As was queried earlier, is it likely that one or both of the feeder lines could be operational before Easter?
There is a possibility they might be operational (in the sense that they are capable of working), but I doubt whether they would be in operation. I assume the Easter possession is required to commission the signalling changes and this needs to be at the same time as the commissioning of the festival line.
It immediately becomes obvious that the north end of the layout is flexible offering parallel movements onto and off the feeder lines with no conflicts, however at the southern end, parallel moves are not possible. Down direction Main Feeder to Down Westbury routes down Main Feeder, down Relief Feeder, Down Reading West Curve and then Down Westbury, so conflicting with any up direction routeing from the Up Westbury onto the Relief Feeder. An up loaded stone train could block the route for some time. Is it likely that a crossover between the Up Westbury and Down Westbury will be added in the future, in order that the routeing is not via the Relief Feeder?
Yes, but there are more platforms on the south side. Through platforms 7, 8, 10 & 11 all have access to the Westbury route either directly or by the feeder lines that's only 9 that does not! That is the same number of through platforms as on the reliefs (Platforms 12 - 15). In addition Platform 3 (bay) can be used for the
XC▸ services that reverse. Oh and of course there are the bay platforms 1 &2 for local services to Newbury and Basingstoke.
Is there enough room on the feeder lines to hold a stationery stone train without fouling the junctions at either end? Although the signallers, in practice, currently signal a loaded stone train through the old layout non-stop, will trials be carried out to prove that a stone train can be started anywhere within its new routeing via the feeder lines?
I think the answer is yes is was discussed somewhere further up this thread some months ago.
Finally, what is the revised track layout of the relief lines between Tilehurst East and where it connects to the existing layout by signals T1745 and T1747 just west of Cow Lane? Looking at the signalling layout plan, RBC‡ plans and IndustyInsider^s cab ride video, then deciding what needs to be removed, replaced or added, one can make an attempt to draw it. I assume that from the video, the train is on the current Up Relief, which will become the Up Relief Loop (Up Goods Loop). The western end of the new piece of track within the west end of the depot will be connected to this. The new Up Relief and Down Relief lines will then be created with appropriate crossovers to each other, the Up Relief Loop, Festival Line and Reading West Curve lines.
Interesting there has been talk of II cab video in recent days - I seem to have missed this can someone point me to a link?
