Platform extensions at non Crossrail stations?

[whole diary]

[autotank]

Hello,

Just wondering of anyone knows if platforms will be extened between Reading and Oxford/Newbury in conjunction with the electrification works? Currently many of the stations can only just take 6 car trains - will they need to be lengthened to take longer electric trains? Also what will happen to Appleford and Culham which might struggle to even take 4 (assuming that is how long the EMUs^▸ (Electric Multiple Unit) will be?!).

Thanks - apologies if this is covered elsewhere

[stuving]

The answer is a definite maybe. There is a project in CP5^▸ (Control Period 5 - the five year period between 2014 and 2019) looking at it, which may result in platform extensions on a case by case basis:

Thames Valley Electric Multiple Unit Capability Works

Project reference code: W004
HLOS^▸ (High Level Output Specification - the DfT's High Level Output Specification, which has specified to Network Rail the outputs that need to be delivered within a Control Period (CP)) driver: Other electrification projects
Operating route: Western
Last updated: March 2014

CP5 output driver
To provide infrastructure capability enhancements to enable the operation of EMUs^▸ (Electric Multiple Unit) in the
Thames Valley area ^ Paddington to Newbury, Oxford and associated branch lines. This
will enable additional capacity and a cleaner environment. Capacity is as per Great Western
Main Line and Thames Valley branch electrification.

Scope of works
Network Rail believes that the constituent parts of these infrastructure capability works are
as follows:

• gauge clearance for the new or cascaded EMUs in the Thames Valley - it is expected that
  all gauging works will be covered under the IEP^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project. This will offer more capacity on routes, save money, give a consistent and safe service and meet customer requirements. Intended to replace HSTs.) capability workstream as the kinetic
  envelope for a Class 319 is inside the new Class 800 and Class 801 trains and the
  Class 16x that it replaces; and
• a review of station operations at all stations where EMU trains are due to stop; this may
  result in changes such as: platform extensions; selective door opening; revisions to
  permissive working for attaching, detaching; platform sharing arrangements and
  alterations to signal controls and signal locations to deal with changes to train operations
  and alterations to DOO^▸ (Driver-Only Operation (that is, trains which operate without carrying a guard)) equipment (CCTV^▸ (Closed Circuit Tele-Vision), lighting and mirrors).
  DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) have indicated that the initial EMU operations will utilise class 319 units operating up to
  12-car in length over the following core route sections:

Core routes

• Paddington to Oxford.
• Slough to Windsor and Eton Central.
• Maidenhead to Marlow.
• Twyford to Henley.
• Reading to Newbury.
• Reading to Basingstoke.

...

[lordgoata]

Hello,

Just wondering of anyone knows if platforms will be extened between Reading and Oxford/Newbury in conjunction with the electrification works? Currently many of the stations can only just take 6 car trains - will they need to be lengthened to take longer electric trains? Also what will happen to Appleford and Culham which might struggle to even take 4 (assuming that is how long the EMUs^▸ (Electric Multiple Unit) will be?!).

Thanks - apologies if this is covered elsewhere

Goring is currently being drastically overhauled as part of its ^3.2million upgrade, and that includes platform extensions. They have extended platform 1 on the mainline already but I'm not sure if the other platforms will be extended - I suspect not as platform 1 is now the same length as the others.

[Thatcham Crossing]

In my part of the world, stations like Midgham and Aldermaston and are definitely going to need work, even to accommodate a 4-car EMU^▸ (Electric Multiple Unit).

Thatcham I think can fit 5 or 6 cars and Theale is similar.

Quite a bit of work to do, methinks.