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super tm
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« on: August 11, 2009, 12:47:24 » |
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This is just an idea of mine but with electrification in the offing seems like a good one.
Years ago there used to be a curve from the Melksham line that would take you back to Bath Spa. At the moment when on the Melksham line from Chippenham you can only go to Westbury.
Im thinking that there will have to be quite lengthy closure of Box tunnel so people could be kept on trains rather than buses.
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Tim
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« Reply #1 on: August 11, 2009, 13:44:02 » |
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This is just an idea of mine but with electrification in the offing seems like a good one.
Years ago there used to be a curve from the Melksham line that would take you back to Bath Spa. At the moment when on the Melksham line from Chippenham you can only go to Westbury.
Im thinking that there will have to be quite lengthy closure of Box tunnel so people could be kept on trains rather than buses.
It makes sense to me. |
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grahame
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« Reply #2 on: August 11, 2009, 14:16:42 » |
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It makes sense to me.
It makes huge sense and is already shown on the new maps at Bath bus station:  |
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Coffee Shop Admin, Chair of Melksham Rail User Group, TravelWatch SouthWest Board Member
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Tim
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« Reply #3 on: August 11, 2009, 14:23:44 » |
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I wouldn't take the bus station map as authoritive. It looks very similar to the "public transport map" that BANES council posts through my door every year and which has shown the curve as being there for at least 4 years. I suspect that the council has had the curve on its map since before it was removed.
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autotank
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« Reply #4 on: August 11, 2009, 14:30:45 » |
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When was the curve removed?
I agree it would be very useful for diversions, and perhaps a couple of peak HSTs▸ could be routed that way between Bath and Chippenham to give Bradford-on-Avon and Melksham a direct London serive?
I'd be very surprised if it could be installed in time for the electrification - buses are probably cheaper sadly.
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Timmer
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« Reply #5 on: August 11, 2009, 17:43:18 » |
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When was the curve removed?
Think it was in mid eighties and wasn't a very clever thing to do as it was used to divert trains between Bath and Chippenham (now replaced by buses!) which can still be done by reversing at Trowbridge but which isn't very practical of course. Would be a very good idea to reinstall it in time for electrification as I would imagine Box Tunnel will have to be closed with for quite a while when the wires are installed. Not straightforward as laying a bit of new track as the signalling in the area would need to be worked on as well so you are probably now looking at a couple of million to do the job. More on Bradford North Junction can be found here: http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=2410.0 |
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Electric train
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« Reply #6 on: August 12, 2009, 17:31:11 » |
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Im thinking that there will have to be quite lengthy closure of Box tunnel so people could be kept on trains rather than buses.
What make you think that? The wires will go up over a succession of over night possessions possibly there might have to be an over weekend or two, there certainly will not be long duration blockades |
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Starship just experienced what we call a rapid unscheduled disassembly, or a RUD, during ascent,”
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plymothian
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« Reply #7 on: August 12, 2009, 21:23:10 » |
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Besides, the Box Tunnel probably has the best clearance on the whole line!
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eightf48544
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« Reply #8 on: August 13, 2009, 10:11:36 » |
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Even if it were not used for electrifcation diversions it would still be a very useful curve to reinstate. You could then run a regular Bristol to Chippenham/Swindon service. This would serve more stations/population including Melksham than the Bath Chippenham gap. It could even have a peak London Service as suggested. A new station somewhere around the old one near Staverton could act as a North Trowbridge park and ride.
However, to make it viable at least some of the double track between Bradford North Junction and Thingley Junction would have to be reinstated to give the necessary increase in line capacity, adding to the cost.
It's an extremely good idea, but unfortunately DaFt lack the vision and it would be "too Expensive" for the "bean counters".
Brunel's Great Western Railway was "too expensive" but look at the legacy he's left us.
It's a good job he lived in the 1800s, he would never have been allowed to build his railway today.
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Tim
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« Reply #9 on: August 13, 2009, 11:25:35 » |
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If the track was removed as part of a resignalling scheme, then presumably just putting the track back would leave it without any signals and make the new track not very useful for regular or frequent services as a result. Putting it back and adding signals wudl I assume be rather expensive.
In teh absecne of a need to close the box tunnel for a long period, it would seem to stand a better chance of being reinstated as part of the next resignalling scheme rather than as part of electrification.
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XPT
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« Reply #10 on: September 01, 2009, 12:54:43 » |
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Yes it should be re-instated. Give Melksham a peak morning and evening service to/from London Paddington. Stopping pattern Bristol Temple Meads>Bath Spa>Melksham>Chippenham>London Paddington. Plus an hourly or bi-hourly Bristol-Swindon service. Would be interesting.
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devon_metro
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« Reply #11 on: September 01, 2009, 16:23:44 » |
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How Melksham has any need for such a service diversion I do not know! A local unit connecting at Swindon is far more appropriate.
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