| Re: 29th Nov 2026 - GWR trains to/from Euston via East West Route Posted by Mark A at 23:01, 12th August 2026 |     |
A route between the GWML eastbound at Old Oak Common, and eastbound on the West Coast Main Line - it physically exists? But perhaps not for passenger use or not cleared for Class 80x for some reason?
Mark
Mark
They did something like that over xmas (2024?)... but it looks like this work requires closure right out to Maidenhead.
It's the sort of situation where a Bristol-Waterloo service would be perfect!
While the Bristol Waterloos were valued seven days a week, the argument that they'd be particularly appreciated as a mitigation for the impact of HS2 work on the GWML was, I think, made - and like all the other representations, duly ignored.
I still recall the ire with which two (women) members of the public left that Trowbridge meeting half way through - their internal 'We're never going to be listened to here' klaxon had rung loud and clear.
The DfT probably weren't expecting the blowback that they experienced as a result of their decision but they weren't going to budge.
Mark
| Re: 29th Nov 2026 - GWR trains to/from Euston via East West Route Posted by bobm at 22:43, 12th August 2026 | |
Similar will also happen between Christmas and New Year.
Between 27th December and 4th January most Great Western Railway long-distance services will start and finish at Reading, rather than operating through to London Paddington. Local services will generally terminate at Maidenhead or Slough. Replacement travel arrangements will be in place for passengers travelling onwards towards London.
In addition, two trains per hour from South Wales and Bristol Temple Meads will be diverted at Swindon via Didcot and Oxford (not calling) and will operate to and from London Euston instead of London Paddington throughout the works.
The programme of work includes the renewal of signalling equipment at Dolphin Junction, together with preparatory work for the future HS2 railway. These improvements are designed to make the railway more reliable, helping to reduce delays caused by equipment failures in this area.
In addition, two trains per hour from South Wales and Bristol Temple Meads will be diverted at Swindon via Didcot and Oxford (not calling) and will operate to and from London Euston instead of London Paddington throughout the works.
The programme of work includes the renewal of signalling equipment at Dolphin Junction, together with preparatory work for the future HS2 railway. These improvements are designed to make the railway more reliable, helping to reduce delays caused by equipment failures in this area.
| Re: 29th Nov 2026 - GWR trains to/from Euston via East West Route Posted by Hafren at 22:33, 12th August 2026 | |
A route between the GWML eastbound at Old Oak Common, and eastbound on the West Coast Main Line - it physically exists? But perhaps not for passenger use or not cleared for Class 80x for some reason?
Mark
Mark
They did something like that over xmas (2024?)... but it looks like this work requires closure right out to Maidenhead.
It's the sort of situation where a Bristol-Waterloo service would be perfect!
| Re: 29th Nov 2026 - GWR trains to/from Euston via East West Route Posted by Mark A at 21:41, 12th August 2026 | |
A route between the GWML eastbound at Old Oak Common, and eastbound on the West Coast Main Line - it physically exists? But perhaps not for passenger use or not cleared for Class 80x for some reason?
Mark
| Re: 29th Nov 2026 - GWR trains to/from Euston via East West Route Posted by stuving at 21:35, 12th August 2026 | |
A look at www.realtimetrains.co.uk shows that on Sunday 29th Nov 2026 a number of trains will be running to / from Euston (rather than Paddington) via Oxford Parkway, Bicester Village, Winslow and Milton Keynes.
And the same on Saturday 28th, and no trains using Paddington either day. The EAS, oddly, does not show (that I can see) possessions over all that time to justify that closure, but does have this cryptic note:
WORK DETAILS = MAINTENANCE. HS2 EXTENDED ALB AND 29HR 2TT
I take it that's an HS2 all line block, for something or other, and advantage is being taken of this for extended maintenance possessions. I just can't see any of those, only overnight ones that happen most weekends. Odd.
| 29th Nov 2026 - GWR trains to/from Euston via East West Route Posted by hoover50 at 20:22, 12th August 2026 | |
A look at www.realtimetrains.co.uk shows that on Sunday 29th Nov 2026 a number of trains will be running to / from Euston (rather than Paddington) via Oxford Parkway, Bicester Village, Winslow and Milton Keynes.
