Great Western Coffee Shop

I - err - missed a question on chat  ::) - thanks to the guest who left it.


Well, 'team' - anyone care to guess at an answer?  ;D :D

It would be nice to get them as far as Thingly Junction first!

Through to Bristol?  Not for a long while I suspect. 

I know Box Tunnel had a lot of work done on it, but with all trains now bi-modes the benefits of wiring that complex (Box) and sensitive (Bath) area has to be seriously questioned given the fairly limited performance boost it would provide.

No plans in CP 6

The issues around Bath etc need resolving

What are the issues around Bath?

The debate around how best to protect Sydney Gardens will need to be resolved, but I've yet to read any formal statement of anything approaching a 'stopper'. Of course the Bath heritage lobby will want to help design an acceptable solution, but that is (or should be!) just part of the normal process isn't it?

I thought the work done previously on Sydney Gardens bridges had resolved that problem. From what I've seen it was rather successful in providing the protection against (as I believe RS once nicely described it) "Pokey, Bangy Fizzyness" but not spoiling the overall look.  It still leaves the issue of the catenary support structures but in the Sydney Garden cutting it will hardly be intrusive.  The rest of the line through the city might prove more controversial but is Bath the first historic urban area in the country that has to resolve this issue?

As I recall, all work was just dropped, with some design and approvals still outstanding. So it would take (1) NR's decision to do it, (2) whatever DfT back-seat decision-making has to happen, (3) then picking up the thread of the administrative stuff and design, and only then (4) does a kit get ordered and (5) the main contract ITT get put out. So it's nowhere near HOPS* ready.

* High output shovel

Andrew Haines recently said that there needs to be a meaningful programme of additional electrification; completion of all the outstanding GWR work should be at the top of the list.

Nothing will be done in any case until the re-modelling of Bristol East Junction is completed together with the work on the trainshed roof which requires high level scaffolding.  Much easier without wires in the way.

What would it cost to erect and energise OHLE as far as Bristol East Depot / St. Anne's Cutting leaving the short stretch from Bristol East Depot / North Somerset Junction to TM until Bristol East Junction is remodelled but knowing how swift NR are at undertaking projects is the task unestimatable.

Not practical contractually also to put that split in would be expensive.

When / if Thingley - Temple Meads is wired the Temple Meads - Bristol Parkway would be part of the package of works

I can understand using the bi-mode diesels' capability through Bath into Bristol for the moment. Speeds aren't high , the route is virtually flat and Bristol isn't ready. The long drag up through Box and Middle Hill tunnels means that surely the Bathampton ATS is the right place to pause, not Christian Malford.

Does the ORR really think high powered diesels are a good idea in tunnels?

I despair.

OTC

The plug was pulled by the DfT, it was a Ministerial decision.