New Chiltern Railways' timetable promises faster times from May 2011

[whole diary]

[anthony215]

 Chiltern have at least 3 class 172's which have been completed although only 1 has been out and about.

London Midland now have 2 class 172's available for driver training with a 3rd due in the next week or so.

[ChrisB]

Hmm....not sure about that. One set visited Wembley depot for tests, but returned to Bombardier immediately. Was there only around 24 hours. Wouldn't describe that as 'out & about". And AFAIK^▸ (as far as I know), that's it.

The Aynho blockade goes on throughout March. I think the extra down line is going in alongside the up too.

[paul7575]

The Aynho blockade goes on throughout March. I think the extra down line is going in alongside the up too.

I remain totally unconvinced about an extra down line.

Paul

[ChrisB]

Increased running speed - up to over 80 from around 35 round the curve over the bridge. Also allows overtaking, by parking one over the bridge while another comres down the new line.

[paul7575]

Increased running speed - up to over 80 from around 35 round the curve over the bridge. Also allows overtaking, by parking one over the bridge while another comres down the new line.

We discussed this at length last May in another thread.

'SandTEngineer' reckoned that the signalling drawings don't show a new down line, it is the existing down line that has its speed increased, by virtue of new 90 85 mph points on the down junction.  A new down line is also not supported by the descriptions of the work in the track access application.

Paul

[ChrisB]

In which case, maybe the up line becomes bi-directional? I do know that Chiltern are talking about running down the up side of that junction & they've also spoken about using the current down line over the bridge as somewhere to 'park' trains being overtaken.

They've also spoken about a crossover going in north of the junction - whether thats to a new up or onto the new bi-di line, I don't know.

[paul7575]

This is what the track access application said:

Install new turnouts at Aynho Junction on up (90 mph) and down (85 mph);
Raise line speed from 90-65-90 to 90-100 mph on the up and from 100-50-40-90 to 100-90-85-90 on the down;
Upgrade [the existing] 15 mph trailing crossover on the Didcot- Chester Line (DCL) to 50 mph;
Install new 7-day railway 50 mph facing crossover on DCL north of existing crossover.

There was no mention of the high speed (85mph) diamond crossing on the up line that would be needed if down trains were to cross it on the flat at speed - indeed current policy is to avoid diamonds if at all possible, and use what is known as a 'simplified double junction' - like at Southcote Jn where the Basingstoke line joins the B&H^▸ (Berks and Hants - railway line from Reading to Taunton via Westbury), for example - these are generally slower than a diamond, and need more track length to install

To answer your other point, 'SandTEngineer' reckoned that both lines between Princes Risborough and Aynho Jn would be reversible for '7 day railway' purposes.

Paul

[IndustryInsider]

I'll take a look at what work has been completed today as soon as I can, as that should give an indication as to what speed any crossings that have been installed might be.

[paul7575]

I used to keep my narrowboat at Aynho Wharf - if I still did I'd probably have some pictures of what's happening by now...   

Paul

[ChrisB]

To answer your other point, 'SandTEngineer' reckoned that both lines between Princes Risborough and Aynho Jn would be reversible for '7 day railway' purposes.

i-di.

Yup, I'd agree with that....at least from North of Bicester to Risborough. Won't take much work that - Bicester - Risborough already is bi-di

[paul7575]

Yes - and I've looked up the online sectional appendix again this morning - and it shows Aynho Jn to Bicester already reversible, so it might just be the length within Bicester station that has to be added.

There's no crossover shown between Aynho Jn and Bicester though, so it's quite a few miles once they are on the 'wrong' line...

Paul

[ChrisB]

All the way to Risborough - including wrong-side calling at Haddenham.

[IndustryInsider]

Chiltern were due to commence their route learning programme for the Oxford to Bicester line today in preparation for them taking over the service in May.  The rather convoluted way they're doing it is to send their route learning 'Bubble Car' (Class 121) from Aylesbury via Claydon to Bicester and then do a couple of shuttles in between the normal FGW^▸ (First Great Western) service.  Things didn't quite go to plan today though as no sooner had the unit arrived from Aylesbury the block went down and the Class 121 was eventually sent to Banbury!  Better luck next time!

Also, with regard to Aynho Junction, I had a good look there today and whilst the weekend engineering possession involved only replacing some plain track north of the junction, new crossings are currently being pre-assembled in the Up Goods Loop south of the junction.  Very difficult to see exactly what was being constructed there and what speeds they might allow, but I'll keep an eye out and report on developments!

[ChrisB]

Why did the block go down unexpectedly? And how did trhe unit get to Banbury if not by going via Oxford?

[IndustryInsider]

Why did the block go down unexpectedly? And how did trhe unit get to Banbury if not by going via Oxford?

Not sure why, but it went down after the 10:00 Oxford to Bicester had done its trip.  It does go down regularly, and the recently installed level crossing at London Road, Bicester might well have had something to do with it.  A lack of available Pilotmen meant the 11:00 Oxford to Bicester was also cancelled.  Sorry for not making it clear, but The 'Bubble Car' ran, Aylesbury to Oxford via Calvert and Bicester arriving in the Dock platform at 09:50 and then because the block was down it was sent to Banbury (last seen in the northwards stabling platform between platforms 1 and 2). 

I presume it then went back to Aylesbury via Princes Risborough later in the day, or is stabling at Banbury overnight for another attempt on the Bicester line tomorrow?