IETs to Bedwyn initially delayed - now running from May 2019

[whole diary]

[SandTEngineer]

Now thats better resource utilisation.  As a minimum extending the 5-car IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train) to Westbury is the better idea.  Sure you could reasonably load them in the daytime.

[IndustryInsider]

They wouldn't be able to be operated DOO^▸ (Driver-Only Operation (that is, trains which operate without carrying a guard)) if they went to Westbury, so there would be additional staffing costs which might affect the viability of providing the service for the number of extra passengers Pewsey and Westbury would provide, welcome though it would be.  No doubt an IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) service will draw more people to the service than on the Turbo operated service they currently get, but in all likelihood they will load quite lightly off-peak west of Newbury.

[317361]

The infrastructure can't cope with one shuttle, there would need to be two plus somewhere to loop units. There is only so much looping at Newbury that can be done.

I have always presumed since the Flex order went in that we'll be seeing those on the Bedwyn line.

[SandTEngineer]

The infrastructure can't cope with one shuttle, there would need to be two plus somewhere to loop units. There is only so much looping at Newbury that can be done.

I have always presumed since the Flex order went in that we'll be seeing those on the Bedwyn line.

Don't understand that.  At Newbury trains would utilise Platform No.2 in both directions and turnaround in the East siding.  That way there would be a cross platform interchange with Newbury - Reading/Paddington electric services that would utilise Platform No.3.

[317361]

But when they run a bit like this now (in the evening peak) it doesn't cope with the slightest late running in either direction, Newbury clogs up and the single unit is supplemented with extra trains anyway.

Agreed through to Westbury is better all round.

[grahame]

The infrastructure can't cope with one shuttle, there would need to be two plus somewhere to loop units. There is only so much looping at Newbury that can be done.

I have always presumed since the Flex order went in that we'll be seeing those on the Bedwyn line.

Don't understand that.  At Newbury trains would utilise Platform No.2 in both directions and turnaround in the East siding.  That way there would be a cross platform interchange with Newbury - Reading/Paddington electric services that would utilise Platform No.3.

I'm not seeing the problem either ... though might well suggest turning the local train in the bay as I'm not sure there would be lots of people changing.     There is a major timetable change coming (at some point) at which point robusteness can be considered, and the changing away from slam-door HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) at unstaffed 2 track stations in the peaks will really clear some cobwebs and paths!

[grahame]

They wouldn't be able to be operated DOO^▸ (Driver-Only Operation (that is, trains which operate without carrying a guard)) if they went to Westbury, so there would be additional staffing costs which might affect the viability of providing the service for the number of extra passengers Pewsey and Westbury would provide, welcome though it would be.  No doubt an IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) service will draw more people to the service than on the Turbo operated service they currently get, but in all likelihood they will load quite lightly off-peak west of Newbury.

I would agree the extra costs (not that DOO to Bedwyn is proving to be trouble free!) and also point out the saving elements in that you've got 4 trains not 5 in 2 hours headed west from / past Newbury; lots of elements to the sums.  I suspect the traffic might be rather more than you would think, especially considering the combination proposed with the semi-fast services all the way to Somerset and Devon.    The operation might turn out to be a rather nice balance - picking up and dropping off a series of flows along the way rather than a service on which 95% of the passengers join at one of the termini ...

[Dispatch Box]

They wouldn't be able to be operated DOO^▸ (Driver-Only Operation (that is, trains which operate without carrying a guard)) if they went to Westbury, so there would be additional staffing costs which might affect the viability of providing the service for the number of extra passengers Pewsey and Westbury would provide, welcome though it would be.  No doubt an IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) service will draw more people to the service than on the Turbo operated service they currently get, but in all likelihood they will load quite lightly off-peak west of Newbury.

Am I right in assuming,thats because there are no close door and right away buttons at Westbury, Or is Westbury on TVSC^» (Thames Valley Signalling Centre - about) yet.

[bobm]

GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway)'s agreement with the unions only covers DOO^▸ (Driver-Only Operation (that is, trains which operate without carrying a guard)) as far as Bedwyn.  They have also given a commitment that there will be no extension of DOO past its current areas of use.

[Thatcham Crossing]

Work is being carried out to rectify this and gain safety approval

Does this mean that the fix has to be carried out to every IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train), or just the 5-car 800's, or will a sub-fleet (that have been modified) be ringfenced for the Bedwyn's?

Anyone seeing any timescales for a resolution?

[IndustryInsider]

Work is being carried out to rectify this and gain safety approval

Does this mean that the fix has to be carried out to every IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train), or just the 5-car 800's, or will a sub-fleet (that have been modified) be ringfenced for the Bedwyn's?

Anyone seeing any timescales for a resolution?

The fix will be for all units as they share the same design of CCTV^▸ (Closed Circuit Tele Vision).

It might range from 'simple' (better procedures for cleaning them on depot and a coating that is more moisture and dirt resistant), to 'medium' (modifying the design so that they have more protection like the ones on 387s have,) to 'hard' (re-fitting them all with a brand new design).  Timescales will vary wildly depending on which option is taken!

[Thatcham Crossing]

Thanks for being honest that a resolution is clearly in the early stages of development!

[1st fan]

Had I had any input in the design I would have considered wiper blades.

[IndustryInsider]

That’s an interesting idea, and perhaps they did?  The mechanism would need to be very robust to work a small blade like that effectively at 125mph, unless they only activated whilst stationary.  Of course it might cause problems should a blade get stuck or become misaligned and obscure the camera.

[patch38]

Or a system similar to that used on in-car cameras in Formula 1 where a sheet of clear plastic scrolls in front of the lens on demand?