Some thoughts on near and far future possibilities

[whole diary]

[6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01]

Just to follow up on the sidmouth idea.... That covers such a small population it's pointless, however sidmouth-ottery st Mary-Fenton-Exeter central could be a plan

[FlyingDutchman]

Hi

I will just add the following link

http://www.avocetline.org.uk/rail-group-seeks-new-trains-and-more-stations/



http://www.tarkarail.org/page36.html

Guy

[Chafford1]

Hi

I will just add the following link

http://www.avocetline.org.uk/rail-group-seeks-new-trains-and-more-stations/



http://www.tarkarail.org/page36.html

Guy

An Adelante service from Barnstaple to Paddington via Honiton and Yeovil 

[IndustryInsider]

And my favoruite which no-one has mentioned Bourne End High Wycombe (to be heavy rail to linked to East West via Aylesbury and Bicester,

I have to say I'd give this a less than 1% chance at best of ever re-opening.  So much of the old route has been obliterated by housing, roads or business parks that, in my eyes, it simply isn't practical for the level of benefits it would give.

That's why East-West Rail is such a good scheme - the route is protected in full (as far as Bedford at least), so aside from embankment and structure renewals, you have a much firmer footing to start with and don't have to either bulldoze housing estates or seek a new alignment somewhere in the Chiltern hills!  That's also why the line to Portishead should be given a huge push.

[Electric train]

And my favoruite which no-one has mentioned Bourne End High Wycombe (to be heavy rail to linked to East West via Aylesbury and Bicester,

I have to say I'd give this a less than 1% chance at best of ever re-opening.  So much of the old route has been obliterated by housing, roads or business parks that, in my eyes, it simply isn't practical for the level of benefits it would give.

That's why East-West Rail is such a good scheme - the route is protected in full (as far as Bedford at least), so aside from embankment and structure renewals, you have a much firmer footing to start with and don't have to either bulldoze housing estates or seek a new alignment somewhere in the Chiltern hills!  That's also why the line to Portishead should be given a huge push.

I agree the Bourne End to High Wycombe has do chance of reopening, I do believe the East-West Rail on the western section has a very good chance of becoming a reality unless it get bogged down by any planning storm caused by HS2^▸ (The next High Speed line(s)) in the area.

[eightf48544]

Re Bourne End wycombe, of course, if we were really serious about railways we could revert to our Victorian ancestors way of dealing with obstacles and until recently the road lobby and just remove the buildings in the way.

What was it 14,000 house to build St Pancras and a whole road of houses in East London for a Motorway!

[Electric train]

Re Bourne End wycombe, of course, if we were really serious about railways we could revert to our Victorian ancestors way of dealing with obstacles and until recently the road lobby and just remove the buildings in the way.

What was it 14,000 house to build St Pancras and a whole road of houses in East London for a Motorway!

Yes and there are a lot of examples, for the rail route between Maidenhead and High Wycombe to be re-established there needs to be a greater desire for than there currently is to make the demolition of many houses and business palatable, to make the journey times viable there would need to be double track sections and not rely on passing loops, the other major hurdle to over come which was the thing that killed the line in 1970 the number of level crossings between Bourne End and High Wycombe 5 of them, yes 1970 was about manning cost / conversion todays argument would be about introducing something Network Rail is doing is best to get rid of

[centralman]

I would like to see the winner of the new franchise pay half of the cost of reopening the Portishead railway line considering they will be running the service when it does reopen.

[TerminalJunkie]

I would like to see the winner of the new franchise pay half of the cost of reopening the Portishead railway line considering they will be running the service when it does reopen.

Why? Don't you want it to reopen?

[centralman]

I would like to see the winner of the new franchise pay half of the cost of reopening the Portishead railway line considering they will be running the service when it does reopen.

Why? Don't you want it to reopen?

Of course I do. What I'm saying is that the winner of the franchise should try and help with the investment of reopening it.

[TerminalJunkie]

What I'm saying is that the winner of the franchise should try and help with the investment of reopening it.

But all they will do is plug that cost into the bid they submit, plus a bit extra to screw more money out of the taxpayer keep their shareholders happy. In effect, it will just end up costing more.

[ellendune]

But all they will do is plug that cost into the bid they submit, plus a bit extra to screw more money out of the taxpayer keep their shareholders happy. In effect, it will just end up costing more.

But it will then count as private finance not public and therefore, by some magic, good rather than bad.

[centralman]

What I'm saying is that the winner of the franchise should try and help with the investment of reopening it.

But all they will do is plug that cost into the bid they submit, plus a bit extra to screw more money out of the taxpayer keep their shareholders happy. In effect, it will just end up costing more.

Yeah, but if they put money in themselves it means less money for the taxpayer (North Somerset Council) to fork up getting it running.

[ellendune]

Yeah, but if they put money in themselves it means less money for the taxpayer (North Somerset Council) to fork up getting it running.

I know its madness! But thats the private finance initiative for you. 

[FlyingDutchman]

It may be interesting see a Adelante service from Barnstaple to Paddington via Honiton and Yeovil

Guy