Four track for Filton Bank - ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[JontyMort]

XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) were understood to be making contingency plans for a possible overrun on Monday...

As are prudent passengers

Really? That would be disappointing, bearing in mind that all the track was done by the middle of the second week, and the weather conditions have been perfect throughout.

When they do reopen will it be all four tracks or everything on the reliefs at first?

[paul7575]

XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) were understood to be making contingency plans for a possible overrun on Monday...

As are prudent passengers

Really? That would be disappointing, bearing in mind that all the track was done by the middle of the second week, and the weather conditions have been perfect throughout.

When they do reopen will it be all four tracks or everything on the reliefs at first?

I don’t think it is quite as straightforward as modified existing reliefs and completely new mains, each track pair includes a bit of both.  That is, there’s no logical reason why the reliefs should be in any better position for reopening than the mains.

Paul

[paul7575]

I must stop this; it's not big and it's not clever...

If only you’d realised the most difficult aspect of the work was the “W for wiring”.   

Paul

[SandTEngineer]

F4T T-1

[Dispatch Box]

Now that the Filton Bank is to open tomorrow, Now the next exciting thing for NR^» (Network Rail - home page) is to reach down the back of their sofas, and find money to now Electrify the route, how much does one think this would cost, and would it be needed yet.

[metalrail]

Now that the Filton Bank is to open tomorrow, Now the next exciting thing for NR^» (Network Rail - home page) is to reach down the back of their sofas, and find money to now Electrify the route, how much does one think this would cost, and would it be needed yet.

The only benefit it would have to start with is when the new IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) direct services are introduced from PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains) to BRI^» (Bristol Temple Meads - next trains), stopping at BPW^» (Bristol Parkway - next trains) only.  So when these services start they'll run electric right from PAD to BPW, then switch over to diesel between BPW and BRI.  None of the other services using the bank will be electric as they all head to non electrified parts of the network (CDF^» (Cardiff - next trains) to BRI services usually run on past BRI too)

Long answer - while electrifying the bank would be great to be able to run these new services electric right thru, it involves a hell of a lot of work at BRI end.  The original plan was for Bristol East Junction to be remodelled prior to electrification of the station, and also to bring the old Midland Shed back into use for the new IET terminating platforms.  There's no way they're gonna run electrics down the bank and across Bristol East to a couple of selected existing platforms at BRI, would make no sense.  And the Midland Shed is still obstructed by Bristol Panel Box, which still controls Bristol South down towards Taunton (and was still controlling towards Bath but the switchover for that to TVSC^» (Thames Valley Signalling Centre - about) was imminent if I remember rightly)

Short answer - until they electrify the whole of BRI (involving the changes mentioned above) there's no point in electrifying the bank just yet

Think it's a case of wait and see what happens with the last section from Chippenham to BRI too

[grahame]

Now that the Filton Bank is to open tomorrow, Now the next exciting thing for NR^» (Network Rail - home page) is to reach down the back of their sofas, and find money to now Electrify the route, how much does one think this would cost, and would it be needed yet.

The only benefit it would have to start with is when the new IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) direct services are introduced from PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains) to BRI^» (Bristol Temple Meads - next trains), stopping at BPW^» (Bristol Parkway - next trains) only.  So when these services start they'll run electric right from PAD to BPW, then switch over to diesel between BPW and BRI.  None of the other services using the bank will be electric as they all head to non electrified parts of the network (CDF^» (Cardiff - next trains) to BRI services usually run on past BRI too)

That is assuming that plans don't get changed for service connections.  A 15 minute electric service from Cardiff to Bristol Temple Meads, terminating incoming trains from Portsmouth and Taunton at Temple Meads, running Westbury to Severn Beach sort of thing.  Could happen quickly once the string was up!  Also bimode options ...

[Dispatch Box]

Now that the Filton Bank is to open tomorrow, Now the next exciting thing for NR^» (Network Rail - home page) is to reach down the back of their sofas, and find money to now Electrify the route, how much does one think this would cost, and would it be needed yet.

The only benefit it would have to start with is when the new IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) direct services are introduced from PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains) to BRI^» (Bristol Temple Meads - next trains), stopping at BPW^» (Bristol Parkway - next trains) only.  So when these services start they'll run electric right from PAD to BPW, then switch over to diesel between BPW and BRI.  None of the other services using the bank will be electric as they all head to non electrified parts of the network (CDF^» (Cardiff - next trains) to BRI services usually run on past BRI too)

I Was actually thinking that they would run the wires into the overall roof part of Temple Meads to the end of platforms 4 and 6, Then the lines would meet outside and run then on towards bath and swindon when that is done. All IET Trains would then use the inner platforms.The outer ones under the 1935 part of the station would be for all others plus platform 1 for the severn beach trains. The old panel,when demolished would allow for the IET Trains also use the new Platforms. Platform 15 needs to be renumbered 14 and the the new ones in the old shed 15 and 16.

[Red Squirrel]

A sequence of photos taken at Filton Abbey Wood today:
1. The Orangemen take on the old signage;
2. Gone...
3. And here's the new one!

[Red Squirrel]

...and here are some general photos looking south from the footbridge:
1. Looking from Platform 1 to Platform 4;
2. From the other side, looking towards Platform 1. There's Four Platforms, Now!

[Adrian]

That is assuming that plans don't get changed for service connections.  A 15 minute electric service from Cardiff to Bristol Temple Meads, terminating incoming trains from Portsmouth and Taunton at Temple Meads, running Westbury to Severn Beach sort of thing.  Could happen quickly once the string was up!  Also bimode options ...

A more frequent Cardiff - Temple Meads service could allow at least one train an hour to go via Parkway, giving Severn Tunnel Junction and Patchway passengers a connection into London-bound services.

[CMRail]

Did I read trains to London?

[grahame]

Did I read trains to London?

All schemes must include improved services to London otherwise they'll never be allowed off the starting blocks. If a Portishead had been to Paddington rather than Temple Meads or Tavistock to Waterloo rather than Plymouth had been proposed, they would have been running by now.

[SandTEngineer]

F4T T-0.5

[JontyMort]

F4T T-0.5

And the $64,000 question: will the line reopen tomorrow morning as planned?