Chiltern Evergreen 3 project - ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[Chris from Nailsea]

Pic in the Oxford Mail of the completed Oxford Parkway building. Looks like a large warehouse

See http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=13909.msg170069#msg170069 

[IndustryInsider]

The latest in Portillo's travels included a segment on the Bicester line remodelling available to view on the link below (from 9 through to 15 minutes).  Nothing new in it, but some good aerial shots and a worthwhile watch:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0517v7x/great-british-railway-journeys-series-6-19-oxford-to-luton

[ChrisB]

Network Rail & FGW^▸ (First Great Western) tell me that Oxford resignalling put back to Feb17, in time for electrification TT in May17.

Chiltern appear to be aware, talking to NR^» (Network Rail - home page) as to whether part 1 forctheir services can be done sooner, or they make do with a partial service from May16 for a year. They didn't appear very confident. Decision/scheduling needs to happen quite soon if its going to be phased

[IndustryInsider]

Here's a photo update of the progress on the rebuilding of the Oxford to Bicester line:

Oxford Parkway station building is being fitted out:


Oxford Parkway platforms are starting to take shape:


Islip - view looking south from the bridge near the station.


Here's how that view used to look:


Islip station - view looking north from that bridge showing the new station taking shape:


Here's how that view used to look - tranquil rural location no more!:


And finally, here's a closer view of the new station at Islip:



Hopefully I'll take another trip out to Bicester within a month or so and report back on progress with the new station there.

[IndustryInsider]

That update coming on the day that Chiltern have announced the first stage of the reopening (from Oxford Parkway), a month or so later than planned on 26th October:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-32516375

[ChrisB]

Nearly two months - was due on 6 September.

Somewhat surprised - we were led in confidence last week to believe it was going to be early October.

[ChrisB]

Here's Chiltern's press release

Chiltern Railways has announced the opening date of its pioneering rail project that will see a new rail link open between Oxford and London Marylebone, the first between a major British city and London in over 100 years.

The Chiltern Railways Oxford Parkway to London Marylebone line will open on Monday 26th October and will see services from a brand new station Oxford Parkway, in the north of Oxford, to London Marylebone. The launch will also bring the opening of another new facility, Bicester Village station, which will provide Bicester with more trains to London in addition to those currently running from Bicester North.

Oxford Parkway is the first new station to open in Oxfordshire since 1944. Once opened it will be one of the best located stations in the county due to its positioning adjacent to the existing Water Eaton park and ride site just off the A34 and close to the A44. Oxford Parkway has been designed as a modern transport hub and is expected to be hugely attractive to those living in north Oxfordshire wanting to escape the congestion of Oxford city centre. The new station will have level access and integrated transport with over 150 cycle spaces, 800+ car parking spaces and access to the many buses serving the park and ride site.

The contemporary Bicester Village station will have level access, two new platforms and a rebuilt car park. It will also have a greatly improved station approach road and integrated transport with cycle parking and bus stops. Lighting across the station will be energy efficient and the station building has been designed to make as much use of natural light as possible.

Managing Director Rob Brighouse said: ^We^re delighted to be able to announce the official opening date for the new Oxford Parkway to London rail link as 26th October. The line will transform travel in Oxfordshire, helping passengers avoid city centre traffic congestion and benefit from more convenient journeys to London via our new stations, Oxford Parkway and Bicester Village station. The project is the first new rail link between a major British city and London in over 100 years and will bring significant economic benefit to the region.^

The project is being delivered in partnership with Network Rail as part of the Bicester to Oxford Collaboration.

[IndustryInsider]

Poor old Islip doesn't even get a mention, despite the villagers gaining a useful new direct link to London, and hopefully at least as good commuting options to Oxford and Bicester as they enjoyed before the line closed for the upgrade.

[ChrisB]

Not quite - FGW^▸ (First Great Western) (& Chiltern carried the se on until the line closed) increased the offer to 11 trains each way - 4 above the PSR^▸ (Permanent Speed Restriction)). Now removed by Chiltern, but at one meeting they offered (accidentally we think) 8 trains each way, and they agreed to be held to that. So a reduction of 3 trains each way, sadly

[IndustryInsider]

Well I suppose 8 is better than 7, but more important than the number is the time of the trains.  Hopefully the 4.5 hour gap has been reduced and the commuting services tweaked from the consultation timetable which sold Islip very short!

[ChrisB]

Chiltern are still tweaking it & should publish in a couple of weeks

[IndustryInsider]

A couple more pictures showing progress at Bicester:

Here's Gavray Junction with track laying complete and just a bit of tidying up to do:



Here's progress on the new Bicester Village station, formerley Bicester Town:

[ChrisB]

Ouch! - squealing wheels at Gavray Junction - that's a tightish curve) - right next to those poor houses.

[bobm]

More photos and information here - http://www.bicestertooxfordcollaboration.com/index.html

[paul7575]

Ouch! - squealing wheels at Gavray Junction - that's a tightish curve) - right next to those poor houses.

From the satellite view I reckon it will have to be about 250m - 300m radius - and that's fairly comparable to the curve immediately south of Fareham Station - and that generates fairly significant wheel noise on plain track.   

Here you also have the additional noise of the S&C^▸ (Settle and Carlisle ) layout, especially for up trains going over three sets of points...

Will be interesting to see how good the mitigation measures are - normally flange lubricators, although water spray systems have also been tried in the past.

Paul