both are well used and the town keeps growing so no need to close one. Worcester Parkway will be as popular as the Warwick Parkway station , but will be here on our door step. Lets take things one step at a time! its coming.

I see many London Midland services come in to Worcester Shrub Hill from Birmingham and go out of service (they park on the centre track or behind platform no2) . Some of these could run out to Evesham and back in the gaps in between the FGW^▸ (First Great Western) services calling at the parkway station. The infrastructure does need sorting out perhaps at the same time as the signalling ! This is on the cards to be done. Yes Malvern Link station has a new ticket office and waiting rooms.

 Great news a Worcester Parkway Station at last "what a good idea". As for Shrub Hill Station if it were to close which I would doubt ! Who would pay for the maintenance on the buildings that I think are listed, but with no trains calling!! The Park Way Station at Norton is just what the Worcester railway layout needs to bring it in to this century (a good kick up the rear). Both Worcester City Stations need to be updated to act as feeder Stations to the new Parkway Station. Perhaps London Midland trains could start calling at the Parkway Station, running to Evesham and back as has been suggested, and as passengers start to use Worcester Parkway Station this will help reduce the pressure at Birmingham New Street station a little for passengers traveling further north and south.  I don't think Malvern Link Station would close ! the passenger numbers are on the up and its just had a rebuild (very smart).

If the Charlbury to Wolvercote junction part of the line was redoubled before the Evesham Norton part, so what its still good news !! Its more dual track back in place on the north Cotswold line.

I agree with Stebbo , the signalling in and around Worcester is prehistoric . If one likes this type of signalling so much , why not pay a visit to one of the heritage railways in the area e.g. the SVR or GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) , the sooner the Worcester signalling is updated the better! I was once asked if Shrub Hill station was part of the Severn Valley Railway by a American visitor !  As for things to do in Worcester, I agree with Richard Fairhurst , many people like to visit this lovely city for the cricket or the races, or of course there are the lovely riverside walks , south quay with its water feature is very popular, and there is always the beautiful Cathedral !! And the city centre shops are as good as in many bigger cities.

I had a trip down to Oxford yesterday 5th , a good run both ways and made good time , but still had to wait at Charlbury and Evesham for trains to come off the single track !! A class 180 on both runs no problems.

I have a Cotswold Line Railcard, it cost me ^7.50 and gives me 1/3 off on off peak return tickets between Worcester Foregate Street and Oxford, also valid at week ends and on bank holidays. See the First Great Western web site for more information.

Perhaps when the redoubling of the south Cotswold line is complete the workforce could move on to the north Cotswold line, and extend the redoubling, if only on the north Evesham to Norton section!!

Would it not be possible to redouble both the north (Evesham to Norton) and the south (Charlbury to Wolvercote) sections to give the maximum stretch of double track, but stop just short of Norton junction at the north end and just short of Wolvercote junction at the south end to keep the cost down, Pershore could really do with a upgrade just like Chalbury had.

Is this not the relaying/extension of the former down goods loop line that existed up until 1973 , so is not a new freight line, but the reinstatement of the old loop line " as network rail says it is putting track back" so does not need planning permission ?

Did I dream it that Worcester Shrub Hill station is to have lifts installed ? Still not seen any work on this as of yet. I did hear that the lifts would be fitted to the foot bridge ? so not making use of the old parcels bridge/lifts this seems a bit strange. I do hope we do not end up with yet another part of the station that can not be used "a bit like the waiting room on platform no2" but has to stay in place because of its historic value!!  Any news on this any one?