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Author Topic: Windsor Branch line - services, rolling stock and signalling - ongoing discussion  (Read 55502 times)
eightf48544
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« Reply #30 on: April 10, 2015, 12:50:58 »

WRAtH (Western Rail Access to Heathrow)? Is that the Western link from LHR to the GWML (Great Western Main Line)

Re Thames bridge i presumme you mean the Brunel one but don't forget there's another on the the SW line and of a similar age.
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stuving
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« Reply #31 on: April 10, 2015, 18:25:56 »

WRAtH (Western Rail Access to Heathrow)? Is that the Western link from LHR to the GWML (Great Western Main Line)

Yes - I expected there to be a snappier name for it by now, but Network Rail have not shrunk it further than to western-heathrow-link or similar.
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bobm
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« Reply #32 on: April 12, 2015, 07:58:27 »

Just for the record here are the before and intermediate signalling arrangements at Slough

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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #33 on: April 12, 2015, 21:06:26 »

I simply love that modern technical approach - a few bin liners and some duck tape.  Roll Eyes Shocked Grin
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William Huskisson MP (Member of Parliament) was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830.  Many more have died in the same way since then.  Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.

"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner."  Discuss.
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« Reply #34 on: April 12, 2015, 21:45:50 »

I think they are purpose designed signal masks, much thicker than bin bag polythene.

Duck should have a capital D. Other brands of duct tape are available.  Tongue Wink Grin
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #35 on: April 12, 2015, 23:07:13 »

Yes, I know ... I was merely trying to be flippant.  Wink Cheesy Grin
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William Huskisson MP (Member of Parliament) was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830.  Many more have died in the same way since then.  Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.

"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner."  Discuss.
bobm
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« Reply #36 on: April 12, 2015, 23:11:05 »

I think they are purpose designed signal masks, much thicker than bin bag polythene.

Duck should have a capital D. Other brands of duct tape are available.  Tongue Wink Grin

Gaffer tape starts with a G.  Grin
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eightf48544
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« Reply #37 on: May 22, 2015, 18:04:03 »

Just picked this up from FGW (First Great Western) website:

"An update will follow within the next 1 hour.

    Cancellations to services between Slough and Windsor & Eton Central

Due to a train fault between Slough and Windsor & Eton Central the line is blocked.

Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled. Disruption is expected until 22:45 22/05.
Customer Advice:
First Bus routes 77, 191, 701, 702: Slough (Bus Station) - Windsor are conveying passengers via any reasonable route until further notice.



An update will follow within the next 2 hours. Local First Bus routes 77, 191, 701, 702: Slough (Bus Station) - Windsor are accepting FGW tickets.

Last updated 18:01

Tweet this alert
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autotank
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« Reply #38 on: March 14, 2016, 12:05:42 »

I^m working later shifts for a few weeks at the moment which is allowing me to commute using the excellent value 7 day Thames Rover (^53.40 with a railcard!). As a result I went on a trip to Windsor just for fun today as I hadn^t traveled the branch for a few years. A few things struck me:

1)   The removal of the loop just outside Slough, which is understandable as it never got used. I was perplexed to see it replaced with a 4 car turnback siding though. I can^t see a use for this and with electrification coming there (hopefully) won^t be many 4 car trains running, so it will become even more useless. Am I missing something obvious?

2)   The 20 minute frequency doesn^t fit in very well with the main line services. Is there scope for line speed increases once the line is electrified and a 15 minute service? It would be tight, but this morning we comfortably did a round trip from Slough in 14 minutes with a 4 minute turnaround at Windsor. The approach and departure from Slough seems very slow, which I hoped might have been improved with the recent track works.

3)   The early shutdown of service compared to other Thames Valley branches. The last down service is at 2320 Monday ^ Friday. Is there any reason a couple of extra shuttles can^t be run? The last down Marlow branch service leaves at 2351 and Henley at 0003.

(I have made a couple of these points before but they are still relevant!)
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Adelante_CCT
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« Reply #39 on: March 14, 2016, 12:57:05 »

Quote
The early shutdown of service compared to other Thames Valley branches. The last down service is at 2320 Monday ^ Friday. Is there any reason a couple of extra shuttles can^t be run? The last down Marlow branch service leaves at 2351 and Henley at 0003.

Don't see why not, the ECS (Empty Coaching Stock) movement back to RDG(resolve) doesn't leave until 35 minutes later, and another round trip connecting with 1D87 fast from Paddington and 2P95 stopper (both 23:41) could be useful for Windsor folk.
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rower40
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« Reply #40 on: March 14, 2016, 21:51:20 »


1)   The removal of the loop just outside Slough, which is understandable as it never got used. I was perplexed to see it replaced with a 4 car turnback siding though. I can^t see a use for this and with electrification coming there (hopefully) won^t be many 4 car trains running, so it will become even more useless. Am I missing something obvious?

If a set-swap is needed, and the branch unit has to come out of service, then the siding can be used to store the failed train, without blocking the Down Main.
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IndustryInsider
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« Reply #41 on: March 14, 2016, 22:05:51 »

1)   The removal of the loop just outside Slough, which is understandable as it never got used. I was perplexed to see it replaced with a 4 car turnback siding though. I can^t see a use for this and with electrification coming there (hopefully) won^t be many 4 car trains running, so it will become even more useless. Am I missing something obvious?
If a set-swap is needed, and the branch unit has to come out of service, then the siding can be used to store the failed train, without blocking the Down Main.

Yes, I should imagine that's the plan.  Before the loop was turned into a siding it was used twice a day to get the unit on and off the branch - the track layout prevented a straight shunt out of the bay platform, behind a signal and back into the down main platform.  That can now happen (behind T3538), but should a unit be in trouble then that turnback siding would be a useful place to park it out of the way.  Bit puzzled about the 4-car comment and electrification though, as that is what would be provided on the Windsor branch surely?

I certainly agree with the comment about there being a demand for later trains from Slough to Windsor.  A 23:50ish departure on weekdays, certainly Friday's at least, would be very welcome.
« Last Edit: March 15, 2016, 08:38:57 by IndustryInsider » Logged

To view my GWML (Great Western Main Line) Electrification cab video 'before and after' video comparison, as well as other videos of the new layout at Reading and 'before and after' comparisons of the Cotswold Line Redoubling scheme, see: http://www.dailymotion.com/user/IndustryInsider/
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« Reply #42 on: March 14, 2016, 22:23:56 »

The electrification of the Thames Valley Branches is parked for the moment, a victim of over zealous Political Parties committing money that we (tax payers) don't have, an over eager NR» (Network Rail - home page) to please the political masters say it can be don't ......... simples so 165's will be around for quite a while.

Oh and I believe there are a few technical issues around IEC 68150 protection and control system being installed as part of GWEP (Great Western Electrification Program) and teeing off branches ................ basically it was not considered in the outline design by the engineer because they were told by DfT» (Department for Transport - about) the branches would not be electrified and then the political mind changes  Roll Eyes  I am sure there is a solution but its not simple or cheap
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Starship just experienced what we call a rapid unscheduled disassembly, or a RUD, during ascent,”
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« Reply #43 on: March 14, 2016, 22:25:31 »

Yes, we're looking at latter CP6 (Control Period 6 - The five year period between 2019 and 2024) I'd have thought - not too long in the grand scheme of things though!
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« Reply #44 on: March 14, 2016, 22:25:56 »

I'm sure I remember reading (probably on this forum) that the Windsor branch doesn't run any later due to rowdy behaviour.
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