Go-Op Cooperative - proposals for additional rail services

[whole diary]

[IndustryInsider]

Do not presume - there may be a "Plan B" - or perhaps a "Plan [later letter]" now as there have been a number of plan updates along the way, and I would not bet on this news being terminal when bad news has not been terminal for them in the past.

Other options being considered:

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/go-op-som-wilts-rail/updates/217508#start

Depends on how much you want to flog a dead horse I suppose.

[Marlburian]

There's an article in today's Sunday Times "Home" supplement, "Just the ticket or a curse for locals", quoting the promoter as saying they're now targeting high-net-worth individuals and rail industry bodies, promising high returns and economic prosperity". The reporter observes that "the line between Frome, Bruton and Castle Cary could become one of the poshest commuter routes in England". The plan is to buy 50-year-old rolling stock.

I incline towards pessimism about the viability of the proposal. I'm reminded of the bid, what, 20 years ago, by an individual to run a couple of extra trains (using "old" carriages) a day from Pewsey into Paddington and a couple more on return journeys. One cynical observation was that during delays the existing operator might give route preferences to its own trains.

[grahame]

From Brian Mathew's Facebook feed ... icky connection today and I have lost the link ...

Edit - link should be https://www.facebook.com/BrianMathewMP/posts/pfbid04TXxn5pQXNCDEczt3dUwCNa2jjidhCLhMu27SxLY77NgUxprQYxyyhGVNH8HJQRhl

[matth1j]

I'm not up to speed on the details, but "...minor infrastructure upgrades..." - is that accurate?

[grahame]

I'm not up to speed on the details, but "...minor infrastructure upgrades..." - is that accurate?

There is concern at the safety at the level for crossings behind  Asda, behind Beanacre Church and the electric substation, and on the path from Shurnhold field to Beanacre.   With the extra trains running, and those level walkways classified as having significant pedestrian use, the ORR^» (Office of Rail and Road, formerly Office of Rail Regulation - about) has specified improvement works.   They may be minor in some ways, but those updgrades would cost rather more than my "pocket money".

The northerly and the southerly of those two crossings have already has significant extra barriers put in quite recently, and the fact that it's almost impossible to work out where the public path actually goes across the fields away from them gives lie to "significant pedestrian use". The middle of the three *is* used rather more and hasn't been upgraded - perhaps it does need some attention.  Caveat - I am not a safety expert.

[matth1j]

There is concern at the safety at the level for crossings behind  Asda ...

With Asda being our main shop I was surprised to learn that there was a crossing behind it. But having looked at Google satellite view I now know where that gravel path down the side of the car park goes
https://maps.app.goo.gl/TdaBdE7KTedn9QMN7

[IndustryInsider]

Red/Green crossing lights will need to be installed presumably?

[AMLAG]

Personally and I’m not alone, I can’t see why Go-Op or indeed any Train Operator should have
to be saddled with the cost of upgrading these footpath level crossings.
The route from Thingley Jn to Bradford Jn is routinely used intensively for planned and emergency diversion of a wide variety of trains and identified safety concerns requiring upgrades and  installation of Red/Green lights to inform users should be installed at the Infrastructure owner’s (currently Network Rail) expense with possible financial assistance from
outside bodies such as County Councils.

[TonyK]

There's an article in today's Sunday Times "Home" supplement, "Just the ticket or a curse for locals", quoting the promoter as saying they're now targeting high-net-worth individuals and rail industry bodies, promising high returns and economic prosperity". The reporter observes that "the line between Frome, Bruton and Castle Cary could become one of the poshest commuter routes in England". The plan is to buy 50-year-old rolling stock.

I incline towards pessimism about the viability of the proposal. I'm reminded of the bid, what, 20 years ago, by an individual to run a couple of extra trains (using "old" carriages) a day from Pewsey into Paddington and a couple more on return journeys. One cynical observation was that during delays the existing operator might give route preferences to its own trains.

I read the article with keen interest until I got where it first mentioned Go-op. Then I gave up.

[grahame]

From Rail News

A new type of open access operator has signed a Track Access Contract with Network Rail.

Go-op is a co-operative venture which is planning to run services through Somerset and Wiltshire between Taunton and Swindon, serving towns like Frome and Melksham en route.

All previous open access operators have been for-profit, but Go-op is owned by its members. It is now seeking investment partners who will provide the rest of the £2.5 million needed to launch the service.

It now has an opportunity of using tri-mode Class 769 units rather than Class 150s. The 769s are conversions of dual-voltage Class 319 units built for Thameslink in the late 1980s, which now have diesel engines as well to generate traction power.

Go-op is also campaigning for some stations in its area to be reopened. These include Wellington and Somerton – towns which have grown considerably over the past 60 years

[eightonedee]

Hmmm...

The link to their website is broken, and it's now shown on Crowdfunder's website as no longer active with the message -"Unfortunately this project was not successful".

[stuving]

From Rail News

A new type of open access operator has signed a Track Access Contract with Network Rail.

Go-op is a co-operative venture which is planning to run services through Somerset and Wiltshire between Taunton and Swindon, serving towns like Frome and Melksham en route.

All previous open access operators have been for-profit, but Go-op is owned by its members. It is now seeking investment partners who will provide the rest of the £2.5 million needed to launch the service.

It now has an opportunity of using tri-mode Class 769 units rather than Class 150s. The 769s are conversions of dual-voltage Class 319 units built for Thameslink in the late 1980s, which now have diesel engines as well to generate traction power.

Go-op is also campaigning for some stations in its area to be reopened. These include Wellington and Somerton – towns which have grown considerably over the past 60 years

As noted here, the contract with NR^» (Network Rail - home page) approved by the ORR^» (Office of Rail and Road, formerly Office of Rail Regulation - about) was to be conditional on adequate funding - and it appears that that condition has already proved to be unmeetable.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Depends on how much you want to flog a dead horse I suppose.

While I have previously held back from posting here, on the forum in public, I now rather have to say that I agree with that assessment.

I continue to commend the Go-op intention, but it just isn't financially viable.

CfN.