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Title: line closed Bath to Swindon Post by: infoman on January 12, 2023, 07:07:14 due to flooding at Box tunnel area?
reported by GWR tweets at 07:00am thursday 12 january 2023 Seems like the route via Bristol Parkway is okay Title: Re: line closed Bath to Swindon Post by: GBM on January 12, 2023, 07:14:54 Also posted here http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=27077.msg329639#msg329639
Title: Re: line closed Bath to Swindon Post by: Timmer on January 12, 2023, 07:33:12 Seems like the route via Bristol Parkway is okay Unusual, as that's normally the first to go not the route via Bath.Title: Re: line closed Bath to Swindon Post by: infoman on January 12, 2023, 08:45:09 Sorry GBM did not see the earler posting.
James Davis on radio bristol saying it will be one train BTM to Swindon via BP and one BTM to London via newbury. Could the services not go BTM/BATH/Trowbridge REVERSE then Chippenham to London,saving getting in the bus's Title: Re: line closed Bath to Swindon Post by: grahame on January 12, 2023, 08:49:47 Sorry GBM did not see the earler posting. James Davis on radio bristol saying it will be one train BTM to Swindon via BP and one BTM to London via newbury. Could the services not go BTM/BATH/Trowbridge REVERSE then Chippenham to London,saving getting in the bus's Yes, if there was capacity on the single line and at the reversal point at Bradford Junction, and the if the Bristol crew knew the line. Title: Re: line closed Bath to Swindon Post by: froome on January 12, 2023, 09:24:26 The GWR website now shows flooding on the Bristol Parkway to Swindon line as well, which suggests that there are no services running east from Bristol or Bath towards Swindon. An hourly service is said to be running from Temple Meads and Bath via Westbury to Reading.
(makes you almost wish there was a direct service from here to Waterloo via Salisbury ;)) Title: Re: line closed Bath to Swindon Post by: Timmer on January 12, 2023, 09:59:17 Seems like the route via Bristol Parkway is okay Unusual, as that's normally the first to go not the route via Bath.Quote Due to heavy rain flooding the railway between Bristol Parkway and Swindon all lines are closed. Train services running through these stations may be delayed or diverted. Disruption is expected until 12:00 12/01. Customer Advice The railway in the Chipping Sodbury area (northeast Bristol) has flooded, with water breaching the rail head. Network Railway are working on site to make the railway safe to run trains again. Until then, we cannot run trains through the area. - Some trains may run non-stop between Newport & Swindon. In this case, please travel on alternative services via Bristol Temple Meads. The fastest options will be advertised on online journey planners. Check your journey at gwr.com/check or speak to staff. - We have requested for road transport to shuttle between Bristol Parkway & Swindon. This is still pending. We will share more information as soon as we have it. Title: Re: line closed Bath to Swindon Post by: stuving on January 12, 2023, 10:25:30 At 9:59 NRE still says:
Quote Swindon - Bristol Temple Meads Passengers for Bath Spa at Swindon are advised to travel via Bristol Parkway and change at Bristol Temple Meads though that route was closed a while back. And plan C had already gone as well: Quote Chippenham - Westbury The local-stopping service between Swindon & Westbury is suspended due to flooding in the Dauntsey Lock area (east of Chippenham). Great Western Railway are sourcing road transport to operate, but this is still pending. As soon as we have confirmation of road transport, this will be published. But don't worry! According to NRE, this rates as: Quote Great Western Railway Minor delays on some routes though the water isn't now expected to subside until 16:00. Title: Re: line closed Bath to Swindon Post by: Timmer on January 12, 2023, 12:16:16 Very clear from this short video from Network Rail why the line is closed between Bath and Swindon:
https://twitter.com/networkrailwest/status/1613501822668505089 Title: Re: line closed Bath to Swindon Post by: stuving on January 12, 2023, 12:23:08 Very clear from this short video from Network Rail why the line is closed between Bath and Swindon: https://twitter.com/networkrailwest/status/1613501822668505089 ... and in several places, from what the signallers have are showing. But all this morning's goods trains ran - perhaps not surprising given you can still see a bit of rail here and there. The latest one (4L32) didn't go direct from BPW to Swindon as planned, so must have run via Bath: Liverail shows that as its route but with no reports (not sure what that implies!). Title: Re: line closed Bath to Swindon Post by: grahame on January 12, 2023, 12:33:05 Very clear from this short video from Network Rail why the line is closed between Bath and Swindon: https://twitter.com/networkrailwest/status/1613501822668505089 Not sure of exact location from that video - here are a couple of stills from it (http://www.wellho.net/pix/flood_230112_1.jpg) (http://www.wellho.net/pix/flood_230112_2.jpg) Title: Re: line closed Bath to Swindon Post by: bobm on January 12, 2023, 12:57:46 Sorry GBM did not see the earler posting. James Davis on radio bristol saying it will be one train BTM to Swindon via BP and one BTM to London via newbury. Could the services not go BTM/BATH/Trowbridge REVERSE then Chippenham to London,saving getting in the bus's Yes, if there was capacity on the single line and at the reversal point at Bradford Junction, and the if the Bristol crew knew the line. ..and of it weren't for flooding at Dauntsey and Christian Malford. Title: Re: line closed Bath to Swindon Post by: bradshaw on January 12, 2023, 17:01:18 I think it is in the circled area a little to the west of Dauntsey Lock, where the old Berks and Wilts Canal was close to the line. There is a footbridge there to suggest this
Apologies the new image is where I think it is. Notice the light coloured are just to the east of the bridge Title: Re: line closed Bath to Swindon Post by: Oxonhutch on January 12, 2023, 17:36:24 I wonder if the old canal had a part to play. It looks still in water there.
Title: Re: line closed Bath to Swindon Post by: Timmer on January 14, 2023, 10:19:25 Not that it was any good to begin with, but services are rapidly going to pot:
Quote Cancellations to services between Swindon and Bristol Parkway Due to heavy rain flooding the railway between Swindon and Bristol Parkway all lines towards Bristol Parkway are blocked. Train services running through these stations will be cancelled, delayed or diverted. Disruption is expected until the end of the day. Customer Advice We are sorry for the delay to your journey today. Network Rail have confirmed that the line between Swindon and Bristol Parkway has flooded again and is now shut to trains. Quote Cancellations to services between Bristol Temple Meads and Bath Spa Due to a tree blocking the railway between Bristol Temple Meads and Bath Spa all lines are blocked. Train services running through these stations may be cancelled, delayed or revised. Disruption is expected until 14:00 14/01. Customer Advice We are sorry for the disruption to your journey. A very large tree was blocking the line near Keynsham yesterday, and it has taken all night to clear the tree and debris from the railway. Network Rail colleagues are now investigating and ensuring the line is safe, this will take several hours. Quote Cancellations to services between Bristol and Swindon Due to heavy rain flooding the railway between Bristol Temple Meads and London Paddington all lines are blocked. Disruption is expected until 12:00 14/01. Train services between Bristol Parkway and Swindon will be cancelled. Additional Information Due to flooding on the railway and trees on the line all trains from Bristol Temple Meads and Bristol Parkway to and from London Paddington are cancelled. Customers are advised NOT to travel as we cannot guarantee they will get to their destinations. A very limited train service is running from Swindon to London Paddington via Didcot Parkway and Reading. There was meant to be engineering work between Bath and Bristol today, but I believe that got cancelled to provide an open line between Bristol and Swindon. Unfortunately, as you can see above, a big tree fell onto the line last night closing that line as well. EDIT: Confirmed that South Wales services to/from London operating via the Stroud Valley line adding 60 minutes to journeys. Title: Re: line closed Bath to Swindon Post by: Timmer on January 14, 2023, 10:39:14 Couple of pictures from Network Rail of the work that took place overnight to remove the fallen trees from the line near Keynsham:
https://twitter.com/networkrailwest/status/1614208826290364425 Title: Re: line closed Bath to Swindon Post by: PrestburyRoad on January 14, 2023, 10:46:30 Quote Confirmed that South Wales services to/from London operating via the Stroud Valley line adding 60 minutes to journeys. This illustrates the benefit of redoubling the Stroud Valley line a few years ago. Title: Re: line closed Bath to Swindon Post by: Marlburian on January 14, 2023, 11:10:54 I have a Slovakian friend visiting me today in Tilehurst. (She's the one I mentioned last year as, on her first visit to London in more than three years, getting on a Crossrail train at Paddington.) Today she reports cancelled services at Paddington because of flooding, so she got on a GWR stopping service, rather than wait for a fast train and hang around at Reading for the Didcot service. Her train seems to be on time, but is about to have its scheduled 12-minute rest at Reading. She said that she'd just realised that, but at least she's warm and dry. Probably better than catching a taxi. (I'll be meeting her with my car at Tilehurst.)
Title: Re: line closed Bath to Swindon Post by: grahame on January 14, 2023, 11:25:08 Quote Confirmed that South Wales services to/from London operating via the Stroud Valley line adding 60 minutes to journeys. This illustrates the benefit of redoubling the Stroud Valley line a few years ago. Indeed - and wouldn't it be wonderful to redouble the TransWilts which was singles at the same time, giving an alterative route to Westbury, Taunton and beyond when all manner of failures happen on the Berks and Hants. In that case adding a lot less to the journey time. Title: Re: line closed Bath to Swindon Post by: IndustryInsider on January 14, 2023, 11:56:12 Indeed - and wouldn't it be wonderful to redouble the TransWilts which was singles at the same time, giving an alterative route to Westbury, Taunton and beyond when all manner of failures happen on the Berks and Hants. In that case adding a lot less to the journey time. Perhaps if that pesky little single platformed halt at Melksham wasn't on the route, which increase the costs of redoubling considerably, it would have already happened? ;) Title: Re: line closed Bath to Swindon Post by: grahame on January 14, 2023, 12:33:45 Indeed - and wouldn't it be wonderful to redouble the TransWilts which was singles at the same time, giving an alterative route to Westbury, Taunton and beyond when all manner of failures happen on the Berks and Hants. In that case adding a lot less to the journey time. Perhaps if that pesky little single platformed halt at Melksham wasn't on the route, which increase the costs of redoubling considerably, it would have already happened? ;) An interesting hypothetical question. About 10 years ago, £45 million was spent redoubling Swindon to Kemble with no intermediate stations. In those days, let's say it would have been £50 million with an intermediate station that needed a second platform in a similar context to Melksham. With just 3,000 journeys per annum, I suspect it might have happened with the station halved like Polesworth and Pilning. Rail industry inflation and I suspect we would be looking at £90 million or £100 million with an extra platform these days, and I suspect that with 75,000 journeys per annum and the prospect of three times that with an appropriate (rather than best-at-capacity) service, it would become a positive part of the business case rather than a nuisance. Title: Re: line closed Bath to Swindon Post by: IndustryInsider on January 14, 2023, 12:53:15 I'd have thought it would be a little less cost wise, excluding costs at Melksham:
1) Slightly shorter than Swindon to Kemble. 2) No level crossings or tunnels (two crossings and one tunnel between Swindon and Kemble). 3) Less signalling required - I'd imagine just two signal sections would be warranted in either direction, one half way and one protecting the junctions at either end. Though of course the general condition of the earthworks can vastly add to costs. Title: Re: line closed Bath to Swindon Post by: Timmer on January 14, 2023, 13:48:11 The first train to leave Bristol Temple Meads for London since 9am has just left at 13.38, 22 minutes short of five hours. Now running via Bath and the Berks and Hants. All Bristol to London services and vice versa are now running this route for the rest of the day.
All Bath Spa to London via Swindon are no longer running leaving Swindon in the hands of services to/from Gloucester. Services to and from Swansea are now running to Bristol Temple Meads to pick up London services from there: Quote Network Rail have confirmed that the line between Swindon and Bristol Parkway has flooded again and is now shut to trains. GWR Direct South Wales services are cancelled. Passengers from the East for South Wales, should travel to Bristol Temple Meads and change trains there for Swansea services. Passengers from South Wales for London should travel to Bristol Temple Meads and change trains there for services towards London Paddington. Journey times will considerably extended by 60 minutes or more. Unfortunately, not looking good if you are travelling to/from Chippenham: Quote GWR Swindon to Westbury services are only able to operate between Chippenham and Westbury. Stagecoach bus route 55: Swindon (Bus Station) - Chippenham (Station) are conveying passengers between Swindon and Chippenham in both directions until further notice. Arrangements have been made for Great Western Railway rail tickets to be accepted for these journeys. Title: Re: line closed Bath to Swindon Post by: grahame on January 14, 2023, 17:19:19 I'd have thought it would be a little less cost wise, excluding costs at Melksham: 1) Slightly shorter than Swindon to Kemble. 2) No level crossings or tunnels (two crossings and one tunnel between Swindon and Kemble). 3) Less signalling required - I'd imagine just two signal sections would be warranted in either direction, one half way and one protecting the junctions at either end. Though of course the general condition of the earthworks can vastly add to costs. There are four level foot path crossings, mind you, and modern health and safety might request bridges. And one bridge over the Avon which now only takes one track and could be a major job. This would also be the time to consider whether to reopen Bradford curve - taken out as late as 1990 - and Thingley South to West curve taken out after WWII. Both curves would provide useful diversion routes ... Title: Re: line closed Bath to Swindon Post by: Trowres on January 14, 2023, 18:01:45 1A29, the 17:01 Bristol-Paddington, was originally scheduled to run via Badminton, due to planned engineering between Bristol and Bath. That engineering was cancelled, but as we know the weather has caused further issues.
Anyway, the 1A29 has proceeded via Bath instead of Badminton. It called at Bath, but as far as I can see the revised plan didn't included a Chippenham call. Title: Re: line closed Bath to Swindon Post by: ellendune on January 14, 2023, 18:42:41 I'd have thought it would be a little less cost wise, excluding costs at Melksham: 1) Slightly shorter than Swindon to Kemble. 2) No level crossings or tunnels (two crossings and one tunnel between Swindon and Kemble). 3) Less signalling required - I'd imagine just two signal sections would be warranted in either direction, one half way and one protecting the junctions at either end. Though of course the general condition of the earthworks can vastly add to costs. There are four level foot path crossings, mind you, and modern health and safety might request bridges. And one bridge over the Avon which now only takes one track and could be a major job. This would also be the time to consider whether to reopen Bradford curve - taken out as late as 1990 - and Thingley South to West curve taken out after WWII. Both curves would provide useful diversion routes ... Careful you will make the project more expensive and therefore less likely to happen! Title: Re: line closed Bath to Swindon Post by: grahame on January 14, 2023, 21:40:48 Careful you will make the project more expensive and therefore less likely to happen! Indeed - hence "consider". Title: Re: line closed Bath to Swindon Post by: Wizard on January 15, 2023, 19:57:09 Very clear from this short video from Network Rail why the line is closed between Bath and Swindon: https://twitter.com/networkrailwest/status/1613501822668505089 Not sure of exact location from that video - here are a couple of stills from it (http://www.wellho.net/pix/flood_230112_1.jpg) (http://www.wellho.net/pix/flood_230112_2.jpg) I believe that is Chipping Sodbury on the Hullavington route. The tunnel in the distance is the giveaway. Title: Re: line closed Bath to Swindon Post by: Timmer on January 15, 2023, 21:02:18 After opening again today, the line between Swindon and Bristol Parkway has once again been closed:
Quote Alterations to services between Swindon and Bristol Parkway Due to heavy rain flooding the railway between Swindon and Bristol Parkway the line towards Bristol Parkway is closed. Train services running through these stations will be diverted. Disruption is expected until 10:00 16/01. Customer Advice We are sorry for the delay to your journey today. The railway in the Chipping Sodbury area between Swindon and Bristol Parkway has flooded. Network Rail staff are monitoring the levels of flood water, which at the moment are such that we cannot run trains on this route. Trains between London Paddington and South Wales will be diverted between Swindon and Bristol Parkway via an alternate route which may add up to 30 minutes to journey times. Good job we’ve got a mainly dry week ahead. Title: Re: line closed Bath to Swindon Post by: froome on January 16, 2023, 06:49:40 After opening again today, the line between Swindon and Bristol Parkway has once again been closed: Quote Alterations to services between Swindon and Bristol Parkway Due to heavy rain flooding the railway between Swindon and Bristol Parkway the line towards Bristol Parkway is closed. Train services running through these stations will be diverted. Disruption is expected until 10:00 16/01. Customer Advice We are sorry for the delay to your journey today. The railway in the Chipping Sodbury area between Swindon and Bristol Parkway has flooded. Network Rail staff are monitoring the levels of flood water, which at the moment are such that we cannot run trains on this route. Trains between London Paddington and South Wales will be diverted between Swindon and Bristol Parkway via an alternate route which may add up to 30 minutes to journey times. Good job we’ve got a mainly dry week ahead. Indeed, but if there is any water left around rail lines when it freezes tonight, what will that do to the track? 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 |