FGW HST Diversions - December 2010

[spark001uk]

http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=4888

Sorry i probably wasn't clear what i was after, i meant like the exact timings through each station/junction etc on the diversionary route, e.g woking, addlestone branch, staines etc etc.

 

[IanPooleTrains]

I actually thought that they started on the 29th of December

 

[moonrakerz]

Sorry i probably wasn't clear what i was after, i meant like the exact timings through each station/junction etc on the diversionary route, e.g woking, addlestone branch, staines etc etc.

I knew what you were asking for, but I wouldn't have thought that information would have been readily available.
It isn't too difficult to work out some reasonably accurate timings from the public timetables.

 

[spark001uk]

I knew what you were asking for, but I wouldn't have thought that information would have been readily available.
It isn't too difficult to work out some reasonably accurate timings from the public timetables.

Ok, i just thought that this sort of info was possible to get hold of, from the same source of the info in post #135 for the test runs perhaps?

@IanPooleTrains: Diversion 27th, 28th, 29th, 30th, then back to normal 31st, then diversions again on the 1st, and also on the 2nd until noon.

 

[moonrakerz]

Ok, i just thought that this sort of info was possible to get hold of, from the same source of the info in post #135 for the test runs perhaps?

It is possible for an individual to get hold of this, probably someone working in the industry. The details of the test run look as though they were copied from an internal document, on this basis it would be a huge task to copy all the timetabled train times - and this person might be putting his employment in jeopardy by just "cutting and pasting" these documents............

I am going to have to work out the times for my local station ...........

 

[TheWalrus]

Hi

Just looked at the timetable for tomorrow, and the WOE HsTs take over an hour to get from WAT to BSK! Why is this? Is there a solution? Or couldnt they tip out at BSK and get a SWT service to WAT, which would surely be quicker?

Thanks

Ryan

 

[Via Bank]

The reason they're so slow is because they'll be using the Byfleet Curve to go on to the Waterloo to Reading line (via Chertsey, Addlestone, Staines and Richmond - ie round the houses) to ensure the diverted HSTs don't hold up mainline services.

There's already a thread for FGW's Christmas diversions here.

 

[swt_passenger]

The reason they're so slow is because they'll be using the Byfleet Curve to go on to the Waterloo to Reading line (via Chertsey, Addlestone, Staines and Richmond - ie round the houses) to ensure the diverted HSTs don't hold up mainline services.

You are confusing cause and effect there, I think.

1. HSTs are only cleared for platforms 17, 18 and 19 at Waterloo.
2. The obvious route into those platforms is from the Windsor side lines.
3. HSTs were already cleared between Staines and Waterloo.
4. They have recently been cleared from Basingstoke to Staines, because of existing points 1 to 3.

So although it's fair to say they won't hold up mainline services, at least east of Byfleet Jn, they were never going to go that way anyway.

 

[TheWalrus]

Could they use the main line? How long would it take?

 

[MCR247]

No they couldn't. It would delay existing services because of having to cross all of the lines. It isn't practical. It would take a bit longer than a SWT service?

 

[TheWalrus]

Ok thanks for your help!

 

[matt]

Threads merged

 

[swt_passenger]

No they couldn't. It would delay existing services because of having to cross all of the lines. It isn't practical.

Precisely. It's exactly the same reason that railtours and excursions use the longer route - it avoids having to thread a train from the Windsors to the mains or vice versa between Waterloo and Vauxhall, with the normal timetable already running.

It would take a bit longer than a SWT service?

OTOH there's no reason I can see why it would be any slower IF they ever cleared the route and enough of the mainline side platforms. HSTs aren't going to be speed restricted between Basingstoke and Byfleet.

 

[MCR247]

I just said a bit longer than a SWT service because of the slower acceleration of a 450/444

 

[swt_passenger]

Threads merged

Hey, that's clever, the software sorted that out while I was writing a reply...

 

[spark001uk]

This first service out of Waterloo in the morning, the 1026 (MO) to Penzance, there doesn't seem to be an up service preceding it, so i'm assuming that's going to come up empty from somewhere? OOC perhaps?

 

[swt_passenger]

I just said a bit longer than a SWT service because of the slower acceleration of a 450/444

Ah I see then, just to make the crossing move? Yes seems fair enough, did you mean 'compared to a 450/444 though?

 

[MCR247]

I was referring to this part of your post

OTOH there's no reason I can see why it would be any slower IF they ever cleared the route and enough of the mainline side platforms. HSTs aren't going to be speed restricted between Basingstoke and Byfleet.

I just then meant that the only reason a HST would take a bit longer than a desiro from BSK-WAT was because 450s and 444s would outrun a HST.

 

[spark001uk]

Hi

Just looked at the timetable for tomorrow, and the WOE HsTs take over an hour to get from WAT to BSK! Why is this? Is there a solution? Or couldnt they tip out at BSK and get a SWT service to WAT, which would surely be quicker?

Thanks

Ryan

That's why they are timetabled to stop at BSK to pickup only southbound, and set down only northbound, to allow passengers to get a mainline service to/from WAT, except FGW advance tickets, who have to stay on the train for the duration.

 

[richw]

That's why they are timetabled to stop at BSK to pickup only southbound, and set down only northbound, to allow passengers to get a mainline service to/from WAT, except FGW advance tickets, who have to stay on the train for the duration.

its to stop basingstoke to london commuters filling the service i believe as well from previous comments in this thread

 

[MCR247]

Why would they want to, it takes that long!

 

[richw]

i know but you'd get people see a service to london and not realise how long it is taking probably and get on it and then get aggravated about the service length

 

[TheWalrus]

btw, may it be easier to send them fast lines to clapham, then into Victoria? Or am I being really silly here...

 

[MCR247]

Easier apart from the minor problems like; there is no connection, allegedly diesels are banned into the Southern part of Victoria and lack of space?

Apart from that, yeah, good idea

 

[thefab444]

Yes you are. There's a whole load of reasons why that wouldn't work - as detailed above!

 

[TheWalrus]

What dya mean by no connection?

 

[MCR247]

It isn't possible to get from the SW side of Clapham to the SN side

 

[TheWalrus]

Oh... lol

 

[spark001uk]

Why would they want to, it takes that long!

Quick answer? HST bashers!

 

[Oracle]

It can be sone via Mount Pleasant Junction, Windsor Lines and Stewarts Lane to gain access to Victoria but totally impractical. I have been on a diesel-hauked charter that traversed the link in the Down direction, ex-Victoria.