East-West Rail (EWR) countdown to entry into service

[TiddlyPom]

I am surprised they can run as I thought Denbigh Hall South Junction was damaged in the recent derailment but maybe it's not as bad/been fixed.

In the notice about the RAIB investigation in to that (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/derailment-at-denbigh-hall-south-junction) it says:

"...some lines through the junction remained out of use until 16:05 on 29 June 2025 for train recovery and infrastructure repair."

Which I take to mean that they are all back in use?

 

[ayubdaud]

Are they expecting the points at Denbigh Hall South to be back in service at that point or will they just turn at Bletchley?

For confirmation, I believe the points got fixed last weekend. Not sure anything has been running on EWR but some WMT ECS moves are back using the points.

 

[zwk500]

For confirmation, I believe the points got fixed last weekend. Not sure anything has been running on EWR but some WMT ECS moves are back using the points.

Thanks.

 

[DarloRich]

It is possible 5Z42 via EWR will be a diesel-hauled ECS movement as it's essentially a diversion of the normal 5V42 path from Carnforth to Southall via Wembley. It's timed with the normal steam timing load for flexibility but that doesn't mean it has to run as steam.
Then again, it could be used to move a loco down to Southall after all.

I dont think anything will run in this path now. I will keep an eye on it

 

[Sun Chariot]

I dont think anything will run in this path now. I will keep an eye on it

I think you are right. TRUST activated but it hasn't departed Carnforth. Booked to leave 40 minutes ago. Sorry @sqwizz !

Realtime Trains | 5Z42 1243 Carnforth Steamtown to Southall Wcr | 11/07/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Z42 1243 departure from Carnforth Steamtown to Southall Wcr on 11/07/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[zwk500]

I think you are right. TRUST activated but it hasn't departed Carnforth. Booked to leave 40 minutes ago. Sorry @sqwizz !

Realtime Trains | 5Z42 1243 Carnforth Steamtown to Southall Wcr | 11/07/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Z42 1243 departure from Carnforth Steamtown to Southall Wcr on 11/07/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

I'm a little surprised by that because WCRC evidently asked for it to be retimed to approach Southall from the west. It would have been auto-call in TRUST as an STP train I think (When WCRC bid to NR for STP trains they are generally reasonably confident in it running, unless specifically mentioned on the bid for it to be a Q or Y path, such as an option turning move).

 

[sqwizz]

I think you are right. TRUST activated but it hasn't departed Carnforth. Booked to leave 40 minutes ago. Sorry @sqwizz !

Realtime Trains | 5Z42 1243 Carnforth Steamtown to Southall Wcr | 11/07/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Z42 1243 departure from Carnforth Steamtown to Southall Wcr on 11/07/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

I'll keep an eye on it anyway. It's probably all my fault tbh. Last time I was waiting at a bridge, a train derailed and stopped all running.

 

[Sun Chariot]

Last time I was waiting at a bridge, a train derailed and stopped all running.

 

[zwk500]

I'll keep an eye on it anyway. It's probably all my fault tbh. Last time I was waiting at a bridge, a train derailed and stopped all running.

You may be waiting a while:

(screenshot of Traksy showing 'LINE BLOCK' in the Berths for the Carnforth Down & Up Goods Loops Nos. 1 and 2).

Trains can use either P2 or the DFG from the Headshunt but whether the route is available to the WCML would depend on exactly what's happening.

 

[djox]

I'm not sure if it's been confirmed elsewhere but Oxford to Milton Keynes passengers services will start in December 2025 now according to East West Railway Company Strategy Director Will Gallagher

What used to be called the Varsity Line until its closure in 1967, is being re-opened section by section. December 2025 will see the next segment open to passengers, from Bicester to Milton Keynes

EAST WEST RAIL UPDATE

The return of the Varsity Line beckons, partly this year, fully by 2035

www.alumni.ox.ac.uk

 

[Bald Rick]

I'm not sure if it's been confirmed elsewhere but Oxford to Milton Keynes passengers services will start in December 2025 now according to East West Railway Company Strategy Director Will Gallagher

EAST WEST RAIL UPDATE

The return of the Varsity Line beckons, partly this year, fully by 2035

www.alumni.ox.ac.uk

That article is three months old, and, well, things move on.

 

[Zomboid]

The EWR website still says "from 2025", though I suppose it remains to be seen when they actually means.

 

[djox]

The EWR website still says "from 2025", though I suppose it remains to be seen when they actually means.

Network Rail say late 2025 which will be December.

Testing and training is now underway on the line for passengers services to commence in late 2025.

East West Rail - Network Rail

The East West Rail scheme will re-establish a rail link between Cambridge and Oxford, making travel across Britain easier.

www.networkrail.co.uk

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Jul 2025 ==

That article is three months old, and, well, things move on.

Meaning what? the line isn't open for passengers and the information from EWR and NR says Dec 2025 or late 2025.

 

[DavidGrain]

What training runs that have been done over the last couple of months have been using class 165s which have been route learning. Traction learning requires the 196s. Has anyone seen the 196s? One report says that they are back at Tyseley.

 

[sqwizz]

Traction learning requires the 196s. Has anyone seen the 196s? One report says that they are back at Tyseley.

They were using them from February onwards, but I haven't seen any for quite a while. 165s and 168s started back in 2024.

 

[150219]

What training runs that have been done over the last couple of months have been using class 165s which have been route learning. Traction learning requires the 196s. Has anyone seen the 196s? One report says that they are back at Tyseley.

009/011/012 at Bletchley.

 

[Zomboid]

I certainly don't expect much before December, though I want to use the line tomorrow so hopefully they manage to beat that.

 

[TiddlyPom]

I see that Chiltern are running some empty stock services next Thursday, three in each direction between Milton Keynes and Oxford.

Realtime Trains | Departures from Winslow all day on 17/07/2025

Train information at Winslow all day on 17/07/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

They appear to have run 5F72 and 5F73 is just approaching Islip:

 

[swt_passenger]

They appear to have run 5F72 and 5F73 is just approaching Islip: View attachment 184175

I also see from RTT it’s being operated by 196012

 

[DavidGrain]

I also see from RTT it’s being operated by 196012

I think this is the first time for some time a 196 has been out on the line

 

[sqwizz]

Today's 196. Still no Chiltern colours.

 

[Oxfordblues]

I see the "inter-Hamptons" are also running today:

Realtime Trains | 4M60 0927 Southampton M.C.T. Ews to Northampton Gateway Dbc | 17/07/2025

Real-time train running information for 4M60 0927 departure from Southampton M.C.T. Ews to Northampton Gateway Dbc on 17/07/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 4O56 1908 Northampton Gateway Dbc to Southampton M.C.T. Ews | 17/07/2025

Real-time train running information for 4O56 1908 departure from Northampton Gateway Dbc to Southampton M.C.T. Ews on 17/07/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[sqwizz]

I see the "inter-Hamptons" are also running today:

At Winslow station:

 

[swt_passenger]

Today's 196. Still no Chiltern colours.

I hope you didn’t go out especially because of my post, I’d have felt terrible if a substitute had turned up…

 

[Zomboid]

I hope you didn’t go out especially because of my post, I’d have felt terrible if a substitute had turned up…

I'm imagining a rail replacement bus on the route learners now!

 

[Sun Chariot]

Great captures @sqwizz I knew you'd be out on a run at the convenient times.

 

[sqwizz]

I hope you didn’t go out especially because of my post, I’d have felt terrible if a substitute had turned up…

No I'd already grabbed a few vids earlier today and just posted the pics because it was being mentioned here

BTW it was racing along, faster than usual unless I'm imagining it!

Great captures @sqwizz I knew you'd be out on a run at the convenient times.

Thanks @Sun Chariot , just screenshots from videos as usual so they're not very sharp looking

 

[London Trains]

Not sure if this is the right thread for this question, but are there not concerns that the Oxford to MK service is going to suffer from mass overcrowding from day one, considering the use of 2-coach trains?

 

[TiddlyPom]

No I'd already grabbed a few vids earlier today and just posted the pics because it was being mentioned here

BTW it was racing along, faster than usual unless I'm imagining it!

It was managing the Milton Keynes Central to Oxford in 42mins with stops at Bletchley, Winslow, Bicester and Oxford Parkway.

 

[absolutelymilk]

Not sure if this is the right thread for this question, but are there not concerns that the Oxford to MK service is going to suffer from mass overcrowding from day one, considering the use of 2-coach trains?

I was presuming they would be doubled up, at least for peak services!