Swindon to Kemble re-doubling - ongoing discussion and updates

[whole diary]

[Chris from Nailsea]

Thanks again for those excellent update pictures and commentary, Sapperton Tunnel. 

[Railfriend]

Few more photos, with comments on the crossings, here:

www.bristol-rail.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2594

[ChrisB]

A Worcester guard said on Monday that he'd heard this route was being electrified....

I guess it would be sensible, being the diversionary route for South Wales.

(also that the wires were now going to Exeter. We'll just have to wait & see if he's right)

[anthony215]

I will not be too surprised to see the go ahead given to further extend the wires on the GWML^▸ (Great Western Main Line) certainly it will benefit many area's. The problem is however that these lines would not be wired until at least the end of CP6^▸ (Control Period 6 - The five year period between 2019 and 2024) with Network rail already having a lot to do now without taking on more.

I and I think I can speak for everyone else on this forum would like to see a substainable rolling program of electrifcation especially with all the skilled jobs it would bring especially if Network Rail & the DFT^▸ (Department for Transport) ordered a 2nd HOOP train to allow more routes to be wired in a shorter timescale.

I do think we have a long list of lines being put forward for electrifcation one of the main contenders being the Crosscountry route from Derby/Birmingham through to Bristol and onwards to Exeter and all the way to Penzance.

[Railfriend]

Anthony, re electrification from Exeter to Penzance, wouldn't overhead electrical cabling have problems from the heavy spray on the Dawlish coast?  Probably a long way off anyway, since London to Swansea is apparently the priority.

[anthony215]

I am sure there are some exposed sections on the East Coast Mainline in the North of England/Scotland which are electrified and manage ok.

Besides I am sure Network Rail could come up with a solution.

Yes and I do agree with you about these extensions being a long way off as Network Rail have a busy list of routes to be electrified to go through.

[Timmer]

I am sure there are some exposed sections on the East Coast Mainline in the North of England/Scotland which are electrified and manage ok.

But nowhere near as close that waves get near to them as they would along the Dawlish coast.

[TonyK]

I have said before that I don't think there will be much by way of deviation from the current HOOP programme for electrification, and I am surprised to read of such a substantial possible extra bit. I can't see there being a second HOOP train, but I hope the current model is retained on a rolling programme until as much of the network as can be electrified is.

There are more problems than simply stringing up the cables. There have been some huge works to bridges and tunnels in preparation for electrification, and these will be the limiting factor on lighter used lines. The cost / benefit ratio is high on the GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway), but may not be so on every line.

[stebbo]

Surely there must be a case for electrifying Bristol to Birmingham. The wires are being extended to Bromsgrove so why not to Bristol? Added to that electrification of Birmingham to the ECML^▸ (East Coast Main Line) would seem sensible. 

[John R]

Agree it's sensible, but given the considerable volume of electrification planned for CP5^▸ (Control Period 5 - the five year period between 2014 and 2019) there has to be a limit to the engineering capacity and project work that can be taken on. Highly likely for CP6^▸ (Control Period 6 - The five year period between 2019 and 2024) however.

Besides, I would have thought Felixstowe to Nuneaton would have a better case in terms of the sheer volume of freight that will soon be headed that way, and I have read somewhere that the govt have asked NR^» (Network Rail - home page) to consider that possibility.

[ellendune]

I agree it is only a matter of time.  There is a limit to how much electrification that can economically be done at once. 

[ChrisB]

Surely there must be a case for electrifying Bristol to Birmingham. The wires are being extended to Bromsgrove so why not to Bristol? Added to that electrification of Birmingham to the ECML^▸ (East Coast Main Line) would seem sensible. 

What rolling stock would you suggest using once this isdone, assuming done in this control period?

[TonyK]

Class 390 "Pendolino" would be nice. Or some extra IEP^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project.) sets. These would have to come from somewhere, which probably means buying new. The aspiration must be for an eventual all-electric railway, something that will be a very long time from now.

[eightf48544]

Once started on eletrification a rolling programme would seem sensible don't forget that after the ECML^▸ (East Coast Main Line) was finsihed, apart from Scotland, there's been little electrifcation in England and non in Wales.

Scotland being a good example of what can be achieved with a rolling programme. Most of the Glasgow Suburban services are already done and 2 routes between Edinburgh and Glasgow wired and the 3rd being started.

Bristol Birmingham Derby should be the next Mainline once the GWML^▸ (Great Western Main Line) and MML^» (Midland Main Line. - about) are finished.

Once Bristol Birmingham was done Swindon Standish Junction would be a good follow up.

[ChrisB]

You've forgotten the 'electric spine', due before either of those.