Chiltern Evergreen 3 project - ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[ChrisB]

No, those are they. Just one extra coach on one train for the overcrowding at Bicester North, I note. The train before is also horrendously overcrowded, as are the xx47 in the evening peak from London. All of which they've left untouched & are obviously hoping to wing it. More changes to come in May timetable I reckon.

At least they'll definitely have those additional 4 168/3s in by then. But it won't be enough.

[IndustryInsider]

But it won't be enough.

Indeed, and hence me yesterday referencing the article in RAIL which you slightly scoffed at.

They go on to say that there will be difficulty getting any other 100mph capable compatible units in the foreseeable future (other than the four arriving early next year), with the most likely candidates I can see being the eight Class 172s which London Overground use on the Gospel Oak to Barking route which are scheduled to be replaced with EMUs^▸ (Electric Multiple Unit) in 2017/8 which may well be too long to wait - and can that electrification timescale be trusted!  It's also not great having so many 2-car trains without corridor connections and they'd need modifying to increase their speed from 75mph to 100mph.

Hence more MKIII's and Class 68s being possibly the best option, though no doubt a more expensive one.

[gwr2006]

The word going around Network Rail is they cannot complete the upgrade between Oxford Parkway and Oxford before next September meaning the original intention of extending the train service in March 2016 is unlikely.

No doubt Chiltern will announce it sometime when it suits!

[IndustryInsider]

Sadly there are several hurdles in the way, so March is indeed looking less and less likely.  A six-month delay isn't the end of the world though.

[IndustryInsider]

I believe one of the hurdles, the planning issues concerning the relocatable train crew building at Oxford (which allows the present building to be demolished and the new platforms built), was finally overcome at a council meeting yesterday.

[paul7575]

I believe one of the hurdles, the planning issues concerning the relocatable train crew building at Oxford (which allows the present building to be demolished and the new platforms built), was finally overcome at a council meeting yesterday.

That just seems to have been a variation application: 15/03087/VAR - passed on Dec 1st.     

It was to extend the allowed period of temporary use from 3 years to 6 years, basically to provide a margin to avoid it having to be removed if the station masterplan is delayed; that work needs a TWA Order.  They presumably wouldn't want to move to another temporary building if the station rebuild is still under way.   I think from the text NR^» (Network Rail - home page) were pushing at an open door - it suits the council's timescales for the station area.

The overall plans for Chiltern's requirements (a 'prior approval' application covered by 15/00096/PA18) were passed on 10th September.

Paul

[IndustryInsider]

Yes indeed, the extension from 3 to 6 years was key to the project not being delayed any more.  I understand work will commence early next month.  Not sure it was an 'open door' though otherwise there would have been no 3 year limit imposed at the first time of asking surely?  I also believe that somebody with influence over the council lives very close by, and were using every trick in the book to scupper the plans.

[ChrisB]

I believe at least one Councillor lives in the houses behind the Said Business School, next to the depot....

[ellendune]

3 or 5 years seems to be a standard condition for temporary buildings. 

[ChrisB]

No, those are they. Just one extra coach on one train for the overcrowding at Bicester North, I note. The train before is also horrendously overcrowded, as are the xx47 in the evening peak from London. All of which they've left untouched & are obviously hoping to wing it. More changes to come in May timetable I reckon.

At least they'll definitely have those additional 4 168/3s in by then. But it won't be enough.

I'm told that these extra 170s are staying with TPE^▸ (Trans Pennine Express) until the route to Oxford goes live....so nothing more in by May except one additional coach for the blue/grey loco+coaches set

[IndustryInsider]

Report into the 'chaos and misery' currently being faced by some Chiltern Railways commuters since the Oxford Parkway timetable.  Just where is 'Btline' when you need him...   

http://www.itv.com/news/meridian/update/2015-12-14/new-railway-has-led-to-misery-for-commuters/

To be fair to Chiltern though, missing two units due to damage caused by the storms really does impact upon your fleet availability when things are already a squeeze, and I found it quite ironic that one of the complaining passengers was being filmed on a virtually empty carriage - though he didn't mention overcrowding.  A test for the operator that is held in such high regard.

[ChrisB]

I've not watched the clip, but the complaints started the day that the Oxford Parkway timetable started & just haven't stopped - I think Chiltern themselves would admit that timetable made assumptions that didn't materialise & was unfit for purpose - along with many NR^» (Network Rail - home page) failures, but their stock allocation & some services just didn't work.

New timetable started yesterday & they promised fixes - but not all problems have been fixed. This is probably well deserved.

[John R]

To be fair to Chiltern though, missing two units due to damage caused by the storms really does impact upon your fleet availability when things are already a squeeze, and I found it quite ironic that one of the complaining passengers was being filmed on a virtually empty carriage - though he didn't mention overcrowding. 

It looked as though everyone else had just alighted at Marylebone, and he stayed on to be interviewed.

[IndustryInsider]

A quick photo update on the progress on the line upgrade between Oxford and Oxford Parkway:

A view from the temporary pedestrian bridge at First Turn, Wolvercote.  Wolvercote Tunnel that has been causing all the trouble regarding bats can be seen in the background, showing how short it is!




Here's a view of the portal at the other end of the tunnel.  Track will be lower enough to accommodate the W10 freight gauge and electrification.




Here's a view from above that tunnel portal, from the same location as I posted a few months back.  The sound barriers are being built up and the ground has been levelled ready for drainage, ballast and track to be laid.




Finally, here's a view of Oxford North Junction with the new formation beginning to take shape with two 70mph crossovers eventually replacing the current single 25mph crossover.  You can also see progress on the left of the image on the extension of the Down Passenger Loop from here as far as Wolvercote Junction.

[Gordon the Blue Engine]

Thanks II, very interesting.

Why are the crossovers 70 mph - surely no passenger trains will ever get to 70 mph between Oxford and Oxford Parkway?  Or is it dictated by a Group Standard?

Edit a few minutes later.... Ah, is it to avoid need for approach control?