Extend Southern to Salisbury from So'ton

[whole diary]

[eightf48544]

I always thought that more use of Ashford Int. with connections from the West would be a good idea. Look at the population along the South Coast.

However, the fly in onitment is the non electrified section between Ashford and Ore and as has been said previously the crossing from East to West Coast at Brighton.

Ashford Ore should really be a priority elecrification and for  West of Southampton via Salisbury the lines should also be electrified to save DMUS running on electrified lines.

In which case a reasonably limited stop express from Exeter to Brighton with a limited stop Brighton to Ashford  (Lewes Eastbourne Hastings)  connecting service could work. There would be a change at Brighton but it is on the level.   It ought to be able to get nearer the 4.5 hours calculated by Devon trains to catch Eurostar in London rather than 6 hours via Ashford.

Stations from Portsmouth not served by the express would still have local trains to Brighton with which to make the connection. Stations from Brighton to Ashford would also still have local trains.

Must give a potential usage of several million people.

[smokey]

Here's a picture of the Ashford - Brighton service



Thanks to WikiPedia user Hassocks5489 who has put this in the public domain (so I don't really need to give credit, but I want to anyway!)

I don't know about reversal right across Brighton - I suspect you can't - but just imagine linking up the Ashford - Brighton and Brighton - Gt Malvern services.   Someone will be proposing Waterloo to Manchester next 

Would that be a Nice Picture of Rye?

[DevonTrains2008]

I always thought that more use of Ashford Int. with connections from the West would be a good idea. Look at the population along the South Coast.

However, the fly in onitment is the non electrified section between Ashford and Ore and as has been said previously the crossing from East to West Coast at Brighton.

Ashford Ore should really be a priority elcrification and for  West of Southampton via Salisbury the lines should also be elctrified to save DMUS running on electrified lines.

In which case a reasonably limited stop express from Exeter to Brighton with a limited stop Brighton to Ashford  (Lewes Eastbourne Hastings)  connecting service could work. There would be a change at Brighton but it is on the level.   It ought to be able to get nearer the 4.5 hours calculated by Devon trains to catch Eurostar in London rather than 6 hours via Ashford.

Stations from Portsmouth not served by the express would still have local trains to Brighton with which to make the connection. Stations from Brighton to Ashford would also still have local trains.

Must give a potential usage of several million people.

Glad to see someone agrees with me  when you say it like that it makes me think it would be an even better idea. how about Exeter to Paris express trains? 

[Btline]

The thing is, Eurostar are probably mothballing Ashford.

Although the extra Brussels train is a boost....

[Network SouthEast]

As has been mentioned earlier in this thread. Assuming electrification of the Ore-Ashford and Redbridge-Salisbury gaps, Brighton would be a bottleneck.

Only platform three has access to all routes out of Brighton, and to add to complexity you are limited to either a 4x20m carriage train or 3x23m carriage train (or shorter). Better to run the service via Heywards Heath where it is less likely to get in the way at Brighton.

[eightf48544]

Whilst a through train via Brighton would be preferrable the change at Brighton is relatively easy as it on the level.

Running via Hove to Preston Park and up to Haywards Heath and back to Eastbourne would be possible not sure of capacity constraints on the Brighton line South of Haywards Heath bearing in mind all three junctions are flat. It would I assumme it would add to the journey time. It would also mean Brighton as one of the largest town on route would not be served so would need a separate service to Ashford

You can I believe  reverse in Preston Park (I've done it Charing Cross to Weymouth via Margate on a railtour) without having to go all the way to Haywards Heath, but again not sure of capacity limitations. This would still serve Brighton. But there would be three reverses in Eastbourne, Brighton and Preston Park. Whereas via Haywards Heath it's two.

[Btline]

Just run a fast service East of Brighton (to Ashford) and a fast service West of Brighton (to Portsmouth or Sailisbury). In addition to local trains, of course.

And have good connexions at Brighton.

The line between Brighton and Haywards Heath is double track and is pretty much full. Crossing 3 flat junctions, and reversing would require many paths (which are not available/are needed for London trains)!

[devonian]

The thing is, Eurostar are probably mothballing Ashford.

Although the extra Brussels train is a boost....

btline - where did you here this out of interest? Last i heard, Ebbsfleet was struggling as it is in the middle of nowhere and Eurostar are failing at playing airline. There is greater demand for Ashford. This was from Ashford press (which I readily admit is not a reliable source).

On another note, Exeter to Ashford on Southern and SET^▸ (Super Express Train (now IET)) trains = OUCH!!! Leg room and luggage issues. It's bad enough Charing X to Ashford 

[Btline]

It is obvious that Eurostar are mothballing Ashford. As soon as Ebbesfleet opened, services were AXED to 4.

The Brussels service was re-introduced as a result of campaigners - some of whom MOVED HOUSE to be able to commute by rail to Brussels! People's daily life was put into turmoil. They now had to drive to Ebbeslfeet (adding time and money), or change jobs/move abroad/to London. It is very similar to what happened at Ashchurch. Many commuters turned up at the station one morning to see that their trains had been scrapped! What is it with "Ash" and having your train to work axed?

According to Eurostar, the two Ashford - Brussels services run at a loss (rubbish IMO^▸ (in my opinion) - they have to staff the station anyway, and it only slows down two trains by 5 mins).

I am not sure how Ebbesfleet is doing. It would not surprise me if it is failing. Ashford is a major rail interchange (and a large city). Ebbesfleet has the congested M25 and A2.

Hopefully it will fail. Get bulldozed and re-planted with trees. And hopefully that bl**dy horse is BANNED before work starts.

The new SET^▸ (Super Express Train (now IET)) HSS^▸ (High Speed Services) will allow more places to reach Ebbesfleet and Ashford.

[Phil]

It is obvious that Eurostar are mothballing Ashford. As soon as Ebbesfleet opened, services were AXED to 4.

Some of us can only dream of having 4 services a day...

[devon_metro]

Btline, you do jump to conclusions sometimes. I don't think there is any chance of Ashford being mothballed.

[Btline]

Jump to conclusions? Axing services to 4 a day is pretty hard evidence!

Whilst I doubt the station will close, I doubt service levels will go back up unless Eurostar have a re-think about their stations.

Also bear in mind that Stratford International will open soon as well.

[John R]

Also bear in mind that Stratford International will open soon as well.

When's that happening then for Eurostar services?

[Btline]

Ha! I suppose, whenever they finish building an access to it!

[devon_metro]

Also bear in mind that Stratford International will open soon as well.

When's that happening then for Eurostar services?

I don't think it will be served, maybe only during the Olympics.