Oxford - Didcot summer blockade

[alexx]

I assume Network Rail are busy doing something whilst they've got the line between Oxford and Didcot blocked this week, but I can't seem to find any details on what they're actually up to.

Network Rail Oxford page says little beyond promising an update "nearer the time", and the GWR page doesn't shed much light either.

I've had a quick search through here and couldn't find a thread.

 

[duesselmartin]

Hopefully electrification work. At least there is the Chiltern option into London now.

 

[swt_passenger]

Hopefully electrification work.

I believe from posts in another forum it is a pre-requisite stage for electrification, but not electrification work as such.

I understand that it is basically track replacement and replacement/realignment of a number of points and crossovers to give higher speeds, prior to re-signalling and recontrol to TVSC at Didcot.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

I believe from posts in another forum it is a pre-requisite stage for electrification, but not electrification work as such.
I understand that it is basically track replacement and replacement/realignment of a number of points and crossovers to give higher speeds, prior to re-signalling and recontrol to TVSC at Didcot.

Plus, I think, some installation of mast bases for the future wiring.

 

[jimm]

There have been a number of references to this work in the GW electrification thread previously.

The most obvious thing happening this week is, as swt_passenger says, track alterations and renewals linked with preparations for resignalling, notably between Oxford station and the north end of Hinksey Yard. I think the pointwork at the entrance to Appleford Sidings, just north of Didcot, is also being replaced, as another worksite was prepared there over the past few weeks.

Further work north of the station, at Oxford North junction and at Wolvercote is scheduled for next year (plus ongoing changes in the carriage sidings) to create the complete track layout that will be resignalled and then electrified through Oxford - this has nothing to do with any future station rebuilding scheme, which would bring a further round of alterations to track and overhead wires.

There are pictures of weekend work near the station on Network Rail's GW Route Twitter feed.

https://twitter.com/networkrailwest?lang=en

 

[TheNewNo2]

Hasn't all the electrification work been cancelled anyway?

 

[LLivery]

Hasn't all the electrification work been cancelled anyway?

Not between Didcot, Cardiff and Oxford or Bedford to Corby.

 

[59CosG95]

Not between Didcot, Cardiff and Oxford or Bedford to Corby.

Exactly; in the case of Didcot-Oxford it's been postponed, pending this blockade and the realignment & reconstruction works for the new Oxford station.

 

[JonasB]

Exactly; in the case of Didcot-Oxford it's been postponed, pending this blockade and the realignment & reconstruction works for the new Oxford station.

Is there a new schedule for the electrification to Oxford?

 

[swt_passenger]

Is there a new schedule for the electrification to Oxford?

Not yet, but there's a whole thread dedicated to the subject of GW wiring that includes any information there is.

 

[jimm]

Exactly; in the case of Didcot-Oxford it's been postponed, pending this blockade and the realignment & reconstruction works for the new Oxford station.

Let's be clear about this - there is no hard and fast link between a new station for Oxford and electrification.

There is a line in the Network Rail Control Period 5 delivery plan updates that indicates the potential to link station development with electrification but the reality is that at the moment station rebuilding and expansion is a long way off.

There are lots of proposals, consultations - one is open right now https://consultation.oxford.gov.uk/consult.ti/StationSPD/consultationHome
and architects' drawings but there isn't one penny of committed funding for what will be a very expensive exercise - and a lot of associated development around the station is linked to the plans.

But Network Rail has displayed plans at public events in Oxford showing electrification of the track layout being installed now and in coming months in connection with the Oxford area resignalling. It was clear a lot of design work had already been done with a view to electrifying this emerging track layout.

Didcot-Oxford electrification could still happen early in CP6 if the money is committed to it, even if getting funding together for a new station takes a long time, or proves impossible in current circumstances. I can't really see Mr Grayling rushing to open the DfT chequebook to help with a new station any time soon.

 

[gallafent]

I can't really see Mr Grayling rushing to open the DfT chequebook to help with a new station any time soon.

Oh, I don't know, Oxford West & Abingdon is a Conservative / Liberal marginal, currently held by a Liberal, after all …………… :roll:

 

[jimm]

Oh, I don't know, Oxford West & Abingdon is a Conservative / Liberal marginal, currently held by a Liberal, after all …………… :roll:

Probably more chance of getting some money if someone tells him it's to improve rail services for Oxford Street, rather than Oxford...

 

[snowball]

Press release

https://www.networkrail.co.uk/feeds/railway-re-opens-through-oxford-following-upgrade-work/

Work which will enable improvements in line speeds to ease congestion on the railway into and out of Oxford has been completed as part of a £200m upgrade programme, allowing services between Oxford, Didcot and Banbury to run as normal this morning.

More than 100 Network Rail engineers worked through each shift, putting in more than 32,750 people-hours in total during the nine-day closure to renew around 2km of track between Hinksey Lakes and Oxford Station.

The work, which included the use of more than 5,000 tonnes of ballast and more than 2,500 sleepers, will enable quicker line speeds through Oxford in order to reduce congestion on the railway.

Lines re-opened at 04.45 this morning, with the first passenger service running through at 05.01.

This work forms part of the £200 million Oxford Corridor Project, which will deliver a series of enhancement schemes to increase capacity and improve reliability for passengers and freight operators.

Rob Mashford, senior programme manager for Network Rail, said: “We’ve had a very successful period of work over the past nine days. Our engineers have done a fantastic job in completing this work as planned and we’re always pleased to be able to deliver improvements for passengers as part of our Railway Upgrade Plan.”

“I’d like to thank passengers for bearing with us as this work has taken place and I’d also like to thank our colleagues at GWR, Chiltern Railways and CrossCountry for their work which has kept passengers moving throughout this period.”

David Pinder, Oxford station manager for GWR, said: “We would like to thank passengers for their patience during the past week as Network Rail modernise the railway.

“The first Intercity Express Train to enter passenger service is just a number of months away; providing over a fifth more seats per train, more frequent service, and the greatest step-change in experience for our passengers in a generation.”

Andrew Cooper, managing director of CrossCountry, said: “These works will help us continue to improve the reliability of our trains through Oxford to the Midlands, the North and South Coast.

“They also offer potential future opportunities to reduce journey times on these important routes, making rail more competitive to other transport modes and increasing this regions connectivity to the rest of Britain.”

 

[Chris125]

Plus, I think, some installation of mast bases for the future wiring.

Did this happen?