Chiltern Evergreen 3 project - ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[SandTEngineer]

If you look at the Speed Diagram in the top RH corner of the drawings that II linked to in post 441 of this topic you will see that the EWR lines will be 75mph and as the junction for Chiltern Railway services will in effect be a 'Single Lead' one it needs to be high speed for signalling headway purposes.

[eightf48544]

A modern electric unit could easily reach 70 by the junction.

After all the 309s used to get to 60 mph  in the length of the platform in their short 65+mph start  stop averages  between stations on the GE main line between Chelmsford and Colchester.

[IndustryInsider]

I should have said 75mph, not 70mph.

A modern electric unit could easily reach 70 by the junction.

Indeed, a Chiltern DMU^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit) which would initially operate over the crossovers wouldn't make it to that sort of speed, though may well be nudging 60mph by that point, but with an eye on the future a layout at Oxford station that permits full acceleration from the platforms at Oxford and a modern EMU^▸ (Electric Multiple Unit) and you'd be looking at 75mph by that point I would imagine.  Coming the other way into Oxford and trains currently on the Up Main can be doing 75mph at that point, decelerating for the station stop at Oxford - and that's with a 25mph approach into the platform.

Presumably, the remaining 25mph crossovers from Down Main to Up Main and Up Main to Up Relief (when routed to the Down Bletchley) will be similarly upgraded for when East-West Rail services commence, hopefully early next decade?

[Gordon the Blue Engine]

Yes, I can see it makes sense to future-proof these crossovers by installing them now as 70mph (ie on the diverging/joining route), even if the full benefit won't be realised until the Oxford remodelling and electrification north of Oxford is completed (we hope!) in a few years' time.

[rower40]

Also, for East-West rail through freight, a 70mph turnout allows it to clear the Oxford-Banbury line asap.
I assume the Relay Room in the foreground of II's last picture is not long for this world...
(unless someone finds newts or bats inside...)

[IndustryInsider]

The relay room being replaced by 4 equipment cabinets the other side of the junction, so it won't be around for long.

[ChrisB]

Chiltern have just announced a December 12th opening for their Oxford - Marylebone service.

I'm glad they're more confident of no more planning issues coming up than I am - the City Council only turned down plans for the new drivers accommodation last Thursday

[paul7575]

I'm glad they're more confident of no more planning issues coming up than I am - the City Council only turned down plans for the new drivers accommodation last Thursday

Couldn't find this on their planning search weekly list for last week, do you have any other details?

Paul

[stuving]

Couldn't find this on their weekly list for last week, do you have any other details?

It's on their site under press releases:

HOME > news > Chiltern Railways announces Oxford city centre to London Marylebone launch date
20 Jan 2016 13:04

Chiltern Railways has announced the first direct service between Oxford city centre and London Marylebone will start in December 2016.

The final phase of the pioneering rail project, being delivered in partnership with Network Rail, will see trains running from Oxford city centre to London Marylebone from Monday 12 December.  This launch will follow the completion of the final section of track between Oxford Parkway and Oxford station and means that the first new rail link between a major British city and London in over 100 years will be fully open.

The first official passenger trains are expected to depart from Oxford station on Monday 12th December 2016.

Trains currently run from Oxford Parkway which opened in October 2015 and was the first new station to open in Oxfordshire since 1944.  It is already hugely popular and is regarded as one of the best located stations in the county due to its positioning adjacent to Oxford Parkway^s Park and Ride just off the A34 and close to the A44.

The opening of the section of track between Oxford Parkway and Oxford city centre will see the return of direct trains between Bicester and the city with services departing from Bicester Village station.

Managing Director Dave Penney said: ^We^re now able to announce the opening date of the final part of the Chiltern Railways Oxford City Centre to London Marylebone rail link as 12th December.  The new line provides customers from Oxford city centre with more trains to London and provides a new route for the many business and leisure visitors to the city.  The launch is the completion of the first new rail link between a major British city and London in over 100 years and will bring significant economic benefit to the region.^

Martin Frobisher, Route Managing Director for Network Rail, said: ^This a significant next step in connecting Oxford with London Marylebone and follows the successful opening of the line from Oxford Parkway last year. The new line provides different options for passengers travelling to the capital from Oxford as well as linking with new towns and destinations on the route. We continue to work closely with Chiltern Railways and I look forward to this exciting new piece of railway fully opening later this year.^ 

[IndustryInsider]

Typical Chiltern.  Not even acknowledging that means a delay of over six months to the planned opening, yet alone apologising to those affected passengers.

Mind you, the delay certainly hasn't been caused by a lack of effort on their part!

[TonyK]

Mind you, the delay certainly hasn't been caused by a lack of effort on their part!

Is it their apology to make, then? Six months delay will be forgotten after the first week of service.

[paul7575]

Couldn't find this on their weekly list for last week, do you have any other details?

Chiltern press release snipped...

I've edited my post to clarify that I was asking about the Oxford City planning decision.

Paul

[IndustryInsider]

Is it their apology to make, then? Six months delay will be forgotten after the first week of service.

As it's their scheme and they announced the original opening date as Spring 2016 and have waited until late January to reveal what we'd all known for several months, then I would say that's a resounding 'yes'.  Or at least to acknowledge that it's later than originally planned in the press release, rather than totally ignore it to ensure the press release is 100% positive.  Some complain about GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) spin, but I would say Chiltern have even more form in this area!

[TonyK]

If I were in charge, I would take it on the chin like a real man, and blame someone else.

[Gordon the Blue Engine]

Page 105 of the Hendy Update Report (dated January 2016 of course) states that:

Phase 0: enables Chiltern Rail services to commence from London Marylebone to Oxford from September 2016 as part of the East West Rail project, through existing bay platform enhancement.

Perhaps Chiltern are just being prudent in announcing a start date of December 2016, which gives plenty of time for delays, driver training etc.  Maybe the turnround times at Oxford Parkway from May will allow at least some trains to run through to Oxford if the infrastructure is ready before the December timetable change.