Cotswold Line redoubling: 2008 - 2011

[whole diary]

[inspector_blakey]

Thanks for the suggestion Chris, the thought had occurred to me as well. Will discuss with the Mod Squad and get back to you...

[Btline]

I've suggested creating additional threads when i created my "update" thread a while way.

I was basically shouted down (***) and it was decided to keep all the posts in one mega thread. The decision was made and I accepted it.

I would, however, support any splitting - as my opinion hasn't changed.

PS: Apologies if I've repeated things. It's just that I am passionate about getting the line to its full potential - it could be done!

Edit by Grahame, removing text at *** which the board administrators have received a complaint about. We are currently investigating this complaint; the removal of the text should be considered as an interim measure for the moment, and does not indicate whether we agree with the complaint or not ... we don't know, but we're playing safe

[ChrisB]

Only with shed loads of money...now where's that coming from & aren't there more important projects around? Like Stroud redoubling? Now, that certainly *will* bring many more pax....

Which is why any more work on the North Citswolds is a very long way off. So service improvements are minimal for some time, and your faster Worcesters probably at least 20 years away, even with the possible 180s & probable IEPs^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project.). There's better places to soend the money frankly

[stebbo]

The thought about splitting off this latest thread has occurred to me. As the person who started all this off with a reasonably inocuous question, I'm amazed it's gone so far but we are now discussing a new (future?) chapter for the line.

Incidentally, I agree that there are clearly two different schools of thought about how the line could now be operated. As you will have gathered I'm in the "long distance" camp but I hope I've not been vitriolic and I do appreciate that there's another school of thought.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Fair enough. 

As this thread has now apparently reached the stage where some 'singling' of certain posts may be appropriate, I'm imposing a 'temporary engineering possession' on this topic - just while we sort out which posts will go where! 

There's nothing at all sinister in this: we simply need to have a 'position of safety' in which to work, without further posts being made, for the next couple of hours or so!

Thanks to everyone for your patience.

CfN. 

[Btline]

When will we get the first statistics to see the effect of the work on punctuality across the FGW^▸ (First Great Western) network?

[IndustryInsider]

It also should not be forgotten that Network Rail is investigating the possibilities of raising speed limits on the line up to 110 mph in parts and this could be a significant factor in getting to that overall Worcester/Paddington 2 hour timing

With the current stopping patterns, are there any lengths of track without stops where 110mph could be attained, and even maintained?....aren't the stops too close together?

First I've heard of 110mph seriously being considered, though I've often thought there could be improvements - I've heard that the numerous user worked crossings on the route are the biggest hurdle.

Using a HST^▸ (High Speed Train) as a performance yardstick:

• You'd gain a 30 seconds or so on the Oxford-Charlbury section (if not stopping at Hanborough) with 110mph speeds, though they would be no improvement if there is a Hanborough stop in the middle.
• Charlbury to Kingham would be spoiled by the 75mph stretch through the curves at Shipton, but if that section could be increased to 90mph then I'd guess almost a minute could be saved.
• An increase from Kingham to Moreton from 90mph to 110mph would be perfectly feasable (crossings notwithstanding) and that could save another 30 seconds or so.
• Moreton to Evesham at 75mph could be cut by a minute or so if 90mph (Aston Magna exluded), though in the Up direction if a stop at Honeybourne is included then Camden Bank would reduce that gain by quite a bit.
• Evesham to Worcester is already 95mph for most of the route, and a service not calling at Pershore would gain a little from a 110mph limit, but as with Oxford to Charlbury they'd be no gain if a Pershore stop was included.  The biggest gain there would be the replacement of the 25mph crossing in the Down direction at Norton Junction with something much better.

Overall, I'd say you might be able to scrub 2-3 minutes from the average journey between Oxford and Worcester if all the above improvements were made.  Adelante's and ultimately IEP^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project.)'s could offer slightly more given their better acceleration. [/list]

[ChrisB]

So, not worth the investment really for a max gain of about 5 minutes with IEP^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project.)/180s....

[IndustryInsider]

Depends how much the investment would be I guess.  There would be little or no signalling alterations needed, and the track is probably pretty much up to the task in most locations already, so it might not cost that much?  Depends on the cost of modifying/closing all those crossings I suppose.

[Btline]

Don't forget 10 mins saved from PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains) - OXF^» (Oxford - next trains). So 15 off Worcester to London.

[ChrisB]

Or 10 without the work. My point still stands.

[IndustryInsider]

Meanwhile, the new weekday schedules have come into effect as of today.  I'll keep an eye out regarding loadings, particularly on the first off-peak up service from Worceter over the coming months.

[pbc2520]

Meanwhile, the new weekday schedules have come into effect as of today....

I've just downloaded timetable 19 from
http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=5238
and it's the old one. 

The new one is on the CLPG^» (Cotswold Line Promotion Group - about) website:
http://www.clpg.co.uk/FGW19-120911.pdf

[IndustryInsider]

I've just downloaded timetable 19 from
http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=5238
and it's the old one. 

It's on the FGW^▸ (First Great Western) website, but you have to click on the 'Timetable Supplements' tab.  Given that the whole timetable has been altered and the old timetable is now completely invalid, I would have thought the link on the main timetable page should now be changed?

The direct timetable link is: http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Documents/Custom/SEPT%202011%20TT/TT19_WEB_V1.pdf

[Richard Fairhurst]

At about 11am yesterday there was an FGW^▸ (First Great Western) van on Church Street in Charlbury putting up the new timetable outside the Rose & Crown. Old technology is clearly faster than this new-fangled web thing.