Post electrification rolling stock

[whole diary]

[Electric train]

One of the key drivers that make ETCS^▸ (European Train Control System) / ETMS viable is to coincide re-signalling with new trains, the Southern routes (Wessex Sussex Kent) are likely the last routes to be done due to the age of the rolling stock.  Give it 10 years when the HST^▸ (High Speed Train)'s are 50 the signalling in the Exeter, Plymouth and Cornwall will be due (even over due) for renewal

[Southern Stag]

The HST^▸ (High Speed Train)'s demise will be brought about by the adoption of in-cab signalling systems, ETCS^▸ (European Train Control System) / ETRMS etc, by the cost of retro fitting the equipment into 30 to 40 year old power cars, the plan being adopted on the ECML^▸ (East Coast Main Line) is for no line side signal so I am not sure how the open access Grand Central will deal with this.  The GW^▸ (Great Western) are not removing line side signals ..... yet

Grand Central have recently stated a desire to move to an all 180 fleet. Retrofitting ETCS to 180s will presumably be more economically viable.

[Andrew1939 from West Oxon]

Are there any 180s available? I hope they do not want our Cotswold Line 180s as despite the unreliability reputation, they are the most suitable and comfortable trains on our line.

[ChrisB]

I think we're talking post electrification, aren't we? Bi-modes will be on the North Cotswolds by then.

[stebbo]

Presumably something can be done about the prehistoric signalling around Worcester.

[Network SouthEast]

Grand Central plan to lease the 4 class 180s used by Hull Trains to retire their HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train). Hull Trains have proposed paying for electrification from Hull to the ECML^▸ (East Coast Main Line) to the tune of ^90m if they get their new 10 year track access agreement. This will require a fleet of electric trains, enabling the release of their class 180 fleet.

[stuving]

The HST^▸ (High Speed Train)'s demise will be brought about by the adoption of in-cab signalling systems, ETCS^▸ (European Train Control System) / ETRMS etc, by the cost of retro fitting the equipment into 30 to 40 year old power cars, the plan being adopted on the ECML^▸ (East Coast Main Line) is for no line side signal so I am not sure how the open access Grand Central will deal with this.  The GW^▸ (Great Western) are not removing line side signals ..... yet

The details in the Draft CP5^▸ (Control Period 5 - the five year period between 2014 and 2019) Enhancements Delivery Plan are a bit more specific:
1. The current baseline for passenger trains includes classes 43 and 91 (p25).
2. Below a list of the phases work for ETCS on the ECML, is this note:
   "DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) has requested Network Rail to identify the impact of deferring the commissioning
of King^s Cross to South Peterborough to February 2020 or the provision of an overlay in
December 2018 to facilitate an efficient train fitment programme (i.e remove the need to
retrofit Class 43 & Class 92 [sic] sets). Network Rail and DfT are continuing to review the
options."
(I presume that ought to say "Class 43 & Class 91".)

[gogogoadam]

Presumably something can be done about the prehistoric signalling around Worcester.

I hope not! It's one of the only reasons to visit Worcester !!!

[TonyK]

I hope not! It's one of the only reasons to visit Worcester !!!

I add my welcome to those on the other thread, gogogoadam, and admit to sharing your clear fondness for antique signalling. I doubt it can survive the next step of the march of progress, even if it side-stepped the previous dozen.

There are many other things to do in Worcester by way of both amusement and self-education. For a start, there's, er, there's...

I can't quite put my finger on anything just now.

[Red Squirrel]

For a start, there's, er, there's...

Cafe Loco!

[JayMac]

There's the Worcester City Art Gallery & Museum, just up the road from Foregate St station, where you can learn some of the history of the city's vinegar and sauce factories. These industries grew from humble beginnings in various Chemist shops in Worcester. The museum has a recreation of a 19th century Chemist's.

Well, it provided an interesting diversion for me on a wet Wednesday when I was waiting for the bi-hourly service to Bristol.

There's always a bottle of Lea & Perrins^ in my cupboard. Currently got a bottle of the Special Edition. I can normally find an excuse to incorporate it into any meal. And even the odd drink.

[Richard Fairhurst]

What is there to do in Worcester? Well...

There's the Cathedral, with its superb choral tradition and splendid new organ.

There's some truly excellent pubs: the Plough, the Cardinal's Hat, the King Charles II, the Dragon, and many more. I'd venture to say that, in Great Western territory, perhaps only Bristol can beat it.

There's the mighty River Severn and the little canal, very pleasant for idly gongoozling, or for a walk along the Severn Way on a summer's afternoon. And there's a bunch of very pleasant cycle routes, not least via the new Diglis Bridge, for relaxed exploring.

Worcester's a lovely city: we like it so much we chose to moor our narrowboat there when we moved it down from the Midlands, rather than the closer options of the Thames or the Oxford Canal. But one of the joys of it is that it isn't overrun with tourists. So don't tell anyone.

[martvw]

I agree with Stebbo , the signalling in and around Worcester is prehistoric . If one likes this type of signalling so much , why not pay a visit to one of the heritage railways in the area e.g. the SVR or GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) , the sooner the Worcester signalling is updated the better! I was once asked if Shrub Hill station was part of the Severn Valley Railway by a American visitor !  As for things to do in Worcester, I agree with Richard Fairhurst , many people like to visit this lovely city for the cricket or the races, or of course there are the lovely riverside walks , south quay with its water feature is very popular, and there is always the beautiful Cathedral !! And the city centre shops are as good as in many bigger cities.

[TonyK]

There's the mighty River Severn and the little canal, very pleasant for idly gongoozling, or for a walk along the Severn Way on a summer's afternoon. And there's a bunch of very pleasant cycle routes, not least via the new Diglis Bridge, for relaxed exploring.

"Gongoozling" (my emphasis) - a word I had never known prior to reading "Narrow Dog to Carcassonne" by Terry Darlington, recommended for anyone who ever wondered what it was like to sail a canal boat across the English Channel then down through the French inland waterways. It comes recommended.

And now you've all mentioned it, I remember what a treasure trove Worcester is from an amusement point of view. Had it been less so, I would have drunk less, and remembered more. It is also useful to the pilot of the light aircraft. With the classic combination of railway lines, canal, river, and motorway, even I couldn't mistake it for Ross on Wye.