FGW on Chiltern line

[whole diary]

[johoare]

I've struggled to find somewhere to put this and here seems good enough

Whilst driving between Wycombe and Princes Risborough about 11am today I saw a FGW^▸ (First Great Western) HST^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units))  train.. Now I know there is the odd one timetabled but, looking at next Friday's timetable for example, it's hard (without knowing exactly where it is stopping along the way or where it is from), to know what it was..Any ideas?

[paul7575]

They won't be in next Friday's timetable (or any normal timetable) as they are only diverted this weekend (from Fri - Mon inclusive) and next Sunday.  The best way of finding the passing times at stations in the area you mention is using the advanced mode of one of the sites such as http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk or http://www.opentraintimes.com

Paul

[JayMac]

With the blockade at Reading over the Easter Weekend, and again on Sunday 7th April, all FGW^▸ (First Great Western) HST^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) services to/from South Wales and Bristol, plus one or two others to/from Weston-super Mare, Taunton and the West, are diverted via Oxford, Banbury, then through High Wycombe, West Ruislip, Greenford and Park Royal, rejoining the GWML^▸ (Great Western Main Line) at Old Oak Common.

Services to/from the West of England are diverted via Salisbury, Basingstoke, Wimbledon and into/out of London Waterloo.

[johoare]

Aah thanks.. I did wonder if it was due to the Reading blockade.. But there is so much information out there, and I don't know how it's easy to change from one trains companies' lines to another.. I just didn't know.. I knew FGW^▸ (First Great Western) trains were going into Waterloo, but didn't know they were heading into Paddington via a didferent route too..

Still a good unexpected sight 

[ellendune]

Much of the line from London to Bicester was built as a joint line between The Great Western Railway (into Paddington) and the Great Central Railway (Into Marylebone and which went on up to Rugby, Nottingham and Sheffield). The Great Western Route comes into Paddington through Greenford and Joins the Bristol Line near Old Oak Common.  It was a main route from London to Birmingham (Snow Hill).

When the Euston to Birmingham line was electrified in the 1960's the London to Birmingham express trains ran from Paddington via that route. After electrification was complete the line was run down with only local trains going to Marylebone. I believe the link to Paddington is still used by a nominal Chiltern Service each day to avoid closure. 

[Chris from Nailsea]

This topic was originally posted in our 'frequent posters' area, where only our established members can view it. However, as the original question has been answered, and the answers themselves produced some interesting additional information, I'm now moving the topic here - with the approval of all those 'established members' who have contributed so far.

[eightf48544]

To add to ellendune summary of the history of the line, the part of the line where you saw the HST^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) is in fact considerably older than teh joint line mentioned being part of the Broad Gauge Maidenhead Bourne End High Wycombe Princes Risborough Aylesbury. Which of coiurse now sadly misses the link from Bourne End to Wycombe which didn't close to the early seventies and wasn't in teh Beeching Plan.

The joint line connecting at both Wycombe and Risborough and using the old alignment.

As a matter of the level of rationalisation that there has been on the line a count from my GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) Altlas shows 11 potential passing loops mostly at stations between Old Oak Common and Anyho Junction 1947. Now there's about 3 and not all are 4 track, but at least it's been re-doubled otherwise there would have been no room for diverted HSTs.

[signalandtelegraph]

I believe the link to Paddington is still used by a nominal Chiltern Service each day to avoid closure. 

Its to keep drivers route knowledge up to scratch should they need to divert to Paddington when Marylebone is closed

[swrural]

I believe the link to Paddington is still used by a nominal Chiltern Service each day to avoid closure. 

Its to keep drivers route knowledge up to scratch should they need to divert to Paddington when Marylebone is closed

I tried to find this service but could not.  Anyone know what it is?  Is there a service both ways?

[johoare]

I believe the link to Paddington is still used by a nominal Chiltern Service each day to avoid closure. 

Its to keep drivers route knowledge up to scratch should they need to divert to Paddington when Marylebone is closed

I tried to find this service but could not.  Anyone know what it is?  Is there a service both ways?

11.02 South Ruislip to London Paddington (arriving at 11.32).. and looks like it heads back again at 11.36

[bobm]

...and then out again at 11:36 to West Ruislip, calling at South Ruislip on the way.

[johoare]

...and then out again at 11:36 to West Ruislip, calling at South Ruislip on the way.

Sorry Bobm... Just added that to my original reply as you were writing yours... Just in case anyone thinks it's you that can't read 

[bobm]

Just a case of great minds thinking alike....

[JayMac]

Changed a bit since last May. Used to be Gerrard's Cross to Paddington and return, with no intermediate stops. Might have to do this one again now that the start/end is in Ruislip. Can now be done on Oyster^▸ (Smartcard system used by passengers on Transport for London services) and far easier to get back into London on the Underground.

On arrival at West Ruislip the unit runs ECS^▸ (Empty Coaching Stock) to Marylebone and then goes on to form part of the regular Chiltern service to/from Gerrard's Cross.

[swrural]

Thanks everyone.  I know now why i could not find it.  I was putting GW^» (Great Western - used as an abbreviation for the area / lines under the Great Western franchise, as opposed to FGW which includes "First", the company operating them too. For tickets - about) only into the search criteria.