Go-Op Cooperative - proposals for additional rail services

[whole diary]

[grahame]

An update on Facebook (here)

Co-incidentally, I wrote about the need for additional service between Westbury and Swindon just this weekend , and provided they were reliable and ticketing was such that people could use the next service no matter who was operating it, it'll be fine by the local community.   See http://www.passenger.chat/28245 - and should the northbound service carry on to Oxford, crossing an incoming southbound in the shown paths - why not.

[IndustryInsider]

Just around the corner then. 

[broadgage]

It all sounds splendid, but so did all the previous plans.
Perhaps it will actually happen this time ?

[rogerpatenall]

A gentle corner - more a bend, like a coiled spring.

[TonyK]

Are tickets on sale yet?

[bradshaw]

Update on Go Op at Somerton
https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/somerset-news/somerton-station-uks-first-battery-8979178.amp

[RichardB]

Up to date list of Go-op's Directors   https://go-op.coop/go-ops-directors/

[anthony215]

Probably 350/2's then I suspect as porternrook trying to get some fitted with batteries

[ReWind]

Some positive news for the Wiltshire & Somerset constituents amongst us.  The ORR^» (Office of Rail and Road, formerly Office of Rail Regulation - about) have approved new train services between Swindon - Taunton & Weston Super Mare.  Initially I assumed these would be via Bristol but reading the press release suggest these may run via Melksham & Westbury instead;

https://www.orr.gov.uk/search-news/regulator-approves-new-go-op-train-service-between-swindon-taunton-and-weston-super

Apologies if there were a more suitable sub thread to put this news in, instead.

Not sure what traction is lined up for this though.

[RichardB]

They now have ORR^» (Office of Rail and Road, formerly Office of Rail Regulation - about) approval

https://twitter.com/railandroad/status/1857427965417566461

More here https://www.orr.gov.uk/search-news/regulator-approves-new-go-op-train-service-between-swindon-taunton-and-weston-super

Rolling stock - Cl 153 (our old friends!)

[Chris from Nailsea]

Thanks for posting, within a couple of minutes of each other, ReWind and RichardB: I've just merged posts into this existing topic.

CfN. 

[bradshaw]

Note the rider ORR^» (Office of Rail and Road, formerly Office of Rail Regulation - about) have added

As part of ORR’s decision, Go-op must provide evidence to ORR of the necessary finance to start operations, fund level crossing enhancements, and that the necessary rolling stock has been secured. ORR’s decision requires Go-op to do this without delay, and no later than November 2025.

[grahame]

Personal post - I am noting the grant and thinking.

It will be a delight if the outcome is an appropriately enhanced train service linking Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury and Frome.  And the onward service to Taunton will be magic for people headed west as current connection from the TransWilts to there are "pants".

But ... I need to define "appropriately enhanced" and I can see various risks of it not reaching that definition.  I congratulate Alex Laurie on the approval and I will certainly be in touch to help make sure that all the parties involved work together so that it does come out appropriate.  He and his team have correctly identified, in my view, a market that the franchise / contract has failed to address and the abstraction data in the ORR^» (Office of Rail and Road, formerly Office of Rail Regulation - about) letter confirms that.    And people would be initially delighted with class 153 carriages.   Much more for me to follow up on to define those really wooly words "appropriately enhanced".

[anthony215]

Personal post - I am noting the grant and thinking.

It will be a delight if the outcome is an appropriately enhanced train service linking Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury and Frome.  And the onward service to Taunton will be magic for people headed west as current connection from the TransWilts to there are "pants".

But ... I need to define "appropriately enhanced" and I can see various risks of it not reaching that definition.  I congratulate Alex Laurie on the approval and I will certainly be in touch to help make sure that all the parties involved work together so that it does come out appropriate.  He and his team have correctly identified, in my view, a market that the franchise / contract has failed to address and the abstraction data in the ORR^» (Office of Rail and Road, formerly Office of Rail Regulation - about) letter confirms that.    And people would be initially delighted with class 153 carriages.   Much more for me to follow up on to define those really wooly words "appropriately enhanced".

Go-op will not have to do much to the 153s as tfw have done a great job refurbishing them

[ChrisB]

Do we know how many level crossings have work needed on them as required by ORR^» (Office of Rail and Road, formerly Office of Rail Regulation - about)