Bristol-Birmingham via Didcot diversions - are we likely to see these again?

[whole diary]

[Oxman]

Not sure if it is relevant, but I understand that up trains will use the direct route from Greenford to Old Oak Common along the little used single line, and down services will run via the Greenford branch.

[Adrian the Rock]

Not sure if it is relevant, but I understand that up trains will use the direct route from Greenford to Old Oak Common along the little used single line, and down services will run via the Greenford branch.

Interesting.  For the Chiltern diversions, they were basically using the Park Royal - Greenford stretch as an extended passing loop, and running two trains per hour it was pretty busy.  When I travelled down from Padd - West Ruislip, we had to wait two or three minutes at Greenford's down home for the up train to clear the single line from Northolt.  When the up WS&MR^▸ (Midland Railway, or Motor Rail, depending on context) train turned up, the opposing down Chiltern train had to wait there for two trains to go through - see the little film I made.

Of course the other deep irony about that day was that there they were running a Paddington - Birmingham Snow Hill service again after all these years!

[JayMac]

see the little film I made.

Thank-you for that wonderful insight into signalling around Greenford. Your commentary was excellent - has anyone ever told you that your voice and enunciation bears more than a passing resemblence to John Peel?

[Chris from Nailsea]

Indeed: thanks very much for posting that, Adrian the Rock! 

John Peel - a legend indeed. 


(and I'm sorry, but the very officious-looking pigeon from 3:57 onwards in your film is also brilliant! )

[JayMac]

(and I'm sorry, but the very officious-looking pigeon from 3:57 onwards in your film is also brilliant! )

That pigeon walking across the gantry is classic. Coupled to the commentry... "There he's just cleared the up advance starter and the up Chiltern can start moving again towards Paddington" gives the impression that the pigeon is somehow responsible for that particular signalling manoeuvre. Made I laff. 

[ChrisB]

The Reading blockade will run from Monday, December 27 until Thursday, December 30.

Not quite - My understanding is that the odd platform will be available at Reading over New Yrears Eve (pm only) into New Years Day & will close again until the early hours of 4 January....

[Steve Bray]

And I remember either in the late 70's/early 80's (just on 1 or 2 occasions), Bristol/Birmingham Sunday morning diversions via Malvern.