Great Western Main Line electrification - ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[bobm]

I assume the footbridge in the foreground will now be removed.

Pardon the pun, but it is hardly a step forward if the new footbridge is further from the station exit or further to walk for potential passengers wanting to cross the line for a train.  However without a number of lengthy possessions I suppose there was no alternative.

[BerkshireBugsy]

I assume the footbridge in the foreground will now be removed.

Pardon the pun, but it is hardly a step forward if the new footbridge is further from the station exit or further to walk for potential passengers wanting to cross the line for a train.  However without a number of lengthy possessions I suppose there was no alternative.

Bobm - there is still some work to be done on the new bridge before it can be put into use. For example at the bottom of the bridge steps (on the Thatcham side at least) there is a big gap which will need to be filled with concrete.

I know this has been discussed elsewhere in a different thread but as expected  there are no ramps or lifts and as bobm says they are quite a way down the platform.

[paul7575]

Is there a level crossing behind the photographer?   The OHLE^▸ (Over-Head Line Equipment (electrification via catenary)) sometimes has to rise up in height over a crossing, and this might constrain the footbridge position, as will the existing platform buildings of course.  There might be no other position that clears the existing buildings on either side and also allows for space beyond for future lifts to be added.

There remains a slim possibility they chose the site at random...

Paul

[Thatcham Crossing]

Yes, there is Paul7755, Berkshire Bugsy was standing on the crossing when he took the picture.

The new bridge must have gone up over the weekend BB as it definitely wasn't there on Friday evening when I drove past.

[BerkshireBugsy]

Yes, there is Paul7755, Berkshire Bugsy was standing on the crossing when he took the picture.

The new bridge must have gone up over the weekend BB as it definitely wasn't there on Friday evening when I drove past.

Thanks TC^▸ (Train Crew, or Travelling Chef, depending on context) - I drove up Friday night and think I would have seen it.

Here are a couple of additional pictures showing the new bridge placement in respect of the existing structures. I have had trouble posting these so apologies if they are duplicates

[Bmblbzzz]

I assume the footbridge in the foreground will now be removed.

Pardon the pun, but it is hardly a step forward if the new footbridge is further from the station exit or further to walk for potential passengers wanting to cross the line for a train.  However without a number of lengthy possessions I suppose there was no alternative.

Bobm - there is still some work to be done on the new bridge before it can be put into use. For example at the bottom of the bridge steps (on the Thatcham side at least) there is a big gap which will need to be filled with concrete.

I know this has been discussed elsewhere in a different thread but as expected  there are no ramps or lifts and as bobm says they are quite a way down the platform.

Really? No ramps or lifts? I'm very surprised if that's not in contravention of the Disabled Access Act, or whatever it's called.

[BerkshireBugsy]

I assume the footbridge in the foreground will now be removed.

Pardon the pun, but it is hardly a step forward if the new footbridge is further from the station exit or further to walk for potential passengers wanting to cross the line for a train.  However without a number of lengthy possessions I suppose there was no alternative.

Bobm - there is still some work to be done on the new bridge before it can be put into use. For example at the bottom of the bridge steps (on the Thatcham side at least) there is a big gap which will need to be filled with concrete.

I know this has been discussed elsewhere in a different thread but as expected  there are no ramps or lifts and as bobm says they are quite a way down the platform.

Really? No ramps or lifts? I'm very surprised if that's not in contravention of the Disabled Access Act, or whatever it's called.

I haven't been down there for a week but my understanding is that because there are ramps to each platform and it is possible to cross via the level crossing they are not needed.

[ChrisB]

Yes, that is correct

[Bmblbzzz]

Ok, thanks!

[Timmer]

If you want to see what services are looking like during the work between Bath-Chippenham 18-31 July and from 1 August, these are now showing on Real Time Trains. A place I regularly visit for timetables during Engineering works on the FGW^▸ (First Great Western) network now FGW don't bother any more (sigh)

[Timmer]

We have a timetable for phase 1 of the works between Chippenham and Bath from 18th-31st July:
https://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/-/media/pdf/travel-updates/gw1506%20bath%20timetable%20v4.pdf?la=en

[Phil]

Parochial, I know, but I can't help but love how Melksham gets a namecheck in the timetable headings ["LONDON TO SWINDON, MELKSHAM, BATH,
BRISTOL AND SOUTH WALES"] whereas Trowbridge doesn't. Ha.

[TonyK]

Parochial, I know, but I can't help but love how Melksham gets a namecheck in the timetable headings ["LONDON TO SWINDON, MELKSHAM, BATH,
BRISTOL AND SOUTH WALES"] whereas Trowbridge doesn't. Ha.

Surely a mere oversight, given Trowbridge's legendary status in the field of, er, ...

[Phil]

Surely a mere oversight, given Trowbridge's legendary status in the field of, er, ...

Shorthand. Isaac Pitman was born there. To be fair, Trowbridge knew their rightful place in the world right up until British Rail's days, when the station was named "Trowbridge - Junction for Melksham"; it's only in recent years it's got ideas above it's station (as it were)

Anyway, back to the original subject....

[grahame]

For those two weeks, Trowbridge will share the distinction with Coombe of being a station where trains pull up just short of the station (not at a platform) and reverse to carry on their journey.  I can kinda understand it at Coombe ... at a county town with a population of around 30,000 and 850,000 passenger journeys per year, it seems a bit of an odd thing to be doing!