Chiltern Evergreen 3 project - ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[IndustryInsider]

I'd heard the Water Eaton idea as a rumour a few times, but then again I hear lots of rumours! 

So pleased that this latest appeal has failed, though I'm sure Mr. Feeney will appeal the appeal as he seems like the sort of bloke who just won't go away - still, in three years from now the link will hopefully be open, paving the way for East West Rail a couple of years later, without a further closure as was originally envisaged.

[ChrisB]

Chiltern commented to the Passenger Board that, even if he appeals the review decision, they are minded to continue with the work....unless told otherwise by a judge.

[ChrisB]

East West Rail tweeted -

We're working to a target date of December 2017 for East West Rail services to be operational on the Bicester-Bletchley section

[Btline]

Excellent news for commuters. About time too, how long has this been going on for now? Feels like years...

The only thing is, where are the paths going to come from on the Chiltern line? And I assume the junctions will be flat. I noticed that lots of trees have been axed in Bicester in preparation...

It's a shame Chiltern don't reopen the line via Thame as well. They could open an Oxford South Parkway plus an M40 parkway.

Whilst they're at it. Re open the line via Chinnor to Lewknor Parkway and compete with the coaches.

And then reopen the line up towards Brackley...

[Chris from Nailsea]

Going off at a slight tangent here:  Blimey! Hello again, Btline!! 

[chuffed]

Yes...welcome back BT line! We have missed your ...errrr.....colourful contributions !

[ellendune]

It's a shame Chiltern don't reopen the line via Thame as well. They could open an Oxford South Parkway plus an M40 parkway.

they are doing this because re-opening via Thame was not feasible.

[paul7575]

.
The only thing is, where are the paths going to come from on the Chiltern line?

Some of them at least were intended to be diversions of existing services that terminate at places such as Banbury or Bicester Town North.  Others were to be extensions of services terminating nearer London.  I'm pretty sure there was never any expectation of additional services out of Marylebone.

That may have changed but I believe one of the timetable changes within the last couple of years was a pre-cursor to the Oxford services starting.  ChrisB might know more, without spending an hour looking for the track access application again...

Alternatively, we covered the same subject on page 8 of Btline's Chiltern Mainline thread...

Paul

[ChrisB]

Some of them at least were intended to be diversions of existing services that terminate at places such as Banbury or Bicester Town.

North....

Others were to be extensions of services terminating nearer London.  I'm pretty sure there was never any expectation of additional services out of Marylebone.

Certainly not in the peaks as there aren't any more slots/platform space.

The post EG3 timetable was creating the trains that would be extended, and also provide the slots for them. Hence the change to clockface timetable & reduction of services in the Chiltern heartlands area

Chris Aldridge - NR^» (Network Rail - home page) Western head honcho spoke at the Cotswold Line Promotion Group (CLPG^» (Cotswold Line Promotion Group - about)) AGM^▸ (Annual General Meeting) on Saturday. His notes included a current lay-out plan for Oxford resignalling.....

Very interesting. No track from Wolvercote Tunnel behind the turbo depot into platforms 4/5 any longer. Just the current layout onto the mailine & Back into a lengthened (I think) platform 3 or the up platform 2. Potential for a further platform 4 to be added, but it seems the current 4/5 are to be removed.

Also, he clearly told me that Chiltern are doing the works to get them to Water Eaton. Once they've got services running to/from WaterEaton, EWR are taking on the work into Oxford, while also working beyond Bicester Town....

[Electric train]

Also, he clearly told me that Chiltern are doing the works to get them to Water Eaton. Once they've got services running to/from WaterEaton, EWR are taking on the work into Oxford, while also working beyond Bicester Town....

That was also stated in a Chiltern Railways presentation at an IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) event just before Christmas, what CR required from Watereaton to Oxford would have to be reworked by EWR so for a while CR will run with a slightly reduced timetable.  CR will also do any work necessary to allow EWR to electrify the route (bridge clearances, signal immunity etc)   

[ChrisB]

By 'slightly reduced' I think you mean 'delayed start'?

Instead of running to Oxford from start odf service in August 2015, they won'treach Oxford now until April 2016 at the earliest. I haven't heard anything about a reduced service strarting then though? Is that what you mean?

I can't see Chiltern starting the Oxford service unless they can run their 2tph service from that date - they're going to want to hit the ground running with their advertising the new service. 1tph or 1.5tph won't draw many pax....

[Electric train]

By 'slightly reduced' I think you mean 'delayed start'?

Instead of running to Oxford from start odf service in August 2015, they won'treach Oxford now until April 2016 at the earliest. I haven't heard anything about a reduced service strarting then though? Is that what you mean?

I can't see Chiltern starting the Oxford service unless they can run their 2tph service from that date - they're going to want to hit the ground running with their advertising the new service. 1tph or 1.5tph won't draw many pax....

You are probably right Chris the Oxford remodel and EWR works it may well be prudent to hold back running the service.  When I attended the IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) event the electrification of EWR was still quite warm off the press.

It will be an interesting few years in the Oxford area

[IndustryInsider]

Chris Aldridge - NR^» (Network Rail - home page) Western head honcho spoke at the Cotswold Line Promotion Group (CLPG^» (Cotswold Line Promotion Group - about)) AGM^▸ (Annual General Meeting) on Saturday. His notes included a current lay-out plan for Oxford resignalling.....

Very interesting. No track from Wolvercote Tunnel behind the turbo depot into platforms 4/5 any longer. Just the current layout onto the mailine & Back into a lengthened (I think) platform 3 or the up platform 2. Potential for a further platform 4 to be added, but it seems the current 4/5 are to be removed.

The line from Oxford North Juntion behind Rewley Road Sidings and into two new bay platforms has been out of favour for some time now, as can be seen on the latest proposed diagrams I posted in February on this thread:  http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=11850.15

I feel that they are still the most likely (and sensible layout).  Platform 3 (current) to be joined by one new bay platform (rather than the two originally envisaged) and an upgraded 'Down Jericho Line' linking North Junction and those platforms.  Chiltern would then predominantly work their 2tph hour service from the one new platform, with the current platform 3 (as well as the other platforms) being available as a back-up.

However, with the recent announcement about Aedas being charged as 'masterplanners' for the Oxford station area, who knows, this might all change again!  http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/News-Releases/Masterplanners-appointed-for-the-proposed-redevelopment-of-Oxford-station-1d0f.aspx

[Electric train]

Chris Aldridge - NR^» (Network Rail - home page) Western head honcho spoke at the Cotswold Line Promotion Group (CLPG^» (Cotswold Line Promotion Group - about)) AGM^▸ (Annual General Meeting) on Saturday. His notes included a current lay-out plan for Oxford resignalling.....

Very interesting. No track from Wolvercote Tunnel behind the turbo depot into platforms 4/5 any longer. Just the current layout onto the mailine & Back into a lengthened (I think) platform 3 or the up platform 2. Potential for a further platform 4 to be added, but it seems the current 4/5 are to be removed.

The line from Oxford North Juntion behind Rewley Road Sidings and into two new bay platforms has been out of favour for some time now, as can be seen on the latest proposed diagrams I posted in February on this thread:  http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=11850.15

I feel that they are still the most likely (and sensible layout).  Platform 3 (current) to be joined by one new bay platform (rather than the two originally envisaged) and an upgraded 'Down Jericho Line' linking North Junction and those platforms.  Chiltern would then predominantly work their 2tph hour service from the one new platform, with the current platform 3 (as well as the other platforms) being available as a back-up.

However, with the recent announcement about Aedas being charged as 'masterplanners' for the Oxford station area, who knows, this might all change again!  http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/News-Releases/Masterplanners-appointed-for-the-proposed-redevelopment-of-Oxford-station-1d0f.aspx

mmmmm looks like they are still play with GRIP^▸ (Guide to Railway Investment Projects) 3 stuff (option selection)

[ChrisB]

Thanks - the additional bay platform isn't yet part of the resignalling plans and is just an option, according to Chris Aldridge on Saturday. i.e. a possible future option, imho, possibly if/when the new through up platform is installed.

EWR services are not terminating in Oxford but will all use the up through platform to go on somewhere south of Oxford (Reading/Swindon) - leaving Chiltern using platform 3 - so 4 movements an hour from there meaning the odd Banbury could also be accomodated, I guess.

Probably also means no extended layovers for Chiltern - straight in, load/unload & out again. The original plans incorporated their own station entrance, ticket office and associated kit like drivers accom. I guess the latter could still feature if you had a quick driver changeover.