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

[Bletchleyite]

Its dictated by the WCML slow lines to an extent.

Though the WCML is clockface, is it not?

 

[zwk500]

Though the WCML is clockface, is it not?

The passenger service is as close as it can be too it, but there's lots of other unadvertised movements such as freight, ECS, departmental, test trains, etc..., that aren't clockface because they can't really be.

 

[The Planner]

Though the WCML is clockface, is it not?

Is all the freight?

 

[wickham]

Probably exactly the same as the mode by the same name used all the time on Northern 195s.

"Superpower mode" ?? What exactly are they takling about ?
Sounds like a load of "journalistic dribble" to me.
What can be done to the units to make them any faster than they are designed to be without costing lots of money ?

 

[Bletchleyite]

"Superpower mode" ?? What exactly are they takling about ?
Sounds like a load of "journalistic dribble" to me.
What can be done to the units to make them any faster than they are designed to be without costing lots of money ?

Like cars they can be performance remapped which makes them faster at the expense of faster wear etc. However the units should already have that mode - as noted above the Northern ones do. Perhaps WMT disabled it.

 

[Starmill]

You wouldn't want to encourage passengers going one stop onto the 2 car from Oxford if there are 8/10/12s going 4 times an hour, really.

I doubt anyone will even notice that. There is nothing to encourage or discourage people either way really.

Is it very different to Lumo operating DOO at Milton Keynes?

I don't know. It's a good question.

Lumo and HS1 trains don't go without the second member of staff as I understand it? Perhaps that's what the distinction was? This isn't similar to Southern where they go all the time without a second member of staff. I was only working on what's been written up the thread.

I agree the latest announcement isn't decisive at all. It appears not to have promised a date for passenger service?

Though the WCML is clockface, is it not?

Not

 

[pokemonsuper9]

"Superpower mode" ?? What exactly are they takling about ?
Sounds like a load of "journalistic dribble" to me.
What can be done to the units to make them any faster than they are designed to be without costing lots of money ?

The Civities (195, 196, and 197) have 4 different modes that controls the speed at which gears switch (trading higher fuel usage for higher acceleration)

These modes are Eco, Normal, Power, and Super Power.
On Northern, Super Power mode is pretty much required for the timetable.
On TfW and WMR, the timetables aren't as tight as some still work for 158s/172s respectively, and it has been said on here before by drivers of 196s and 197s that they are prohibited from using anything other than Eco mode without control's permission.

 

[800002]

These modes are Eco, Normal, Power, and Super Power.
On Northern, Super Power mode is pretty much required for the timetable.

As is the case for the MKC - OXF timetable.

My understanding is though it's a depot job to move into certain modes, like Super Power.

 

[Kite159]

The Civities (195, 196, and 197) have 4 different modes that controls the speed at which gears switch (trading higher fuel usage for higher acceleration)

These modes are Eco, Normal, Power, and Super Power.
On Northern, Super Power mode is pretty much required for the timetable.
On TfW and WMR, the timetables aren't as tight as some still work for 158s/172s respectively, and it has been said on here before by drivers of 196s and 197s that they are prohibited from using anything other than Eco mode without control's permission.

Don't TfW use "Super Power" mode for the 197s on the Wrexham - Bidston line to make the timetable work? Or was that before the timetable got changed from being tightly timed hourly to every 45 minutes

 

[Mainsideman]

The dispute has reportedly been resolved; the Unions appear to have accepted that Guards will not be recruited:

£7 billion East West Rail Oxford to Milton Keynes dispute solved

A dispute that halted the much-anticipated introduction of new trains to Milton Keynes could soon come to an end, but not through the recruitment of…

www.thisisoxfordshire.co.uk

The trains will be Driver Only Operated, but will usually have an additional member of staff present for checking tickets, customer service etc (i.e. similar to the OBS, OBM, TTI roles on DOO services operated by GTR Southern, Southeastern HS1 and Scotrail Strathclyde services respectively)

The article goes on to suggest that services wil be in the "December 2026 timetable", though it doesn't give a start date:


It is great if common sense prevailed and the line can now finally open.

Chime Whistle Publishing (@ChimeWhistle) on X

An ever fading possibility. RMT has rejected the proposal put forward by Chiltern Railways, relating to onboard customer service inspectors on East West Rail. Union says "The proposal is nothing more than an abhorrent attempt to undermine the safety critical role of the guard."

x.com

Rejected by the RMT apparently

 

[Zomboid]

Chime Whistle Publishing (@ChimeWhistle) on X

An ever fading possibility. RMT has rejected the proposal put forward by Chiltern Railways, relating to onboard customer service inspectors on East West Rail. Union says "The proposal is nothing more than an abhorrent attempt to undermine the safety critical role of the guard."

x.com

Rejected by the RMT apparently

Do the RMT get a say in this? AIUI the drivers are ASLEF and the on board staff don't yet exist, so can't be represented by any unions until they're hired.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Do the RMT get a say in this? AIUI the drivers are ASLEF and the on board staff don't yet exist, so can't be represented by any unions until they're hired.

Presumably they could strike on Chiltern more widely.

 

[800002]

Chime Whistle Publishing (@ChimeWhistle) on X

An ever fading possibility. RMT has rejected the proposal put forward by Chiltern Railways, relating to onboard customer service inspectors on East West Rail. Union says "The proposal is nothing more than an abhorrent attempt to undermine the safety critical role of the guard."

x.com

Rejected by the RMT apparently

The union wasn't even approached before the decision was executed (and nor should they have been, in my own opinion). Based on what I've read, they appear to be as umhappy as ever with the DfT and Chilterns delivery of the East West passenger service.

Do the RMT get a say in this? AIUI the drivers are ASLEF and the on board staff don't yet exist, so can't be represented by any unions until they're hired.

Presumably they could strike on Chiltern more widely.

Oddly, this doesn't appear to bother RMT, and yes (I suspect) they will continue to assert they have a right to protest against the decision.

ASLEF have, for once, boxed clever (as it were) and insisted it's not their fight (for want of a better phrase) until such a time when their forced into taking the side (one way or the other), all the while RMT are making all the noise and they (ASLEF) can remain fairly quiet.

It will all come to head when sides are pressured to agree a formal Method of Operation for passenger service operations.

 

[fishwomp]

Presumably they could strike on Chiltern more widely.

but _who_ could?

If ASLEF accept the situation (ballot of Chiltern only ..)

Who works for Chiltern and is also a member of RMT? eg. Scotrail guards won't go on strike because of Chiltern ... probably not legal!

Cleaning? Maintenance? What is subcontracted out already? Other staff who probably won't take a strike day / can't afford to strike?

Otherwise, staff are working for Network Rail, or a different union like TSSA?

Just wondering - given legal requirements here and company organizations - what teeth RMT has in this game..

 

[JamesT]

but _who_ could?

If ASLEF accept the situation (ballot of Chiltern only ..)

Who works for Chiltern and is also a member of RMT? eg. Scotrail guards won't go on strike because of Chiltern ... probably not legal!

Cleaning? Maintenance? What is subcontracted out already? Other staff who probably won't take a strike day / can't afford to strike?

Otherwise, staff are working for Network Rail, or a different union like TSSA?

Just wondering - given legal requirements here and company organizations - what teeth RMT has in this game..

Aren’t there guards on Chiltern services that go beyond Banbury? I’d expect those to be largely RMT.

 

[800002]

Who works for Chiltern and is also a member of RMT?

I  believe part of the RMT argument is over the 'security of their member jobs' (for clarity are not under threat).
Majority of Chilterns Train Manager grade are RMT members, and the RMT see it that EWR services  should be guarded in the same way as all the other parts of the chiltern network (again, slightly lacking in accuracy).

For their own reasons, their spoiling for a fight (i speculate) in order to increase their membership and by defaut their income.
[This opinion may be controvesial].

As far as I am concerned any strike action ballotted for with Chiltern, by RMT, shall be peer pressure and union directed 'tow-the-line'. Most RMT members i think understand that their current roles and jobs have nothing to do woth the introduction of EWR services.

 

[Zomboid]

Aren’t there guards on Chiltern services that go beyond Banbury? I’d expect those to be largely RMT.

Everything north of Banbury and the loco hauled sets all the way into Marylebone I believe.

Though of course those jobs have just been expanded with the additional LHCS that have been leased, and are under no threat whatsoever from what may or may not happen on EWR.

 

[fishwomp]

Aren’t there guards on Chiltern services that go beyond Banbury? I’d expect those to be largely RMT.

Doh. Of course there are, ... in which case, that's quite the leverage.

 

[800002]

I think at this point in time it could be useful to see the RMT communicae to it's members relating to this subject.
It would relieve a great pressure on having to attempt to interpret comments appearing online alluding to details and stelatements which have been made.

I've seen the copy, but am unable to share it, else I would.

 

[CyrusWuff]

I  believe part of the RMT argument is over the 'security of their member jobs' (for clarity are not under threat).
Majority of Chilterns Train Manager grade are RMT members, and the RMT see it that EWR services  should be guarded in the same way as all the other parts of the chiltern network (again, slightly lacking in accuracy).

For their own reasons, their spoiling for a fight (i speculate) in order to increase their membership and by defaut their income.
[This opinion may be controvesial].

Except the proposed CSIs (which Chiltern are currently recruiting for) will also be eligible to join RMT...

 

[Bletchleyite]

Except the proposed CSIs (which Chiltern are currently recruiting for) will also be eligible to join RMT...

I think the idea of taking a job where you know what the job is then striking to try to change its terms from what you agreed when you took it is, if even legal, more than a little bit dubious morally to say the least!

 

[craigybagel]

I was going to suggest again that the next challenge would be discovering whether or not CAF can build DOO cameras that are fit for purpose, but it would appear that the RMT are still making this issue moot for now.

The Civities (195, 196, and 197) have 4 different modes that controls the speed at which gears switch (trading higher fuel usage for higher acceleration)

These modes are Eco, Normal, Power, and Super Power.
On Northern, Super Power mode is pretty much required for the timetable.
On TfW and WMR, the timetables aren't as tight as some still work for 158s/172s respectively, and it has been said on here before by drivers of 196s and 197s that they are prohibited from using anything other than Eco mode without control's permission.

On 196s, Superpower is currently inhibited - the units are locked in Eco mode and drivers cannot choose any other mode. It would appear that this is going to be changed for EWR. They also have their speed limiters set to 90 vice 100 for 195s and 197s; presumably this will be changed as well.

On 197s Eco is the default that the unit will go to every time a drivers key is inserted, but drivers are currently free to use whichever mode they feel is appropriate. For most routes the timetable can be easily achieved in Eco mode, so long as the engines are actually working correctly.

 

[ox_chap]

Units (only Class 150s or 153s can be used due to signal positioning) and demand. For what it's worth I can't see much demand for Oxford to Bedford in the early days, I'd think most people making connections will likely be doing so to London (from Winslow), with most other demand being for direct journeys to either MK or Oxford.

Ha ha, well I do wonder about this. What happens if the AI behind journey planners starts suggesting all sorts of adventures via Oxford to the North, avoiding Birmingham. Suddenly, it will all become so much more than just direct journeys to MK or Oxford.

Want a cheap ticket from Swindon to Stafford. Well Oxford, MK and London NorthWestern it is.

So my suspicion is this will very rapidly evolve from a shuttle to simply get people from Oxford to MK and MK to Oxford, alongside only getting Winslow residents to elsewhere in the UK.

Then what about when things go wrong? Every time Cross Country cancel a Manchester train from Oxford - well, again, off via MK it is....

It could get very cosy on those two car 197s.

 

[Peter Sarf]

Ha ha, well I do wonder about this. What happens if the AI behind journey planners starts suggesting all sorts of adventures via Oxford to the North, avoiding Birmingham. Suddenly, it will all become so much more than just direct journeys to MK or Oxford.

Want a cheap ticket from Swindon to Stafford. Well Oxford, MK and London NorthWestern it is.

So my suspicion is this will very rapidly evolve from a shuttle to simply get people from Oxford to MK and MK to Oxford, alongside only getting Winslow residents to elsewhere in the UK.

Then what about when things go wrong? Every time Cross Country cancel a Manchester train from Oxford - well, again, off via MK it is....

It could get very cosy on those two car 197s.

196s !.

But yes - EWR (East West Rail)t does open up quite a few alternative routes. Anything "not via London".

I still worry that sending the service North at Bletchley to Milton Keynes will come back to haunt the planners when (IF) the line ever gets built all the way to Cambridge. There will be uproar when the Milton Keyned leg is sacrificed for a through service to Cambridge - well even Bedford.

 

[ox_chap]

There’s a good schematic in the current issue of Rail magazine that suggests anything to Bedford will be new additional trains, and retained will be 2tph Ox-MK.

The other thing people don’t talk about much is changing at Bicester Village. Suddenly places like High Wycombe will find new ways to get north. So if you don’t mind using the footbridge, then Wycombe, Bicester, MK, North opens up. Bit fiddly, but might beat in some circumstances “via London”, “via Oxford”, walking between Birmingham stations or changing in to XC at Leamington.

 

[Bald Rick]

I still worry that sending the service North at Bletchley to Milton Keynes will come back to haunt the planners when (IF) the line ever gets built all the way to Cambridge. There will be uproar when the Milton Keyned leg is sacrificed for a through service to Cambridge - well even Bedford.

The MK service won’t be sacrificed, that has been made clear in consultations. There will be additional Oxford - Cambridge and Oxford - Stewartby services.

 

[Starmill]

Ha ha, well I do wonder about this. What happens if the AI behind journey planners starts suggesting all sorts of adventures via Oxford to the North, avoiding Birmingham. Suddenly, it will all become so much more than just direct journeys to MK or Oxford.

Want a cheap ticket from Swindon to Stafford. Well Oxford, MK and London NorthWestern it is.

So my suspicion is this will very rapidly evolve from a shuttle to simply get people from Oxford to MK and MK to Oxford, alongside only getting Winslow residents to elsewhere in the UK.

Then what about when things go wrong? Every time Cross Country cancel a Manchester train from Oxford - well, again, off via MK it is....

It could get very cosy on those two car 197s.

It's not really AI, it's just a bog standard set of algorithms. And most people just click on the option that's presented with the shortest journey times. Unfortunately most retailers aren't proactive at all about this. I would expect a handful to surface these easily, Trainsplit definitely would.

 

[Peter Sarf]

The MK service won’t be sacrificed, that has been made clear in consultations. There will be additional Oxford - Cambridge and Oxford - Stewartby services.

So quite a busy line eventually. Presumably also some Cambridge centric services as well ?.

 

[Silverlinky]

I think at this point in time it could be useful to see the RMT communicae to it's members relating to this subject.
It would relieve a great pressure on having to attempt to interpret comments appearing online alluding to details and stelatements which have been made.

I've seen the copy, but am unable to share it, else I would.

*In response to the above, I am able to share the RMT circular forwarded to local reps earlier*

Circular No: IR/282/26

TO ALL BRANCHES, REGIONAL OFFICES & REGIONAL COUNCILS
Our Ref: BR2/0146
4th August 2026
Dear RMT Member,
EXTENSION OF DOO, EAST WEST RAIL PROGRAMME – CHILTERN RAILWAYS
Referring to my previous Circular (IR/055/26) dated 18th February 2026, I have received a proposal from Chiltern Railways, in which they have proposed to introduce a new onboard grade of Customer Service Inspector, who would work onboard trains on the new route.
The proposal is nothing more than an abhorrent attempt to undermine the safety critical role of the guard and further push through the unsafe and contentious method of operation in the form of Driver Only Operation.
Additionally, your Lead Officer has recently attended a consultation meeting to discuss the new station at Winslow which will be part of Chiltern Railways’ new East West rail line. During these consultations the Lead Officer was provided with a document which included a section covering the maintenance, fueling and cleaning of trains. The document explicitly states that these trains will be DOO and that these tasks will be carried out by West Midlands Trains.
I have placed this matter before the union’s National Executive Committee who have noted that the Customer Service Inspector grade does not meet the aspirations of this Union and that the proposed role goes against the agreed policy of this union to oppose and stop any extension of DOO.
The East West Rail line must have a second safety critical member of staff on board to ensure the safety of the traveling public and the railway. There are also numerous issues with the rolling stock, and consultations on this programme remain ongoing and have yet to be concluded. Chiltern Railways are blatantly attempting to level accusations against the union, when the fact is that it is Chiltern’s own failings that are causing these issues.
I am now in the process of writing to the company to advise them that we are rejecting their proposals and that an urgent meeting needs to take place with the Lead Officer and RMT representatives to reach an agreement on providing a second safety critical member of staff on all new services.
The union’s NEC has also instructed me to arrange mass meetings of our Chiltern Line Branch members, which will be attended by the General Secretary, Senior Assistant General Secretary and the South East NEC member.
I will also be writing to local MPs and our parliamentary group to request that an Early Day Motion is prepared on this matter. A letter will also be sent to the Department for Transport requesting that they reverse these plans and give assurances that all trains will have a second safety critical member of staff onboard with dispatch duties.
The matter relating to the maintenance facilities and associated work being carried out by West Midlands Trains will be raised with the relevant Lead Officer for that company, and I am seeking a report from them on these issues.
The RMT Union is doing everything possible to fight this proposal and any further extension of DOO. I trust this keeps you fully advised, and I will inform you of any further developments on this issue when they arise. I would be most grateful if you could please bring the contents of this circular to the attention of your members.
Yours sincerely
Eddie Dempsey
General Secretary

Seems to me that we are as far away as ever from trains running in service on this line, however, a completely new role, non-RMT members (as presumably RMT will not recognise the grade/position), i'm wondering what action the Union could take if this was pushed through.

 

[800002]

Except the proposed CSIs (which Chiltern are currently recruiting for) will also be eligible to join RMT...

I would concede that they would be able to join a union, yes.
Perhaps not, though, at the level to which the union would wish (monetary / salary wise).

Circular No: IR/282/26
TO ALL BRANCHES, REGIONAL OFFICES & REGIONAL COUNCILS
Our Ref: BR2/0146

With thanks.

As can be seen the RMT 'dispute' is a multifaceted one, to which i can't confess to fully understanding.

There are no 'guards' working this operation - roles are not at risk.
RMT have not been invited to supply guards to this operation (no one has).
This is what they are upset about (for whichever standpoint they wish to take).

Other parts of this statement are just irrelevant (from this posters point of view).

Now, for the speculation (I'm afraid).
How this continues and begins to replay out means any entry into passenger service is unlikely to happen soon. (Condown to EIS = unforeseable future).