Swindon to Oxford - new proposal from the "Go!" Coop

[whole diary]

[grahame]

The Go! Co-operative will be launching its first (Open Access) route from Yeovil Junction to The Midlands on 20th and 21st April in Yeovil, Trowbridge, Swindon and Oxford.   Filling in a few places on the route, they state "Our first route will run from Yeovil Junction to the Midlands via Yeovil Pen Mill, Castle Cary, Frome, Trowbridge, Melksham, Chippenham, Swindon and Oxford."

I've had a chance to meet with several of the team behind this initiative in the past, including quite a recent meeting at which I was very impressed by the case made and all the background work done. Their brief website simply gives you no idea of just how carefully the proposal has been worked out.

http://www.go-now.coop/
http://www.go-now.coop/plans/

Didn't know where to post this - it goes across so many of our boards - but I would love to be able to make my Melksham to Oxford journeys without changes at Swindon and Didcot!

[Phil]

I like everything I've read about this so far. Sounds an excellent plan.

[grahame]

I like everything I've read about this so far. Sounds an excellent plan.

I've been surprisingly impressed - though not being an industry expert I'm not well placed to ask the hard questions. We'll have to have a chat about it when we meet next 

[thetrout]

Do we know a date in which we'll see the first trains running...?! or is that hush hush atm...?!

[grahame]

Do we know a date in which we'll see the first trains running...?! or is that hush hush atm...?!

Ah ... when was anything ever definite until it happens, especially when it come to trains  - seriously, I do have an idea of proposed timescales, but I wouldn't want to pre-empt a press release / launch, nor to give you data which may have been tuned since I was given it.

[Phil]

Do we know a date in which we'll see the first trains running...?! or is that hush hush atm...?!

According to Page 18 of the document which is linked on their website, and is presumably therefore no secret, driver recruitment and training commences December 2010 and mainline services in May 2011

[inspector_blakey]

From the Railway Eye...posted for information and without comment

[Btline]

The Go! Co-operative will be launching its first (Open Access) route from Yeovil Junction to The Midlands on 20th and 21st April in Yeovil, Trowbridge, Swindon and Oxford.   Filling in a few places on the route, they state "Our first route will run from Yeovil Junction to the Midlands via Yeovil Pen Mill, Castle Cary, Frome, Trowbridge, Melksham, Chippenham, Swindon and Oxford."

I've had a chance to meet with several of the team behind this initiative in the past, including quite a recent meeting at which I was very impressed by the case made and all the background work done. Their brief website simply gives you no idea of just how carefully the proposal has been worked out.

http://www.go-now.coop/
http://www.go-now.coop/plans/

Didn't know where to post this - it goes across so many of our boards - but I would love to be able to make my Melksham to Oxford journeys without changes at Swindon and Didcot!

Excellent news for the region! Finger's crossed. (and if I'm a coop member, does that mean I get point when I travel with "The Coop"?
 

[grahame]

From the Railway Eye...posted for information and without comment

Thanks ... I rather suspect that The Fact Compiler isn't familiar with this application, its status with the ORR^» (Office of Rail and Road, formerly Office of Rail Regulation - about), the area through which it runs, and perhaps certain other things ... that this invite has come to him unexpectedly. He may be making one of two assumptions more that are justified.   I'll admit that I wondered if Wrexham to Marylebone was a bit unlikely (but I don't recall being brave enough to post my doubts  )

[Btline]

Hang on, is it starting next month?

If so, how?

[inspector_blakey]

Come on Btline, keep up and read what's already been posted!

The proposals are being "launched" next month, with a series of meetings over a few days in different towns along the proposed route. As Phil posted above, recruitment projected for 2010 and services starting in 2011.

I really would love this project to get off the ground, but for the moment it does strike me that there is at least a slight whiff of Trotter Trains about it (with apologies to the Fact Compiler for pinching his observation...)

[devon_metro]

What can only be described as a "barmy" route!

[Timmer]

When I saw Trotter Trains the first thing I thought of was Del Boy Trotter until I read the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) article  Whoops!

[smokey]

What can only be described as a "barmy" route!

As Rail IS first choice option for a large % of people, the setting up of Direct Trains between Yeovil Junc and Oxford will create NEW traffic flows, indeed it might generate a small flow from Yeovil Junc and Yeovil Pen Mill, could be just what the doctor ordered for someone.

Take Wrexham & Shropshire I bet Wrexham to London jounerys have snowballed since W & S started, I know last time I travel W & S the train had an extra TSO^▸ (The Stationary Office (now OPSI), or, possibly Trailer Standard Open (carriage), depending on context) and was well loaded.

There are still a lot of people who won't travel by train if a connection has to be made.

[John R]

http://www.go-now.coop/workspace/uploads/files/go!_launch_invitation_final_draft.pdf

Maybe I'm being picky, but I would have thought they could have got the geography right, unless there's a line off to South Wales at Thingley sidings that I've failed to notice. (And the line to Bristol from Westbury should actually diverge after Trowbridge).

Still, good luck to them. It will be interesting to see FGW^▸ (First Great Western)'s reaction.