Oxford to Bicester Line - FGW and Chiltern Railways (merged topics)

[whole diary]

[IndustryInsider]

Oh, OK.  Well, firstly I'd have described that as 'in front' or 'next to' the turbo sidings, and I've no idea how that's linked to what we were talking about, but... 

'In front of' = Main Line, IMHO^▸ (in my humble opinion)
'next to' = better, but could include Main Line, and I wanted to be clear that I wsn't talking about that line.

Initially I thought you were referring to the headshunt (mentioned in the previous post I made in the thread), hence the confusion.  Perhaps 'between up main and sidings' would have been best!?  Certainly not 'behind' IMHO.

...Called the Down Jericho, it's signalled for 'Down' direction movements only. 

Oh, ok. When I asked a Chiltern staffer why we hadn't used that line to access Oxford station instead of sitting at a signal awaiting an up Cotswold to clear the Main Line before following it into Oxford, I was told it was 'up' only. Which explained why we couldn't use it into Oxford. But you've clouded the answer - any ideas as to why we didn't / couldn't use it on Sunday morning?

Couldn't use what?  If you were (wrongly) told it was 'Up' only then that would mean you could use it into Oxford surely?  Confused.com again I'm afraid.  To summarise; If you're arriving at Oxford from Bicester you have to use the Up Main.  There's no other option.  If you're going from Oxford to Bicester from Platforms 1 or 3 you can either use the Down Jericho, or the old route via Down Main to Oxford North Junction then across onto the Bicester line.  If you're going from Oxford to Bicester from Platform 2 you have to use the old route via the Down Main.

So its use as an extra siding is now more limited given the lack of permissive working and the extra trains going to Bicester. 

I didn't lnmow that extra trains had started running yet - the current Chiltern service mirrors that which FGW^▸ (First Great Western) was offering.

In the context of my post, talking about the June 2009 enhancements, I meant that extra trains were now using the Down Jericho Line going to Bicester than when it was just an occasionally used Up Goods Loop, hence the opportunity to stable sets there has now been reduced.

According to the CIS^▸ (Customer Information System) announcements at Oxford, the service is still being operated by First Great Western!

[ChrisB]

Total confusion on my part, I'm sorry.

Having thought the whole conversation through, I realise I am muddling some parts that agree with what you outline above, with the yet-to-be-built line that WILL run *behind* the turbo sidings directly from the Bicester branch and the parcel sidings.

But it doesn't exist yet, it's part of EG3 phase 2.
Of which, I understand, the inspector ought to have reported to the Secretary of State now.

[IndustryInsider]

Yes, it will certainly be 'behind' then!  I think the investigator has three days per each enquiry day in which to submit to the SoS, so if not already it must be very soon!

[ChrisB]

Correct.

Chiltern indicated that they expected him to report end of last week.

Do we know whether Chiltern get to see his report at the same time it goes to the SoS, or will they only see it when the SoS makes his decision?

[northwesterntrains]

According to NRE^‡(resolve):
Chiltern Railways have taken over the running of the line between Oxford and Bicester Town from First Great Western.

As Chiltern haven't received their 172s yet has this really happened?  If it has then has it freed up directly/indirectly for FGW^▸ (First Great Western) to use elsewhere?  (I'm assuming if Chiltern have taken it over that they'll be using ex-W&S^▸ (Wrexham and Shropshire (Open Access Operator)) stock to fill the gaps opposed to subleasing off FGW.)

[ChrisB]

There's already a thread on this subject....

In answer, Chiltern did take over from FGW^▸ (First Great Western) on Sunday last, using one of their own 2car 165s. The FGW 165 was going to depot to improve refresh rates, but as all their 165s are dine, I guess its running in place of a 166 thats gone for refresh.

[Chris from Nailsea]

There's already a thread on this subject....

Topics now merged here, in the interests of simplicity and continuity ... 

[bobm]

Excuse my ignorance. What are refresh rates?

[ChrisB]

Improve rate of refresh = Two at a time being refreshed, rather than one!

Sorry, posting from my iphone on a train!

[bobm]

I posted my question via iPhone on a train!  Thanks for clearing it up.

[willc]

Still getting used to see a white and blue 165 in platform 3 at Oxford, all the more so when, so far this week, two of the 165/0s I've seen came from the small batch that Thames Trains used to operate, back on their old stamping ground.

[Andrew1939 from West Oxon]

Someone has said on this thread that Chiltern do not yet have any Class 172's. Oxford Mail today reports that a Chiltern Class 172 will be at Didcot Rail Centre when Adrian Shhoter launches the restored GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) rail car.

[ChrisB]

A 172 was on the way through Leamington yesterday with a Paddington window blind destination - we wondered why! But it is true - the 172s are not yet in Chiltern service, due next week hopefully.

[anthony215]

Chiltern now have most of their class 172's:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/36593372@N04/5763259040/in/pool-977230@N20

[paul7575]

Chiltern now have most of their class 172's:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/36593372@N04/5763259040/in/pool-977230@N20

Apart from the number, they look extremely similar to the 168/2s, don't they...

Paul