Just for fun (Which lines 'if electrified' would reduce the most carbon ?)

[fandroid]

Reading West to Basingstoke sounds good, but in practical terms and based on current loco/stock availability, it's of limited use. It's likely that there are EMUs available to take over the Reading- Basingstoke shuttles but maximum effect relies on CrossCountry going hybrid and, even less likely, Basingstoke to Southampton going over to 25kv for the freight from the docks.

 

[Class15]

Reading West to Basingstoke sounds good, but in practical terms and based on current loco/stock availability, it's of limited use. It's likely that there are EMUs available to take over the Reading- Basingstoke shuttles but maximum effect relies on CrossCountry going hybrid and, even less likely, Basingstoke to Southampton going over to 25kv for the freight from the docks.

Could use 92s?

 

[zwk500]

Could use 92s?

Would need electrical clearance for the 92s from Basingstoke to Southampton, and there'd be a small problem at Canute Road level crossing when the loco fizzles out.

 

[Meerkat]

Would need electrical clearance for the 92s from Basingstoke to Southampton, and there'd be a small problem at Canute Road level crossing when the loco fizzles out.

Canute Road? The third rail ends at Northam Road doesn't it?! Those freights wouldn't be electrified at the other end either.

 

[zwk500]

Canute Road? The third rail ends at Northam Road doesn't it?! Those freights wouldn't be electrified at the other end either.

Give it a bit of a runup . The underlying point remains the same, even if I've got the roads wrong.

 

[SouthEastBuses]

More realistic answer probably are:

- GWML to Bristol (both routes), Oxford, Swansea & Penzance
- Chiltern & Snow hill lines (passenger)
- Felixstowe-Ipswich-Ely-Peterboroug-Leicester-Nuneaton(-Birmingham) (freight)

I'm definitely missing some other contenders here

Regarding Oxford, I would also say the line to Banbury and Coventry, as it allows the 1tph CrossCountry to go fully electric (that of course depends is Reading West to Basingstoke also is done), as well as the local services by GWR/Chiltern Railways/WMR. You can also combine with Nuneaton and allow the Leamington Spa-Nuneaton service to be run by 323s, 350s or 730s, freeing up more 172s and 196s for use elsewhere. Although how much carbon reduction compared to the unelectrified bits of the GWML I wouldn't be so sure.

Cotswold Line (Oxford to Worcester & Hereford) might also be a good idea but because it's only 1tph I wouldn't say it's a priority. Different for Oxford-Banbury-Coventry where you also have local services as said above as well as the 1tph, although oddly, it becomes more of a priority from Worcester to Hereford as you also have the 1tph WMR service from Birmingham, essentially making Worcester to Hereford 2tph at times

 

[zwk500]

Regarding Oxford, I would also say the line to Banbury and Coventry, as it allows the 1tph CrossCountry to go fully electric (that of course depends is Reading West to Basingstoke also is done), as well as the local services by GWR/Chiltern Railways/WMR. You can also combine with Nuneaton and allow the Leamington Spa-Nuneaton service to be run by 323s, 350s or 730s, freeing up more 172s and 196s for use elsewhere. Although how much carbon reduction compared to the unelectrified bits of the GWML I wouldn't be so sure.

I wouldn't worry about Oxford-Banbury-Leamington-Birmingham until you've got the Chiltern line done.

Cotswold Line (Oxford to Worcester & Hereford) might also be a good idea but because it's only 1tph I wouldn't say it's a priority. Different for Oxford-Banbury-Coventry where you also have local services as said above as well as the 1tph, although oddly, it becomes more of a priority from Worcester to Hereford as you also have the 1tph WMR service from Birmingham, essentially making Worcester to Hereford 2tph at times

Cotswold line would be quite far down my list. Get the less sexy suburban stuff done first. 1tph of modern diesel bi-mode isn't a problem for carbon or air quality. Whereas 4 or 6tph of older DMU stopping every station and standing in city centres for a long time is.

 

[SouthEastBuses]

Cotswold line would be quite far down my list. Get the less sexy suburban stuff done first. 1tph of modern diesel bi-mode isn't a problem for carbon or air quality. Whereas 4 or 6tph of older DMU stopping every station and standing in city centres for a long time is.

On that we can all agree, which is why I think the GWML through Exeter & Plymouth (plus the most frequent Devon & Cornwall branches which I believe are St Ives, Falmouth, Exmouth and Paignton) needs to be a top priority alongside Chiltern/Snow Hill, Hull to Doncaster or Leeds and some other lines in the North of England or the East Midlands