Parlimentary train to West Ruislip

[whole diary]

[sunshinehappyness]

Obviously this is not really a Thames Valley branch, but no where else obvious for this question.  Since the changes at the beginning of the year, has this once per day shuttle from Ruislip been removed?

It previously travelled from South Ruislip to Paddington (almost certainly empty) around 10.30 and returned to West Ruislip about an hour later (again, almost certainly empty).

No one uses it, but in a way, a shame if it has gone.

[Witham Bobby]

I couldn't find this train journey on the Chiltern site just now.  Maybe it has gone?  It was on my 'to do' list 

[grahame]

Obviously this is not really a Thames Valley branch, but no where else obvious for this question.  Since the changes at the beginning of the year, has this once per day shuttle from Ruislip been removed?

It previously travelled from South Ruislip to Paddington (almost certainly empty) around 10.30 and returned to West Ruislip about an hour later (again, almost certainly empty).

No one uses it, but in a way, a shame if it has gone.

Realtime Trains still shows them on a random day next week ...

[Chris from Nailsea]

Meanwhile ... many thanks for posing that interesting question, sunshinehappyness - and may I offer you a slightly belated, but nevertheless very sunny and happy, welcome to the Coffee Shop forum! 

[Adelante_CCT]

It still operates, 10:57 from South Ruislip, and since May has returned non-stop to High Wycombe at 11:36 from Paddington

[JayMac]

Still running, and will continue to do so for Chiltern staff route knowledge. There for Chiltern diversions into Paddington during engineering works or other disruption into Marylebone.

Of course, route knowledge can be maintained on non-passenger services, but to end the parliamentary service would require the Secretary of State to initiate a formal closure process of the Up/Down Wycombe Line from Old Oak Common West Junction to South Ruislip. Formal closure is, of necessity, a drawn out process, to protect lines from closure at the whim of politicians.

So, its often easier to retain a token passenger service, rather than 'close' a line to passenger trains.

Another 'parliamentary' service in the Thames Valley is the 2145 M-F CrossCountry service from Reading to Birmingham New Street. This reverses at Foxhall Junction to take Didcot West Curve, thus maintaining a passenger service over said curve.

[grahame]

A good source for Passenger Train Services over Unusual Lines is - err - the "Passenger Train Services over Unusual Lines" web site - current year at http://www.psul4all.free-online.co.uk/2018.htm

Here are some in / near GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) territory (bold title on block is GWR operated train)

Old Oak Common West - Northolt Junction (115) PA01
    Mondays to Fridays:
2M29 1136 Paddington - High Wycombe
2V27 1057 South Ruislip - Paddington

Didcot West Curve Junction - Foxhall Junction (via Didcot West Curve) (116) PA04
    Mondays to Fridays:
1M79 2145 Reading - Birmingham New Street

Bristol Dr Days Junction - Feeder Bridge Junction (123,132) PC01
    Mondays to Fridays:
2R98 1553 / 1554 Bristol Parkway - Bath Spa

Carmarthen Junction - Carmarthen Bridge Junction (128) PB04
    Mondays to Fridays:
2E18 0814, 1B96 1100 Swansea - Fishguard Harbour
     Saturdays:
1B96 1100 Swansea - Fishguard Harbour

Briton Ferry, Court Sart Junction/Up Flying Loop Junction - Morlais Junction (Swansea District line) (128) PB09
    Mondays to Fridays:
1V62 1830 FX Manchester Piccadilly - Carmarthen
1W48 0503 Carmarthen - Manchester Piccadilly
1B97 1250 Fishguard Harbour - Cardiff Central
    Saturdays:
1V54 1630 Manchester Piccadilly - Milford Haven
1W48 0504 Carmarthen - Manchester Piccadilly
    Sundays until 14 January 2018:
1E16 1205 Cardiff Central - Milford Haven

Landore Junction - Swansea Loop West Junction (128) PB04
     Saturdays:
1B97 1243 Fishguard Harbour - Cardiff Central
    Sundays:
1B97 1240 Fishguard Harbour - Cardiff Central
1E16 1205 Cardiff Central - Milford Haven (from 21 January 2018)
[note: trains in previous entry may use this route on occasion to suit operating convenience]

Margam East Junction - Margam Moors Junction via OVE (Ogmore Vale Extension) line (125,128) PB03
    Mondays to Fridays:
1L05 0352 Swansea - Paddington

Laverstock North Junction - Laverstock South Junction WG04
The Railway Touring Co's return Dorset Coast Express WO in summer

[Surrey 455]

Obviously this is not really a Thames Valley branch, but no where else obvious for this question.  Since the changes at the beginning of the year, has this once per day shuttle from Ruislip been removed?

It previously travelled from South Ruislip to Paddington (almost certainly empty) around 10.30 and returned to West Ruislip about an hour later (again, almost certainly empty).

No one uses it, but in a way, a shame if it has gone.

I have used it once, just to tick it off my list of things to do. It's not a very scenic route. After North Acton the train goes through some depressing industrial wastelands before arriving in South Ruislip (in Nov 2016).

[eightf48544]

I did it when it stopped at West Ruislip. It's a pity now it's non stop High Wycombe as you can't do it on a Travelcard!

The most famous parliamentary train is the once a week Stockport Staybridge service or is it the  other way round they keep changing it. It used to on Friday's only one way.

Interestingly enough at one time just after electrification it used to be a quick way to Sheffield change Stockport and Guide Bridge.

There was also the Wandsworth Ealing Broadway Bus. I think there's a thread on Coffee Shop about it.

[onthecushions]

Interestingly enough at one time just after electrification it used to be a quick way to Sheffield change Stockport and Guide Bridge.

You could also use it to get to Leeds from Reading, Cross Country, earlier than via Derby, at one time.

OTC

[grahame]

Interestingly enough at one time just after electrification it used to be a quick way to Sheffield change Stockport and Guide Bridge.

You could also use it to get to Leeds from Reading, Cross Country, earlier than via Derby, at one time.

OTC

The 18:58 Aberystwyth to York (arrive 03:15) used to go that way too ... change at York onto the overnight Glasgow to Colchester train ... memories of all line rovers!

[grahame]

From The Londonist

The 'ghost train' service shuttles in and out of London Paddington from South Ruislip to High Wycombe once a day, on weekdays only. It is rarely advertised and attracts few riders; it's a parliamentary service, meaning the railway company only runs it to keep the line open.

Alas, the train's days are numbered, according to Londonist train expert Geoff Marshall. Its final day will be 7 December 2018, after which it will run no more. The reason for its termination? Works on HS2^▸ (The next High Speed line(s)) are demolishing the track on which the train runs.

Want to catch the train while you can? Here's its timetable for its final week in operation:

Monday 3- Thursday 6 December 2018:
South Ruislip depart 10:57; arrives Paddington 11:26
Paddington depart 11:35; arrives High Wycombe 12:30 (no intermediate stops)

Friday 7 December 2018 (final day):
For this final day, Chiltern has changed the train from Paddington, which allows a more local travel opportunity:
South Ruislip depart 10:57; arrives Paddington 11:26
Paddington depart 11:35; calling South Ruislip 12:00; Gerard’s Cross 12:10; Beaconsfield 12:17; arriving High Wycombe 12:30

[bobm]

Probably means this was the last time I will see it.  Approaching Paddington on 29th October this year.

[rogerw]

Still runs but only to/from West Ealing

[Electric train]

Still runs but only to/from West Ealing

Get used to seeing that as I feel in the longer term Chiltern will be operating the Greenford's and the potential of West Ealing - Wycombe