East - West Rail update (Oxford to Bedford) - ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[Mark A]

**Various snips**
GWML^▸ (Great Western Main Line) diversion using that route whilst it would work I guess will not happen while the Ealing Broadway / Popular / NLL^▸ (North London line) route is feasible, however Cotswolds services maybe.

<placard>Yarnton chord now!</placard>

<fx: ploughs across a couple of major roads.>
:-)

Mark

[ChrisB]

Here's Network Rail's take on today's events, together with a cab's eye view of some of the route.

https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/first-train-completes-test-run-between-oxford-and-milton-keynes-for-east-west-rail

I wonder how the drivers & trainers are trained on anew route that no one's worked?

[grahame]

I wonder how the drivers & trainers are trained on anew route that no one's worked?

I wondered too ...

[IndustryInsider]

I wonder how the drivers & trainers are trained on anew route that no one's worked?

I wondered too ...

Computer simulation these days.  And taking it slow!

[Electric train]

I wonder how the drivers & trainers are trained on anew route that no one's worked?

I wondered too ...

Computer simulation these days.  And taking it slow!

When I was involved in the Thameslink Canal Tunnels 10 years computer simulation was used then aided by still photos of key items also we had a "drivers eye view" video taken by an RRV^▸ (Road Rail Vehicle (for example, JCB-type diggers adapted for use also on rails)) run; we also took the driver trainers on a walk through

[TonyK]

Here's an unusual sight - an IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train - replacement for HSTs (manufactured by Hitachi in Kobe, Japan)) at Milton Keynes Central yesterday, by kind permission of a fellow Dull Man, James Harman.

[Electric train]

Here's an unusual sight - an IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train - replacement for HSTs (manufactured by Hitachi in Kobe, Japan)) at Milton Keynes Central yesterday, by kind permission of a fellow Dull Man, James Harman.

Avanti Westcoast do operate Class 800's just not green coloured ones 

[JayMac]

More accurately, Class 805 Evero.

[Surrey 455]

Here's Network Rail's take on today's events, together with a cab's eye view of some of the route.

https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/first-train-completes-test-run-between-oxford-and-milton-keynes-for-east-west-rail

I wonder how the drivers & trainers are trained on anew route that no one's worked?

The destination of that Chiltern train is "Merry Christmas" 

[IndustryInsider]

East West Rail announced a stragegy and consultation for 'discontinuous electrification' yesterday:

https://eastwestrail.co.uk/plans-for-powering-trains-and-details-of-our-upcoming-consultation

Class 196s initially operating the route, could well be replaced by hybrid battery-electric trains - Stadler FLIRT's perhaps?

[grahame]

https://hellorayo.co.uk/greatest-hits/oxfordshire/news/east-west-rail-universal-theme-park/

Have we (recently) noted traffic to and from a proposed theme park near Bedford?

East West Rail to work hand-in-hand with Universal theme park, should plans go ahead

The rail company is prepared to amend routes to deliver for an expected growth in demand if the theme park planning application goes through

[Chris from Nailsea]

I don't think we've had any recent or detailed discussion on the Coffee Shop forum, but from the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

What do we know about Universal Studios' Bedfordshire plans?



Universal Destinations and Experiences has movie-related resorts in places like Hollywood in the United States, Osaka in Japan and Beijing in China. It currently has its sights on a new theme park in Bedfordshire. What do we know so far?

Late last year it emerged Universal Destinations and Experiences, external had bought a 480-acre (194ha) parcel of land south of Bedford with a view to building a new theme park and resort experience there.

The firm is now carrying out four weeks of public meetings before deciding whether or not to go ahead with it.

The plot includes the former Kempston Hardwick brickworks and sits near the A6 and the A421 between Stewartby to the south, Wootton to the west and Kempston to the north.

It is a tract of land that Bedford Borough Council, external has identified for development and Universal says it is flat enough and large enough to build a "large-scale theme park resort" on.

Stewartby is 60 miles (100km) north of London, with its own railway station and close to the M1 and Luton Airport. Universal says the plot is "well connected for travel from all parts of the UK^▸ (United Kingdom)".

If built, it would become Universal's sixth resort and its only one in Europe.

Universal says it has also acquired the option to buy another parcel of land to the south west of the main plot which, if the project moves forward, would "allow a direct link" with the A421.

(article continues)