GWR Trains from the South Coast through Oxford to Birmingham (Snow Hill)

[whole diary]

[ellendune]

I have been asked a question by an elderly person.   

His father-in-law was a driver for the GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) and later BR^▸ (British Rail(ways))(W) based at Oxford.  On occasions he drove trains from the South Coast to Birmingham (Snow Hill). 

I am familiar with the current Cross Country Trains on this route, but which route did they previously follow?  He spoke of the need for vigilance due to the different (upper quadrant) signals. Did they go via the Dicot to Winchester line?

[didcotdean]

In BR^▸ (British Rail(ways)) time these were booked via Reading West Curve, ie no call at Reading General.

There were occasions where the DN&S route was used as a diversion. The last time appears to have been in 1964 after closure to passenger trains but when the line was still in situ for freight.

[rogerw]

Weymouth trains were routed via Oxford, Didcot west curve and Melksham and lasted well into the 60s, although starting from New Street following the Snow Hill closure. There was also for a time a Derby to Weymouth service via Birmingham & Bristol. In later years Weymouth was served by extension of the Cross Country Poole services

[didcotdean]

Yes it does depend exactly where on the South Coast the final destination was. My reply relates to the Pines which was down to one a day by the 1960s, outside of summer that is.

[ellendune]

Yes it does depend exactly where on the South Coast the final destination was. My reply relates to the Pines which was down to one a day by the 1960s, outside of summer that is.

Since the Pines was normally routed on the S&D^▸ (Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway) at this time it wouldn't have been routed through Oxford though would it?

Were there Birmingham Bournemouth or Southampton trains through Oxford as well as the Weymouth ones? If so what route did those take?

[WSW Frome]

Just grabbed a 1965/6 timetable. This confirms that such trains then ran essentially as now via Basingstoke and Oxford. The Pines Express was the only through train shown on weekdays. More on Saturdays.

As above the Summer Saturday Weymouth trains were routed via Oxford and Melksham or via Bristol.

[didcotdean]

There were at least some services from Birmingham Snow Hill to Bournemouth (or just Southampton) routed the way I mentioned via Oxford & Reading West as early as the late 40s from timetable consultation. Might have been different in the GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) days.

I wasn't clear enough that my specific reference to the Pines related the 1964 diversion down the DN&S I mentioned; the Pines had been routed via Reading West after 1962.

[grahame]

Summer 1952 - all the through trains via Basingstoke. 





 Bit early for the question - I'll see what else I can find

[grahame]

Bit early for the question - I'll see what else I can find

Same routes from January 1960

[ellendune]

I discussed this with him yesterday and since his father in law referred to having to keep his wits about him because of the upper quadrant signals we think it was probably the Birmingham to Bournemouth services via Basingstoke. 

Thank you for the information.