Great Western Main Line electrification - ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[Oberon]

I noticed today actual masts on the main line extending as far as west of Steventon

[ellendune]

I thought something was posted recently that suggested Parkway route would come before TM^‡(resolve)

Ah  yes found it from Timmer http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=5066.msg190006#msg190006  See p89

[patch38]

Stratton Green Bridge in Swindon now reopened and an update to the time-lapse video in this article from the Swindon Advertiser:

http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/14308934.Stratton_Green_Bridge_re_opens_on_time/

[ChrisB]

800101 that was reported on a trip to North Pole Depot is allocated to Virgin East Coast - Branson unveiled it this morning

[BerkshireBugsy]

800101 that was reported on a trip to North Pole Depot is allocated to Virgin East Coast - Branson unveiled it this morning.....

I read about this on the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) Web site today and was surprised about the quoted time savings on the Edinburgh to Kings Cross journey. I am surprised this is possible because doesn't it depends on what traffic there is on the line?

[Adelante_CCT]

Made its way as far as Southall then, it's a start I suppose 

[stuving]

800101 that was reported on a trip to North Pole Depot is allocated to Virgin East Coast - Branson unveiled it this morning.....

I read about this on the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) Web site today and was surprised about the quoted time savings on the Edinburgh to Kings Cross journey. I am surprised this is possible because doesn't it depends on what traffic there is on the line?

Yes, the time saving is more than 5 x 40 seconds, isn't it?

In the current timetable**, faster trains only do four stops, and take varying times of around 4:20. Before the current fashion for regular hourly (or half hourly) services, the Flying Scotsman did it with three stops in 4:13 (in 2000). 

The IEP^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project.) spec called for a journey time* of 3:49 or less with five stops, zero dwell time, and no signalling delays. That also assumed the line itself was as described at the time (2011, or perhaps earlier) in terms of speed limits and other improvements. Adding in 5 x 2 minutes dwell doesn't leave a lot to spare, does it?

Can a path, or a set of hourly paths, that would realise such a timing be fitted into the timetable? I'm sure it's possible. You would expect there to be conflicts with other services (i.e. other TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company)' services, in the present set-up), and I suspect NR^» (Network Rail - home page)'s timetablers are not allowed to respond directly to customer preferences (e.g. by taking backhanders from Richard Branson). But it may be possible to fit them all in just by being clever.

* This applies to single-unit trains, either electric or bi-mode with an odd number of cars. Multiple-unit trains or bi-mode units with an even number of cars can take a minute more.

** Northbound timings, which make more sense. Southbound there is now a "Flying Scotsman" taking 4:00, but with one stop and at the wrong time of day. In 2000, FS wasn't even the fastest southbound train.

[JayMac]

In the current timetable, faster trains only do four stops, and take varying times of around 4:20. Before the current fashion for regular hourly (or half hourly) services, the Flying Scotsman did it with three stops in 4:13 (in 2000). 

Fastest overall is 4 hours exactly. But only one stop.

However, that service, the 0540 from Edinburgh, has an on time arrival at King's Cross averaging just 5% in the past 12 weeks. Average delay being 11.5 minutes. Which does rather suggest the timetabling of that service is over ambitious.

[paul7575]

Don't they also (surprisingly) intend running hourly fast trains to Edinburgh that have two intermediate stops, York and Newcastle, alternating with single stops at Newcastle only, in the period from 2020 onwards? 

Found it in the TAA currently being negotiated with ORR^» (Office of Rail and Road formerly Office of Rail Regulation - about):

http://orr.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/17535/east-coast-main-line-company-limited-application-form-p-section-17.pdf

Table at the end of section 4.1 refers.

Paul

[Timmer]

Don't they also (surprisingly) intend running hourly fast trains to Edinburgh that have two intermediate stops, York and Newcastle, alternating with single stops at Newcastle only, in the period from 2020 onwards? 

Found it in the TAA currently being negotiated with ORR^» (Office of Rail and Road formerly Office of Rail Regulation - about):

http://orr.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/17535/east-coast-main-line-company-limited-application-form-p-section-17.pdf

Table at the end of section 4.1 refers.

Paul

With the plan to use 7 coach class 91s for these limited stop services? Thus not getting the benefit of the superior acceleration of the class 800s.

[IndustryInsider]

Press release from NR^» (Network Rail - home page) regarding the electrification programme for the Severn Tunnel, which includes a short video:

http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/130-year-old-severn-tunnel-to-get-railway-upgrade

[chuffed]

If the video shows drilling holes in the tunnel, why isn't the water cascading through ??

[Oxonhutch]

They just need a longer hole! 

[ChrisB]

Closed from 12/9 to 21/10.....diversions via Gloucester.

[chrisr_75]

Closed from 12/9 to 21/10.....diversions via Gloucester.

And to be a little more specific (poor formatting courtesy of Network Rail!):

• Trains between London Paddington and South Wales High Speed Services from London Paddington will divert non-stop from Swindon to Newport, adding up to 40 additional minutes to the journey time. An additional train service will run from London Paddington to Bristol Parkway. Buses will run between Swindon and Bristol Parkway, and between Bristol Parkway and Newport.
• Trains between Cardiff Central and Portsmouth Harbour/TauntonCardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour and Taunton services will start and end at Bristol Parkway.
• Replacement busesBuses will run between Newport and Bristol Parkway, and between Severn Tunnel Junction and Bristol Parkway.This will add up to 40 minutes to journey times.