Four track for Filton Bank - ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[Dispatch Box]

Is there any more works at filton or Bristol east junction this xmas.

Signalling work at Parkway, electrification work in the Severn Tunnel until 1 January, work to finish Filton Abbey Wood, and I think building work at Stapleton Road. Plus tamping along the whole length of the line along Filton Bank. More here.

Thought they had already electrified the tunnel 2 years ago, just needing a switch on.

[Dispatch Box]

Has the final phase of the signalling of the filton bank been completed, allowing trains from BPW^» (Bristol Parkway - next trains) to run to plat 2 at FAW?.

[Red Squirrel]

For those who like this kind of thing, here's a timelapse of the Filton Bank blockade:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPVh1xb3XjM

I'm a huge fan of the LEMs - they remind me of Huey, Duey and Louie on Silent Running...

[johnneyw]

For those who like this kind of thing, here's a timelapse of the Filton Bank blockade:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPVh1xb3XjM

I'm a huge fan of the LEMs - they remind me of Huey, Duey and Louie on Silent Running...

Not the LEM Lunar Excursion Modules of the moon program but the Huey, Duey and Louie  thing makes a nice link. Top film IMO^▸ (in my opinion) though.
Incidentally, had a look at progress at Stapleton Road Station a couple of days back with the now very progressed bridge ramp. To me it makes the whole place look more, well, "Stationy" and looking less forlorn than the old bare platforms post demolition of the old original structures. Not pretty, I grant you but looking less neglected.

[SandTEngineer]

Another video has appeared.  It shows the route between Bristol East Junction and Westerleigh Junction taken from a rear cab https://youtu.be/VrTpXo-uiz4

[simonw]

Slightly off-topic, but now that Filton Bank four tracking is done, will the extra trains from Bristol TM^‡(resolve) - Bristol PW^▸ (Permanent Way) to Paddington be starting soon, in May?, or will we have to wait for other work to be done first?

[metalrail]

Another video has appeared.  It shows the route between Bristol East Junction and Westerleigh Junction taken from a rear cab https://youtu.be/VrTpXo-uiz4

Fantastic video.  Perfect way to see the whole of the new infrastructure, not just up the bank but also the new electrification right up to Westerleigh Junction

[SandTEngineer]

Yes, and Bristol Parkway looks completely different to how I last saw it. Next due to see it on 27 January 2019.  Still some signalling works to complete there.

[Dispatch Box]

Another video has appeared.  It shows the route between Bristol East Junction and Westerleigh Junction taken from a rear cab https://youtu.be/VrTpXo-uiz4

Fantastic video.  Perfect way to see the whole of the new infrastructure, not just up the bank but also the new electrification right up to Westerleigh Junction

Fantastic, I was really glued to that, could not believe how it has so changed, many banner signals installed, they were not there the last time I went to Bristol, appx last June. The bridge above the signal with its five junction indicators on, was not there, they had just removed an old one. I was so glued that I nearly forgot to eat my activia.

[Dispatch Box]

Yes, and Bristol Parkway looks completly different to how I last saw it. Next due to see it on 27 January 2019.  Still some signalling works to complete there.

What signalling is needed now then?. I am about to move soon so I shall have a ride down in early February.

[Adelante_CCT]

Slightly off-topic, but now that Filton Bank four tracking is done, will the extra trains from Bristol TM^‡(resolve) - Bristol PW^▸ (Permanent Way) to Paddington be starting soon, in May?, or will we have to wait for other work to be done first?

Not yet, I think the hope would be at the end of this year, but we'll have to wait and see.

[Dispatch Box]

Slightly off-topic, but now that Filton Bank four tracking is done, will the extra trains from Bristol TM^‡(resolve) - Bristol PW^▸ (Permanent Way) to Paddington be starting soon, in May?, or will we have to wait for other work to be done first?

Not yet, I think the hope would be at the end of this year, but we'll have to wait and see.

Any going towards Weston?

[Dispatch Box]

When will the remaining signalling works be completed to bring into use the two way working of platform 2 at FAW?.

Asked about again.

[Red Squirrel]

I'm struggling to understand the constraints at either end of Filton Bank. Presumably the works at BEJ will give more routing options and flexibility, but what about the other end? I feel S&TE may have explained all this (possibly more than once) but I've just spent half an hour staring at the track diagrams and I'm not the wiser, and not much better informed...

Can anyone help?

[stuving]

I'm struggling to understand the constraints at either end of Filton Bank. Presumably the works at BEJ will give more routing options and flexibility, but what about the other end? I feel S&TE may have explained all this (possibly more than once) but I've just spent half an hour staring at the track diagrams and I'm not the wiser, and not much better informed...

Can anyone help?

This was my ... criticism of the layout, I guess. To simplify it a bit:

• P3 and P4 should by rights be the stopping platforms, but...
• Trains can only use P3 and P4 if they also use the Relief Lines at LWH and SRD and transit the tunnel, or if they terminate and reverse.
• That leads to most through stopping trains using P1 and P2, as of course do the fast non-stop trains.
• There is not enough room (time) for all those trains, including the Bristol local ones, in P1 and P2.
• Turning the local trains at FIT instead of BPW^» (Bristol Parkway - next trains) means they use quite a lot of time moving from P4 to P3, which uses up some of the spare time on that side - but not usefully.
• The layout also means that trains stopping BRI^» (Bristol Temple Meads - next trains) and FIT and not between, and going via the tunnel, cannot use the Main Lines to/from BRI.
• So, looked at that way, some of those crossovers are the wrong way round.