Swindon to Kemble re-doubling - ongoing discussion and updates

[whole diary]

[bobm]

While rolling stock is without doubt an issue, I think there is also the fact that the line will be intensively used by diverted South Wales services during the electrification of the Severn Tunnel and possibly by some trains while work continues on the line via Box.

The improved TransWilts service was launched with a clear warning that it would be disrupted during the electrification works.

An improved service could be launched on the Kemble line but given the forthcoming disruption and the lack of additional rolling stock it probably ended up in the "too difficult" pile.

[TonyK]

It is happening quite often.  Infrastructure nearing completion on Cardiff Valleys but no trains to operate the increased services yet and also the Todmorden Curve reopening but no trains to operate a service.    They always say - "we are awaiting the cascade following electrification".

Which I am sure is largely the case. It seems a better problem to have than a siding full of cascaded trains with no capacity to run them.

[grahame]

http://www.gloucestershireecho.co.uk/Editor-s-comment-Great-Western-s-attitude-new/story-23256783-detail/story.html?

Editor's comment: First Great Western's attitude to the new Kemble to Swindon train line stinks

First Great Western^s attitude to the opportunity the new Kemble to Swindon railway line has created is little short of a disgrace.

And someone senior in the Government needs to get them back on track.

As the newly-doubled line was officially opened by the Princes Royal yesterday, it emerged that FGW^▸ (First Great Western) has no intention of allowing travellers to benefit from more frequent services and faster trains.

It has said that it won^t be able to do anything until the new franchise is awarded in 2017.

It calls into question the whole way the franchises are allowed to operate. An operator should not be able to just ignore the wishes of MPs^▸ (Member of Parliament) and rail users for three years because it suits them.

"And someone senior in the Government needs to get them back on track." ... I would suspect that if someone senior in government provided the extra trains needed to run extra services, and a financial / contractual environment in which it was sensible to do so, then those trains would be running.   

We were commenting at our TransWilts Link meeting yesterday that the coalition MPs for the area are in a difficult position on this one, as the improved line is there and open and with more capacity - should they be seen out there with the campaigners saying "we demand more trains" when there are no more trains for their government to allocate, or should they risk a vote-loosing unpopularity by saying "give it until 2017"?  Perhaps their easiest route is the middle ground, where they're not taking up photo and other publicity opportunities, neither are they sticking their necks out to back up the "sorry you'll have to wait" line from the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) / Government.  This improvement is one that many parties would prefer to have opened quietly, perhaps without even a royal ceremony.

[Rhydgaled]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):
James Davis, from First Great Western, said: "The improvement in service can only be delivered where we have a rolling stock to be able do that. That's coming through the Government's investment in the Intercity Express Programme, with those additional trains coming into service from 2017 onwards. There are huge demands on our rolling stock across the network. We run over 1,500 services a day, so to be able to put on additional services straight away on this line is just not a feasible option."

Mr Clifton-Brown said he was also concerned there could be extra delays on the route now the re-doubling was complete. "First Great Western have told me they are going to be using this line for diversionary services when they do rail improvements into Wales. I think we want to be really sure that we're... not going to have delays on the existing services."

Unlike Todmorden etc. I don't think it there ever has been firm plans to put on any additional services over the redoubled Swindon-Kemble line. IEP^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project.) just extends the local Cheltenham-Swindon DMU^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit) service to London. The main reason for the redoubling, I thought, was "to be really sure that we're not going to have delays on the existing services" during the increased diversion of south-Wales services while electrification work is going on. And, of course, improved reliability in general of the existing service through not having a single-track bottleneck which risks amplifying delays.

[paul7575]

...The main reason for the redoubling, I thought, was "to be really sure that we're not going to have delays on the existing services" during the increased diversion of south-Wales services while electrification work is going on.

No, there's a definite increased capacity provided by the redoubling project, (as explained in the CP4^▸ (Control Period 4 - the five year period between 2009 and 2014) enhancement plans), indeed that was the only output:

Output
This enhancement will provide capacity for 4 train paths an hour (in each direction) between Cheltenham
Spa and Swindon. The linespeed remains unchanged.

Significant interfaces
 Swindon A resignalling and re-control to Thames Valley Signalling Centre. The commissioning of
this project has to coincide with this renewal as the Swindon to Kemble line will be controlled from
the new location. Coinciding of the commissioning works is essential and a strategy to achieve
this has been agreed ^ albeit with the detail being finalised.
 GWML^▸ (Great Western Main Line) electrification (this line of route will not be part of the electrified route, however it will be a
diversion route when core works are undertaken in the Bristol area). The programme is to
complete this project in advance of the core works in the Bristol area so the benefits of the
diversionary route can be realised; and
 this capacity is being delivered in support of the IEP^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project.) proposed timetable. This timetable has been
developed on the premise that the infrastructure delivered by the project has been commissioned
in advance of the new timetable.

Use as a diversionary route affected the timing of the project, but it is definitely an IEP capacity scheme, not primarily a diversion.  AIUI^▸ (as I understand it), projects whose only real output is diversionary capacity stand very little chance of approval.   A good example being the much debated Arundel 'north to east' chord.

Paul

[John R]

Use as a diversionary route affected the timing of the project, but it is definitely an IEP^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project.) capacity scheme, not primarily a diversion.  AIUI^▸ (as I understand it), projects whose only real output is diversionary capacity stand very little chance of approval.   A good example being the much debated Arundel 'north to east' chord.

Paul

Usually true, but maybe not in this case. It's worth noting that south wales councils were strong advocates of the scheme, to enable more reliable, frequent and faster services to run when the Severn Tunnel is closed.  The fact that the tunnel is going to be closed for a considerable time at some point in the next three years was key to the decision.  The secondary effect is to improve reliability on the line under normal operation, and the tertiary benefit is the ability to provide additional services once rolling stock becomes available.

As an aside, if Box is going to be closed for 6 weeks for electrification, does anyone know yet how long a closure we are looking at for the Severn tunnel?

[grahame]

My understanding is that the redoubling from Kemble to Swindon will allow IEP^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project.) trains to Cheltenham Spa to have a "sensible" turn around there rather than a long layover, with the train from London and Swindon passing one coming the other way around Minety ... and that's likely to save one (rather expensive ?) train diagram.

The diagram limitations removed by the redoubling could even in the short term have the HST^▸ (High Speed Train) with the HST 2 hours later passing at Minety, and the 15x with the 15x 2 hours later also passing there. That would then mean that the unit that spends 74 minutes of every 120 in the bay at Swindon could spend up to 100 minutes in every 120 there .. a bit of a pointless change at the moment, and an un-welcome and unwanted recast of the Stroud Valley timetable for a couple of years - unless you were to use that 100 minutes to provide a Swindon to else service.  I can think of two candidate destinations.

P.S. I'm forever being asked about trains from our town to places like Kemble and Cheltenham, and how to get to Oxford without having to make multiple changes.

[grahame]

 We were commenting at our TransWilts Link meeting yesterday that the coalition MPs^▸ (Member of Parliament) for the area are in a difficult position on this one, as the improved line is there and open and with more capacity - should they be seen out there with the campaigners saying "we demand more trains" when there are no more trains for their government to allocate, or should they risk a vote-loosing unpopularity by saying "give it until 2017"?  Perhaps their easiest route is the middle ground ...

Which looks like it's happening ... from the Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard

http://www.wiltsglosstandard.co.uk/news/11556381._/?

He said it would be an intolerable situation if these diversions meant passengers experienced delays similar to those when the redoubling work was being carried out.

Mr Clifton-Brown said he was also unhappy at the lack of car parking spaces at the station and he has raised the issue to First Great Western and Network Rail who says seem to have been transferring responsibility from one to the other for at least two years.

I note no comment or complaint at the lack of extra trains, so it's rather curious to read on

But James Davis, a spokesman for First Great Western, hit back at the criticisms and said that the reason that services on the line are not being improved is because the government is currently unable to provide more trains.

^We have a limited number of trains and rail stock and there is not an option to run more services.^

He said there would be no delays when the route is used to accommodate diversionary traffic.

And he added that First Great Western is looking into providing more car parking at the station and would be making an announcement about this soon.

Almost like answering a criticism assuming it's been made when it hasn't!  Odd article!

[bobm]

It is indeed a strange article as it doesn't say who Mr Clifton-Brown is nor afford him a first name.

To assist the newspaper I can tell them his name is Geoffrey and he is the MP^▸ (Member of Parliament) for the Cotswolds 

[grahame]

A further editorial comment - this time in the Stroud News and Journal

http://www.stroudnewsandjournal.co.uk/news/11576576._/?

Despite a ^45 million government investment, and despite the fact the infrastructure is now in place, there is not a jot of benefit for commuters from that station or from Stroud to be had.

and

Why do we have to wait until 2017 for the service to improve? This was sold to us as opening up opportunities and encouraging investment from businesses based in London who would bring money into the county.

At the moment, and for the foreseeable future, everything stops and starts at Swindon.

I can understand the frustration at having all this spend and infrastructure come through, with very little initial local benefit, but I can't help wondering if the author of this piece has checked his facts

* There has been - on at least one occasion - trains passing each other on the section that used to be single track; for sure, not extra trains for Stroud commuters, but certainly a reduction in potential disruption when trains aren't running to time

* Everything briefly pauses at Swindon, but the implication of a change of trains there is wrong; half the trains from Stroud to Swindon go on to London.

If you want to find out who's really disconnected from the new works, and hasn't seen a jot of public transport benefit, take a look at the unitary authority of Wiltshire, through who's dominion the trains run without stopping.   And if you want to take a look at which line always stops at Swindon, take a look at the TransWilts.   Singled at the same time as the Kemble section and not yet redoubled.   But then, it only serves the largest three towns in Wiltshire, including the county town.

[TonyK]

If you want to find out who's really disconnected from the new works, and hasn't seen a jot of public transport benefit, take a look at the unitary authority of Wiltshire, through who's dominion the trains run without stopping.   And if you want to take a look at which line always stops at Swindon, take a look at the TransWilts.   Singled at the same time as the Kemble section and not yet redoubled.   But then, it only serves the largest three towns in Wiltshire, including the county town.

grahame! Control your emotions!

But seriously. Dr Beecham recommended closure of a lot of railway because a lot of rolling stock would otherwise have needed replacement, and there weren't so many passengers wanting to use the routes in those days. Things are different today, to quote Sir Mick Jagger, but we have to choose the paths to reopen. Hopefully, you will be able to put the business case for redoubling TransWilts soon enough.

The glacial pace of change on railways is complained about hugely. The complaining is mainly done by people who don't realise that there are no spare trains, and even if there were, it is a massive job to fit even a single branch service into a complicated timetable. The Kemble re-dub is a fantastic piece of work to add capacity that will be available for so long as trains run from London to Gloucestershire, but it will not be fully realised until Crossrail has been finished and the whole timetable re-jigged. A couple of years' wait for some actual trains (and let us not forget signalling) is what the French call "un clin d'oeill" - the blink of an eye. Complaints will cease when two trains depart Kemble simultaneously.

[ellendune]

But seriously. Dr Beecham recommended closure of a lot of railway

Him as well - thought he just made medicinal powders! 

[Railfriend]

'Four Track, Now', ellendune, others:  Do you know of any timetable for doubling Didcot-to-Swindon to four tracks now that Swindon-to-Kemble is open, or at least adding a third track?  Surely Didcot-to-Swindon is the next bottleneck.  Maybe an extra track or pair of tracks should be added from Didcot all the way to Wootten Bassett, given the heavy traffic to Bristol and S Wales.
 

[grahame]

04:50 Hereford to London Paddington due 07:59
This train has been delayed from Hereford by 38 minutes, will be further delayed between Worcester Shrub Hill and Reading and is expected to be 63 minutes late.
This train will be diverted between Worcester Shrub Hill and Reading.
This train will no longer call at Pershore, Evesham, Moreton-in-Marsh, Kingham, Charlbury, Hanborough and Oxford.
This is due to train crew having been unavailable earlier.

Another benefit  of the redoubling with only (?) two or three limited junction sections of single track now in the alternative south Cotswold routing.

[stuving]

'Four Track, Now', ellendune, others:  Do you know of any timetable for doubling Didcot-to-Swindon to four tracks now that Swindon-to-Kemble is open, or at least adding a third track?  Surely Didcot-to-Swindon is the next bottleneck.  Maybe an extra track or pair of tracks should be added from Didcot all the way to Wootten Bassett, given the heavy traffic to Bristol and S Wales.
 

The Western Route Study doesn't even mention it as a possibility. The capacity of that line, combined with the mix of traffic, is identified as a constraint. However, the only intervention proposed (I4) is the provision (by extension) of two dynamic loops so that more freight (in the same number of paths) is handled without slowing the passenger trains. Of course there are no stopping trains - presumably the speed mix between SET^▸ (Super Express Train (now IET)) and whatever is slowest is manageable over about 24 miles. They even include grade separation at Wootton Basset Junction as a higher priority...

The text refers to services on East-West Rail being extended to Reading (or London!) or to Bristol, and includes these in the extra services over this line. However, they are not in the "tph" diagrams. So arguably they have not been fully considered - that might justify a consultation response.