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Sideshoots - associated subjects / Campaigns for new and improved services / Re: Somerset Summary - rebuilding for the future
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on: December 30, 2023, 20:21:27
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If the Devon Metro was to terminate at and start from Axminster, there might well be a need for the bay platform to be re-instated to provide an interchange with the Waterloo-Exeter trains which pass there already. The smaller stations between Honiton & Pinhoe might be served only by Devon Metro trains, enabling the Waterloo to Exeter service to be speeded up and the crossing allowance at Pinhoe to be expanded. The main service might still call at Cranbrook but not Whimple or Feniton.
There may well be other options to avoid spending more capital money though! Such as extending Devon Metro onto Chard Junction (using existing loop) or further.
Too many trains and minimum infrastructure = delays and cancellations.
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Sideshoots - associated subjects / Campaigns for new and improved services / Re: Somerset Summary - rebuilding for the future
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on: December 29, 2023, 11:24:45
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At present, the main Waterloo-Exeter services cross at Tisbury loop and Axminster and Pinhoe with only a few minutes allowed at each location.
To create stops at Chard Junction would incur 3 or 4 minutes delay to each train making the above passing places impossible as timings are already (too) tight. I would also need to understand where the passenger demand comes from. Certainly people from Chard can easily drive to Axminster or Crewkerne - little difference to Chard Junction. The impact on other passengers through extended journey times needs to be considered.
I could see an argument for Devon Metro trains to be extended to Yeovil Junction/Pen Mill and that a reopened Chard Junction might be part of that. However the substantial costs remain and need to be justified.
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4
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Journey by Journey / South Western services / Re: South Western Railways - reductions west of Salisbury
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on: January 29, 2022, 00:13:08
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Graham said:-I am not, I hope, a total profit of doom. There are modernisation options that are "left field" and could be operated - a 30 minute local service Exeter to Yeovil Pen Mill by GWR▸ for example, with onward (London) service from Yeovil Junction with SWR» ? No-one mentioned this so far? I wonder if there are crayonistas in the DfT» just as there are here (heck, I'm one today!) only they owe their income to their crayoning to the satisfaction of their bosses upstairs and at the treasury. There is a similar rumour locally, but that GWR service runs from Exeter to Reading via Yeovil Junction & Pen Mill. SWR start/terminate at Yeovil Junction.
Also hear that from May, Salisbury to Waterloo services will divert after Basingstoke to terminate at Reading with only core Exeter trains running to Waterloo. Whether this applies to the services starting at Yeovil I do not know.
Not sure which, but one of the new GWR Exeter to Axminster trains runs on as a route learner to the Yeovils and Castle Cary.
I do wonder if the eventual intention is for Paddington to become the sole station for the West Country?
I agree with Graham that questions should be asked now, rather than in a couple of years time!
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8
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Journey by Journey / London to Swindon and Bristol / Re: Why was Swindon's original Platform 4 demolished?
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on: July 30, 2021, 23:32:11
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Doing nothing is not an option! Most of us have sat in a polluting queue for an hour or so on so many occasions. How inefficient, frustrating and environmentally damaging.
What are the alternatives? Even electric cars will run out of power and their drivers will continue to blow their tops if the situation continues.
Lovely to think that public transport will sort the issues but unlikely in my lifetime!
Another British example of inquiries, planning and considering followed by more inquiries and now....
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Journey by Journey / Shorter journeys in Devon / Re: Okehampton
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on: March 24, 2021, 15:12:57
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As one of my colleagues commented, its interesting (and great) that concrete sleepers are being used and not steel. Perhaps shows that the possibility of extending to Meldon (for the quarry) or Tavistock (and Plymouth) are being considered. I understand steel is used where traffic is less heavy and slower. Good to see the relaying is being done to a high standard.
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Journey by Journey / Heart of Wessex / Re: Should Heart of Wessex step up to hourly, clock face? How can it?
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on: February 02, 2021, 16:13:43
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The idea of using the formation of the never constructed South Chord has been around for as long as I can remember. Railtrack even got as far as getting an Act of Parliament to enable its construction before abandoning the plans due to viability concerns.Therefore since 1864 to the current day, no one has yet found the case to undertake the work.
The costs of infrastructure alterations can be enormous (signalling, new track, new bridge to start with). Will be millions and then you must ask where the numbers of interchanges going to come from? How many passengers (apart from summer weekends and holidays) will wish to take the train to/from Weymouth/Dorchester towards Exeter. Majority of the year will be very few I suspect. I should also declare an interest as Chairman at Yeovil Railway Centre.
Also, don't forget the extra time involved for the other passengers and staff to run up to the Junction, reverse ends and then down to Pen Mill. At a rough estimate 8 minutes a trip.
It is apparent that the extension of some services formerly terminating at Yeovil Junction (from Waterloo/Salisbury) and now going onto Yeovil Pen Mill usually contain 0 -5 passengers, even before Covid-19 struck.
There are other options to consider:-
a) a mention above of a new two level station located where the two lines cross. A possibility, but difficult in reality. The current Yeovil Junction station can also serve the diversions (both SWR» & GWR▸ ) going down to Pen Mill. To reach a 'joint station', vehicles and pedestrians would entail crossing that spur, either by a level crossing (not in favour with HMRI▸ ) or via a bridge (more capital expenditure on top of the new station and possibly signalling changes. A separate platform on the spur would also be required.
b) a platform on the Heart of Wessex line with a footpath to the Junction - again a possibility but getting on for 1/2 mile walk (in the dark and rain/ice?).
c) Should the new proposed stations at Langport/ Somerton and Wellington be built, consider a round service from Exeter up to the Yeovil stations, reverse at Castle Cary and run back to Exeter via Taunton (and vice versa). Two units and staff required for a basic service (add on to the Exeter metro?). Connecting the two largest towns in Somerset and also timed correctly forming an interchange with the Weymouth train at Pen Mill.
d) Run an Exeter service up to Yeovil, Westbury then onto Swindon/Reading? (calling at Melksham of course!). Timed correctly this would enable passengers to interchange at Yeovil Pen Mill onto a Weymouth service.
e) Run two units from Weymouth to Yeovil Pen Mill and then split - one to Westbury (and beyond) and the second to Exeter (and vice versa). Some signalling alterations may be needed at Pen Mill to enable two trains to join.
I am sure there are other ideas!
There will be a Dorset Connectivity Strategic Study issued by Network Rail in due course (as part of a series of Studies - one of which already issued was the West of England line).
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Journey by Journey / London to the West / Re: flooding Tiverton to Exeter
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on: December 29, 2020, 23:27:05
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What is interesting, is that services to Barnstaple resumed after a few hours, whereas in previous flooding events, this line has been closed for as long, if not longer that the Western main line.
Possibly the water has been diverted away to good effect. No ballast to replace this time?
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Journey by Journey / South Western services / Expansion of SWR services to Swindon and Okehampton?
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on: November 22, 2020, 21:35:14
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This image is from another forum - I have no idea if its genuine but if so, might explain opening of Yeovil depot to provide space at Salisbury?
Certainly Okehampton line is now receiving replacement rails (Class 70 and Class 66 top and tail engineering train on the branch in the last few days) and sleepers and inspection of structures. I read that a regular service is due to start within a year.
There are also rumour regarding use of Meldon stone on HS2▸ but not so sure about that!
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Journey by Journey / Wales local journeys / Re: Train fire near Llanelli - late on 26th August 2020
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on: August 31, 2020, 18:44:15
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As 66 004 in the photo seems to be on the wrong end of the train or on the wrong line, I presume it was sent up after the incident to rescue the undamaged wagons at the rear of the train.
The Class 66 was used to move the undamaged wagons from the rear of the train (as you suggest). The train engine was a Class 60 which I believe was used to move the few undamaged wagons from the front. Brave driver to uncouple as well as carry out all the protection duties required.
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