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paul7575
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« Reply #870 on: October 17, 2012, 17:13:36 » |
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"track being installed in the eastern fly-under" Does this bring the propect of direct trains from Oxfordshire to Gatwick any closer?
Highly unlikely IMHO▸ , especially now that the relevant section of the GW▸ is being electrified, but the North Downs line isn't. We've discussed this point before, so I'll keep it short, but I think the Oxford - Gatwick idea was never actually likely anyway, because there are basically no Oxford - Reading services suitable for through working with the Reading - Gatwicks. I don't think anyone was ever going to accept a reduction in Oxford - Paddington services just to provide rolling stock or paths for such a new route. I suggest that the typical use of the diveunder will be at start and end of service to get the stock to/from the depot across the layout without conflicting with the main lines. Oh, and maybe that daily XC▸ Guildford train... Paul |
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bobm
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« Reply #871 on: October 17, 2012, 18:10:19 » |
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There was at least one Oxford to Gatwick service a few years back. I think it left Oxford about 04:00 which probably filled two functions, getting stock onto the line and providing an early morning link to the airport. However I think Paul7755 is right that in the current climate that is unlikely to return particularly as the first Gatwick service of the day is often started late and/or curtailed short because of engineering work.
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Electric train
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« Reply #872 on: October 17, 2012, 18:55:42 » |
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"track being installed in the eastern fly-under" Does this bring the propect of direct trains from Oxfordshire to Gatwick any closer?
Highly unlikely IMHO▸ , especially now that the relevant section of the GW▸ is being electrified, but the North Downs line isn't. We've discussed this point before, so I'll keep it short, but I think the Oxford - Gatwick idea was never actually likely anyway, because there are basically no Oxford - Reading services suitable for through working with the Reading - Gatwicks. I don't think anyone was ever going to accept a reduction in Oxford - Paddington services just to provide rolling stock or paths for such a new route. I suggest that the typical use of the diveunder will be at start and end of service to get the stock to/from the depot across the layout without conflicting with the main lines. Oh, and maybe that daily XC▸ Guildford train... Paul Especially as the Depot will be on the North side. It would allow for the Gatwick services to use the relief platforms thereby making cross platform connections easier |
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Starship just experienced what we call a rapid unscheduled disassembly, or a RUD, during ascent,”
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pfneeves
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« Reply #873 on: October 18, 2012, 10:06:16 » |
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"track being installed in the eastern fly-under" Does this bring the propect of direct trains from Oxfordshire to Gatwick any closer?
From the vantage point that I have from looking out of my office window I can confirm that some track has been put down underneath the bridge. |
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BerkshireBugsy
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« Reply #874 on: October 18, 2012, 10:21:51 » |
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"track being installed in the eastern fly-under" Does this bring the propect of direct trains from Oxfordshire to Gatwick any closer?
From the vantage point that I have from looking out of my office window I can confirm that some track has been put down underneath the bridge. When I came into reading yesterday I thought the spur to the underpass had got longer - will try to have a look this pm |
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BerkshireBugsy
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« Reply #875 on: October 18, 2012, 19:56:52 » |
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"track being installed in the eastern fly-under" Does this bring the propect of direct trains from Oxfordshire to Gatwick any closer?
From the vantage point that I have from looking out of my office window I can confirm that some track has been put down underneath the bridge. When I came into reading yesterday I thought the spur to the underpass had got longer - will try to have a look this pm Get his afternoon it looks like the spur track from the north downs line now extends the length of the underpass (but it is difficult to tell for sure) |
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IndustryInsider
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« Reply #876 on: October 18, 2012, 21:48:08 » |
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There was at least one Oxford to Gatwick service a few years back. I think it left Oxford about 04:00 which probably filled two functions, getting stock onto the line and providing an early morning link to the airport.
It was at just gone 5am from Oxford with a return at roughly 10:30pm from Gatwick. On Saturdays there were two trains with the 4am also going to Gatwick,instead of London, as it does (and did) in the week. Get his afternoon it looks like the spur track from the north downs line now extends the length of the underpass (but it is difficult to tell for sure)
From what I can tell it goes to a point just under the bridge, with the ramp up to the station still being used for materials transfer. |
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To view my GWML▸ Electrification cab video 'before and after' video comparison, as well as other videos of the new layout at Reading and 'before and after' comparisons of the Cotswold Line Redoubling scheme, see: http://www.dailymotion.com/user/IndustryInsider/ |
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paul7575
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« Reply #878 on: October 19, 2012, 10:22:37 » |
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From what I can tell it goes to a point just under the bridge, with the ramp up to the station still being used for materials transfer.
AIUI▸ from the conversation I mentioned earlier (in post #853 on page 57), the only deliveries from the east end now are all track related. All station construction deliveries are now from the west end, in fact I have an idea that there was a fairly large pile of ballast obstructing the route between Vastern Rd bridge and the rest of the worksite when I last looked? I see the new 'Reading News' mentioned above also confirms the date the old footbridge will start being demolished as the end of Feb. Paul |
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mjones
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« Reply #879 on: October 19, 2012, 10:24:40 » |
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Yes, I could see a very large pile of ballast there yesterday evening.
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paul7575
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« Reply #880 on: October 19, 2012, 11:12:27 » |
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Just noticed on webcam 01/2 that a 'laser dozer' has appeared on the up relief trackbed alongside the new P15.
Update at 1300 geotextile fabric has been laid.
Update at 1600 some ballast has also been put down.
First signs I've seen of the track laying contractor in this area - although my aforementioned contact did say this would be happening about now.
(Be good if they had a webcam looking towards London now, I reckon!)
Paul
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« Last Edit: October 19, 2012, 16:05:00 by paul7755 »
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Boppy
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« Reply #881 on: October 19, 2012, 12:20:58 » |
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I noticed the underpass track protruding out from the north side of the underpass on my way in this morning.
Boppy.
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lordgoata
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« Reply #882 on: October 19, 2012, 12:41:21 » |
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I haven't a clue which direction is North or South in relation to where the underpass is, but this morning just after 8am there was sections of track piled up at the entrance of the underpass on the Tesco side  I couldn't see if it was actually laid in the underpass itself though. |
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Electric train
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« Reply #883 on: October 19, 2012, 13:35:42 » |
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I haven't a clue which direction is North or South in relation to where the underpass is, but this morning just after 8am there was sections of track piled up at the entrance of the underpass on the Tesco side I couldn't see if it was actually laid in the underpass itself though. Tesco side is the North side or in railway speak the up side |
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Starship just experienced what we call a rapid unscheduled disassembly, or a RUD, during ascent,”
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lordgoata
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« Reply #884 on: October 22, 2012, 12:48:15 » |
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Ah ha  Many thanks Electric train! I couldn't see what progress had been made this morning, will try and have a peek tonight though. |
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