Swindon - facilities, improvements, signalling, events and incidents, including GWR history - merged posts

[whole diary]

[Western Pathfinder]

This may shine some light on your previous post Grahame
https://www.simsig.co.uk/Wiki/Show?page=usertrack:glossary:permissive_wrkg

[southwest]

Does anyone know why Swindon's original platform 4 and building was demolished and replaced by the horrible mess by BR^▸ (British Rail(ways))? When was it demolished and replaced?

[grahame]

Does anyone know why Swindon's original platform 4 and building was demolished and replaced by the horrible mess by BR^▸ (British Rail(ways))? When was it demolished and replaced?

Swindon's original main line down platform was demolished in 1972, with all express trains from London headed west to Bristol via Bath, and to South Wales, crossing over and calling at the remaining island platform to the north of the high speed through running lines.  In those days, crack expresses were less frequent and made fewer stops as the railways battled for a thinner and in general longer distance traffic, and stops were more expensive with trains accelerating slower than IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train - replacement for HSTs (manufactured by Hitachi in Kobe, Japan)) under electric power.

The crossing over and back of trains that called at Swindon, (virtually every passenger service in due course), became a significant issue that a new platform was opened on the down fast in 2003 (after BR days) to save conflicting movements.

[Electric train]

Does anyone know why Swindon's original platform 4 and building was demolished and replaced by the horrible mess by BR^▸ (British Rail(ways))? When was it demolished and replaced?

In addition to Graham's post. BR during the 70's and 80's was under pressure to reduce costs and make "economies"  The singling of lines is the most obvious economy measure, reducing cost of maintenance and renewals, but even a platform had a running cost in terms of maintenance, lighting, staffing etc  so saving could be made.

Of course now many of the lines have been re doubled, platforms reinstated, hind sight of course has 20/20 vision

[southwest]

Thanks to you both

[onthecushions]

From the old maps it looks like the station's emasculation was more connected with  development of the office block.

Signal Point (its name) has survived its own demolition proposal.

A pity they didn't keep the 4-track section with the South platform - looks like there was space even with the tower block.

OTC

[ellendune]

A pity they didn't keep the 4-track section with the South platform - looks like there was space even with the tower block.

There is an access road between the tower and the new platform which I think is deemed essential as such a large area must have more than one access. 

[onthecushions]

Of course.

An extra, rear access road must always have precedence over a main railway line.

OTC

[grahame]

Of course.

An extra, rear access road must always have precedence over a main railway line.

OTC

Yes, still that sort of thing.  Billions for a tunnel under Stonehenge approved today against planning advise, and still a single track with just a few loops on The Mule, with electrification expired before Chippenham and even before the end of the outer suburban Service on the Berks and Hants.

How will the tunnel be when measured against climate targets?

[grahame]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page)

Swindon railway station a 'gateway' for drug trafficking

Swindon railway station has become a "gateway" for young people bringing class A drugs into the south west from London, police say.

British Transport Police says good public transport links to the capital means criminals are sending children to ferry drugs via the town.

The pandemic has made it easier to spot people transporting drugs due to low passengers numbers, the force added.

The Children's Society says the children need to be seen as "victims".

The head of a dedicated British Transport Police (BTP^▸ (British Transport Police)) drugs taskforce, Det Supt Gareth Williams, said: "Swindon is a bit of a gateway location for going deeper into the south west, but also a great train route from London.

"What we've seen is mainly London residents being involved in the local (Swindon) drug market and on into Wiltshire.

"With dwindling passenger numbers that are involved, people who are involved in (drug dealing) stand out."

[GWR 158]

Thankfully the BTP^▸ (British Transport Police) and police are tackling it. At Basingstoke railway station, there were sniffer dogs and police officers looking out for drug trafficking. https://www.wiltshire999s.co.uk/94-people-arrested-in-targeted-county-lines-operations-on-railway-network/

[grahame]

Of course.

An extra, rear access road must always have precedence over a main railway line.

OTC

Yes, still that sort of thing.  Billions for a tunnel under Stonehenge approved today against planning advise, and still a single track with just a few loops on The Mule, with electrification expired before Chippenham and even before the end of the outer suburban Service on the Berks and Hants.

How will the tunnel be when measured against climate targets?

All is not certain - Stonehenge tunnel campaigners win court battle at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-58024139

[Lee]

Of course.

An extra, rear access road must always have precedence over a main railway line.

OTC

Yes, still that sort of thing.  Billions for a tunnel under Stonehenge approved today against planning advise, and still a single track with just a few loops on The Mule, with electrification expired before Chippenham and even before the end of the outer suburban Service on the Berks and Hants.

How will the tunnel be when measured against climate targets?

All is not certain - Stonehenge tunnel campaigners win court battle at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-58024139

My personal view is that we may look back on this judgment as a pivotal moment in UK^▸ (United Kingdom) transport and transport planning history.

[Southernman]

Doing nothing is not an option! Most of us have sat in a polluting queue for an hour or so on so many occasions. How inefficient, frustrating and environmentally damaging.

What are the alternatives? Even electric cars will run out of power and their drivers will continue to blow their tops if the situation continues.

Lovely to think that public transport will sort the issues but unlikely in my lifetime!

Another British example of inquiries, planning and considering followed by more inquiries and now....

[Reading General]

Could double the track from Salisbury to Exeter and reopen a few more of the stations.  Run passenger trains along the branch to Ludgershall. I think we are passed this moving traffic is better for the environment than queuing traffic argument. We are at the point where zero is the aim not slightly less. What are the start and end point of most journeys along that stretch? How can that be replaced with something more sustainable? Are we likely to simply put more cars on the road by making the road faster? The bottleneck will appear somewhere else no doubt.