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All across the Great Western territory / Across the West / Re: Briefing on forthcoming changes - from GWR on 14.3.2024
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on: March 17, 2024, 13:28:50
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There is what I read as widespread early concern amongst the informed and interested in the community, and indeed in GWR▸ , at the effect the closures for six years over the Christmas period - ranging from 2 days some years to 18 years in other years - is going to upset passengers, as will extra stops if they are to be aded thereafter at Old Oak. There is a feeling that the new station will bring very few benefits / new travel opportunities to GWR passengers who are having to "pay" for it with extra disruption and slower journeys. But I suspect at the end of the day people will just put up with the disruption and slowing, with the wider community getting a bit upset nearer the time it actually happens, but then learning to live with the changes that are permanent.
People opposed HS2▸ on the basis of it not being worth it for just 15 minutes…… but an a extra stop on a services between Padd and Reading costing probably about 5 minutes onto a journey time going into Paddington is now a big deal. Old Oak station will be a quicker interchange to get onto the Liz Line, then going through to Paddington for starters. Swings and roundabouts. As for disruption whilst the work is undertaken, some trains will surely leave the GWML▸ at Acton Mainline, effectively go round the back of the current CrossRail depot where it’ll drop onto the WCML▸ into Euston, an extra 2 miles. Might even be the potential to upgrade the current track for higher line speeds but it’s certainly not the end of the world. They rebuilt Reading station around an operational railway with minimal interruption, it can be done again The benefits of Old Oak will only be realised if passengers are able to use integrated ticketing that supports railcards. The current position means that passengers have to travel to Paddington on the mainline with discounted tickets then swap to the Elizabeth line with a contactless payment mechanism. |
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Journey by Journey / London to Didcot, Oxford and Banbury / Re: Disabled access at Cholsey: time for a campaign!
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on: March 06, 2024, 15:31:42
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For stations that aren't accessible, there already *is* a free taxi service to the nearest accessible service. That is how Access for All on the rails works everywhere
The "Access for all" programme is about upgrading station facilities; as that's infrastructure it all goes through Network Rail (though the money comes from the government). The label for operational support is "Passenger Assist", which is a national scheme but implemented and publicised by TOCs▸ individually. GWR▸ describe theirs on their web site, and in the booklet "Making rail Accessible". The relevant bit of text says: We can also give you advice about the trains and stations you want to use, and how accessible they are.
If they’re not accessible for you, our Passenger Assist team will talk you through your journey options and find out what support you need. We aim to ensure that you can make as much of your journey by rail as possible.
However, for those parts of the journey where this is not possible, we will arrange alternative transport that is accessible to you, to the nearest or most convenient accessible station, free of charge.
They are rather vague about what that might involve, no doubt because needs vary so much case by case and they prefer not to create a more specific "right". Thanks. Very helpful. I wonder how many disabled non-rail users are aware of this? |
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Journey by Journey / London to Didcot, Oxford and Banbury / Re: Disabled access at Cholsey: time for a campaign!
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on: March 05, 2024, 09:03:18
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Cholsey's problem, in addition to it's design, is the proximity to Didcot, which does have step free access to all platforms.
The argument put forward for not originally installing lifts at Tilehurst was its proximity to Reading.
My personal view is that the railway should provide a free shuttle service (on request) for disabled passengers from stations like these. This could be delivered through a contract with a local Didcot taxi firm. The cost might well be significantly less than infrastructure changes and, if demand for the service is high, then the business case writes itself.
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All across the Great Western territory / Across the West / Re: £140 million plan to address Paddington - Reading shambles
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on: March 03, 2024, 10:50:49
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Isn't the signalling between Paddington and Reading computer controlled that selects the optimum path taking into account where all the trains are?
No good if the overhead wiring keeps falling down.
ARS▸ was installed in the 90s as part of the Paddington remodelling. If it’s still in used it can be selectively enabled/disabled in zones allowing it to support a signaller rather than replacing them. This allows a signaller to focus on a problem area rather than the more routine routing. |
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All across the Great Western territory / Across the West / Re: £140 million plan to address Paddington - Reading shambles
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on: February 27, 2024, 11:38:14
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What ideas do members think could solve some of the problems in the short and long term.
These are a couple of mine,could trains be drawn up along side one another to take passengers back to where they come from?
if possible could passengers alight at the station platforms at least passengers could make there own way from the station to where ever.
If the problem is between slough and Paddington could half the trains do a shuttle to and from Slough and Paddington,at least you could get a bus/coach to your destination
Long term: extra cross overs?
Current TFL▸ contingency plans seem to assume the availability of alternative public transport. This doesn't work if you're at Maidenhead or Twyford as there's very little alternative. During disruption there ought to be some GWR▸ stop orders (perhaps for the Oxfords?). There is significantly more use of points in the current timetable with services moving to/from mains and reliefs. I'm not sure this can be avoided but that means that maintenance has to be significantly increased. If NR» can't increase reliability, I think the Didcot and Newbury semi-fasts should not run on the reliefs and cross over. They should either be curtailed at Reading or run down the mains. If necessary, start a 12 car 387 short at Reading and run them as a queue buster for Twyford/Maidenhead only (Reading commuters wouldn't use this because they'd rather have an IET▸ ). |
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All across the Great Western territory / Across the West / Re: Infrastructure problems in Thames Valley causing disruption elsewhere - ongoing, since Oct 2014
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on: February 26, 2024, 16:28:36
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It appears that a tree has fallen on the OLE▸ at Burnham (a beech perhaps?) Following a tree blocking the railway between Maidenhead and London Paddington some lines are now open.
Impact:
Train services running to and from these stations are returning to normal. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.
Customer Advice:
Due to a tree touching the overheads wires & a fire at Burnham Railway station, trains between Maidenhead to London Paddington will be delayed. 9U51 is currently at a stand on the up relief. It looks like there's now effectively a two-track railway between Reading and Paddington. Network Rail closing all lines between Reading & Paddington from 1615-1715 to remove the tree. Different tree I think. GWR▸ stating that this is the Sonning Cutting tree. The Burnham one appears to have sufficiently combusted for the up relief to be open. Paddington is now fully stacked with services ready to go after the block is lifted. |
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All across the Great Western territory / Across the West / Re: Infrastructure problems in Thames Valley causing disruption elsewhere - ongoing, since Oct 2014
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on: February 26, 2024, 16:02:23
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And now a no-track railway. A complete block while the orange army attempt some tree felling. That's the evening peak broken. Due to a landslip between London Paddington and Reading some lines will be blocked.
Impact:
Train services running to and from these stations will be cancelled, delayed or revised. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.
Customer Advice:
Network Rail advise that there has been a minor landslip in the Sonning area, between Twyford and Reading, which has caused a lineside tree to become unsafe. This affects the high speed lines.
Network Rail will close all 4 lines between Reading and London Paddington between 16:15 and 17:15 to affect removal of the tree and associated works, this will lead to disruption on all routes that operate between Reading and London Paddington.
Services from the West Country, Bristol Temple Meads, South Wales and Gloucester/Cheltenham Spa may be terminated at Reading and start back from there. |
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All across the Great Western territory / Across the West / Re: Infrastructure problems in Thames Valley causing disruption elsewhere - ongoing, since Oct 2014
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on: February 26, 2024, 12:59:18
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It appears that a tree has fallen on the OLE▸ at Burnham (a beech perhaps?) Following a tree blocking the railway between Maidenhead and London Paddington some lines are now open.
Impact:
Train services running to and from these stations are returning to normal. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.
Customer Advice:
Due to a tree touching the overheads wires & a fire at Burnham Railway station, trains between Maidenhead to London Paddington will be delayed. 9U51 is currently at a stand on the up relief. It looks like there's now effectively a two-track railway between Reading and Paddington. |
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