Mid Cornwall Metro - Newquay, St Austell, Truro & Falmouth

[whole diary]

[RailCornwall]

FROM PERSONAL contacts, the apathy and antagonism to this plan from my acquaintances and on Facebook leads me to think that it won't progress to a conclusion. I note already apparent cutbacks, no mention is made on the website of the proposed platform extension at Falmouth Town and the enhancement of Falmouth Docks. I also fear that the reversal time at Par will be detrimental to the overall experience. The question of new rolling stock has to be raised too, using 20+ year old equipment on a 'flagship' scheme really isn't on. I note the discussion elsewhere on replacement rolling stock for local services might have relevance. 

[eightonedee]

using 20+ year old equipment on a 'flagship' scheme really isn't on.

Actually 37-40 year old stock, but your point is well made.

I had previously thought about posting that perhaps this should be promoted as a heritage diesel experience........

Might this change soon in the light of recent posts about tendering for new stock for the GW^» (Great Western - used as an abbreviation for the area / lines under the Great Western franchise, as opposed to FGW which includes "First", the company operating them too. For tickets - about) network?

[anthony215]

Tfws 150279 is due to eave Landore depot soon to go to sims for scrap

[grahame]

Tfws 150279 is due to eave Landore depot soon to go to sims for scrap

My first reaction was horror - but this is a unit that's been OOU^▸ (out of use) due to fire damage since May 2022
http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/26386

[Noggin]

FROM PERSONAL contacts, the apathy and antagonism to this plan from my acquaintances and on Facebook leads me to think that it won't progress to a conclusion. I note already apparent cutbacks, no mention is made on the website of the proposed platform extension at Falmouth Town and the enhancement of Falmouth Docks. I also fear that the reversal time at Par will be detrimental to the overall experience. The question of new rolling stock has to be raised too, using 20+ year old equipment on a 'flagship' scheme really isn't on. I note the discussion elsewhere on replacement rolling stock for local services might have relevance. 

You've got to start somewhere with any kind of rail improvements and for most punters a train is a train - so long as it's on-time, clean, a nice temperature, well lit and doesn't break down they will be happy.

That gets the early-adopters on, people change their behaviour, even move house to take advantage in some cases, and as ridership builds, so does the business case for longer and more frequent trains, infrastructure enhancements etc.

The way that Network Rail works these days is that little gets announced until it's costed, planned & agreed with all concerned. The Falmouth station improvements are likely still in the planning stages.

Using older stock doesn't seem to have done the Okehampton line much harm.

[IndustryInsider]

Melksham started off with single car 153s, as did the new service via Kenilworth.  The latter then went to 2-car Class 172s and now Class 196s - all in the space of five years.

Get it in and established, and then you can develop it.

[jamestheredengine]

Tfws 150279 is due to eave Landore depot soon to go to sims for scrap

My first reaction was horror - but this is a unit that's been OOU^▸ (out of use) due to fire damage since May 2022
http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/26386

I hope the digger owner's insurers have paid for replacement DMUs^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit).

[DaveHarries]

I am not sure if this relates to the need for the extra platform at Newquay and the new passing loop at Goss Moor but the engineering works section on GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway)'s website says that buses replace trains between Par and Newquay from Monday 18th November until Sunday 01st December.

Dave

[RailCornwall]

Interesting if so, but I suspect it's the return of the annual maintenance, vegetation clearance schedules previously run. If so I'd expect to see similar closures on the St. Ives, Falmouth, Looe and Gunnislake branches timetabled shortly.

[RichardB]

Thanks to the Tall Controller for the photos he has just posted on Twitter of work underway at Newquay on the new second platform

https://twitter.com/DCRailPart/status/1828749943542341841

[old original]

Just trying out the current, semi Cornwall metro. 11.55 Truro to Newquay, arrives at 13.10. Interestingly it only has 2 minutes at Par, I'll see how it actually does.

[PhilWakely]

Just trying out the current, semi Cornwall metro. 11.55 Truro to Newquay, arrives at 13.10. Interestingly it only has 2 minutes at Par, I'll see how it actually does.

It is only a 2-car 150, so it should manage the two minutes 

[old original]

Reversing at Par not a problem and arrived in Newquay at 13.07, 3 early

[RichardB]

They are really cracking on with the second platform at Newquay.  Here's a piece from the Newquay Voice which includes a short video of the contractors at work.  Apologies for all the ads!

https://www.voicenewspapers.co.uk/news/work-on-second-platform-at-newquay-train-station-taking-shape-719347

[IndustryInsider]

How long is the new platform going to be?

The sharp curve to the right will make dispatch far from ideal.