Didcot Grade Separation – A Crayonista’s Vision

[whole diary]

[eightf48544]

I can see that being able to run a down empty stone train from the Feeder lines  on the Up Westbury to beyond Southcote while running an up train from Basingstoke on the Down Westbury might be a useful parallel move. If it was timed right the Up Basingstoke could pass the down train between Southcote and Reading West and use Take the Feeder Lines or West Curve(0) at Oxford Road Junction without having to stop.

[Adelante_CCT]

Yes please, what's the link for the download?

I'll PM you

[stuving]

I can see that being able to run a down empty stone train from the Feeder lines  on the Up Westbury to beyond Southcote while running an up train from Basingstoke on the Down Westbury might be a useful parallel move. If it was timed right the Up Basingstoke could pass the down train between Southcote and Reading West and use Take the Feeder Lines or West Curve(0) at Oxford Road Junction without having to stop.

I'm not sure that gains any capacity, compared with retiming one train. And it wouldn't work for Basingstoke-Reading local train, which would go through Reading West on the wrong platform for its stop.

[Gordon the Blue Engine]

Not sure it would be the "wrong" platform, more like a "different" platform. Passengers at Reading West would need to get used to looking at the CIS^▸ (Customer Information System) for the correct platform for their train.  If the CIS said P1 and the train arrived on P2, then that would be the "wrong" platform. 

[Oxonhutch]

Southcote Junction grade separation would be good, but having spent quite a few hours on Albert Ball’s Reading signalling simulation I think a trailing crossover between the Down and Up Westburys just West of Southcote Junction and associated bi-directional signalling on the Up Westbury through Reading West would bring useful benefits at less cost.

[snip]

I’ve obviously got too much time on my hands…..

Me too. I got my crayons out and posted some thoughts.