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Title: February / March 2019 engineering closures Post by: grahame on September 11, 2018, 16:41:09 16th February 2019 for three weeks - closure for engineering work of Whiteball and Marley tunnels.
Whiteball tunnel is between Taunton and Tiverton Marley tunnel is between Totnes and Ivybridge No details of service changes in my hands at present - just an early heads up from reliable GWR sources. I have pencilled in 9th February for a forum meet as by 16th it might be harder for people to make it. Let's see how voting goes - we could do 9th in the West and 16th in the east if enough want to attend. See http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=20342.0 . Also concerned for TravelWatch SouthWest on 2nd March 2019. Title: Re: February / March 2019 engineering closures Post by: ChrisB on September 11, 2018, 18:29:25 The TWSW March meeting was my initial concern too...move it back a week?
Title: Re: February / March 2019 engineering closures Post by: SandTEngineer on September 11, 2018, 18:59:03 Grahame, are you sure its Marley tunnel for three weeks as well? I've had the Whiteball closure in my diary for nearly 6 months now (since the last closure).
Title: Re: February / March 2019 engineering closures Post by: Adelante_CCT on September 11, 2018, 19:02:28 This from the GWR website:
Quote Totnes to Plymouth – Sunday 17 February to Friday 8 March Track renewals in a tunnel between Totnes and Plymouth. A reduced amount of trains will run to an amended timetable. Title: Re: February / March 2019 engineering closures Post by: SandTEngineer on September 11, 2018, 20:26:14 ..ah. Thanks. That's to complete the relaying of the second tunnel. Single line working again then, Aish to Totnes.
Title: Re: February / March 2019 engineering closures Post by: DaveHarries on November 26, 2018, 23:26:19 This from the GWR website: Could be either tunnel though, lest we forget Wrangaton.Quote Totnes to Plymouth – Sunday 17 February to Friday 8 March Track renewals in a tunnel between Totnes and Plymouth. A reduced amount of trains will run to an amended timetable. Dave Title: Re: February / March 2019 engineering closures Post by: grahame on November 27, 2018, 06:48:00 This from the GWR website: Could be either tunnel though, lest we forget Wrangaton.Quote Totnes to Plymouth – Sunday 17 February to Friday 8 March Track renewals in a tunnel between Totnes and Plymouth. A reduced amount of trains will run to an amended timetable. Dave We are told (by GWR) "Marley Tunnel" ... not personally familiar with Wrangaton. Is it twin bore too? Title: Re: February / March 2019 engineering closures Post by: Cornish bobby on December 05, 2018, 18:15:05 Marley tunnel is twin bore, only twin bore tunnel west of Bristol.
Title: Re: February / March 2019 engineering closures Post by: marlo36 on January 06, 2019, 10:12:18 16th February 2019 for three weeks - closure for engineering work of Whiteball and Marley tunnels. Whiteball tunnel is between Taunton and Tiverton Marley tunnel is between Totnes and Ivybridge No details of service changes in my hands at present - just an early heads up from reliable GWR sources. I have pencilled in 9th February for a forum meet as by 16th it might be harder for people to make it. Let's see how voting goes - we could do 9th in the West and 16th in the east if enough want to attend. See http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=20342.0 . Also concerned for TravelWatch SouthWest on 2nd March 2019. Book a seat on the 1C79 11.03 PAD - Plymouth for the 21/02 and the route that I was given was Reading,Castle Cary,Honiton,Exeter St.Davids & Newton Abbott.It is a 8 coach at the moment. Title: Re: February / March 2019 engineering closures Post by: marlo36 on January 12, 2019, 11:33:09 16th February 2019 for three weeks - closure for engineering work of Whiteball and Marley tunnels. Whiteball tunnel is between Taunton and Tiverton Marley tunnel is between Totnes and Ivybridge No details of service changes in my hands at present - just an early heads up from reliable GWR sources. 1C78 11.03 PAD to PYM PAD-RDG-CLC-YVJ-Chard Junction-HON-EXD-NTA-TOT-IVY-PLY This information from Realtime Trains for th 21st Feb I have pencilled in 9th February for a forum meet as by 16th it might be harder for people to make it. Let's see how voting goes - we could do 9th in the West and 16th in the east if enough want to attend. See http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=20342.0 . Also concerned for TravelWatch SouthWest on 2nd March 2019. Title: Re: February / March 2019 engineering closures Post by: grahame on January 12, 2019, 11:54:14 Also concerned for TravelWatch SouthWest on 2nd March 2019. TravelWatch SouthWest has been moved from the 'traditional' first Saturday in March and will now take place on 20th, by which time the line will have been reopened. There's a TravelWatch SouthWest board meeting on Monday that will sort out the details. Title: Re: February / March 2019 engineering closures Post by: grahame on January 19, 2019, 07:28:12 Summary from the Plymouth Herald (https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymouth-news/full-extent-disruption-trains-tunnel-2445265)
Quote No trains will call at Tiverton Parkway rail station for THREE weeks when essential maintenance work on a tunnel takes place. Network Rail will carry out maintenance work at Whiteball Tunnel, near Tiverton Parkway, from three weeks in February and March. Whiteball Tunnel, near Tiverton Parkway, will be totally closed during the period between February 18 and March 8, while Network Rail carry out maintenance work. THE DISRUPTION CAUSED BY THE SOUTH WEST UPGRADE PROJECT IS: A direct service will run every two hours between London Paddington and Plymouth, using an alternative route. Journey times will be extended by 60 minutes and via travel via Axminster on the East Devon main line There are limited direct services to Cornwall so a change at Plymouth will be required on most journeys. Journey times will be extended by 60 minutes and via travel via Axminster on the East Devon main line A direct service will run every two hours between London Paddington and Taunton One train every two hours will run between London Paddington and Taunton. Rail replacement buses will then replace trains between Taunton and Tiverton Parkway Trains from Bristol and the North will terminate at Taunton. Buses replace trains between Taunton, Tiverton Parkway and Exeter St Davids. A reduced service will run between Exeter St Davids and Plymouth. A small number of evening trains will run from Exeter St Davids to Penzance, but other journeys to Cornwall will require a change at Plymouth There will be an hourly service between Exeter St Davids to Newton Abbot, Totnes and Plymouth, alternating between GWR and CrossCountry. Local stopping trains between Exeter and Paignton will continue to run, but there will be changes to the normal timetable. Train times for journeys between Exeter and Pinhoe, Honiton and Axminster will be amended. Buses will replace all trains towards both Taunton and Exeter St Davids from Tiverton Parkway A reduced service will run on trains to Totnes with all services departing from Platform 1. Some trains will run earlier than normal on the branch between Exeter and Exmouth A normal service will run between Exeter St Davids and Barnstaple A normal service will run on the Gunnislake branch An hourly shuttle train will run between Plymouth and Penzance on the main line into Cornwall, but departure times may be different that usual A normal service will run on the St Ives, Falmouth, Newquay, Looe and Gunnislake branch lines Journey times on replacement buses are 40 minutes between Exeter St Davids to Tiverton Parkway, 70 minutes on the non-stop service between Exeter St Davids to Taunton and 35 minutes between Tiverton Parkway to Taunton. Bikes and large items of luggage can’t be carried on rail bus and coach services. Valid rail tickets will be accepted on some local buseshe number of short-stay car park spaces at Exeter St Davids and Tiverton Parkway will be reduced to allow for bus operations. Permit holders at Tiverton Parkway may use a new temporary car park at Taunton station for no additional charge. Title: Re: February / March 2019 engineering closures Post by: Umberleigh on January 26, 2019, 21:08:51 Anyone know if the hourly Plymouth to Penzance shuttle will be HST (8 coach - lovely), HST (4 coach - nice) or 150 (2 coach - please god no)...?
Title: Re: February / March 2019 engineering closures Post by: CMRail on January 28, 2019, 21:41:50 Anyone know if the hourly Plymouth to Penzance shuttle will be HST (8 coach - lovely), HST (4 coach - nice) or 150 (2 coach - please god no)...? Looking at the other services, it would most likely be DMUs/HST GTi. You are more likely to be on a 150 however. Title: Re: February / March 2019 engineering closures Post by: The Tall Controller on January 29, 2019, 11:25:00 5-car IETs will also feature.
Title: Re: February / March 2019 engineering closures Post by: CyclingSid on January 30, 2019, 07:42:44 Excuse my crass ignorance; HST GTi?
In my youth GTi would have suggested a souped-up Ford. Clarification (and sorry if I omitted to read somebodies pearls of wisdom along the line)? Title: Re: February / March 2019 engineering closures Post by: grahame on January 30, 2019, 08:15:39 Excuse my crass ignorance; HST GTi? In my youth GTi would have suggested a souped-up Ford. Clarification (and sorry if I omitted to read somebodies pearls of wisdom along the line)? A reference to the 2 power car + 4 seating coaches 'cut down' HST units, 11 of which are planned for use on regional services along the Penzance to Cardiff corridor. Also to be known as "Castle Class". Title: Re: February / March 2019 engineering closures Post by: JayMac on January 30, 2019, 09:37:46 GTi because they are small, overpowered and can go like a scalded cat.
Title: Re: February / March 2019 engineering closures Post by: TaplowGreen on January 30, 2019, 09:38:15 Excuse my crass ignorance; HST GTi? In my youth GTi would have suggested a souped-up Ford. Clarification (and sorry if I omitted to read somebodies pearls of wisdom along the line)? In this context GTi is an abbreviation for "Geriatric" 😉 -I thought they were just being used between Plymouth-Penzance? Title: Re: February / March 2019 engineering closures Post by: grahame on January 30, 2019, 09:53:18 -I thought they were just being used between Plymouth-Penzance? There are going to be 11 trains ... so much more than just Cornwall. The Cardiff - Taunton service has been loco and coaches in fairly recent times, so there's some sense on making use of them on those services, together withe the ones that extend from Taunton to Paignton and Penzance. And that till allow the release of the turbos that are currently on many of the Cardiff - Taunton services onto the Cardiff - Portsmouth route ... Title: Re: February / March 2019 engineering closures Post by: ChrisB on February 19, 2019, 09:21:04 TravelWatch SouthWest has been moved from the 'traditional' first Saturday in March and will now take place on 20th, Please clarify - the 20th is a Wednesday?! Also, I've heard of a RRS service running to Exeter yesterday which had it's luggage compartment doors fly open while on a dual-carriageway - depositing luggage across said carriageway. RRS stopped and passengers identified their luggages & retrieved, although one lady couldn't find hers....I have nothing more. Anything in any logs, those with acces? One possioble report on twitter, now unfortunayely deleted. Title: Re: February / March 2019 engineering closures Post by: grahame on February 19, 2019, 09:44:19 TravelWatch SouthWest has been moved from the 'traditional' first Saturday in March and will now take place on 20th, Please clarify - the 20th is a Wednesday?! Yes, 20th is a Wednesday. See http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=20715 for background. Title: Re: February / March 2019 engineering closures Post by: ChrisB on February 19, 2019, 09:59:12 I've posted in that linked thread above. A shame this info hasn't been placed on the TWSW website!
Title: Re: February / March 2019 engineering closures Post by: SandTEngineer on February 24, 2019, 15:00:55 Intereresting info on the work going on in Whiteball tunnel: http://www.avocetline.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/15m-rail-improvement-at-Whiteball-tunnel-v1.pdf
Title: Re: February / March 2019 engineering closures Post by: grahame on February 24, 2019, 16:02:36 Intereresting info on the work going on in Whiteball tunnel: http://www.avocetline.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/15m-rail-improvement-at-Whiteball-tunnel-v1.pdf Think that may be last time it was closed? Title: Re: February / March 2019 engineering closures Post by: SandTEngineer on February 24, 2019, 17:18:36 Intereresting info on the work going on in Whiteball tunnel: http://www.avocetline.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/15m-rail-improvement-at-Whiteball-tunnel-v1.pdf Think that may be last time it was closed? Whoops, yes. Not very good at posting/messaging at the moment am I?....... ::) Title: Re: February / March 2019 engineering closures Post by: stuving on February 24, 2019, 18:03:47 Intereresting info on the work going on in Whiteball tunnel: http://www.avocetline.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/15m-rail-improvement-at-Whiteball-tunnel-v1.pdf Think that may be last time it was closed? Yes but ... if it closed five years ago for: Quote Network Rail will be carrying out works to repair Whiteball tunnel to prevent the aging structure from further deteriorating. In addition, work will be carried out to expand the drainage system and to improve the embankment around the area as part of a wider programme to alleviate flood risks posed by extreme weather. why does it now need:Quote WORK: 19 DAY BLOCKADE FOR WHITEBALL TUNNEL LINING REPAIRS. ? (There is also some drainage work, though that may not have needed a long closure). Oh, and how are all the newts? Last time, Quote Due to the proximity of the worksite to a local pond known to be home to Great Crested Newts; a protected species, Network Rail has installed environmental fencing along the boundary of the worksite. The building of the exclusion fence meant that Natural England could issue a licence, allowing the work to take place. Has environmental fencing been deployed again, or are there still "newt-free zone" signs put up last time? And yes, I did think "environmental fencing" was what took place between NR and the locals (see under "Goring"). Title: Re: February / March 2019 engineering closures Post by: Timmer on February 24, 2019, 18:08:24 A question I was going to ask stuving or is this something that needs to be done to this tunnel every few years?
Title: Re: February / March 2019 engineering closures Post by: grahame on February 24, 2019, 18:44:35 A question I was going to ask stuving or is this something that needs to be done to this tunnel every few years? There have been tunnels that have given so much trouble over the years that they have turned into cuttings ... from my days of narrow boating, I remember Fenny Compton "Tunnel" https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1179/iar.2002.24.2.103 Also Blisworth Tunnel which seemed to be closed incredibly often when we wanted to go through Title: Re: February / March 2019 engineering closures Post by: eXPassenger on February 24, 2019, 23:13:48 I have just checked the OS map. Whiteball tunnel has over 100 ft of overburden. That would be quite some cutting if opened out.
Title: Re: February / March 2019 engineering closures Post by: SandTEngineer on February 25, 2019, 09:10:26 OK. I'll try again....... http://www.tunnelsonline.info/news/whiteball-tunnel-to-be-refurbished-6076330
Title: Re: February / March 2019 engineering closures Post by: Southernman on February 25, 2019, 15:59:21 Intereresting info on the work going on in Whiteball tunnel: http://www.avocetline.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/15m-rail-improvement-at-Whiteball-tunnel-v1.pdf Think that may be last time it was closed? Yes but ... if it closed five years ago for: Quote Network Rail will be carrying out works to repair Whiteball tunnel to prevent the aging structure from further deteriorating. In addition, work will be carried out to expand the drainage system and to improve the embankment around the area as part of a wider programme to alleviate flood risks posed by extreme weather. why does it now need:Quote WORK: 19 DAY BLOCKADE FOR WHITEBALL TUNNEL LINING REPAIRS. ? (There is also some drainage work, though that may not have needed a long closure). Oh, and how are all the newts? Last time, Quote Due to the proximity of the worksite to a local pond known to be home to Great Crested Newts; a protected species, Network Rail has installed environmental fencing along the boundary of the worksite. The building of the exclusion fence meant that Natural England could issue a licence, allowing the work to take place. Has environmental fencing been deployed again, or are there still "newt-free zone" signs put up last time? And yes, I did think "environmental fencing" was what took place between NR and the locals (see under "Goring"). I believe that the required re-lining work was always to be carried out in two stages - although the current work was due to be done a few years ago! Title: Re: February / March 2019 engineering closures Post by: a-driver on March 08, 2019, 20:59:53 Work at Whiteball tunnel is reportedly well behind schedule and won’t be reopening as planned tomorrow.......
Title: Re: February / March 2019 engineering closures Post by: TaplowGreen on March 08, 2019, 21:19:01 Work at Whiteball tunnel is reportedly well behind schedule and won’t be reopening as planned tomorrow....... Well, there's a surprise. Title: Re: February / March 2019 engineering closures Post by: a-driver on March 08, 2019, 21:26:14 Work at Whiteball tunnel is reportedly well behind schedule and won’t be reopening as planned tomorrow....... Well, there's a surprise. Isn’t it just. Work is just over half completed.... and that’s from 2 separate sources within NR. If you look on Network Rail Western on Twitter they mention how well work at Marley Tunnel is progressing but strangely quiet about Whiteball. Title: Re: February / March 2019 engineering closures Post by: Timmer on March 08, 2019, 21:54:07 Just over half!??! It’s been closed for three weeks.
No mention of this on the GWR website. When are they planning to let people know? Title: Re: February / March 2019 engineering closures Post by: grahame on March 08, 2019, 22:01:40 Just over half!??! It’s been closed for three weeks. No mention of this on the GWR website. When are they planning to let people know? But are they planning to extend the stoppage? Is the nature of the work such that it could be suspended and then the remaining work scheduled for a later date / further closure? Title: Re: February / March 2019 engineering closures Post by: TaplowGreen on March 08, 2019, 22:33:35 Just over half!??! It’s been closed for three weeks. No mention of this on the GWR website. When are they planning to let people know? If they haven't yet, it's pretty much too late by now? Title: Re: February / March 2019 engineering closures Post by: bobm on March 09, 2019, 04:35:23 Looks like both up and down sleepers went via Whiteball rather than Yeovil.
Title: Re: February / March 2019 engineering closures Post by: Timmer on March 09, 2019, 06:45:14 But are they planning to extend the stoppage? Is the nature of the work such that it could be suspended and then the remaining work scheduled for a later date / further closure? All running normally so it must be open. Maybe as you say a further closure may be required if things haven’t gone well or it’s a bigger problem than first thought.Interesting observation made by a-driver though as I follow Network Rail on Twitter and its all been about the work taking place in Marley Tunnel not Whiteball. I was surprised that Whiteball was closed again for work not that many years after it was last closed for major work. Is there a problem with this tunnel that needs addressing every few years? Title: Re: February / March 2019 engineering closures Post by: TaplowGreen on March 09, 2019, 07:40:48 Didn't get a response to my tweet from GWR (surprise surprise) but clearly someone from Crosscountry read it as they tweeted me & a couple of others to say that the possession was handed back ahead of time.
Title: Re: February / March 2019 engineering closures Post by: bradshaw on March 09, 2019, 08:51:27 RTT has the XC ecs from Taunton to Laira passing Crewkerne just after midnight. After that the GW and freight went via Taunton.
Title: Re: February / March 2019 engineering closures Post by: stuving on March 09, 2019, 10:54:05 I was surprised that Whiteball was closed again for work not that many years after it was last closed for major work. Is there a problem with this tunnel that needs addressing every few years? When that question was raised two weeks ago (by Timmer, as it happens!) it got half an answer. Poking about a bit more, and trying to pick the more reliable third party sources, it seems that:
Further reading/pictures from Cornwall RS (http://www.cornwallrailwaysociety.org.uk/latest-input--news--old-pictures-etc/the-whiteball-tunnel-project), and on P 92 of the March 2014 issue of The Rail Engineer (Archive) (https://issuu.com/railmedia/docs/tre-march-14). Title: Re: February / March 2019 engineering closures Post by: Timmer on March 09, 2019, 13:49:49 Thanks stuving. Looks like another Whiteball closure during a future winter.
Title: Re: February / March 2019 engineering closures Post by: stuving on March 09, 2019, 14:24:11 Thanks stuving. Looks like another Whiteball closure during a future winter. We'll see - maybe this new trick can be made to work. I've realised I didn't describe that right; the clever bit isn't the sprayer, it's a folding screen to protect the other (non-work) side from overspray and general mess, self-erected from a train on that other track each night. Title: Re: February / March 2019 engineering closures Post by: SandTEngineer on March 10, 2019, 17:23:12 I asked the question elsewhere concerning the Whiteball Tunnel work and a driver on the route said that it appeared that although a lot of the 'rebar' had been installed it hadn't been sprayed with concrete. This was towards the middle of the tunnel.
Title: Re: February / March 2019 engineering closures Post by: TaplowGreen on March 10, 2019, 19:32:08 I (finally) got a reply from GWR this morning stating that all the planned work on both tunnels was completed as planned.
Title: Re: February / March 2019 engineering closures Post by: SandTEngineer on March 10, 2019, 22:26:13 I (finally) got a reply from GWR this morning stating that all the planned work on both tunnels was completed as planned. So, more work to do then.....Title: Re: February / March 2019 engineering closures Post by: bradshaw on March 11, 2019, 10:02:22 This was posted on Twitter this morning, including four photos of the work
https://twitter.com/networkrailwest/status/1105044472151400448?s=21 Title: Re: February / March 2019 engineering closures Post by: Timmer on March 11, 2019, 10:04:29 This was posted on Twitter this morning, including four photos of the work Confirming more work is needed then.https://twitter.com/networkrailwest/status/1105044472151400448?s=21 Quote our work in Whiteball Tunnel came to an end over the weekend following three hard weeks of graft. Further work will be required in the coming months. Title: Re: February / March 2019 engineering closures Post by: old original on March 24, 2019, 07:31:46 A few service alterations between Taunton and Exeter this morning due to "urgent repairs to a tunnel"
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