Bedwyn Turnback extension for IET

[whole diary]

[paul7575]

Is apparently happening during this working week.  10 metres needed, hence the footpath being diverted to suit.

Paul

[bobm]

Map of the diversion from Wiltshire Council.

http://php.wiltshire.gov.uk/row/ppo/2018-02.pdf

[Thatcham Crossing]

Details in the attached that was sent by NR^» (Network Rail - home page) to local residents.

[grahame]

Is apparently happening during this working week.  10 metres needed, hence the footpath being diverted to suit.

Paul

It will be ... kinda strange ... to see 5 car IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train) turning at Bedwyn.   And that's 3 more 166s headed west  

[Thatcham Crossing]

And that's 3 more 166s headed west 

Or maybe not, as the letter I attached also contained this little snippet....

At peak times, to supplement the through service, there will be existing diesel trains operating to Newbury alongside the new IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train).

I posted similarly over on the RailUK Forum, and was advised that....

There is an evening Newbury - Bedwyn shuttle in the peaks, that will still be Turbo worked for the time being; although 769s likely in the future.

From what I am reading elsewhere, the 769 project is in trouble, so that could be a while.

[grahame]

And that's 3 more 166s headed west 

Or maybe not, as the letter I attached also contained this little snippet....

At peak times, to supplement the through service, there will be existing diesel trains operating to Newbury alongside the new IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train).

I posted similarly over on the RailUK Forum, and was advised that....

There is an evening Newbury - Bedwyn shuttle in the peaks, that will still be Turbo worked for the time being; although 769s likely in the future.

From what I am reading elsewhere, the 769 project is in trouble, so that could be a while.

At peak times, to supplement the through service, there will be existing diesel trains operating to Newbury alongside the new IETs.

Ah - perhaps just two more headed out West - or will the shuttle unit originate from the Westbury end? 

[Thatcham Crossing]

Link to pics on NR^» (Network Rail - home page) Western Region twitter of Claire Perry (local MP^▸ (Member of Parliament)) inspecting the completed turnback siding at Bedwyn this morning.

https://twitter.com/networkrailwest/status/1035460431534583808?s=09

[grahame]

Operational questions for the extended turn back siding and change to class 80x trains on the Bedwyns

1. Will all drivers need route learning training for the new arrangements, and if so how much

2. Will the 80x trains be running out to Bedwyn, Driver Only Operation, or will they require a member of staff / customer facing within the passenger compartment and passenger / train safety trained?

3. If the answer to (2) is that there is no such requirement as it's a DOO^▸ (Driver-Only Operation (that is, trains which operate without carrying a guard)) route already, is the ability to single crew to Bedwyn, but a requirement for a second person if the service carries on to Westbury, one of the key considerations in not extending the services to the Wiltshire Hub?

[IndustryInsider]

1) Just a circular on the notice boards will probably suffice.

2) DOO^▸ (Driver-Only Operation (that is, trains which operate without carrying a guard)) on existing routes, so yes.

3) As a result of 2, no extension to Westbury unless TM^‡(resolve) on board.

[RA]

There is a pool of guards at Westbury who have route knowledge to Bedwyn and Newbury, although they don't have traction knowledge for class 80x units. Glastonbury additional services formed of Turbo stock required them. They also came in handy when the Reading blockades were on and the Westbury to Theale/Reading services were operated with Turbo units.

[bobm]

How long does route knowledge last?  Is there the ability for them to keep it up with the current diagrams?

[Thatcham Crossing]

Some pics I took earlier in the week of the extended turnback and new crossing....

Looking west from Bedwyn overbridge
https://flic.kr/p/29LdgXu

A 2-car 165 parked, showing the space remaining
https://flic.kr/p/29tjHEn

The new crossing, about 10m west of the previous
https://flic.kr/p/2aMfFo7

5-car stop sign on the left.
https://flic.kr/p/M6DU3R

Siding appears to have been re-laid canted to the left (from this end), presumably to improve the pedestrian view of the track when a train is present
https://flic.kr/p/2aMfFMy

Neat and safe
https://flic.kr/p/29tjJ5v

Feeling a bit of a luddite as I can't work out how to embed :-(

[bobm]

Excellent photos.  I was thinking of heading out that way next week to capture some shots for the forum. No need to bother now!

[IndustryInsider]

How long does route knowledge last?  Is there the ability for them to keep it up with the current diagrams?

The generally accepted time for route knowledge retention is six months.

[Adelante_CCT]

Excellent photos.  I was thinking of heading out that way next week to capture some shots for the forum. No need to bother now!

Maybe not, but you could head that way tomorrow to photo what could be the first class 800 to test it?

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/V10269/2018/09/12/advanced