What does "passing a platform for SDO" mean?

[whole diary]

[grahame]

I'm wondering if any of the railway staff we have around here can help me solve a misunderstanding ...

I was under the impressions that until last December, longer trains could only stop at shorter platforms where there was a history of them doing so - "Grandfather rights", but with the introduction of selective door opening, longer trains with operations could now stop at shorter platforms, thus removing the problem and allowing a 125 to call, as necessary, at any station it passes through. But I now have received an email that talks about "getting a platform passed for SDO^▸ (Selective Door Opening)".

If a platform is regularly served by units of class 143, 150/1, 150/2, 153 and 158, which when running in 4 car combinations already require only some doors to be opened as the platform I'm thinking about is quite short, what is the further passing issue involved?

[devon_metro]

Remember that HST^▸ (High Speed Train) doors are at the very end of the carriage - whereas 158s have an area to the right/left, likewise with 150s/153s/143s/142s which all have a cab. It is therefore needed for the platform to be inspected to see how much of an HST will safely fit in, give or take a short runover/underrun.

[12hoursunday]

I think it means that any new stations at which a HST^▸ (High Speed Train) say, has not called at before needs to have a risk assesment. How many carriages etc that are platformed needs to clarified beforhand.

[grahame]

I think it means that any new stations at which a HST^▸ (High Speed Train) say, has not called at before needs to have a risk assesment. How many carriages etc that are platformed needs to clarified beforhand.

Ah - that makes sense, thanks.  Doesn't sound like too big a job when you put it like that, and yet I'm still awaiting an answer from over a month ago on one particular station (you can guess which, I'm sure!).

Bradford-on-Avon is passed for HST, right?

[Jim]

I think it means that any new stations at which a HST^▸ (High Speed Train) say, has not called at before needs to have a risk assesment. How many carriages etc that are platformed needs to clarified beforhand.

Ah - that makes sense, thanks.  Doesn't sound like too big a job when you put it like that, and yet I'm still awaiting an answer from over a month ago on one particular station (you can guess which, I'm sure!).

Bradford-on-Avon is passed for HST, right?

Yes - hence one stopped there!

[Btline]

A possible solution for Melksham could be to run a London - <somewhere in Devon or Cornwall> via Transwilts service.

How long is Melksham's platform, and is there any scope for lengthening.

[devon_metro]

Devon and Cornwall folk don't want that already long journey running via some shack* in Wiltshire

*in comparison to passenger numbers from other stations on the journey...

[Jim]

A possible solution for Melksham could be to run a London - <somewhere in Devon or Cornwall> via Transwilts service.

How long is Melksham's platform, and is there any scope for lengthening.

If it gives you some idea, a 143 has to be "Local door only"...................

And no, they can't extend it either way

[swlines]

That possible solution for Melksham is more unlikely than the sun imploding in the next 5 minutes.

I'll say once and I'll say again - the best way to provide a morning service would be to divert one of the 0630 or 0640 Bristol TM^‡(resolve) to London services to run from Castle Cary, Frome, Westbury, Trowbridge, Melksham, Chippenham, Swindon then London.

[Btline]

Devon and Cornwall folk don't want that already long journey running via some shack* in Wiltshire

*in comparison to passenger numbers from other stations on the journey...

Ok, just to Taunton. I'm not talking about re-routing the Cornish Riviera!

And does not one HST^▸ (High Speed Train) run London to Painton via Bristol?

That possible solution for Melksham is more unlikely than the sun imploding in the next 5 minutes.

I'll say once and I'll say again - the best way to provide a morning service would be to divert one of the 0630 or 0640 Bristol TM^‡(resolve) to London services to run from Castle Cary, Frome, Westbury, Trowbridge, Melksham, Chippenham, Swindon then London.

That's a good idea, although D/M argument may be applicable here!

[devon_metro]

Devon and Cornwall folk don't want that already long journey running via some shack* in Wiltshire

*in comparison to passenger numbers from other stations on the journey...

Ok, just to Taunton. I'm not talking about re-routing the Cornish Riviera!

And does not one HST^▸ (High Speed Train) run London to Painton via Bristol?

That possible solution for Melksham is more unlikely than the sun imploding in the next 5 minutes.

I'll say once and I'll say again - the best way to provide a morning service would be to divert one of the 0630 or 0640 Bristol TM^‡(resolve) to London services to run from Castle Cary, Frome, Westbury, Trowbridge, Melksham, Chippenham, Swindon then London.

That's a good idea, although D/M argument may be applicable here!

the 1000 PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains)-PGN does indeed run vis Bristol although allows people from Swindon, Bath and Bristol to enjoy the English Riviera, it also calls at Weston which will drop many bucket and spade brigade off!

[swlines]

The Taunton HST^▸ (High Speed Train) is a short extension of the London to Bedwyn shuttle required by the SLC2.

It cannot divert via Melksham as it services the Berks & Hants local stations.

[grahame]

Devon and Cornwall folk don't want that already long journey running via some shack* in Wiltshire

*in comparison to passenger numbers from other stations on the journey...

In the May to September timetable, the Devon and Cornwall Sunday trains are already scheduled to run via the TransWilts and indeed are shown in the TransWilts timetable.   The question was asked about stopping a single service each way on one or two Sundays to provide a "day out in London" to help us promote the line. No suggestions have been made (to my knowledge) concerning any addition rerouting of service scheduled to run from London  via Bristol, or via Salisbury, or via Newbury to Devon and Cornwall

[swlines]

Graham, bear in mind that these trains are only running via Melksham due an engineering blockade on the Berks & Hants route. Inserting stops into high speed services running via the Melksham route could potentially set a precedent for more calls at Melksham at the weekends using HST^▸ (High Speed Train) stock which of course is pretty much impossible due to the high amount of paths used on Sundays to allow for TTR in the London area, and of course HST availability being diagrammed for maintenance on a lot of sets on Sundays.

The chances of a stop being inserted on any is highly unlikely - and is going to stay that way in the forseeable future in any timetable.

[Jim]

Because there is SDO^▸ (Selective Door Opening) with 3 or 4 coaches on the platform, then there is local door only!


Face it, it doesn't really need a HST^▸ (High Speed Train) service to London........How about Avoncliff.........