Cotswold Line redoubling: 2008 - 2011

[whole diary]

[IndustryInsider]

All seemed to go to plan this morning.  A few delays from the Cathedrals Express onwards but that was due to trespassers of the human and bovine variety and nothing to do with the redoubling.

There's a few TSR^▸ (Temporary Speed Restriction)'s in place over sections of the new track and points (as you would expect), and the almost complete Ascott station can only have calls by the trains that are booked to call there, i.e. the halts train and, for some reason, the first down train this morning.  Otherwise, all is good.

[willc]

The 05.48 made a special stop at Ascott so that assorted rail staff, guests and the likes of me could get from Charlbury for the opening of the platform at Ascott - somewhat outnumbering the regulars - and then return on the halts train.

TSR^▸ (Temporary Speed Restriction) are certainly needed in places on the up (towards Oxford) line, the ride in places was interesting, shall we say. Bits of finishing off to do at both stations, platform numbers, the shelter at Ascott plus a few parking spaces at the back of the original platform there, footbridge steps at Charlbury - it's a long old walk on all those ramps - plus tidying up but it's there and it works.

Pictures to follow.

[willc]

Thanks to Ivan and Owen for the visit to Ascott signalbox - the panel looked okay from where I was standing - and hello to SandTengineer who was on site at Ascott.

signalandtelegraph 

Clearly I was seriously befuddled yesterday. And I didn't have the excuse that I had to get up early like I do today.

Just for my peace of mind, willc - please reassure me that this one was moved to a position of safety? 

It was moving, at a Roman snail's pace, towards the nearest hedgerow at the time, so I left it to get on with it.

Some pictures now online.

And Martin Loader has posted a couple here http://www.hondawanderer.com/Recent_Additions.htm

[willc]

The sun decided to put in a belated appearance, so I went back to Charlbury to photograph the late afternoon services. There were a few comments about the length of the walk on the footbridge ramps from passengers returning home, though this should be shortened very soon, as the concrete plinths for the staircases were setting while I was there.

[SandTEngineer]

Thanks to Ivan and Owen for the visit to Ascott signalbox - the panel looked okay from where I was standing - and hello to SandTengineer who was on site at Ascott.

signalandtelegraph 

Clearly I was seriously befuddled yesterday. And I didn't have the excuse that I had to get up early like I do today.

Phew! I thought I was at least 250 miles away on that day   The last time I was in Ascot-u-Wychwood box was in 1972

SandTEngineer

[ChrisB]

Will - you're getting plenty of plaudits on uk.railways.....deservedly!

http://groups.google.com/group/uk.railway/browse_thread/thread/305d12c30c3f1526?hl=en-GB

[IanL]

Steps to the footbridge have appeared at Charlbury, not in use yet as the bottom supports are floating a few inches above the recently poured footings.

[willc]

Article about the redoubling project from the new issue of Rail Engineer here http://www.rail.co/2011/06/08/the-revival-strategy-cotswold-line/

The pictures may look familiar...

[Oxman]

Will, with all of the focus in the last week or so having been on the Ascott - Charlbury section, do you know if anything has happened on the MIM - Evesham section?

[IndustryInsider]

From what I've seen, nothing much physical - some construction materials for cabinets/signal posts have been dropped off at various locations, but that's about it.

[willc]

Not that I'm aware of. S&T^▸ (Signalling and Telegraph) staff were doing some preparatory wiring work at Moreton-in-Marsh and various equipment cabinet bases have been constructed there as well ahead of the alterations to track and signalling in August but the focus was on getting the Oxfordshire section completed. I expect things will start to happen shortly at Honeybourne on the station and in the sidings. Renewal of Bruern level crossing's equipment is due to be completed by Sunday June 19.

There will be a bit of a celebration of the Oxfordshire reopening at Charlbury station this afternoon from 5pm or so, with morris dancers, singing, refreshments, etc, organised by Network Rail, FGW^▸ (First Great Western) and the CLPG^» (Cotswold Line Promotion Group - about).  

[Weston-Sub-Edge]

What will be the official name of the repositioned junction of the Long marston Branch? It is roughly positioned on the location of where Honeybourne Station North Junction used to be located up until 1971. I believe all junctions have to be designated a formal name and nameplate.

[Nottage_Halt]

What will be the official name of the repositioned junction of the Long marston Branch?

It appears on the diagram on page 81 of this thread as Sheen Hill No 1.

There was a signalbox called Sheenhill about 3/4mile to the west of Honeybourne Station North box.  It had a short life, built to control access to the MoD sidings, and was built to GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) Air Raid Precautions style.  Opened sometime in 1944 and closed in July 1951.  The empty shell remained in-situ for a long time.

Nick

[paul7575]

Best possibility I think, but it may be referring to an existing crossing (BW = bridleway?), there's a  Sheene Hill No 2 footpath crossing on the next part of the diagram as well?

Paul

[willc]

Sheen Hill No 1 is the bridleway crossing west of Honeybourne, close to the end of the sidings, though not sure why it has that name, as it's not really that near Sheen Hill Farm, unlike No 2, which is a footpath.

Some pictures from yesterday's celebration event at Charlbury and some of more work at Ascott-under-Wychwood station are now online at flickr.

Good turnout of rail and contractors' staff, CLPG^» (Cotswold Line Promotion Group - about) officers and passengers at Charlbury. Upbeat speeches from Mike Gallop, Network Rail's Western route enhancement manager, and Mark Hopwood, who said FGW^▸ (First Great Western) had been out with their stopwatches this week "seeing if we can be a bit more ambitious" about speeding up running times and said too many people from the line's catchment area were getting in their cars and driving to use other railways, which he aims to change.

Work starts on the island platform at Honeybourne on Monday.