Four track for Filton Bank - ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[metalrail]

Presumably the new track will actually be used, though? It would be nice to see fewer delays on the Severn Beach line...

I'm assuming that at the very least all the XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) trains between BPW^» (Bristol Parkway - next trains) and BRI^» (Bristol Temple Meads - next trains) will be switched to the new Filton main lines, thereby relieving both SRD and LWH that commonly have to wait for the faster XC services to clear the current 2 tracks at the minute as they generally take priority

[Timmer]

Presumably the new track will actually be used, though? It would be nice to see fewer delays on the Severn Beach line...

You would expect it would be used improving the reliability of the existing timetable.

[grahame]

Presumably the new track will actually be used, though? It would be nice to see fewer delays on the Severn Beach line...

You would expect it would be used improving the reliability of the existing timetable.

Bearing in mind the seeming response "the answer is no - what is the question?" default from Network Rail to (even working) timetable change requests from January, make no assumptions.  My understanding is that even things that would seem obvious to do in January (and perverse not to be done) are not being given an easy passage.

[philipgreg]

Given there are only platforms on the relief side and that the current track alignment shifts from relief to main i don't see how they can not use the new track!

[metalrail]

Bearing in mind the seeming response "the answer is no - what is the question?" default from Network Rail to (even working) timetable change requests from January, make no assumptions.  My understanding is that even things that would seem obvious to do in January (and perverse not to be done) are not being given an easy passage.

They did the same when BPW^» (Bristol Parkway - next trains) new Platform 1 was first opened...  it didn't have any scheduled services running through it, apart from the odd time when there were severe delays, such as a time I remember when a S Wales service was blocking platform 2 due to signalling cable theft around Newport / Cardiff, so they had no option but to run trains thru the new platform then

However after a while they started to run the 'local' FGW^▸ (First Great Western) services into platform 1 - the ones I always catch from BPW to LWH - which helped alleviate the issue seeing as these often run late resulting in them conflicting with the XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) services running thru platform 2 which are scheduled 5 or so minutes later

With the new signalling in place, then hopefully without need for a timetable change, the signallers at Didcot will soon realise delays can be reduced by running the XC along the new main lines...  and with the new platform 1 old siding now passing the old Stoke Gifford junction to connect to the chord further down the line as per SandT's excellent new diagram, it will mean parallel departures from P1 to filton bank along with P2 to S Wales will also be possible

Ever the optimist! 

[SandTEngineer]

The key feature of the new Bristol Parkway layout is that all platforms will be accessible from all directions.  Thats a huge capacity increase.  But.....don't forget that NR^» (Network Rail - home page) signallers are under strict instructions to keep to timetabled order, and generally the signalling system will operate in ARS^▸ (Automatic Route Setting) mode which will ensure that happens anyway.  So I anticipate use being made of the flexible track/signalling layout in times of severe disruption only 

[Lee]

So generally the ARS^▸ (Automatic Route Setting) will be up, and only when the ARS is down will we see flexibility...

[simonw]

Whats the point of having millions of pounds of new toys and never using them?

My wife tells me that when her mother used to say 'someday' her stock reply from 3 years of age was someday never comes.

[SandTEngineer]

So generally the ARS^▸ (Automatic Route Setting) will be up, and only when the ARS is down will we see flexibility...

I doubt that very much.  When ARS is off the signallers still stick to timetabled order.  They are under strict instructions to do so on pain of disciplinary processes being started against them (well thats what I'm told by several good signaller friends).  I'm affraid it's that 'money go round' thing again.

[IndustryInsider]

In fairness, after the similar recent improvements at Oxford, there have been many instances where the extra flexibility has been used when it would’ve been quite easy not to bother.  Let’s hope the same applies at Bristol Parkway.

[SandTEngineer]

In fairness, after the similar recent improvements at Oxford, there have been many instances where the extra flexibility has been used when it would’ve been quite easy not to bother.  Let’s hope the same applies at Bristol Parkway.

Hopefully.  I'm trying not to be all negative about it.  A lot of hard cash has been spent on making the Bristol Parkway layout totally flexible.

...anyway, back to the Filton 4T project.  Do any of our local correspondents have any more photographs showing recent progress.  Only 5 weeks to go to start of commissioning.

[Bmblbzzz]

So generally the ARS^▸ (Automatic Route Setting) will be up, and only when the ARS is down will we see flexibility...

When the ARS is off, it will be replaced by a system known as Extreme Limited Bodging Operations.
 

[johnneyw]

In fairness, after the similar recent improvements at Oxford, there have been many instances where the extra flexibility has been used when it would’ve been quite easy not to bother.  Let’s hope the same applies at Bristol Parkway.

Hopefully.  I'm trying not to be all negative about it.  A lot of hard cash has been spent on making the Bristol Parkway layout totally flexible.

...anyway, back to the Filton 4T project.  Do any of our local correspondents have any more photographs showing recent progress.  Only 5 weeks to go to start of commissioning.

My fairly regular Monday look at Filton Abbey Wood was scuppered today by being on a work training course which ran until the available daylight became too little for a viewable photo to be taken. My employers, off course, extend their apologies to forum members and I will endeavour to add another of my progress photos from there next week.

[johnneyw]

Just seen, according to FOSR FB page, the Stapleton Road footbridge extension steps will be completed on 19th November and the access ramp next spring.

[metalrail]

...anyway, back to the Filton 4T project.  Do any of our local correspondents have any more photographs showing recent progress.  Only 5 weeks to go to start of commissioning.

Hoping to take another couple of vids either tomorrow or wednesday between FIT and LWH / BRI^» (Bristol Temple Meads - next trains) both up and down which i'll post up.  Last one I posted up was in May, and took a few in June & July but was very little difference to show then...  should hopefully be able to show some big changes this time with just the new points to go in between the 2 sets of lines