|
Title: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: Timmer on May 24, 2015, 10:15:34 Following on from the work taking place East of Bath this summer, does anyone know what the timetable is for work taking place West of Bath?
I believe there is a fair bit of track lowering that needs to take place that would involve a major closure period. Can a work schedule be located on the Network Rail website? Thanks Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: johnneyw on June 28, 2015, 20:25:07 The Bath and North East Somerset page of the Great Western Electrification section on Network Rail's website does have a timetable of sorts starting from this July but so far it only lists "drop in sessions". It also states that there's no bridge/structure closures so far.
On a wider note, does anybody know where the The High Output Plant system, that rather Thunderbirds like rail based factory machine that's leading the construction has now got too? Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: Oberon on June 29, 2015, 07:36:07 I noticed mast bases as far west as the top of Dauntsey bank a week or two ago.
Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: InTheSidings on July 01, 2015, 11:23:15 This week some work seems to have started alongside the Batheaston Bypass in connection with electrification - see photos.
I'm not sure what's going on, but my guess it's about deconflicting the HV national-grid powerlines and pylons which span the main line at this point. Perhaps somebody on here will know - What is the minimum permissable gap between the two? Is this work likely to be about raising the pylons either side of the railway line? Would be interested in any thoughts please. Thanks. Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: johnneyw on July 01, 2015, 20:31:40 Looks like something is going on. The whole thing gets complicated by what I understand is the 2 routes to Temple Meads, one through Bath to TM and the other through Bristol Parkway to TM. The race is on but reports I've read seem to point to Parkway being the first (sic) to be connected.
Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: TonyK on July 21, 2015, 21:55:29 I tried out the revised rail services yesterday, on the first day of operation. BRI to CPM, involving the reversal at Bradford Junction and a ride through MKM was bang on time. One young lady listened to the announcement before we left BRI that a faster service to London was leaving 3 minutes later, and became slightly agitated. "Why didn't they tell me earlier?" I pointed out that even my wife knew about the changes, and there were extra staff around, posters, leaflets, and what's so great about London that taking 20 minutes longer to get there would run. She calmed down and enjoyed the ride.
In Chippenham, I soon realised I should have been in Swindon, so legged it back to the station just in time to see one train pull out, with the next not due for an hour. Oh, for the TransWilts! Therefore luncheon! A Yeomans train went through, and ours was then 7 minutes late. From SWI, I got the train non-stop to BRI via BPW - a taste of things to come when the new kit goes into service. Had we not slowed to a crawl to go through BPW, we would have been under 30 minutes. Interesting! Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: Cruithne3753 on July 22, 2015, 17:35:31 I've noticed some masts around the new Filton depot.
As an aside, what are the works cutting a swathe back through the undergrowth near the Dovercourt Road allotments? Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: TonyK on July 22, 2015, 20:06:07 I took some video from my smart phone yesterday, on the way past. When the dumb operator has figured out how to work the smart phone, I will post. It is quite impressive.
Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: Chris from Nailsea on July 22, 2015, 21:23:37 ... When the dumb operator has figured out how to work the smart phone, I will post ... Oh, I do know that so embarrassing thought, that I really ought to know how to operate the darned thing! :P :-[ Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: TonyK on July 22, 2015, 22:17:42 I share your pain, CfN. One would think that if one of the partnership was "Smart", there would be no problem. Naive of me, I know.
On with the 21st century, I suppose. Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: Chris from Nailsea on July 22, 2015, 22:27:16 My 18-year-old son is my own (very proficient) IT support department. Quite efficient, as I generally don't need to pay him anything. ;D
Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: JayMac on July 22, 2015, 23:22:52 If my experience of 18 year olds is anything to go by (I used to be one) he's getting a very good deal out of the occasional tech support for Dad. Board, lodging, laundry service, taxi service...
Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: Bmblbzzz on July 25, 2015, 23:01:05 I've noticed some masts around the new Filton depot. I saw those masts, too. As an aside, what are the works cutting a swathe back through the undergrowth near the Dovercourt Road allotments? Isn't the end of Dovercourt Rd by the bridge being used as access for undergrowth clearing in preparation for four-tracking? I think there used to be some gas or oil storage depot there too, might be something to do with clearing that up as well. Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: TonyK on August 05, 2015, 18:56:59 Phase 2 is now in operation, so I went BRI to BTH on the 0745, with no problems and everything running to the unusual timetable. Return was the same, except unusual to board at P2. Returning n time t BRI I was surprised to see the 1300 to MAN, waiting to depart at P1. Is this usual, or a special arrangement because of the diversionary timetable?
Still struggling with the phone. Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: JayMac on August 05, 2015, 19:30:18 It's not unknown for 4 car Voyagers BRI-MAN to depart from Platform 1 even without lots of changes to the timetable because of engineering works.
5 car Voyagers are a no no on P1 through. Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: Chris from Nailsea on August 05, 2015, 20:49:43 5 car Voyagers are a no no on P1 through. ... at the moment ... ;) :D ;D Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: grahame on August 05, 2015, 20:59:06 5 car Voyagers are a no no on P1 through. ... at the moment ... ;) :D ;D Same issue as 4 cars in the bay at Swindon? Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: Chris from Nailsea on August 05, 2015, 22:13:04 Hmm. ::)
The issue with Platform 1 at Bristol Temple Meads is that some eejit put a panel box and a car park where the tracks used to be. Hopefully, that will soon be remedied. ;) :D ;D Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: johnneyw on August 06, 2015, 20:22:57 Had wee look at the rail bridge at Sydenham Gardens in Bath yesterday (I'm so glad I remembered to put in the word "look" there!). Masses of old rail put there between the tracks. Any idea why?
BTW, had a jaunt to Freshford that morning, replacement bus service chap said I was the first of the day with some look of disbelief. Top geezer though, dropped me off at the top of the hill saving me a but of an uphill yomp on my little day out hike! Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: TonyK on August 06, 2015, 20:59:43 It's not unknown for 4 car Voyagers BRI-MAN to depart from Platform 1 even without lots of changes to the timetable because of engineering works. 5 car Voyagers are a no no on P1 through. This one was indeed a 4-car Voyager. When I looked at RTT today, it became the bleedin' obvious. 2K20 leaves P1 for AVN at 1203. 1V49, having left MAN at 0907, slots neatly into the space at 1207. The crew then go off to lunch, leaving the train where it isn't in anybody's way. The next inbound from SVB only needs 3 minutes to turn around, so uses P7. The Voyager crew, suitably refreshed, leave at 1300 as 1M45, getting back to MAN at 1559, presumably accommodating the whole journey, including prelude and postlude, into a single shift? A 5-car set on the same trip would have to go somewhere like P11, as does the Waterloo service, to keep out of the way, giving rise to a fairly awkward departure. Interesting to see, though. Begs the question: is P1 used because it is 4-car, or is it 4-car because only P1 is available? Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: Adelante_CCT on August 06, 2015, 21:24:42 Quote Interesting to see, though. Begs the question: is P1 used because it is 4-car, or is it 4-car because only P1 is available? It would appear that it normally uses P3, and I see no reason why this week is different, so I'm assuming it just happens to be a 4 car, which can be routed into 1 or 3 (or wherever else they find necessary) Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: JayMac on August 06, 2015, 22:20:36 There are lots of FGW HST movements in and out of Bristol TM at the moment, due to the closure of lines east of Bath.
HSTs are even being used for a Bath to Bristol shuttle. Just this week I've seen FGW HSTs use P3 on three occasions. Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: Chris from Nailsea on August 07, 2015, 01:14:41 Had wee look at the rail bridge at Sydenham Gardens in Bath yesterday (I'm so glad I remembered to put in the word "look" there!). Indeed - excellent inclusion of the word 'look' there. ;) And I rather think you had a 'wee look' at the Sydney Gardens in Bath ... ;D Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: Electric train on August 07, 2015, 18:39:53 Had wee look at the rail bridge at Sydenham Gardens in Bath yesterday (I'm so glad I remembered to put in the word "look" there!). Masses of old rail put there between the tracks. Any idea why? The rail may be being stored there from the track lift further east, awkward stuff to store long lengths of 113A rail at 56 kg/m (113 lb/yd) Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: Chris from Nailsea on August 07, 2015, 23:10:10 Thanks for posting that information, Electric train. ;)
At the risk of appearing to be a numpty (I am not railway staff, after all!), may I make a couple of points here? Firstly, and I accept that it is a purely cosmetic consideration, the presence of long lengths of 'spare rail' being left in the four foot does look so incredibly untidy ... ::) And secondly, is there any risk that some piece of kit underneath a passing train (for example, a low hanging brake hose, or chain link) could actually catch on an end of such pieces of rail and cause some disembowelling of the train, so to speak? It's probably all perfectly safe, but it does seem rather unsightly and potentially dangerous to me, as a non-expert! :-[ Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: Electric train on August 08, 2015, 08:31:29 Thanks for posting that information, Electric train. ;) At the risk of appearing to be a numpty (I am not railway staff, after all!), may I make a couple of points here? Firstly, and I accept that it is a purely cosmetic consideration, the presence of long lengths of 'spare rail' being left in the four foot does look so incredibly untidy ... ::) And secondly, is there any risk that some piece of kit underneath a passing train (for example, a low hanging brake hose, or chain link) could actually catch on an end of such pieces of rail and cause some disembowelling of the train, so to speak? No not if its place correctly, the centre of a sleeper is lower than the base of the rail, also the rail is do different in that respect AWS, TPWS, EuroBalise, point equipment etc already mounted in the four foot. What stored rail can do is make accessing cables to equipment in adjacent rails difficult or may even damage them; also makes tamping difficult. It's probably all perfectly safe, but it does seem rather unsightly and potentially dangerous to me, as a non-expert! :-[ Its been a practice since CWR was introduced, several decades Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: Chris from Nailsea on August 08, 2015, 08:46:05 Thank you for providing such a comprehensive reply to my queries, Electric train! CfN. ;) :D ;D
Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: TonyK on August 08, 2015, 14:08:40 260 metre length of 113A rail are difficult to deliver and are a tad heavy At getting on for 15 tonnes, that would be an understatement anywhere except on a railway. It's probably all perfectly safe, but it does seem rather unsightly and potentially dangerous to me, as a non-expert! :-[ An example of function over beauty. Electric train explains the safety side, and it is clear that the rail should not just be dumped indefinitely, but delivered as part of planned maintenance. Aesthetic considerations come below what ultimately are financial aspects. It isn't so bad, is it? Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: grahame on August 09, 2015, 12:44:10 Good the see an agency (on behalf of Passenger Focus and FGW) handing out surveys to ask how the works are going for them / effecting them yesterday. And in general from my (skewed) viewpoint, seem to be working well. But then I don't need to get to Bath / Bristol. Certainly good to catch up with the excellent, helpful folks manning the rail / bus interchange at Trowbridge - though see my comment elsewhere about providing them with the tools to make journey enquiries beyond their local sheets of departures.
The agency form has me chuckling sadly in its assumed negativity. "What kind of disruption have you experiecened today?" ... and I had to write in "Better than normal service". Train every hour, Westbury to Chippenham and Swindon - probably about the right level of service for the line (and a fine illustration that the capacity is available, you will note!), but we drop back on 1st September Effect on regular travel habits. Options offered were "no effect", "less often", "just as often" and "just as often but different stations / route". Nowhere for me to say that I'm travelling more (on better services). Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: Cruithne3753 on August 09, 2015, 21:15:03 Just wondering looking at this (http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/rail-news/network-rail-starts-critical-stage-of-bath-electrification-works), why are there works all the way to Bradford on Avon? That's well away from the GWML... unless there are plans to electrify to Southampton at some point in the future?
Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: grahame on August 09, 2015, 21:19:47 Just wondering looking at this (http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/rail-news/network-rail-starts-critical-stage-of-bath-electrification-works), why are there works all the way to Bradford on Avon? That's well away from the GWML... unless there are plans to electrify to Southampton at some point in the future? They're taking the opportunity of the line being closed through Sydney Gardens (and thus fom Bath to Bradford) to do other works not directly connected. Of particular note is Dundas, where they'll be able to run 165 and 166 units through in future. If they didn't do the works during these 4 weeks, there would have to have been another closure at some point ... Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: TeaStew on August 10, 2015, 14:19:18 My first week of using aforementioned HST shuttle from Bath to Bristol (and associated coach replacement from BOA to BTH) has gone without incident. FGW staff were handing out KitKats to passengers off my 0722 Bath-Bristol HST this morning.
Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: TonyK on August 10, 2015, 16:00:25 And at last, a picture of those electric bits by the depot at Stoke Gifford:
(http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/Boyamijealous_7108a707/20150616_162712_zpsylwqc95j.jpg) Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: Oberon on August 10, 2015, 17:50:43 I thought the work at Dundas was to allow enough width for the passage of Freightliner type services. We have a number though Bath daily at present running via Swindon. Limited to relatively low speeds they would presumable get in the way of the full electric IEP service if they couldn't run via the B&H with its loops at Woodborough etc?
Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: paul7575 on August 10, 2015, 18:29:18 I thought the work at Dundas was to allow enough width for the passage of Freightliner type services. We have a number though Bath daily at present running via Swindon. Limited to relatively low speeds they would presumable get in the way of the full electric IEP service if they couldn't run via the B&H with its loops at Woodborough etc? There's a secondary purpose of the work at Dundas, which is to allow for gauge clearance of 165/166 DMUs, the period of the Bath blockade being a suitable time to do it without further closures: http://www.networkrail.co.uk/Newsletter-TPOD-week-2.pdf The freight gauge clearance won't necessarily be usable immediately on completion, what's being done elsewhere on the obvious routes, I don't think Salisbury northwards has any planned work yet. I've an idea that they just taken the opportunity to do a few other bits of work and get them 'in the bank' for the future. Paul Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: JayMac on August 10, 2015, 18:56:08 FGW staff were handing out KitKats to passengers off my 0722 Bath-Bristol HST this morning. Two or four fingers? :P If you were a Thames Valley commuter you'd be forgiven for thinking FGW have been giving you two fingers for years. Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: johnneyw on August 10, 2015, 19:57:12 Interested to see a small army of clip boarded staff at Temple Meads last Tuesday to help people travelling on the disrupted services around Bath. The chap that tried to help me couldn't have been more keen to make sure I was sent in the right direction, so much so that I utterly forgave him for sending me to the completely wrong platform. :)
Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: Chris from Nailsea on August 10, 2015, 21:55:36 Hmm. ::)
The only member of staff at Bristol Temple Meads whose guidance I would accept without checking would be Wayne Spence MBE (http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=4089.0). There are certainly many other excellent staff at BRI - but they have yet to gain that level of my confidence. :D Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: Oxonhutch on August 11, 2015, 05:58:26 Just a polite reminder to the responsible people at BTM to put the newspapers on the up expresses. It appears that those services now starting at Bath and reversing at BTM are devoid of such material and have been for the past week. An unexpected consequential loss.
Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: TeaStew on August 11, 2015, 08:28:20 FGW staff were handing out KitKats to passengers off my 0722 Bath-Bristol HST this morning. Two or four fingers? :P If you were a Thames Valley commuter you'd be forgiven for thinking FGW have been giving you two fingers for years. HAHAHA! The cheeky b^t*rds! >:( :D It was two... AND I got a two finger Twix when I got back to BOA yesterday too! Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: Timmer on August 19, 2015, 19:03:24 Following on from the work taking place East of Bath this summer, does anyone know what the timetable is for work taking place West of Bath? Tonight I finally got the answer to my original reason for starting this thread thanks to BBC Points West. Network Rail will be carrying out work needed for electrification West of Bath, towards Bristol, Easter 2016. So a heads up that's when it's due to take place.I believe there is a fair bit of track lowering that needs to take place that would involve a major closure period. Can a work schedule be located on the Network Rail website? Thanks Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: Electric train on August 19, 2015, 20:17:25 Following on from the work taking place East of Bath this summer, does anyone know what the timetable is for work taking place West of Bath? Tonight I finally got the answer to my original reason for starting this thread thanks to BBC Points West. Network Rail will be carrying out work needed for electrification West of Bath, towards Bristol, Easter 2016. So a heads up that's when it's due to take place.I believe there is a fair bit of track lowering that needs to take place that would involve a major closure period. Can a work schedule be located on the Network Rail website? Thanks Has to be done sometime ............ Easter is a quieter time on the Railway, no school traffic, less commuters travelling. A 4 day blockade is equal to 6 or 8 weekends and is certainly a lot cheaper, if the blockade can run to 10 or 14 day that is equal to 6 months worth of weekends and is way way cheaper and ultimately less disruptive to passengers Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: Timmer on August 19, 2015, 20:32:37 No I agree Easter is a good time to do major work on the railway. Just giving a heads up that's when it's scheduled to take place.
Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: Timmer on August 19, 2015, 21:22:53 I also think that it would have to be more than a four day blockade if the track has to be lowered through St Ann's tunnel?
Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: TonyK on August 20, 2015, 16:55:40 I look forward to the St Annes tunnel work. The bridge at Newbridge Road is within a quick stroll - I shall record whatever I can for posterity.
Until only 7pm tonight, you can watch the BBC report on the Box Tunnel work on BBC iPlayer (http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0663csj/bbc-points-west-19082015) Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: Electric train on August 20, 2015, 16:58:58 Dundas Aqueduct time-lapse of track lowering work, 2-8 August 2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFz2CnCwOk4
Enjoy ;D Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: onthecushions on August 20, 2015, 20:23:28 Dundas Aqueduct time-lapse of track lowering work, 2-8 August 2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFz2CnCwOk4 Enjoy ;D I wonder whether DfT asked NR to consider raising the viaduct! OTC Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: grahame on August 20, 2015, 20:50:21 I wonder whether DfT asked NR to consider raising the viaduct! OTC They could use a drop lock to pass the canal under the railway then there would be no headroom problem for trains ;D https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lock_(water_transport)#Drop_locks Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: Electric train on August 20, 2015, 22:21:19 I wonder whether DfT asked NR to consider raising the viaduct! OTC They could use a drop lock to pass the canal under the railway then there would be no headroom problem for trains ;D https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lock_(water_transport)#Drop_locks A syphon would be more fun for the boaters ;D Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: Red Squirrel on August 20, 2015, 22:37:00 A caisson lock might be appropriate: http://www.coalcanal.org/features/Caisson/Caisson.php
Edit: Better link Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: JayMac on August 20, 2015, 22:46:04 Hang on a mo. Have we not become geographically challenged? Dundas is tied in with the works east of Bath.
Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: Electric train on August 21, 2015, 08:09:28 Hang on a mo. Have we not become geographically challenged? Dundas is tied in with the works east of Bath. Hay its all West of where I am ;D Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: Red Squirrel on August 21, 2015, 10:37:47 I now have a mental image of Electric Train posting stuff from a bathtub... I thought it was dangerous to mix electricity with water!
Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: InTheSidings on August 27, 2015, 07:55:58 Hang on a mo. Have we not become geographically challenged? Dundas is tied in with the works east of Bath. I did start a thread titled "Electrification Work East of Bath" (to post something about the work on the Batheaston bypass), but it was merged with this one :) As an aside, mention has been made regarding the Dundas Aquaduct widening work in order to allow this route to be used in future by Class 165/166, apart from freight diversions. I remember seeing Class 165/166 previously using this line from Westbury to SPM for fuelling purposes, possibly during the Reading blockade. Would this have been under some sort of concession? Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: IndustryInsider on August 27, 2015, 08:19:48 I remember seeing Class 165/166 previously using this line from Westbury to SPM for fuelling purposes, possibly during the Reading blockade. Would this have been under some sort of concession? Yes I'd imagine so. Specially restricted speeds are often enough to squeeze a train through a banned route, or slightly more drastic measures could include removing the step boards. Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: bobm on August 27, 2015, 09:22:52 Specially restricted speeds are often enough to squeeze a train through a banned route, Getting HSTs past the platforms at Bracknell was a famous example when FGW trains were sent down the Reading-Waterloo line Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: paul7575 on August 27, 2015, 09:40:20 Specially restricted speeds are often enough to squeeze a train through a banned route, Getting HSTs past the platforms at Bracknell was a famous example when FGW trains were sent down the Reading-Waterloo line There are restrictions for Mk3/HSTs at quite a number of platforms along there, IIRC from previous discussions the basic reason is that on many platforms the brickwork is vertically below the platform edge coping, so there's much reduced clearance at bogie level. Normal Mk 3 coaching stock is similarly affected. At Ascot for instance, Mk3 coaches cannot use the up line at all. Then again HST power cars (Cl 43) have a separate list of restrictions as well, which can be different to the coaching stock, as seen at Waterloo station itself... Paul Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: Adelante_CCT on August 27, 2015, 09:47:22 Quote I remember seeing Class 165/166 previously using this line from Westbury to SPM for fuelling purposes, possibly during the Reading blockade. Yes, a turbo or two were kept at SPM in order to do the Theale to Westbury shuttle. Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: TonyK on August 27, 2015, 16:17:57 I was at BTH on Tuesday, where the working platform for all passenger trains has changed from P1 (up) to P2 (down). There was a ballast train on the up line just past the station. I assume the action is complete on one side of Box Tunnel and that track relaying has begun on the other.
On the way to BTH (7.43, HST) we stopped by the old refuse siding "to pick up a member of NR staff". Coming home (1328, HST) we stopped at the same place "to drop off a signalman". The 1313 to PAD via BRI was cancelled because of a signalling problem.Any connection here? Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: TeaStew on August 28, 2015, 11:36:34 I have been using the service that makes the previous journey from BTH (0722) to BRI.
I cannot distinguish between Monday and Tuesday morning any more but on one of those we "dropped off a member of Network Rail" in the same place. Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: Electric train on August 28, 2015, 21:18:07 On the way to BTH (7.43, HST) we stopped by the old refuse siding "to pick up a member of NR staff". Coming home (1328, HST) we stopped at the same place "to drop off a signalman". The 1313 to PAD via BRI was cancelled because of a signalling problem.Any connection here? "Pilot" Signaller stay in the Box (no not as in Tunnel ::) ) A Pilot will be there to conduct a train over a section where there is no normal signalling over a section or several sections; the Pilot gets the authority to proceed from the Signaller and will give the train driver instructions ignore signals up to, the Pilot is in effect a Token Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: TonyK on September 01, 2015, 15:18:07 Off to BTT today, and no hangovers caused by the work, it seems. 0749 BRI to WSB (2Z08) was cancelled because of a broken train, but all else seemed to be in order. I introduced a colleague to RTT, having seen her on the platform at KYN as I sped through on the 0800 PAD service.
Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: Timmer on October 12, 2015, 16:31:34 UPDATE: The line between Bath and Bristol will be closed for 9 days over the Easter period.
Source: Bath Chronicle http://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/Network-Rail-withdraw-plans-bridges-Saltford/story-27946221-detail/story.html Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: johnneyw on October 22, 2015, 21:42:21 Bristol Evening Post is reporting more overspend and delays on the GWR electrification:
http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Cost-Great-Western-Railway-electrification-soars/story-28029898-detail/story.html There's going to be a fair few non bi-modal trains sitting around doing nothing for quite a while if the delays are as bad as reported here. Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: ChrisB on October 23, 2015, 09:54:15 The bi-modes deliver first fortunately....and that press report is correct. There's a 17 day one planned south of Oxford too, for Hinkley drainage.
Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: ellendune on October 23, 2015, 21:34:10 The bi-modes deliver first fortunately....and that press report is correct. There's a 17 day one planned south of Oxford too, for Hinkley drainage. But Oxford is 70 miles from Hinkley ... ... perhaps you mean Hinksey. That's a place near Oxford where the railway often floods. Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: ChrisB on October 24, 2015, 16:22:14 Hinksey indeed!....and NR told me this morning that it was put back into 2017 to be done with Oxford, while Banbury is completed this summer.
He also said "Bi-Ox certainly won't be completed before Banbury" and intimated that even that was now likely to come into 2017. I am worried about Didcot-Oxford electrification even more now. The delays are mounting Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: grahame on October 24, 2015, 16:57:31 UPDATE: The line between Bath and Bristol will be closed for 9 days over the Easter period. Source: Bath Chronicle http://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/Network-Rail-withdraw-plans-bridges-Saltford/story-27946221-detail/story.html Quote Network Rail will present new designs to a stakeholder working group later in October. Hmm ... they also have a stakeholder meeting on 10th November to talk about the Easter period - which they are quoting as 2nd to 11th April. I must have missed something because I thought that Easter was in late March next year - but then that's only a seven day delay. Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: Timmer on October 24, 2015, 20:43:19 It could be that in the BANES area the Easter school holidays are seperate from the Easter weekend though of course schools can now take holidays when they wish.
That might be the reason the closure is taking place early April. Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: ellendune on October 24, 2015, 22:15:35 Hmm ... they also have a stakeholder meeting on 10th November to talk about the Easter period - which they are quoting as 2nd to 11th April. I must have missed something because I thought that Easter was in late March next year - but then that's only a seven day delay. Easter Sunday is indeed 28th March, but Easter being early the school holidays typically start on Good Friday (25th) and go on for two weeks until Monday 11th April. The period from 2nd to 11th is therefore the weekend after Easter until the end of the following weekend (after which the schools go back). Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: Timmer on October 25, 2015, 05:52:20 It could be that in the BANES area the Easter school holidays are seperate from the Easter weekend though of course schools can now take holidays when they wish. To confirm BANES Easter school holidays runs from Monday 4-15 of April. These are the recommended dates, schools are free to set their own dates but all would be off 2-11 of April when Network Rail are planning to close the line.That might be the reason the closure is taking place early April. Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: Timmer on November 01, 2015, 12:13:49 This is what I think the basic service pattern will look like when the line is closed between Bath and Bristol next April:
Bristol to London (via Badminton) hourly Monday-Sunday. Bath to London hourly Monday-Saturday, shuttle to Swindon Sunday morning and evening, hourly service afternoon peak to London. Cardiff to Portsmouth hourly diverted to start from/to Swindon calling at Melksham every 2 hours as last Summer. Passengers from Cardiff/Newport/Bristol travel by HST and change at Swindon. This means one change for those heading South not two involving a bus. Cardiff to Bristol half hourly service, one fast, one stopper (Taunton service). Gloucester/Worcester/Great Malvern hourly service terminates at Bristol continuing at Bath... Bath to Westbury hourly, half hourly in peaks, stopping service continuing to Weymouth/Warminster/Brighton/Frome. Bath to Bristol bus service every 15 minutes with one service an hour, more in the peaks, calling at Oldfield Park (lower Bristol Road) and Keynsham. The challenge that I can see is for those commuting from Wiltshire to Bristol either having to go via Swindon (long journey) or changing at Bath for a bus to Bristol, again a long journey. I expect that GWR/Network Rail will publish details of this upcoming work well in advance to give commuters from Wiltshire and Bath who work in Bristol plenty of time to book annual leave during the week of 4th - 8th of April which those with children will probably be doing anyway. Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: John R on November 01, 2015, 12:27:59 This is what I think the basic service pattern will look like when the line is closed between Bath and Bristol next April: The challenge that I can see is for those commuting from Wiltshire to Bristol either having to go via Swindon (long journey) or changing at Bath for a bus to Bristol, again a long journey. Could they run a couple of peak services via Taunton? Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: Timmer on November 01, 2015, 12:43:20 Could they run a couple of peak services via Taunton? No reason why not with Cardiff-Portsmouths having run via Taunton previously when the line between Bath and Bristol has been closed for engineering work on a Sunday. Quite a long journey though but at least it keeps passengers on trains which surveys have indicated they prefer.Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: TonyK on November 02, 2015, 21:10:58 No reason why not with Cardiff-Portsmouths having run via Taunton previously when the line between Bath and Bristol has been closed for engineering work on a Sunday. Quite a long journey though but at least it keeps passengers on trains which surveys have indicated they prefer. Quite agree. Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: Timmer on November 11, 2015, 07:58:44 Below are Graham's notes from last nights GWR Stakeholder meeting held in Bath copied from the GWR Electrification thread that ties in with this thread:
http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=5066.msg186423#msg186423 Quote Further notes from this evening: TPOD2 01:30 2nd April 2016 to 05:00 11th April 2016 TPOD3 01:30 1st April 2017 to 05:00 18th April 2017 Also anticipate 2 extra weekends needed between TPOD2 and TPOD3 for Pixash bridge Works to be done: Bath Goods Oldfield Park Pixash Bridge Keynsham Station Bath Station Noting that Keynsham will involve lowering track and platform - I though much of that was rather new? Bath Station at TPOD3 ... Widen platforms by 1 to 2 metres Extend Bristol-bound platform back over river bridge to accommodate full length of new trains TPOD2 diversions described as "as at TPOD1" though of course not entirely so. Paddington to Bath Spa via Chippenham hourly Paddington to Bristol / Weston / Taunton - hourly va Hullavington Portsmouth Harbour to Swindon - hourly Westbury to Swindon withdrawn; PMH to SWI to make limited MKM stops to compensate Weymouth to Bath Spa - hourly (don't believe that all the way from Weymouth?) Extras to make Westbury to Bath Spa every half hour Buses Castle Cary to Temple Meads 2 an hour in the peak / offpeak unsure Bath to Bristol - fast service in peaks, services calling Oldfield Park and Keynsham all day Keynsham to Bristol extras in the peak Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: johnneyw on December 22, 2015, 20:17:03 Just updated today on the Network Rail website page for City of Bristol GWR electrification:
Planned possession between Bristol and Bath (TPOD 2) In preparation for the possession of the line between Bath and Bristol next year (TPOD 2) ^ 2 April ^ 11April 2016, a number of stakeholder events/drop-ins have been held to engage with a range of stakeholder on the planned work. Below are two presentations that cover Bath and Bristol which were presented to stakeholders by West of England, Project Director, Andy Haynes. These give a high level overview of the planned work that will take place. Further events were held at Keynsham, Oldfield Park and Saltford. Network Rail plans to continue with this engagement in 2016, with further events planned for Keynsham and Oldfield Park (dates to be confirmed). Network Rail is also working closely with Great Western Railway to ensure rail replacement services information is shared. This information will start to be disseminated at the end of January 2016. Information will be shared via the GWR website, in station postering and leaflet campaigns. We are also planning to hold meet the manager sessions at the affected stations Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: grahame on December 26, 2015, 18:48:40 Presentations from the November events now available online via links in the page [here] (http://www.networkrail.co.uk/great-western-route-modernisation/banes/)
The Bath presentation is directly at http://www.networkrail.co.uk/TPOD-2-Bath-stakeholder-event-presentation.pdf The Bristol presentation is directly at http://www.networkrail.co.uk/TPOD-2-Bristol-stakeholder-event-presentation.pdf These are the evening's agendas and also the Network Rail presentations - the GWR presentations by Steve Bale are not included in the note set on the Network Rail web site. Basically, it's buses from Bath Spa to Bristol Temple Meads, some extras from Keynsham, some none-stop and some calling near (but not at) the intermediate stations, and I think there's also a couple of peak buses to Bristol from Castle Cary or Frome. Portsmouth - Cardiff trains will run Portsmouth - Trowbridge - Chippenham - Swindon. Weymouth - Bristol trains will run Weymouth - Bath Spa, and extras will run so that the service into Bath is hourly London - Bristol trains will run London - Chippenham - Bath, and London - Parkway - Temple Meads, each hourly Only alternate trains on Westbury to Swindon will call at Melksham, and on being questioned the presenter told me that "via Melksham" tickets will only be valid on trains that call at Melksham. On being asked why that's the case, when other routings such as "via Newbury" and "Via Gomshall" are valid on trains that don't stop at the named stations, he informed me that those stations are outside his area and so he's not informed on the different rules there. He's promised to let me know (but I've still not heard 5 weeks later) and I have raised this matter with our main GW contact too - also informally with both forum experts and national regulatory professionals, who can't understand why the tickets would not be valid. Here is the text of an update email received from Network Rail in the last few hours! Quote Easter 2016 work In preparation for a planned closure of the railway between Bristol and Bath next Easter, a series of stakeholder events and drop-ins have been held. To update stakeholders on the planned nine day closure between 2nd and 11th April 2016, Andy Haynes, West of England, programme director gave presentations in both Bristol and Bath (see picture below). These were followed up by events in Keynsham, Oldfield Park and Saltford. The closure, which will see both Keynsham and Oldfield Park stations closed and rail services suspended, is required to undertake essential work to support the electrification of the Great Western Route. Once all railway upgrade work is complete, this will bring greater capacity, cleaner trains, higher frequency services and better connections. During the closure period, rail replacement services will be provided by Great Western Railway (GWR). More information on these services will be made available early next year and will be advertised on the GWR website (www.gwr.com), in passenger leaflets and via in-station communication channels. Further drop-ins are planned for Keynsham and Oldfield Park in the new year. Dates and venues for these will be advertised on the Network Rail webpage (www.networkrail.co.uk). Bridge work Reconstruction work continues on the Somerset and Dorset Intersect Bridge, with the contractor^s compound now fully installed in Linear Park. The bridge, which is currently a Network Rail asset, was originally earmarked for full demolition, as it did not meet the clearance requirements required for electrification. Work is progressing well, with both sides of the arches filled to allow the central of span of the bridge to be removed on Christmas Day - which was a success. This will be replaced by a new raised section in the new year to meet electrification clearance requirements. This pedestrian bridge is also used by cyclists being a key part of the Two Tunnels cycle route. Network Rail has been working closely with Bath & North East Somerset Council (B&NES) Sustran^s to transfer the ownership of the bridge over to B&NES post reconstruction. Sydney gardens A number of stakeholders have been visiting a mock-up of potential parapet designs in Sydney Gardens. Parapets need to be raised to a minimum of 1.8m to ensure there is enough height to prevent anyone leaning over the bridge and making contact with the electric over head cables, which will be installed to allow electrification of the railway. We have received extremely positive feedback from these visits and the design for Sydney Gardens itself is developing well. Network Rail has been and will continue to hold engagement and regular design reviews with B&NES, Historic England and Bath Preservation Trust, among others, to ensure the best and most sympathetic solution is achieved. This has led to the development of the railing design which will be used across all parapet-raising work in the Bath World Heritage site. Christmas work Hundreds of thousands of passengers and freight users are set to benefit from one of the biggest Christmas and New Year investment programmes ever carried out on Britain^s rail network. Over 20,000 members of Network Rail^s orange army will be spending their Christmas Day and the days that follow working on the railway across Britain to deliver the Railway Upgrade Plan. New station facilities, longer platforms, extra tracks, new junctions and thousands of pieces of new, more reliable equipment will be installed and delivered in a ^150m investment programme that will begin late on Christmas Eve once the last trains have run. In the south west and Thames Valley the orange army will be working hard to upgrade and modernise the Great Western Main Line in preparation for the arrival of electrification, the new fleet of electric trains and Crossrail services in the south east. We would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and New Year and we look forward to engaging with you further in 2016, on the work Network Rail has planned for Bath and surrounding areas. Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: Timmer on December 26, 2015, 19:54:19 Let's hope Network Rail/GWR do indeed get the word out early in the New Year about this work to enable those who commute to Bristol from Wilts the chance to consider taking some time off whilst this work takes place.
Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: John R on December 26, 2015, 20:09:19 Only a couple of weeks and the journey planner will be loaded up to that date, so really no excuse for not making people aware of this already.
Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: ChrisB on December 29, 2015, 10:39:56 Wouldn't wish to overload info provision until after Xmas alterations have run their course - and most aren't regularly travelling until 4th , so IMO, this currently is ok by me
Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: Timmer on January 10, 2016, 19:06:08 Train times from 2nd April onwards now available to view on Realtime Trains so you can check out the revised train times to Bath from the South and East and replacement bus service times between Bath and Bristol during the work taking place.
Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: Timmer on January 11, 2016, 17:31:56 Network Rail have recently posted a PDF of the GWR presentation made at the Stakeholder's meetings held in November on the BANEs electrification page ( http://www.networkrail.co.uk/great-western-route-modernisation/banes/ )
All you need to know about the service plan can be found here: http://www.networkrail.co.uk/GWR-TPOD2-Stakeholder-Presentation.pdf Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: Timmer on January 22, 2016, 17:54:12 GWR have added an information page regards the upcoming work between Bath and Bristol in April:
https://www.gwr.com/travel-updates/~/link.aspx?_id=E02B0383D8B742E4875BD12A7FDB7E03&_z=z (If someone who either works for GWR or has connection with someone there could point out that the shuttle service between Westbury and Bath is rail and not bus. I think that's important that gets corrected pretty quick before too many see it. Thanks) Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: Ollie on January 22, 2016, 18:16:11 Consider it done Timmer :D
Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: TonyK on January 22, 2016, 18:19:33 Journey time 50 minutes BTH to BRI by non-stop bus??? The X39 is timetabled for 37 minutes, and stops at every third lamp-post until it gets out of Bristol (well, around 10 times). It's a reasonably clear run from Bath station to West Town Lane, when the bus lane ends, and again from Totterdown Bridge all the way to Temple Meads.
Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: Timmer on January 22, 2016, 18:38:43 Consider it done Timmer :D Thanks Ollie. The last thing we or GWR would want is the press getting hold of this and reporting that it's buses and not trains running between Westbury and Bath.Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: John R on January 22, 2016, 19:22:26 Consider it done Timmer :D Did you also remove the rather spurious note acknowledging Network Rail for the non existent photos. ;DTitle: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: Timmer on January 22, 2016, 19:37:05 Journey time 50 minutes BTH to BRI by non-stop bus??? The only reason I can think of the bus journey time being 50 minutes between Bath and Bristol is for connection purposes into train services at both ends. I'm sure more often than not the journey will be significantly less than 50 minutes but for the times when it's not...Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: Ollie on January 22, 2016, 19:40:44 Consider it done Timmer :D Did you also remove the rather spurious note acknowledging Network Rail for the non existent photos. ;DHa, yeah spotted that one when I read the page. It wasn't me that removed though, I just asked someone to sort it. Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: bobm on January 22, 2016, 19:44:43 Delegation - always the best way! ;D
Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: TonyK on January 23, 2016, 10:10:10 The only reason I can think of the bus journey time being 50 minutes between Bath and Bristol is for connection purposes into train services at both ends. I'm sure more often than not the journey will be significantly less than 50 minutes but for the times when it's not... The cynic in me thinks it may be to get the numbers of pax needed bustitution down to manageable numbers by motivating them to drive instead. How many coaches are needed for a full HST? Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: Timmer on January 23, 2016, 10:15:41 The cynic in me thinks it may be to get the numbers of pax needed bustitution down to manageable numbers by motivating them to drive instead. How many coaches are needed for a full HST? Hmmmm interesting theory FTN.Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: Bmblbzzz on January 24, 2016, 20:09:54 Trouble with that is sometimes it's a habit that stays.
Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: TeaStew on January 25, 2016, 12:35:18 The only reason I can think of the bus journey time being 50 minutes between Bath and Bristol is for connection purposes into train services at both ends. I'm sure more often than not the journey will be significantly less than 50 minutes but for the times when it's not... The cynic in me thinks it may be to get the numbers of pax needed bustitution down to manageable numbers by motivating them to drive instead. How many coaches are needed for a full HST? I have recently applied for a parking permit at work because of this :( I will try the replacement a few days to see but if it is as timetabled driving seems to be the only way to get to work for the time I want. My fingers are crossed - last summer for the works east of Bath the bus arrived in time to get the train before the one it was meant to connect with. This meant the journey was half an hour less than it was timetabled. Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: TonyK on January 30, 2016, 16:37:51 Meanwhile... I noticed a lorry unloading more piles in the siding behind Avonmeads yesterday. I returned with camera.
(http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/Boyamijealous_7108a707/Temple%20Meads/DSC_0614_zps0thogorl.jpg) There seem to be three different sizes here. I wouldn't hazard a guess at how many, but at one each side of the track per 100 metres, I reckon plenty more will be needed. (http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/Boyamijealous_7108a707/Temple%20Meads/DSC_0615_zpszyadjqv8.jpg) Behind some mini-piles, we see concrete channeling for the ongoing signalling work. (http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/Boyamijealous_7108a707/Temple%20Meads/DSC_0638_zpsioybudf6.jpg) A gratuitous train shot on the pretext of setting the context. 6O3A from Machen Quarry waits patiently for 1O60 South West Trains service to Salisbury to pass, before setting off again to Westbury Down. Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: IndustryInsider on January 31, 2016, 10:58:23 I'm unable to view the photos, FT,N. Not sure if it's just me but is it just says 'Photo not found. Click for photos' with a picture of a kitten! Clicking does nothing.
Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: bobm on January 31, 2016, 11:01:41 Same here - although should have gone to Specsavers - briefly read II's post as "Kicking does nothing". I thought kicking cats was unlawful. :)
Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: John R on January 31, 2016, 11:18:21 The odd thing is they were visible yesterday, but now I'm getting the kitten as well.
Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: ChrisB on January 31, 2016, 11:29:01 Yes, I saw all three last night too
Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: grahame on January 31, 2016, 12:55:49 It says "sorry - this person moved or deleted this image" if you look at the page - FTN - have you re-organised your pictures??
Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: Red Squirrel on January 31, 2016, 13:56:00 I think FT,N!'s image suppository has been raided by a cat-burgliar.
Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: chuffed on January 31, 2016, 14:01:19 Think aforesaid cat-burglar may have been on the run(s)! Or it coulda bin the Dire Eel as we sez in Brizzle !
Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: TonyK on January 31, 2016, 14:41:36 I'm unable to view the photos, FT,N. Not sure if it's just me but is it just says 'Photo not found. Click for photos' with a picture of a kitten! Clicking does nothing. Apologies II and others - I was blaming Photobucket, which seems to have had some issues of late. Turns out it was operator error. I shall remove the messages from others once they have been seen. EDIT: No, I shan't delete the messages - some are funny. Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: JayMac on January 31, 2016, 16:04:55 FT,N!'s image suppository Where the photos are saved for posteriority? Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: TonyK on January 31, 2016, 17:04:32 Were the photos are saved for posteriority? Where they won't be affected by sunshine... Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: JayMac on January 31, 2016, 22:37:57 Were the photos are saved for posteriority? Where they won't be affected by sunshine... There's probably another pun linking back to the actual subject of the pictures under discussion. Piles. But, despite being somewhat anal, I'm struggling to think of one. Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: trainer on January 31, 2016, 23:29:29 There's probably another pun linking back to the actual subject of the pictures under discussion. Piles. But, despite being somewhat anal I'm struggling to think of one. I too thought I'd heard a good riposte to this but I'm not that retentive so can't remember it. Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: TonyK on February 01, 2016, 08:26:14 The winning pun will be the subject of an exhibition at Bristol's leading Arts centre, the Anal Phoney.
Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: Bmblbzzz on February 01, 2016, 13:35:45 The winning pun will be the subject of an exhibition at Bristol's leading Arts centre, the Anal Phoney. For those who don't know, this is opposite the Waterworks Shed. Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: Timmer on March 11, 2016, 17:16:17 Timetables now available on the Bath 2016 page of the GWR website:
https://www.gwr.com/travel-updates/planned-engineering/bristolbath2016 Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: grahame on April 03, 2016, 09:34:01 Yesterday was the start of "TPOD-2" (Temporary period of disruption 2) ... here are a few pictures from the passenger's viewpoint
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/tpod2_0.jpg) Noting the signage to the trains from the bus station - why isn't this permanently there? (http://www.wellho.net/pix/tpod2_2.jpg) (http://www.wellho.net/pix/tpod2_3.jpg) Some VERY nice buses in use ... '16 registration and on hire from First in Sheffield. Perhaps the shape of things to come for buses in Wiltshire? (http://www.wellho.net/pix/tpod2_4.jpg) Sorry no pictures of trains in Bath ... as I was travelling by bus, no travel reason / no way for me to be on the platform there. Operation seemed to be going well - I could criticise the lack of posters about today's trains from Bath (it was a Saturday - and just Monday to Friday stuff up), and it would have been good to place a temporary (transparent?) sticker over the A to Z to say "not valid from 2nd to 11th April". Also only enquiry availability seemed to be at ticket desk and a team checking people at the barriers - Kinda hard to find out how to get to more difficult places - train or bus? Information lacking for Melksham; spoke to someone a bit earlier who was travelling to Hereford, and I'm sure an information person would have helped. Minor comments though ... as I say, trains / buses flowing well. You only have to look at some of the bus information / fares / operation on the "bus side" to realise just how well the train works (or rather to realise just how much more difficult it could be!) Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: Chris from Nailsea on April 03, 2016, 19:10:44 1. Melksham.
Oh, sorry: it's not a quiz. :P ;) Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: TeaStew on April 04, 2016, 11:07:02 I used the replacement buses yesterday and this morning - the buses ARE nice. "Leather" seats which give off that new leathery furniture smell - crikey!
I went from Bradford-on-Avon to Bristol this morning. Train portion of the journey was delayed more than the window given for the connecting bus (9minutes) so it did not look like a good start. However as the buses are sheduled so frequently I arrived in Bristol pretty much when I expected to. Seems that the timetabling for the bus journeys is very generous to allow for whatever as it was last year. Bus was not full to the brim as I had feared. All in all, a good start for me, will see what the journey home brings! Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: bobm on April 04, 2016, 11:11:55 1. Melksham. Oh, sorry: it's not a quiz. :P ;) Least he didn't say Taunton...... ;D Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: chuffed on April 04, 2016, 14:54:47 Or that station Michael Portaloo referred to in his last series, Nailsea and Blackwell...
Needs a certain driver for W******* ( no advertising ) to put him right about that. Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: Chris from Nailsea on April 04, 2016, 19:50:14 Least he didn't say Taunton...... ;D That's the problem: I tend not to say Taunton, particularly when the correct answer is Taunton. ::) Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: TeaStew on April 05, 2016, 10:57:08 Journey home yesterday was okay, embarrassingly I apparently made it on the local ITV news as well. Journey this morning was no trouble too. Seems that the replacement buses have been realistically timed and executed from my point of view - no crowding so far and at the very least I am getting through more of my book while sat down than usual. Will see how tomorrow goes - my season runs out and I am not sure whether to replace it straight away or drive to work for a few days.
Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: TonyK on April 06, 2016, 21:06:17 I used the replacement buses yesterday and this morning - the buses ARE nice. "Leather" seats which give off that new leathery furniture smell - crikey! The same buses are used on the number 1 and 2 routes in Bristol, where they quickly lost that "showroom" smell. I use them quite a lot - the 1 route gives me a 5-minute ^1 alternative to a 30-minute walk to Temple Meads. They are nice, although I haven't got used to the engine stopping at rest, even though my car does the same. The wifi works, but is a bit wobbly, and the passenger information system is reasonably accurate and helpful. Potentially embarrassingly for MetroBust they exceed the minimum requirement for the proposed new ^265 million white elephant, with the exception of the second door. What was touted as a great step forward will be last year's model by the time it starts running. Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: Bmblbzzz on April 08, 2016, 17:52:12 You're assuming it will start running. :-\
Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: Chris from Nailsea on April 10, 2016, 21:22:04 A picture gallery news item (http://www.westerndailypress.co.uk/PICTURED-Workers-tackle-2-8bn-rail-revamp-Bristol/story-29076475-detail/story.html#1), from the Western Daily Press:
Quote PICTURED: Workers tackle ^2.8bn rail revamp between Bristol and Bath (http://www.westerndailypress.co.uk/images/localworld/ugc-images/276309/Article/images/29076475/13756826.jpg) (http://www.westerndailypress.co.uk/images/localworld/ugc-images/276309/Article/images/29076475/13756824.jpg) (http://www.westerndailypress.co.uk/images/localworld/ugc-images/276309/Article/images/29076475/13756829.jpg) (http://www.westerndailypress.co.uk/images/localworld/ugc-images/276309/Article/images/29076475/13756830.jpg) (http://www.westerndailypress.co.uk/images/localworld/ugc-images/276309/Article/images/29076475/13756828.jpg) (http://www.westerndailypress.co.uk/images/localworld/ugc-images/276309/Article/images/29076475/13756831.jpg) These dramatic photos show workers tackle a ^2.8bn rail revamp in the project to electrify Brunel's historic railway line between Bristol and Bath. An army of 500 engineers are working round the clock to update the line connecting London Paddington with the West Country, which promises to provide faster trains with better engines - and more leg room. Tracks are being hauled up between Bristol and Bath as part of a nine-day stint to modernise the Great Western Railway line, which first opened in 1838 with Isambard Kingdom Brunel as chief engineer. More that 47 engineering trains are currently on the line as part of the major work, which as well as the electrification of the line, includes installing new signals and lowering the tracks. This stretch is part of a larger project to completely electrify the line between Cardiff and London and started in 2013. It was expected to take five years, but has been plagued by delays. The initial estimate for the complete revamp was ^874m - but latest figures saw it triple to a cost of ^2.6bn, with the work between Bath and Bristol alone coming in at ^7.5m. The work has wreaked havoc for train commuters forced to the roads, as trains between the stations have been cancelled since Sunday. Andrew Derrig, project manager for Great Western Railway, said the key to minimising disruption has been letting commuters know about the disruption well in advance. He said: "People have been very understanding. We only had a handful of people turn up here at Keynsham Station on Monday morning thinking that they would be getting on a train. The rail replacement bus service has been working well, and we think around 60 per cent of rail passengers are using the replacement buses this week. "Of course the roads have been busier than usual, especially the A4, but the buses have been getting commuters from Bath to Bristol in around an hour, and people understand that this is going to make a big difference to services in the long run." The first new trains should start coming into service in August 2017 and are dual-engined, so they can run as both diesel or electric trains. They will be running on the electrified lines at 125mph, but will be able to build up to speeds noticeably quicker. The railway between Bath and Bristol will reopen on Monday 11 April. All pictures courtesy of the Western Daily Press, and my thanks to them for allowing me to post this selection from their gallery here. CfN. Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: grahame on April 11, 2016, 21:37:37 Did you see how delighted 150 926 was on running up from Portmouth Harbour to find himself in Swindon rather than - yet again - in Cardiff?
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/happy2cpm.jpg) There's a serious side to this too - the comment from a regular commuter between Chippenham and Swindon who told me she love riding the TransWilts trains (in fact she'll wait of them even letting an HST go) because they're such happy trains. And I have to agree with her ... Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: JayMac on April 11, 2016, 21:43:34 Do ASLEF have anything to say about the impaired view out of that cab? :P ;) ;D
Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: Bmblbzzz on April 13, 2016, 13:28:12 I had forgotten about the bustitution when I chose to go in to Bath on Saturday, so was not pleased to be directed to a 40-minute bus ride. But I came back from Keynesham (having got there by other means) where I saw the works pictured above; they were even more dramatic in the flesh.
Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: TonyK on April 14, 2016, 11:35:43 Do ASLEF have anything to say about the impaired view out of that cab? :P ;) ;D Impaired? With such big eyes??? Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: JayMac on April 17, 2016, 02:31:29 Did you see how delighted 150 926 was on running up from Portmouth Harbour to find himself in Swindon rather than - yet again - in Cardiff? Less delighted was I as a regular user of the 3 car 150926. Usually to be found in the mornings on the Severn Beach Line. We had to 'slum' it that week in 2 car 150s. Very cosy inbound by the time we'd got to Clifton Down. 150926 where she should be: (http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/926_zps1gaotuct.jpg) :P ;) ;D Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: grahame on April 17, 2016, 05:49:30 150926 where she should be: I agree - far better use of wide doors and high capacity - but it's wiped off that smile! Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: Chris from Nailsea on July 17, 2016, 21:51:37 A related update on 'electrification work', from the Bristol Post (http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/more-traffic-problems-as-network-rail-continues-preparation-work-for-electrification/story-29509133-detail/story.html?utm_source=Glos%20Media&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=5393136_Bristol%20Post%20RSS%20Newsletter&ito=email%2526source%3DGlos%20Media%2526campaign%3D5393136_Bristol%20Post%20RSS%20Newsletter):
Quote More traffic problems for Bristol as Network Rail continues work for rail electrification Disruption to traffic in Bristol is set to continue as Network Rail undertakes more work to lines crossing city roads ahead of the electrification of the railway. Boiling Wells underpass in St Werburgh's is now finished, while work in the Easton Road area, where a new bridge is being installed, will be completed by November. There is also other work currently ongoing on a bridge in Muller Road, while preparation work is continuing at Ashley Hill to replace the railway footbridge. Network Rail has now announced that further building and demolition work will take place over the next few months. It will include bridges in Ducie Road, St Marks Road, Bannerman Road and Glenfrome Road. Road closures and diversions are likely - arrangements will be made and announced later. Network Rail is electrifying the Great Western Main Line, which links Bristol to London, in preparation for the arrival of new fleet of electric trains. The majority of the work in Bristol is in support of the Filton Bank Four Tracking Capacity scheme, which will see the number of tracks between Temple Meads and Filton Abbey Wood doubled from two to four by 2018. Once operational, this will allow more trains to run with more room for passengers, as well as enabling maintenance to be carried out without causing significant disruption to services. The track will also be electrified at a later date to allow the new fleet of electric trains to operate along the route. City council cabinet member for transport Mark Bradshaw said: "The four-tracking at Filton Bank and associated works are vital to modernising our local rail network and electrifying connections across the UK, particularly to London, Wales and potentially to the Midlands. The works are of a scale beyond anything we have seen in the Bristol area for a long time. Although disruptive, the end product will be more capacity to operate additional services, better trains and a more resilient network; all things we need as a growing city region." Network Rail's project director for the West of England, Andy Haynes, said: "We are making excellent progress on our programme in the Bristol area. This essential work will pave the way for electrification and the benefits that this will bring for local residents and commuters. These include faster trains with more seats, more legroom, less noise and less pollution for those who live close to the railway line, as well as providing a wider economic boost for the city." Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: TonyK on July 19, 2016, 10:44:30 Quote The majority of the work in Bristol is in support of the Filton Bank Four Tracking Capacity scheme, which will see the number of tracks between Temple Meads and Filton Abbey Wood doubled from two to four by 2018. Four track, now!, I say. Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: Noggin on July 19, 2016, 11:49:34 Quote The majority of the work in Bristol is in support of the Filton Bank Four Tracking Capacity scheme, which will see the number of tracks between Temple Meads and Filton Abbey Wood doubled from two to four by 2018. Four track, now!, I say. Absolutely. Four tracks south of Temple Meads would presumably be a jolly good idea too, particularly with the Portishead reopening in sight. P.S. I wonder if anyone has dared do the calculations to work out what the comparative costs would have been if the four tracks had been left in place down Filton Bank rather than having to be reinstalled? Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: John R on July 19, 2016, 13:38:52 They were taken out of use in 1984 so that's 32 years worth of maintenance. Remember that traffic volumes were much lower then. Off peak there were typically only 2 passenger tph south of Filton Junction, so in that context the retention of 4 tracks was a luxury the cash strapped railway of the time could not afford.
Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: TonyK on July 20, 2016, 19:59:17 Especially as that "new" bridge over Stapleton Road was beginning to show its age.
Title: Re: Electrification work West of Bath Post by: Red Squirrel on July 21, 2016, 14:19:10 Remember that traffic volumes were much lower then. Back in the late 80's I remember seeing, beneath the sign they used to have inside carriage doors advising you that leaving them open caused delays, a graffito to the effect that 'so does halving the number of tracks between Temple Meads and Parkway'. I don't think many people ever saw it as an improvement. This page is printed from the "Coffee Shop" forum at http://gwr.passenger.chat which is provided by a customer of Great Western Railway. Views expressed are those of the individual posters concerned. Visit www.gwr.com for the official Great Western Railway website. Please contact the administrators of this site if you feel that content provided contravenes our posting rules ( see http://railcustomer.info/1761 ). The forum is hosted by Well House Consultants - http://www.wellho.net |