Great Western Coffee Shop

A public meeting is to be held over a multi-million pound plan to transform Reading railway station.
The borough council proposes an upgrade of the southern entrance and outside travel interchange concourse, including bus, taxi and drop-off areas.
It comes as Network Rail plans a ^500m revamp of rail lines into the town, including five new platforms and a train depot.
Residents and businesses are being urged to attend and give their views.
The council says the Network Rail upgrade will significantly increase passenger numbers and should allow more trains to run through Reading, reduce delays on the western route and ease overcrowding at the station.
Another planned regeneration project at nearby Station Hill, including skyscrapers housing offices, restaurants and flats, would also increase numbers.
During the meeting, council planners will outline their plans, followed by a question and answer session.
Their Reading Station Area Framework covers an area from the River Thames to the north, Friar Street to the south, Caversham Road to the west and Forbury Road to the east.
There will also be an opportunity to see the Network Rail and Station Hill plans.
A council spokesperson said: "The council wants its residents to get involved now so they can help to inform any possible future development and have some input into future plans. Exhibitions have already taken place at Caversham Library and the Civic Centre."
The meeting will be held on 22 March from 1830 GMT in the Victoria Hall at the town hall.

NETWORK RAIL SHOWCASES VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF READING STATION

Network Rail today published artist^s impressions of how Reading station will look, following their multimillion pound investment to modernise the station.

The images have been released in advance of a public exhibition on Network Rail^s plans for Reading^s railway, to be held in Reading Town Hall from Thursday 20 to Saturday 22 May.

Tony Walker, Network Rail^s scheme sponsor for the Reading project said: ^Reading^s residents and commuters were really positive about our plans for the station when we consulted them a couple of years ago. I^m keen to give people an update on our scheme and get their views before we start construction in earnest.

^The work we^re doing in Reading is one of the biggest pieces of railway investment anywhere in the country right now. I urge everyone who lives in Reading or uses the station to come along to the Town Hall and find out about the benefits and how they^re affected by our plans.^

Network Rail, in conjunction with Reading Borough Council, plans to enlarge and modernise Reading station, building two new entrances connected by a brand new footbridge, relieving congestion for Reading^s commuters. New lifts and escalators will make it easier to get about the station, and five extra platforms will provide more space for trains.

The improvements to the station are just one part of Network Rail^s ambitious plans for Reading^s railway, which involve the construction of a viaduct to untangle the tracks to the west of the station, boosting capacity and cutting delays.

Owing to close working partnerships between Network Rail, First Great Western, and other train operating companies, the vast majority of the work to rebuild Reading station and the surrounding railway will be undertaken without affecting train services. However there will be times when passengers using Reading station will be affected. The first of these will be this Christmas (2010), when the station will close for a number of days while the first phase of work is completed.

Network Rail engineers and project managers will be on hand at the Town Hall exhibition to answer questions about the future for Reading^s railway, and the benefits for the travelling public. Further details on trains next Christmas and alternative travel arrangements will also be available.

Reading station revamp exhibition opens

Reading commuters are to get a glimpse of how their new railway station will look after a ^400m revamp when an exhibition opens in the town centre.
The station is due to be remodelled by 2013 to include five more platforms and an additional entrance west of the Three Guineas Pub.
The display is due to open at Reading Town Hall at 1000 BST on Thursday.
Network Rail engineers and project managers will be on hand to answer questions about the scheme.
Network Rail has released a new image of how the southern entrance of station will look when it is rebuilt.
The entrance is one of two new access points planned for the station and will be served by a footbridge, lifts and escalators.
Tony Walker, who is working on the project, said: "Reading's residents and commuters were really positive about our plans for the station when we consulted them a couple of years ago. I'm keen to give people an update on our scheme and get their views before we start construction in earnest. The work we're doing in Reading is one of the biggest pieces of railway investment anywhere in the country right now. I urge everyone who lives in Reading or uses the station to come along to the town hall and find out about the benefits and how they're affected by our plans."
The Reading exhibition will be held in the Waterhouse Chamber, Reading Town Hall from Thursday to Saturday and at Reading Station on Thursday from 1700 to 2000 BST.

Reading Station plans still on say Network Rail

Network Rail has rubbished claims made on BBC Berkshire Radio this morning that plans to redevelop Reading Station have been scrapped.

Work is already under way on the scheme to improve the station as part of a multi-million pound development and rail bosses have said rumours the plans were being scrapped by the Government were not accurate.

Russell Spink, Network Rail spokesman, said: ""The upgrade of Reading's railway is funded as part of our current funding settlement, which runs until 2014, and this settlement is not under review. The project is already under way; our engineers are already working at Caversham and Vastern Road bridges and on Napier Road. We recognise that we're operating in a tough economic environment and we are looking carefully at all of our projects to make sure we work efficiently and deliver value for money. However to suggest that the entire Reading project is suspended is simply not correct."

A Department for Transport (DfT) statement made yesterday said that all transport schemes were under review until they had been given the go-ahead by the new Government.

This includes the Cow Lane bridges aspect of the road network to be completed by Reading Borough Council that will be reviewed in the autumn but not the town centre area development that includes Station Hill, due to start later this month.

Mr Spink added: "We have the cash to carry out our projects which are unaffected by the announcement. The DfT^s announcement applies to local government transport schemes only. It^s important to make clear that Network Rail^s work at Cow Lane is part of our Reading project and is not affected by any cuts or reviews. The DfT money which is now under review was for the council to improve the roads nearby to get them ready for the extra traffic that will probably be using them when we widen the bridges".

Traffic concerns over bridge widening leads to footpath

A temporary footpath is being installed under a bridge which is being widened for the ^400m revamp of Reading railway station.

The pedestrian crossing at Vastern Road, which runs under the bridge, was removed so the roadworks could begin.

It was replaced with a diversion leading pedestrians around the Vastern Road roundabout but it is understood some people are walking into the road.

The council said pedestrian and motorist safety are a priority.

Richard Willis, Reading's lead councillor for transport and strategic planning, said: "I am pleased that improvements are to be made and hope that pedestrians and cyclists will find the new footpath safer to use."

Network Rail's improvements include five new platforms, an elevated railway and a new station entrance.

Vastern Road railway bridge is being widened to make way for new and longer train platforms, a spokeswoman said.

A row of pedestrian barriers will also be put in place along the east side of Vastern Road to protect pedestrians from traffic underneath the bridge.

How they will make the gradients work is indeed an interesting question!

Reading station to close over Christmas due to revamp

Festive rail passengers around Reading are to be hit with delays as the first part of a ^400m revamp starts.

Network Rail said it was the best time to carry out the work which will see the station partially shut from late on Christmas Eve until 4 January.

A bus replacement service will operate but some rail services will be allowed to run at busy times.

The station will be remodelled by 2013 to include five more platforms and two additional entrances.

Network Rail said: "We're working closely with First Great Western and other train operating companies to minimise the impact of this work on your journeys. There will be a frequent, efficient, replacement bus timetable, and plenty of staff on hand to help you on your journey."

I'd imagine that the up West of England services will run ususal route as far as Westbury, reverse then via Salisbury to Waterloo.

Network Rail explain work over Christmas in Reading

Christmas seems a while away, especially in the middle of summer. But Network Rail has announced there will be significant works on the tracks in Reading over the festive period. The works are part of the first phase of ^400m worth of planned rail developments in the town.

But how will train-users be affected?

"We've got two really important jobs to do over Christmas," David Wilson from Network Rail said. "We will modernise the signalling for the whole of the Reading area. That's a huge job, which we've started already and will complete at Christmas. We've also got to replace a railway bridge over Caversham Road, to make way for new track and platforms for the station above. So they are two massive jobs. It's the sort of job you can only do by taking possession of the railway and unfortunately impacting on passenger services for a period."

Service disruption

There will be no train services on Christmas and Boxing Day, and work will continue into the New Year, David explained. "Obviously on Christmas Day and Boxing Day there wouldn't normally be services anyway, that's why we are doing the work then. But then there are two further Bank Holidays after Christmas Day and Boxing Day because it falls on a weekend this year. So we will be working through those Bank Holidays and the next two days as well. A large amount of our work will be done by the 30th of December. Whilst that work is going on there will be bus services to take people to where they want to go. We will re-open the station on New Year's Eve because we are aware a lot of people will want to travel then, and then we will be doing some work on the New Year's weekend but some trains will be running."

Snow danger

There is a danger that bad weather might cause further disruption to the services. David explained that there is a contingency plan for that. "We are planning very carefully. Everyone saw what happened in Reading last Christmas. We are well aware of the impact of bad weather and making really good contingency plans, just in case we get snow or wind. We will be ready."

Reading Station will get the revamp by 2013 and work is currently underway on Caversham and Vastern Road bridges and on Napier Road.

"We are lucky with the Reading project," David said. "Our funding has been agreed. We've got that in the bag from the Government. Obviously, like any large construction projects at the moment, we are aware of the tough financial circumstances we are operating in and we're looking at the project to see how we can deliver it as efficiently as possible. But the Reading project is definitely going ahead."

Bottle neck

Mike Greedy from Passenger Focus, an independent watchdog, explained how the group is backing the plan.

"I think this is the only way of going about it. Reading is a national bottle neck for passengers. All of us using Reading find a severe disruption because of limitations on the infrastructure there. So this has got to be good news for passengers. We're satisfied they are doing this at the best time of year to cause the least disruption. We've been working very closely with Network Rail and First Great Western to make sure they have the best contingency plans because this must be re-opened for the start of business again on the 4th of January. Everyone is well aware of that and we're fairly confident they have the right plans in place to do this."

---

Winter 2010 services are as follows:

Christmas Day and Boxing Day - No services scheduled.

27 December to 30 December, 2010 - All train lines through Reading will be closed.

First Great Western will put on alternative transport for local services to, from and through Reading.

New Year's Eve - All routes will be open. A Bank Holiday service will operate including additional trains from London.

New Year's Day through to 3 January, 2011 - Long distance train services will run to and from London via diversionary routes. All other routes will be open, with a Bank Holiday service in operation.

Monday, 4 January - Normal scheduled trains services are expected to run.

Does that seem to imply that diverted long distance services will only run over New Year weekend?

I.E. on the 27th -30th it'll be local bustitution only as they expect only minimal work travel during the intermediate week?  I'm not criticising, btw, I think they have discovered there is a major reduction in travel during that week in recent years, with a lot of businesses closing for the duration.

Paul

FGW will be serving Waterloo during the blockade. But only with West of England services.

I prefer to think the map on the previous page is old - that they realised that 1tph to cover both WoE AND Bristol was just not do-able in terms of capacity and went away to re-think....

Should be do-able in a weekend.....

The turn-back at Aynho Junction will take longer, I reckon - there's some major line closures in early November - Friday 5th for the weekend. I reckon that'll be it....

As for Aynho, is the turn-back going to be a separate siding off of the main line? 

Any idea what stock is to work this service:

Bristol - Bath - Westbury - Newbury - Theale

I know it may be possible for a class 165/166 to be used since they used to run Bristol to Oxford

Isn't the current one in the wrong direction (up to down?)

This will also require trackside running boards as the driver changes ends *outside* of the HST...

Safe walking Route. Any place where Drivers change end outside the train will be risk assessed and approved as part of the project. The safe walking route can be the cess if it is level and no adjacent running line.

Can't the driver change ends inside the train?

oooo too much like hard work scrabbling through a packed and standing train

FGW will be serving Waterloo during the blockade. But only with West of England services.

In common with many other stations the drains are just not adequate in a torrential downpoor - rain water backs up, and overflows from the gutters.

You should see PAD when it rains.
plat 3 london end under the massively huge roof, it leaks badly.
plat 1 country end it is a downpour.
plat 6/7 are fine, but thats cos hex get what they want.
plat 8/9 is a running river
10 is fine
11 turns into a river, right where the pax run for trains.
13/14 being rebuilt by crossrail.

Reading station is leased from NR by FGW. NR are responsible for maintenance of the canopies.

Its unlikely that the gutter is the problem. In common with many other stations the drains are just not adequate in a torrential downpoor - rain water backs up, and overflows from the gutters. You probably noticed that the back of platform 4 becomes a lake as water floods out of the drainpipes and the drain is unable to cope.

We can only hope that the rebuild starts some way underground, with adequate drainage!

Presumably matters at the platforms under under span four will be improved by the current restoration work and removal of the crash deck.

This time next year the place will be transformed though and hopefully it'll be nice and dry because those nice shiny tiled slabs on the floor and water don't mix too well.

M-i-M to LOndon will be a change at Oxford into one of the Chiltern diversion trains.

One train per hour between the West Country and Waterloo, with 3hrs 26mins allowed for Taunton to Waterloo and 3hrs 3mins the other way.

You might be, others may not be....

Note:  That link does not work for those of us who are not members of RailUK forums.  ::)

And the timetable shown on said link is in no way an official release.

A timetable for the  Penzance - Plymouth - Westbury - London Waterloo servie has been posted up on uk railforums:

http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?p=505152#post505152

More details on that thread

The timings of these services are a little different to the timings that are back on the FGW site.  The services out of London Waterloo depart at xx:26, with the first service departing at 1026.

The timings for the services to and from Bristol and South Wales are back online on FGW too.

Just a couple of weeks now before cheap advance tickets on these services are bookable.

SWT do it generally in 45-50 minutes....ok, I realise the HSTs are going the long way round, but nevertheless, 90 minutes? Just hpw long will they sit at Basingstoke?

FGW services are restricted to the slow lines all the way because there are something like 25 bridges that would require strengthening for a HST power car to go over them on the fast lines.

Thanks - that answers my question - there could be up to 20 minutes hanging around at Basingstoke. Time plenty for a smoke then....:-)

(BTW - isn't it odd that this was in NR's London and Southeast, not the Wales and West area of the media section...)

The moral of the story?  Don't necessarily rely on 'Rail' for accuracy.

...
I reckon what they are doing is putting in a much wider span at the north side only, so that they can relay the relief lines further north in due course.  Then they'll have room to do more changes to the track layout on the remaining spans.  A sketch I have indicates that there will be 11 tracks over the bridge, there are 8 at the moment.

PS...   Comparing that right hand picture on NR's press release with Google Maps, it looks as though they have filled in that small space at the east side of Caversham Rd, ie between the road and end of the old viaduct shown being used as a carpark - perhaps about a 20ft square space?  That'll give quite a bit of extra width (from the rail perspective)...

Paul
...

Indeed, looking from trains when passing through it is very hard to see how  another two island platforms will fit on the other side of the current p9/10!

................. and its all being built Crossrail "friendly"

There is NO reduction in the planned Crossrail stations, the significant change is on the Abbey Wood branch where third rail is going to be used on the surface and the Connaught tunnel (form North Woolwich line).

A very good map - the most detailed I've seen is on page 4, too. 

Although perhaps not given a much publicity as the new mainline platforms and flyovers the third "Southern" Platform will be a big improvement for pasengers on the Waterloo and North Downs services. Giving as it does a 3rd platform and more importantly eliminating the single track bottleneck over Vastern Road bridge.

Also, if the oft-rumoured joining of some Gatwick and 'west of Reading' services via the new relief platforms ever happened, two platforms for SWT would remain perfectly adequate.  As long as the Vastern Rd overbridge is made wide enough for the 3rd paltform and track the rest of the job will presumably be straightforward - although it has been repeatedly said that access to teh site is pretty constrained so it makes practical sense to do the whole job at once.  Maybe the half way house is to do the civils only, and leave the platform structure til later?

....

There is NO reduction in the planned Crossrail stations, the significant change is on the Abbey Wood branch where third rail is going to be used on the surface and the Connaught tunnel (form North Woolwich line).

Network Rail has awarded a major design contract for Crossrail works to Balfour Beatty Rail. The contract covers the design phase for works on the two-mile stretch from Plumstead to Abbey Wood in south east London, including the design for the new Abbey Wood station, which is the terminus station on the south east section of the Crossrail route.

The station work will provide two new Crossrail platforms and improved access. In addition, a four-track railway will be created requiring Network Rail to improve five bridges and build two new overhead electrified railway lines between Plumstead portal (where the central tunnel section emerges) and Abbey Wood.

^The fact that consent has been granted so quickly is thanks to the hard work that has gone on behind the scenes so that our plans are right for Reading, and we appreciate the strong support we^ve had from the council in developing this scheme.

But that might just mean the press office aren't completely up to speed, which wouldn't be unusual...

Recent units such a 377 and 378 seem to have been churned out in both third rail and dual versions (and presumably if required a pure AC version) but not sure of the cost differential.

A reduced South West Trains service will run between London Waterloo and Bristol during the closure of Reading station. This is so we can provide more carriages for the expected extra passengers on our main London Waterloo to Exeter route.  Bristol passengers should use the altered First Great Western service.

A limited First Great Western service will run to and from London Waterloo via Westbury and Salisbury during the closure of Reading station. Please see special publicity for details.

I was wondering if 'route Salisbury' fares are therefore usable on FGW services even though trains aren't stopping there. Does that open a can of worms?

From the SWT website www.southwesttrains.co.uk/Xmas2010.aspx

SWT seem to think trains are stopping there.

I was wondering if 'route Salisbury' fares are therefore usable on FGW services even though trains aren't stopping there. Does that open a can of worms?

On the fares front, SWT have announced on their Christmas alterations pages that they are reducing their Bristol service for the week, so that they can strengthen the Exeter trains.

I was wondering if 'route Salisbury' fares are therefore usable on FGW services even though trains aren't stopping there. Does that open a can of worms?

On the fares front, SWT have announced on their Christmas alterations pages that they are reducing their Bristol service for the week, so that they can strengthen the Exeter trains.

I was wondering if 'route Salisbury' fares are therefore usable on FGW services even though trains aren't stopping there. Does that open a can of worms?

Here's your definitive answer, from FGW Fares Management....

thank you for your e-mail.  To confirm FGW Bristol to London services will operate via Swindon, Oxford, Banbury/Aynho and High Wycombe and thus route 'Salisbury' tickets will not be valid on these trains.  Customers wishing to use route 'Salisbury' tickets may continue to do so by travelling from Bristol to Salisbury and changing trains for London Waterloo services, as per the majority of journey opportunities on a normal weekday.

But Paul raised the point in the context of SWT's clear advice to Bristol passengers, which was to use FGW's services from Bristol during the period affected, ie, don't bother trying to travel route Salisbury from the Bristol area at this time.

It might sound like a nice idea but you do say "a sensible fare structure" then suggest something that would only add further complication. Don't forget that in the middle of it all, the line through Reading does reopen for New Year's Eve, so would you then revert to normal fares for the day.

What I should have said is one fare somewhere between the Advanced and Offpeak should be offered for any applicable journey for the whole of the disruption no matter what route or time of day. It would apply on New Year's Eve, with it being free after midnight.

And Chiltern need to find the money from somewhere to pay FGW for the use of its trains during closures (it's their project, not Network Rail's).  

That's just bean counting, due to stupid way railways are organised and  funded.

Not that there is any consistent pattern to those closures, so a sensible fare structure is the last thing you would end up with.  

To my mind it doesn't matter what the pattern of closures are if the effect is that you cannot make a journey you would normally be able to make without being diverted, extra changes, longer journey times  or worse still put on buses then the same cheaper fare can apply for all such disrupted journeys.

In all this, by far the most important thing is to keep people on trains, whatever the route or journey time or fare, rather than putting them into buses, which surveys consistently show is something people dislike. And FGW and Chiltern seem to be doing their level best to achieve that (assisted by SWT in the case of the Waterloo diversions).

Meanwhile, there's still absolutely no sign of any physical works at Banbury connected with this turnback provision for platforms 1 and 2.  Only five months to go, so I would expect things to start happening imminently, or it'll be a rush job!

Are you sure they don't just count the preferences of the individuals hanging around platform ends?  ::)

Paul

*fingers crossed, hoping for upper quadrants to upset the Brunel posse*

Reading station's ^15m road revamp plan 'approved'

A ^15m roads project as part of the Reading train station revamp has been given conditional approval.

Reading council was set for ^15m from the government to upgrade the road network, but the funding was put on hold as part of the Spending Review.

The Department for Transport (DfT) said it wanted to see savings, but was set to give the green light in January.

The station is being remodelled by 2013 to include five more platforms and two additional entrances.

A DfT spokesperson said: "The department will look carefully at the costs and scope of the scheme and explore possibilities to reduce costs and increase local contributions.

"We hope to agree a way forward on funding by January."

Reading West Conservative MP Alok Sharma said: "It is not full approval but it is certainly progress and a good sign. I am confident the council can take it forward and get full agreement."

The ^850m revamp of the rail station was confirmed last week during a visit by transport minister Theresa Villiers.

Two shiny signal posts have now appeared at the south end of platforms one and two.  Covered up, but from the counter-weights already fitted it looks like they're going to be semaphore signals - I wonder how many brand new semaphore signals get installed these days!

There are actually TWO semaphore posts gone in at the south end of Plat 1/2 at Banbury.....

Apparently the reason they are lower quadrant is that are replacing two ground discs. Thus the signal wire run, levers and interlocking are unchanged they just hook up the new arms to the old wires.

More likely they had a couple spare from the recently abolished boxes on the Stratford on Avon area.

I doubt that.  Upper or lower quadrant would not make any difference to the wire run, levers etc.  More likely they had a couple spare from the recently abolished boxes on the Stratford on Avon area.

They've increased the journey time via Banbury

I doubt it, as they've gone to press.....

I'll check, as it may be an error.

I don't know for sure, but I think that's going to be a storage compound used for materials that are going to be used in the project and also facilities for the engineering staff involved in the project.

Earlier someone said they thought the proposed third platform has now been dropped, anyone have any further info on this?

The original 3rd platform had been dropped to save money, but 10 days ago we heard it had been reinstated into the works.  As far as the station is concerned, all the original proposals are now going ahead.   :)

Something else I've noticed: a crane and what looks like a piling machine (for want of the correct term) near  the northern side of the Vastern Rd bridge, i.e. the other side of the tracks from the Waterloo lines. Is further bridge widening planned here?

Maybe they need a retaining wall on that side for the new track to the dive-under?

Will the three guineas remain during the works

According to the aerial schematic on the Network Rail site:

http://www.networkrail.co.uk/aspx/6341.aspx

• Vastern Road bridge will have extra tracks to both the North and the South so I'd expect to see the bridge widened on both sides.
• The Dive-Under to the east will eventually have new tracks running through it so that trains can access the line to Wokingham line from the Northern platforms.

Boppy.

It would seem to be illogical for up B&H passeneger services (including Bedwyn stoppers) to use other than the new "yellow" line, else they will conflict with down services towards Didcot.  So why call it a "new Freight track" ?

CHRISTMAS LAUNCH PAD FOR MASSIVE IMPROVEMENTS TO READING'S RAILWAY

With five days to go until Christmas, 250 Network Rail engineers and contractors are preparing to deliver the first phase of a six-year project to upgrade Reading^s railway.

Between Christmas Day and 3 January, Network Rail will complete the resignaling of 100 miles of railway around Reading, and lift a 1,000 tonne railway bridge into place over Caversham Road. The work will require 16,000 man hours, take ten days to complete, and is the biggest engineering upgrade Network Rail is undertaking anywhere on Britain^s railway this Christmas.

Bill Henry, project director for Network Rail in Reading said: ^The work we^re doing this Christmas is the launch pad for our project to improve Reading^s station and railway. The bridge we^re setting in place over Caversham Road will provide space for track to serve new platforms at the station; and the state of the art signalling technology we^re installing will allow us to make huge changes to the track layout to increase capacity and cut delays. This work will benefit passengers along the entire Western route, from south Wales and the south west to London.

^We^ve been planning and preparing for this work for well over a year now. We^re right ready to go and I^m excited to get started.^

The work over the Christmas period will mean substantial changes to train services through Reading, affecting the entire Western route. No trains will be able to run through Reading from 27-30 December, with an amended timetable in place until 4 January (the first working day of the New Year). Passengers will still be able to reach their destinations, with diversionary routes in place wherever possible to reduce the need for replacement bus services. Passengers should check the details of their journeys before they travel to see how they^re affected (www.nationalrail.co.uk).

Work to replace the rail bridge over Caversham Road will require the closure of Caversham Road between Tudor Road (Station Hill) and Caversham Road roundabout from 8pm on 30 December 2010 to 6am on 3 January 2011. Members of the public will be able to view the bridge lift from Caversham Road (the Caversham side of the railway tracks). The main lift is scheduled to take place on the morning of New Year^s Day.

Notes to Editors:

Improving Reading^s railway, key facts:

The project:

^ 730 trains per day serve Reading station. It^s the second busiest station in the UK outside London (only Birmingham New Street is busier)

^ 14m passengers currently use Reading station every year. This is predicted to double by 2030

^ Journey time to London when Reading Station opened: 1hr 5mins. Journey time to London now: 30mins.

This Christmas

^ Working 24/7 for ten days

^ Over 250 Network Rail employees and contractors working over the Christmas period

^ Over 16,000 man hours

Caversham Road bridge

^ 1,000 tonne bridge deck

^ Moved by a self propelled modular transporter with 72 axels. Each axel can be turned independently to allow for very precise movements

^ 25cm ^ the amount of clearance between the new bridge and the corner of our offices on its route to Caversham Road. We^re removing part of the facia from our building to provide an extra metre^s clearance.

Signalling

^ The whole project will transfer control for over 100 miles of railway from Reading to Didcot

^ There are seven stages of recontrol. Stages 1-3 (between Woodborough and Theale on the Berks and Hants line, and from Goring to Cholsey on the Great Western Mainline) are complete

^ Stages 4-7 (between Ruscombe and Pangbourne on the Great Western Mainline, to Theale on the Berks and Hants line, and to Wokingham on the Southern lines) will be completed between 25 ^ 30 December

Reading railway station has reopened to passengers after it was closed for the first step of a ^850m overhaul.

Network Rail has started its remodelling of the station, which will include five more platforms, two additional entrances and a new viaduct.

Major re-signalling works have meant no trains have run through the station since Monday.

A bank holiday timetable will operate throughout New Year's Eve with the station due to fully reopen on Tuesday.

The lifting into place of a new 1,000-tonne railway bridge will also reduce services over the new year weekend, with full closures at certain times.

The main bridge lift is likely to start from 2100 GMT.

So it looks as though Reading Station is open

Reading rail station bridge lifted into place

A new 1,000-tonne railway bridge has been lifted into place at Reading station.

The bridge is part of a ^850m overhaul which will include five more platforms, two new entrances and a viaduct.

Engineers used specialist equipment to slide the bridge into place over Caversham Road during the early hours and work was completed to plan.

Network Rail said it was "confident" services would be back to normal on Tuesday following recent disruptions.

A bank holiday service has been scheduled over the weekend and on Monday.
 
Improvement works, which will remove a major bottleneck in the rail network, saw the station and the Caversham Road closed over the Christmas period.

The bridge will eventually carry rail track to new platforms.

Work to reorganise traffic flows and road layouts around Reading town centre ahead of the project began in June.

David Wilson, from Network Rail, said passengers would feel the benefit when the project was completed in 2016.

He said: "The main benefits from it will come later in that it will transport the new track which will serve the new platforms. Passengers won't see much difference but behind the scenes a massive amount has changed."

Here's an article together with the time-lapse video of the whole process.  It makes fascinating viewing (seriously!) - you can even see the progress made before and after the New Year's Eve re-opening as the trains whizz past on the mains, before stopping again as the main structure slides into place.

http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/s/2084877_caversham_road_opens_ahead_of_schedule (http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/s/2084877_caversham_road_opens_ahead_of_schedule)

The new bridge seems to have filled all the spaces that used to be between the old bridges, so that is a lot more track space, in addition to the widening northwards that others have commented on here.

One question I forgot to ask, is whether the East tunnel (old goods link) will have enough clearance for OLE and where the change over to third rail will be?
The problem is that it used to realtively easy, take Farringdon for instance trains raise and lower pans in teh station many time a day. However, the new arangements at Highbury and Islington whereby teh old power suppy has to be switched off and then the new switch on, seems to be unnecessarily complicated and not conjucive to a regular service.
Although they regularly swith the O/H in Aachen station from DC to AC on a regular basis depending on whether a DB or NS train but the train stays native.
O/H to Redhill? with dual through to Wokingham and Ash to Shalford Jn.

... running rails have insulted block joints (IBJ's) in both rails ...

Sorry, Electric train, but you're beginning to lose me on the technicalities now ...  ;D ;D ;D

One question I forgot to ask, is whether the East tunnel (old goods link) will have enough clearance for OLE and where the change over to third rail will be?

The problem is that it used to realtively easy, take Farringdon for instance trains raise and lower pans in teh station many time a day. However, the new arangements at Highbury and Islington whereby the old power suppy has to be switched off and then the new switch on, seems to be unnecessarily complicated and not conjucive to a regular service.

There is I believe "passive" allowance for ac/dc change over at Reading, which basically means that what is built must allow space for future equipment.

Maybe Networkrail have learnt the old BR trick of doing things down the line and then linking them up .........

As I mentioned earlier, they seem to be digging up the recently laid new embankment on the Eastern side of Vastern Rd, where the new bridge span will join the Waterloo lines. It looks like they've even removed the new retaining wall that separates the pedestrian route and the new embankment. I suspect a problem has been found, perhaps the ground under the new embankment isn't stable enough and needs to be underpinned with further concrete piling?

Can't say that I've noticed too much - I don't think the embankments had ever been fully built up to the new rail level (even accounting for ballast), so perhaps it's more a case of minor surgery than anything more calamitous?

Meanwhile, work on the other side of the tracks with supports and embankments for the re-instated underpass leading to the southern lines, is proceeding at quite a pace with soil dropped and compacted and much work going on underneath the GWML bridge.  The materials and offices area to the east of this underpass is also being quickly developed with more cabins and facilities cropping up all the time.

and the infill had got very close up to the level of the existing tracks before the recent work started. This new wall does now appear to have been knocked down, and the carefully compacted aggregate dug out for several metres back, the digging out apparently following what looked like an attempt to put in some concrete piles.  I'd guess it is a bit more than minor surgery!

I just saw in Today's Railways mag that they expect the three 12 car 'Southern' platforms to be in use by this December - does that fit with previous understanding of the timescales?

Reading rail bridges widening closes Cow Lane

Motorists have been warned to expect delays when a road is closed as part of a revamp to Reading's railway station.

Cow Lane will be shut from 1900 GMT until 1100 GMT on Sunday while work to widen two rail bridges starts.

The project will see the bridges expanded to fit two lanes for motorists, a cycle path and pavements to help ease a traffic bottleneck.

The work is part of a ^850m revamp of Reading station by Network Rail which is due to be completed in 2016.

(http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/51851000/jpg/_51851739_51851738.jpg)

Cow Lane will again be closed in May, this time for for up to three weeks, as part of the widening scheme which will also allow space for a new track layout to boost capacity for rail users.

Bill Henry, Network Rail's project director for Reading, said: "Our work in Reading isn't just about improving the performance of the railway and building a better station. The changes we're making to Cow Lane will bring big benefits for cyclists, pedestrians and motorists, cutting congestion and making the road safer. This is a big engineering project and we're making every effort to minimise its impact on residents and businesses in the Cow Lane area."

Hi,

Regarding the new Vastern Road bridge I am intrigued to see that the bridge extension is using the same design.  I take it that all the original design plans were available for new parts to be replicated or did carrying on the same design involve investigating how the old design was done?

I'd assumed that the widening would just involve two new bridges (with a different design) either side.  What they're doing is much more impressive!

Cheers,

Boppy.

Then Easter 2013 is the next major blockade.

Regarding the Southern (Waterloo) platforms, the plan is that in Jan 2011 they'll start using the new platform (P4 in the renumbered scheme), and the existing pair (future 5 and 6) will then be taken out of use one at a time and lengthened and straightened, by summer 2012.  The new track layout, ie the two track approach and various crossovers, will be complete in Jan 2011 though - which will overcome the current single track over the bridge.  New info (at least for me) was confirmation that the three platforms will be dead straight and parallel - ie the current curvature to tuck in behind P4 will be removed.

(Recent PR seemed to suggest this area would all be finished next Jan, but this seems to have been an oversimplification.)

Are any of the on platform buildings being retained or replaced?  Or will we go back to buying food and drinks on trains again?

Thanks, Paul.  That all pretty much makes sense.  Do you know when the southern underpass at the eastern end is scheduled to open?

Are any of the on platform buildings being retained or replaced?  Or will we go back to buying food and drinks on trains again?

Errrrr......next Jan IS Jan 2012.....Jan 11 having passed a few months ago!

• The diagram states that the lines out to the West (Bristol/Oxford) will not be able to use platforms 1, 2 or 3?!?!

I know proper schematics of the layout exist but surely it wouldn't have taken much more to fix this diagram up more accurately?

Ah sorry!  I would have though that having those bays linked up would have been handy - but if one is enough so be it!

Thanks for correcting me!  :)

Boppy.

Also on that date, signal TR253 at the London end of current platform 5 is being moved approx 10 metres further west (back down platform), to enable other signalling equipment to be installed. THe HST stopping point may move too.

and current platform 6 (new 16) closes permanently.

Traveled through Reading for the first time in months; the new MDU (Maintenance Delivery Unit) UP side on the London end of the station looks to be open, the old panel box has a lot of it operating floor ripped out can not be ong before the big wreckers move in.

Is that at mainline track level - or is that what that large concrete floored compound at a lower level down by the roadside is? 

(On the way along towards Tescos at Kings Meadow - I'm not sure of the road name...)

Paul

Network Rail and First Great Western have welcomed a report by Passenger Focus, which singles out the engineering works in Reading over Christmas 2010 and the associated passenger communication as best practice.
Network Rail Project director Bill Henry said: ^Close partnerships with train operators including First Great Western were key to our success over Christmas. The Reading job was a huge engineering challenge, but just as important for all of us was minimising the impact of our work on passengers.

^Before Christmas, we made big upgrades to the railway so that trains could be diverted around Reading, reducing the need for replacement buses. We also worked with train operators to run the largest joint communications campaign we^ve ever delivered to support engineering works, making sure people knew the facts before they planned their journeys.

^This Christmas was the launch pad for a five year programme of upgrade work that will transform Reading^s railway. We^ll continue to work with train operators to plan our work efficiently, keeping the railway running and getting passengers where they need to go.^

Is that at mainline track level - or is that what that large concrete floored compound at a lower level down by the roadside is? 

(On the way along towards Tescos at Kings Meadow - I'm not sure of the road name...)

Paul

The old panel box was by the North side of the goods lines which ran behind platform 9. I assumme that's what Electrictrain was refering to. Don't think the concrete base you are refering to is on railway land, although it may have been in the past pre closure of goods yard and signal works.   

OMG - a news update on the FGW website!  Dated 27th May -  it says  (http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/NewsItem.aspx?id=687)the work at Christmas went well.

A Costain/Hochteif joint venture has been named preferred contractor for Network Rail^s rebuild of Reading station.

The contract will see five new platforms constructed at Reading, relieving congestion on the Great Western Main Line and spelling an end to the familiar experience of waiting outside the station for a platform.

The contract, worth approximately ^80m, is one of the biggest that will be awarded as part of Network Rail^s ^850m project to transform Reading^s railway.

...and some updated pictures taken yesterday:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=79677666&postcount=117

Paul

Also, a huge pile of large white blocks has been unloaded at the site, anyone know what they are for?

Polystyrene used as fill between shuttering when concrete is case when remove leaves a void is my guess

They do indeed look like these polystyrene blocks used in construction:
http://www.sundolitt.co.uk/default.asp?menu=8683

...recomends an early decision to extend Crossrail to Reading to save ^31M is savings at Maidenhead and to provide additional capacity to relieve overcrowding on Paddington to Reading.  Decision required in the next few months. 

30 August marks the start of a period of major construction and improvements to Reading Station that will result in a modernised station with increased capacity to meet growing customer demand.

This major remodelling at one of First Great Western^s busiest stations is one of the most significant railway upgrade schemes currently being undertaken anywhere in the country.

From the early hours of Tuesday 30 August, Network Rail^s contractor will start construction work at Reading Station and the subway will be permanently closed to all staff and passengers. Alternative access to and from all platforms will be via the over bridge.

That'll extend the mad dash between P8 and P3, that typically occurs when XC are re-platformed at very short notice...

Vortec fencing 'protecting' the workforce?...that's a joke isn't it? From what? Anything moving at under 1mph would get through that. Highl;ighting that there's work going on, maybe....

Vortec fencing 'protecting' the workforce?...that's a joke isn't it? From what? Anything moving at under 1mph would get through that. Highl;ighting that there's work going on, maybe....

The improvements include:
 ^direct access to the new northern and south-western station entrances.
 ^ safe, secure and step-free pedestrian access
 ^ new and improved walking and cycling routes
 ^ significantly increased secure cycle parking provision
 ^ a new junction providing access to the new northern entrance.

http://www.dft.gov.uk/news/press-releases/dft-press-20111004 (http://www.dft.gov.uk/news/press-releases/dft-press-20111004)

Just as an aside the renumbered platforms are now showing on the National Rail Journey planner for services after Christmas.

Nearly all the XC services that previously used the closed bay platform 7 will use platform 3 instead - this is currently used mainly by the 2 hourly Southampton bound extended services, the slight problem is that there isn't a huge amount of waiting space as it is back to back with the main down platform.  Passenger info systems are pretty sparse down that end as they only display on the up facing side...

For those who hadn't realised already the current platform 6 is going to be temporarily renumbered to 16 (while it remains in use), as number 6 is transferred to what is currently 4A.   All other platform number changes are there as expected, ie 4 to 7, 5 to 8, 8/9/10 to 9/10/11.


Paul

...and of course details of the Christmas platform alterations are here http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=5297

31 December 2011 - The new platform 5 (existing platform 4b) will cease to be in use. Train services which currently use platform 4b will use platform 6

Yes, Platforms 4a, 4b and the new southern platform will be renumbered 4, 5, & 6 although 5 will closed to be lengthened and straightened out, followed by 6, so all three southern platforms won't be in use until late next year (if I remember correctly).

Hope the linked info gives plenty of detailed answers to how it will all look eventually.

The announcers are different (I'm sure others can say who they now are).  They sound much more awkward though:  "Platform 5 for the <pause> 08 <pause> 52 <pause> service to London Paddington..." compared to the old announcements.

<Bing Bong>

The new information screens and announcements system now appears up and running at Reading!

Changes I've noticed so far:

- The platform indicators now show "Arrived" - I don't think I've seen them do this before.  It's a shame they say it before the train has actually arrived though!
-

I caught the 1045 hrs off P5 yesterday and when the "Arrived" announcement came up a number of passengers (presumably non-regulars) waiting for it were visibly unsettled, eg scanning the other platforms to see if the train had arrived somewhere else.  Looking down the line the 1045 was still a speck in the distance well west of Cow Lane!

Wouldn't be better if the "Arrived" indication came up when the train entered the track circuit for the platform starting signal?

The new Turbo depot planning reference is 10/01380/FUL if anyone wishes to look at the details - and as usual there are enough details to keep you browsing for quite a while...

Wouldn't be better if the "Arrived" indication came up when the train entered the track circuit for the platform starting signal?

If it said "Arriving" rather than "Arrived" then there wouldn't be confusion, a simple fix surely?

A further road closure will be required in December.

Does anyone know the dates that Cow Lane will be closed as Network Rail work on the bridges please? Currently, their website says:

II, thanks for posting the development updates for staff, I've been looking everywhere for updates and signing up to FGWs ~/reading page seems to have sent me nothing about the station updates, but plenty of offers, places to go etc.

19th December for 5 weeks according to this article

http://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/news/roundup/articles/2011/11/19/55405-huge-project-could-face-weather-hurdle/ (http://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/news/roundup/articles/2011/11/19/55405-huge-project-could-face-weather-hurdle/)

As noted on another thread, HSTs calling at Platform 4 are now stopped right down the far western end of the platform. I think this is to do with managing the pedestrian flows, though I can't see any benefit apart from maybe getting more alighting passengers to use the temporary exit near Platform 1. It does mean that lots of passengers wanting to board trains are now having to fight their way along a crowded platform 4 to reach the standard class coaches, and no doubt lots of people boarding via first class to avoid missing their train. Does anyone know if this arrangement is intended to last throughout the rebuilding? Any chance of it being reviewed?

My wife went through Reading yesterday, reported she couuldn't see how to get to the Three Guineas. Is it shut?

19th December for 5 weeks according to this article

http://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/news/roundup/articles/2011/11/19/55405-huge-project-could-face-weather-hurdle/ (http://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/news/roundup/articles/2011/11/19/55405-huge-project-could-face-weather-hurdle/)

Although I travel through reading every working day it is dark at both ends of my journey so I don't get to see the progress on the new platform (4?) Which is being built next to platform 4b so am pleased to see the updates coming out vie this forum.


Am I dreaming or is it supposed to be ready for use when they change the platform numbers over the Xmas break?


Once again thanks for the updates and newsletter - much appreciated

As far as the new platform structure is concerned though, I think progress has moved up a few gears over the last 10 days or so, and it ought to be structurally complete quite soon.  It also looks as though the canopy will only extend as far as the bridge - which still covers two thirds of the overall length, so should be quite adequate for a 12 car platform.

...at what point will they lay the track up to the platform?

Out of curiosity when will the track get laid in the eastern underpass? I notice the points are there on the southern side - will this wait until more work has been completed on the northern side?

It also looks as though the canopy will only extend as far as the bridge - which still covers two thirds of the overall length, so should be quite adequate for a 12 car platform.

Yesterday evening, during the delays to services arriving at Reading Station, the arrival screens were especially confusing.  They were actually showing two trains as 'Arrived' at the same time! The Hereford train, which was on platform 4 with doors still open but about to leave, and the Swansea train which was still outside the station, both displayed 'Arrived'.  You can imagine the confusion with passengers who were already heavily delayed scrambling on and off trains.  Very poor if you ask me.

Yesterday evening, during the delays to services arriving at Reading Station, the arrival screens were especially confusing.  They were actually showing two trains as 'Arrived' at the same time! The Hereford train, which was on platform 4 with doors still open but about to leave, and the Swansea train which was still outside the station, both displayed 'Arrived'.  You can imagine the confusion with passengers who were already heavily delayed scrambling on and off trains.  Very poor if you ask me.

Here is Issue 1 of Reading Station News. (https://docs.google.com/open?id=0ByDs20XdYEFaZjViYzU5YjQtYTkwNy00NTJlLTgxNjEtZmU2YjQ4Y2ZiYjdh)

Distributed starting tomorrow.

Anyone know why there has been a change to the infomation screens to show 'arrived'? seems a bit pointless as often it says it quite a while before the service shows up.

Anyone know why there has been a change to the infomation screens to show 'arrived'? seems a bit pointless as often it says it quite a while before the service shows up.

Anyone know why there has been a change to the infomation screens to show 'arrived'? seems a bit pointless as often it says it quite a while before the service shows up.

I noticed this morning (Thursday 1st dec) 3 new upright supports just past the covered area on the above platforms - out of curiosity does anyone know what these are for? They would be about the right for support a roof extension but would be suprised if that is what they are for.

What interests me next which, hasn't been discussed much as far as I'm aware, is the track work about to happen on platform 9.  I see that pieces of spare track have been laid down next to the existing track and there are bags of ballast sat at one end.

As I understand it the plan is for the existing platform 9 to be extended southward (to make room to the north for the new platforms)

I think that track will be laid in the gap very soon and some temporary platform sections will be required whilst a proper platform eventually takes shape a few metres south of the current one.  I think that sections of yellow coloured temporary platform are being installed down the slope to the eastern underpass - they certainly look like temporary sections of platform, and possibly the prefabricated sections that Paul was hinting at.  I'm sure the 'Station News' will tell us shortly.

Plenty of work underway on the new platform today with 4A/4B under possession. There is a 66-hauled engineers train with ballast and sleepers in platform 4B which would appear to suggest that the track will be in place along the platform tomorrow morning.

Gatwick trains departing from platform 6 today - pick up only at Wokingham - buses for South West Trains passengers.

From what I've seen on previous new installations the third rail is usually fitted during a follow up visit, the insulators probably wouldn't be fitted to the as delivered sleepers anyway.

Paul 

Passengers to learn about Christmas rail works

Passengers will have a chance to find out more about the planned changes to Reading railway station at a public exhibition tomorrow.

Staff from Network Rail, First Great Western and Reading Borough Council will be on hand between 8am and 7pm to answer questions about the next phase of the ^850 million redevelopment project.

Network Rail project director Bill Henry said: "A host of changes will be rung over the festive period which the public should be aware of, including a change to platform numbers at the station, as a new platform is being added, and a temporary diversion at Cow Lane while a new bridge is constructed."

I notice the new p4 rails only appear to be 2 rail which suprised me as I thought this platform was going to be used by SWT services (but then it is very two out there)

Seems the National Rail iPhone app has the new booked platforms at Reading from the timetable change rather than December 27th.  Look out for lost souls heading for the west country at platform 7 from next weekend..... ;D

Difficult to see detail from the window of the parked SWT service on platform 4b this morning but the new track is laid next to t he new p4 so it looks like it has been a busy weekend here. Also looks like more cable ducting has been installed on the existing 4a/b platforms .

I notice the new p4 rails only appear to be 2 rail which suprised me as I thought this platform was going to be used by SWT services (but then it is very two out there)

I experienced the double "Arrived" train situation myself today.

3-car turbo to Paddington on Platform 8.  Then a platform alteration announcement that the train to Gatwick will now leave from Platform 8.  Everybody rushes to board with the signs doing anything but helping.

Thankfully the platform staff were there to stop people incorrectly boarding the train.

Regardless of the problem of what triggers the point at which a train is "Arrived" the software could surely be updated to check that the sign should only say "Arrived" if the train is number 1 in the list.  Numbers 2 (or 3) in the list could say "Due next" or something.

The new Southern platforms do not open until 31 December - a bus substitution applies between Reading and Wokingham for the period 27-30 December so there's a bit more time to get things finished. After Christmas, it appears to be 4A and the new platform in use (as 6 and 4 respectively.

I guess the Gatwicks will be using the main part of the station during this time? Is it usual practice to bustitute the SWT's to prevent overcrowding on the Gatwicks at times like this?

I guess the Gatwicks will be using the main part of the station during this time?

Erm, there's no trains at all from 27th-30th between Reading and Wokingham!  There's a whole load of signals and points to commission, including some signals on the spur line linking the main platforms with the southern lines.

That makes sense. When they put the buses on to Wokingham do they leave RDG at the scheduled departure time of a FGW Gatwick/Redhill service or do they just leave at regular intervals? If the former is true do they revise the departure times from Wokingham?

What they'd normally do is run the trains at the right time (as normal timetable) from Wokingham, and a theoretical connecting bus would leave Reading earlier than normal - and the journey planner does give bus departure times. I'd expect there'll be different buses for SWT and FGW though, the former being all stations to Wokingham. 

Paul 

I'm going to be genuinely impressed if the new p4 is open as scheduled. There still seems a lot to do and I guess Fgw staff can't have familiariastion training whilst it is still technically a construction site.

But there are still quite a few calendar days left before the 27th so there is still a chance.

...

I'm sure they can get it all finished in time, but like you I'm also quite surprised at how much is being done so close to the deadline. Have there been delays? It seems a bit hair raising if it was planned this way from the start. They were still pouring concrete for the platform base in late november, not much margin for delay...

I also think they'll make the overall deadline easily now though.   

A lot of activity around the new p4 today (Saturday) - the 3rd rail pillars are in place and part of the 3rd rail itself has been laid.

It looks like it is all coming together.

The BBC is reporting that the installation of the new bridge is delayed untill 18:00 because of water in the foundation holes.  Is that a full 10 hour delay or less?  Will it be possible to recover this time by Wednesday morning?

Reading Cow Lane bridge lifted into place after delay

A new 1,600-tonne bridge has been installed in Reading.

One of two bridges in Cow Lane was demolished on Christmas Day but the installation of its replacement was delayed because of water in the foundations.

It was finally manoeuvred into place with a 66-axle vehicle on Tuesday morning. Crowds of people turned out to watch the seven-hour operation.

Cow Lane will be closed until 30 January and diversions are in place.

Trains are due to start running over the new bridge, made of concrete and steel, later this week once the tracks are replaced.

The work will allow for two lanes of traffic, a cycle lane and a pavement under the new bridge.

It will mean double-decker buses can use the road.

Network Rail project director Bill Henry said the bridges were a "notorious bottleneck".

The new bridge structure has been built at a nearby site and is part of the ^850m Reading Station redevelopment.

Time lapse footage of Cow Lane's bridge being replaced has been released.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-16367565

Firstly the realigned platform 10 (old platform 8 ) with the temporary platform sections and a dramatic kink in the old track layout at the western end mean a 25mph speed restriction is now in force whilst the platform is rebuilt into island platforms 10 and 11.  Platform 11, the old platform 10, will then be converted from a bay to through platform.

I rode to Wokingham from the new platform 4 (1234 Reading to Redhill) and back into platform 6 (1134 Redhill to Reading) to have a daytime ride over the new formation.  I was a little suprised at how far down into the dip the new junctions are.  Traversing the new junctions is however a lot smoother than before and should save a few seconds in the future.

...Is any further trackwork planned or is the final formation now in place?

It is also seems current best practice is to avoid S&C components on any sort of gradient - so that also extends the whole layout.

Some of the new crossovers are very much on a gradient!

Not clear where the delay occured though.

Another bit of 'duff gen' at one of those NR public displays then...   ::)

I'm sure it's just a question of space constraints.  Ideally, on the level is best, but when you haven't got the room.  Bear in mind the distance between Spur Junction and the buffer stops is less than a mile and in that space you have to fit all the extra crossovers for the three platforms and the crossovers to the route that will eventually be reinstated under the GWML to the north side of the station.

I'd have thought that as long as any gradient remains constant, then it shouldn't make too much difference.

....  Note the position of the buffer stops, now a good coach length away from the physical end of the platform.  Modern safety standards I expect, though how many thousands of people will just miss their train over the coming years with that extra distance to go I wouldn't like to guess!
 

Paul,

I realise how they work, and that this is now the current standard, but what I'd like to know is whether the additional cost involved, if the new platform had to be made longer than would otherwise have been the case, is justified by the reduction in risk achieved. Clearly the risks of the older style buffers weren't considered unacceptable, otherwise thousands of trains wouldn't still be allowed to stop at them every day across the country.

I would think the financial case for friction blocks is easily made!

A few years ago I was on duty at Reading when a voyager slid into the blocks on Platform 3. These were new, friction blocks and they were pushed back about a foot or so. The train was very busy, with lots of people stood up, ready to get off. Amazingly, no one was hurt, or even aware, that there had been an impact. Even the TM was unaware - he thought it had just been a rather sudden stop.

Over the weekend Platform 5 (formerly 4b) has now disappeared behind hoardings, and a temporary canopy has gone up over P6. Last week a section of P5 had been cut away at the far end of the island, presumably this will now continue further down as it is realigned to the new track position. In the space where the island platform is to be extended a pile boring machine and various other plant is being prepared. Sections of the track to P5 has been covered with hardboard, presumably to protect it while the works are underway.

There is also another snag.  Some trains are obviously in the system to use Platform 5 - ie the 18:52 Reading to Ascot.  It appears on the main screens around the station as platform 5 but of course there is currently no departure screen for the closed platform 5 so it effectively disappears.  It is only when, just before the stock arrives to form the service, that you get "This is a Platform alteration...the 18:52 South West Trains service etc etc" and it is switched to platform 4.

Of little comfort to his family I know, but nice to read - if the article is accurate - that the company employs 69 year olds and doesn't send them packing at whatever age the retirement limit is this week.

There isn't one. Since October employers cannot terminate employment solely because of age (unless they are in one of a small group of occupations where safety is deemed a paramount consideration). 

Reading Cow Lane bridge opens to road traffic

A commuter route in Reading is due to reopen following the installation of a new 1,600-tonne bridge.

Cow Lane has been closed since early December for Network Rail to remove and replace one of two bridges and lay a new road under the structure.

The southern bridge was demolished on Christmas Day but work was held up because of water in the foundations.

Trains have already started using the bridge and Cow Lane is scheduled to reopen to traffic on Monday.

The concrete and steel structure was manoeuvred into place with a 66-axle vehicle on 27 December. Crowds of people turned out to watch the seven-hour operation.

The work has allowed for two lanes of traffic, a cycle lane and pavement under the new bridge and means double-decker buses can use the road.

Network Rail project director Bill Henry said the bridges were a "notorious bottleneck".

"We're very thankful to the patience of local residents and commuters who bore with us while we finished off this very important phase of our works," he said.

The work is part of the ^850m Reading Station redevelopment with work on the northern Cow Lane bridge due to finish in 2015.

There is always the Three Guineas - it has departure screens in there and a view of the platforms!

Yes 8F, I can see the XC Reading terminators (only every 2 hours now of course) must be a bit of a headache even if they are on time.  They arrive at xx07 and depart at xx41, so presumably block P9 or P10 for 34 minutes.  Else they're put across to P3 with all the extra conflicting moves, and squeezed in after the xx11 northbound XC departure and effectively blocking P3 for the xx46 southbound XC.  Unless they shunt them out of the station for the layover time?

I'll check the Reading departures this evening and see where the 1741 Newcastle goes from (although the inward wrorking is 22 late from Oxford so it will need less platform time at Reading than usual)

Yes 8F, I can see the XC Reading terminators (only every 2 hours now of course) must be a bit of a headache even if they are on time.  They arrive at xx07 and depart at xx41, so presumably block P9 or P10 for 34 minutes.  Else they're put across to P3...)

. as it is this evening.  Just looking at the Reading departures on the FGW website to see where the 1711 XC to Manchester is leaving from (in 1 minute's time!) but no platform is showing yet.  So presumably it doesn't normally goes off P3!  Just hope the punters at Reading can see a platform number!

So maybe they keep P3 for the XC Reading terminators, and use P7-P10 for XC's when P3 is so occupied.

1711 XC to Newcastle has now left Reading, platform not known.

Green light for next stage of Reading rail scheme

Town hall planners called on Network Rail to ensure it takes measures to prevent graffiti as they gave the go-ahead for the next stage of the multi-million Reading Station redevelopment.
 
Reading Borough Council^s planning committee has given approval to proposals for viaducts and box junctions which will create a raised railway along a stretch of the Great Western mainline.
 
The changes will allow mainline passenger services to travel over the top of the mainline to avoid freight trains up to a mile long coming up from the South and crossing over it, causing delays.
 
Overall, councillors were in favour of the proposal, but voiced concerns about graffiti while others suggested more could be done by Network Rail to let the public know about the scheme.
 
Councillor Richard Willis said: ^We have all seen the applying of graffiti around the network.
 
^We should get feedback from Network Rail that they consider that and something be done to minimise graffiti in advance.^
 
Cllr Chris Maskell added: ^I have no problem with the application and it just demonstrates how important Reading is to the nation^s rail network and, more than that, why we should become a city.
 
^The scale of the development taking place here is enormous, but I think Network Rail aren^t doing the best job they can in PR work in telling people what is going through.^
 
Cllr Tony Page earlier welcomed the latest development to the scheme at the meeting held at the council^s Civic Offices on Wednesday last week. He said: ^Clearly, this is a very important application in the staging of the Reading station area development.
 
^There is no getting away from the fact the viaducts will be seen and that is stated in the report but we cannot have the benefits accruing from this scheme without the construction of them and the supporting junction.^
 
The committee unanimously approved the application.
 
After the meeting, Bill Henry, director of Network Rail^s improvement scheme at Reading said in a statement: ^We^re delighted that Reading Borough Council has given the green light for the development of the viaduct.
 
^The council staff and members ^ especially Tony Page, lead councillor for planning and transport ^ have been hugely supportive.
 
^As passengers will be well aware, there is a problem with a bottleneck on the railway at Reading and the viaduct is the main part of the solution in fixing this.
 
^It will stop slow freight trains from delaying faster, mainline services which will use the viaduct, while the freight trains will pass underneath the structure.
 
^When the viaduct is finished in 2015 it will also allow Network Rail to replace Cow Lane bridge north, bringing another wider, safer bridge with two lanes of traffic, a footpath and cycle lane.
 
^We^ve already engaged with local residents and businesses about the viaduct but will be contacting them again before construction work begins in January 2013 so they know what to expect.^

  All factory made for accuracy, shouldn't take more than a day or two and they'll all be in position...

Paul 

The first signs of a building in the new maintenance depot has sprung up this week, in a location which matches where the train care shed will be built.  I'm hesitant to say it is the new train care shed in case it's a temporary structure, but if it is part of the new depot then it's great to see it taking shape.

I shall have a look this evening!

Had a quick look at Platform 5 now that the old deck has been removed. You can now see clearly that Platforms 5 and 6 are separate structures underneath the deck, as you explained before.

It should be easy to check anyway, if someone who regularly travels on the Southern route (BerkshireBugsy maybe?) looks out for the presence of subsidiary signals [1] when on the approach towards Reading

[1] Subsidiary or 'calling on' indications are the two small white lights at 45 degrees (normally not illuminated), usually mounted below the main aspects.

Sorry - missed this - if it hasn't been answered I will try and look on my way back this afternoon. Is this likely to be attached to the same signal which has the desitnation platform number on it (E.g., currently 4 or 6)?

Yes, that would be the normal position, as that would be the appropriate signal for a 2nd train to be brought to a halt at.  The setup is that once the train is stopped by the red signal, the signaller will then clear the subsidiary signal. The second train into a platform cannot run in at normal line speed that way.

Paul

New Network Rail Video of North entrance

http://www.networkrail.co.uk/aspx/6339.aspx (http://www.networkrail.co.uk/aspx/6339.aspx)

Or signalling?