| Candidate for redoubling? AQ 13.12.2025 Posted by grahame at 06:25, 13th December 2025 |     |
Many railway lines that were once two tracks were reduced to a single track in the middle of the last century, and in some cases we may look back and say that the decision to reduce the infrastructure has stood the test of time. In other cases, the capacity reduction is unfortunate for current times some 60 years later and some re-doubling has taken place. Can you identify these locations and suggest which might benefit from a second track being relayed?
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| Re: Candidate for redoubling? AQ 13.12.2025 Posted by TaplowGreen at 07:06, 13th December 2025 | |
0 - Maidenhead-Marlow?
| Re: Candidate for redoubling? AQ 13.12.2025 Posted by grahame at 07:14, 13th December 2025 | |
0 - Maidenhead-Marlow?
It isn't. I confess to not knowing if the Maidenhead to Bourne End and to Marlow line ever was double and / or whether there were loops on it; I did wonder about looking for a picture in my old set ...
As a (re) doubling candidate or scope for alternative capacity provision, this would be an interesting one. As it is, to get trains up to a 30 minute frequency passengers are required to change trains 'half way' along - a solution which I have also seen adopted in Slovakia but at which shudder at the thought if it were brought to the TransWilts.
| Re: Candidate for redoubling? AQ 13.12.2025 Posted by Electric train at 07:15, 13th December 2025 | |
0 - Maidenhead-Marlow?
No cannot be, the line was never doubled apart form loops at Cookham Bourne End stations, and a short section North from Maidenhead station to Grenfell rd bridge| Re: Candidate for redoubling? AQ 13.12.2025 Posted by bradshaw at 08:12, 13th December 2025 | |
1 Yetminster station.
It still shows evidence of he broad gauge with the distance between the platforms. It was first doubled in 1859 to ease congestion of the steeply inclined section to Holywell Tunnel and Evershot.
| Re: Candidate for redoubling? AQ 13.12.2025 Posted by Oxonhutch at 08:36, 13th December 2025 | |
4: Melksham
Cancellations of local trains prolific due to rerouting of long distance services and low capacity/long single block section. Doubling or long dynamic loops would alleviate this problem.
| Re: Candidate for redoubling? AQ 13.12.2025 Posted by RobT at 08:56, 13th December 2025 | |
3. Newquay, recently redoubled.
| Re: Candidate for redoubling? AQ 13.12.2025 Posted by brooklea at 09:57, 13th December 2025 | |
8. Chandler’s Ford
Six miles of line singled in 1972, but crucially with double track sections at either end to allow a train to be held off the mainline whilst awaiting it’s turn to travel along the single line. Retained for freight and diversionary use, but an hourly passenger service reinstated in 2003. Seems to work relatively well as it is at present, so I wouldn’t have thought a high priority for re-doubling, especially with the cost of providing a second platform at Chandler’s Ford.
