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

[Zomboid]

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)

We'll see, but if the drivers have agreed to the concept and the new staff are recruited on the basis of not being guards then there'd be nothing to stop the EWR services starting.

Chiltern guards could then go on strike over it, but they're not under threat and have never been required for EWR, and that wouldn't prevent those trains from running.

 

[800002]

We'll see, but if the drivers have agreed to the concept and the new staff are recruited on the basis of not being guards then there'd be nothing to stop the EWR services starting.

I honestly hope that this  is the outcome.
but can't help but come back to the RMT.
there's been no method of operation yet been signed (I don't know who has to be placated and in what way, in order to do so, though).

 

[fishwomp]

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

{Quoting Dempsey} I will also be writing to local MPs and our parliamentary group to request that an Early Day Motion is prepared on this matter.

I don't think they will get far with that!

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.

What on earth is the gripe here..

 

[800002]

Is it time to begin a thread, possibly, entitled "RMT disagreement with Chiltern Railways operating EWR service"?

 

[Peter Sarf]

Disheartening.

A chance to grow the railway network. DOO is not exactly some untried alien concept.

 

[fishwomp]

Is it time to begin a thread, possibly, entitled "RMT disagreement with Chiltern Railways operating EWR service"?

I think _this_ is that thread

The countdown isn't moving until it is resolved.

 

[Carlisle]

What on earth is the gripe here..

I suspect it’s meaningless fluff rather like their GWR DOO dispute a decade ago also pushing for buffet counters on the IETs but conveniently forgotten once DOO was scrapped.

 

[fishwomp]

I suspect it’s meaningless fluff rather like their GWR DOO dispute a decade ago also pushing for buffer counters on the IETs but conveniently forgotten once DOO was scrapped.

''buffer counters'' - what are they??

 

[JamesT]

''buffer counters'' - what are they??

I expect it's a typo/autocorrect of buffet counters.

 

[Wyrleybart]

Just checking. Presume passengers from Oxford / Winslow etc for Bedford presumably have to allight at the High level platform and go down steps / lift to the platform to catch the MV service. Is it far ?

 

[zwk500]

Just checking. Presume passengers from Oxford / Winslow etc for Bedford presumably have to allight at the High level platform and go down steps / lift to the platform to catch the MV service. Is it far ?

From Oxford, no - Platform 7 leads out to the footbridge and then it's across to Platforms 5/6, 35-50m or so from the exit of P7 with only 1 set of stairs/lift.

To oxford, it's a bit more of a faff as you have to go up from Platforms 5/6 to the footbridge, across to 7, and then down to the ground level and up again to get to P8. so 80-100m with 3 sets of stairs/lifts.

 

[The exile]

Agree 100% re. your timetabling point but there's inevitably going to be limits to how much you can integrate things from an operational point of view - e.g. if EWR is run out of Bletchley depot then you can't interwork with routes like Oxford-Banbury or Oxford-Marylebone even if the TOC is the same.

With devolution on the rise (in most cases for the better), you wouldn't want to end up in the same situation as the French or Polish, where commuter services within a city region are devolved, but medium-distance interregional services remain low-quality uncoordinated services that nobody wants to pay for. So either GBR has to figure out a way to properly fund and run these services in-house, or they'll eventually become victim to years of endless buck-passing between GBR and devolved regions/countries (such as TFW, TfGM or WMT).

For example, someting as simple as a Cardiff - Birmingham Moor St semifast train could certainly face chronic neglect and underinvestment because it's not seen as anybody's problem. Numerous posters have previously been concerned about TFW already doing this with the English borders region (although to what extent this happens, is contentious) and this would essentially be that but on a large scale. At the same time, ignoring the problem altogether and making it all pure-GBR (with union jack trains and all) disincentivises many city regions from developing good quality urban crossrail/S-bahn networks - e.g. Oxfordshire is working on its OxRail 2040 plans and the Cowley branch, and if the city will have cross-city local services, these would certainly make sense to be devolved.

A solution to that is to ensure that all areas of the country are covered by whatever devolution arrangements are made and that cross border cooperation is mandated by law (as it now is in some other areas, IIRC). OK, you’re still going to get priority clashes, but the “bit of line that no one wants” shouldn’t be so much of an issue.

 

[D365]

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

Here's a proper source for RMT's rejection of the second person proposal:

The RMT has rejected a proposal from Chiltern Railways regarding a second person on board the new Oxford-Bletchley section of East West Rail (EWR).

The union has been in dispute with Chiltern Railways over the implementation of Driver Operated Only (DOO) on the services for over a year.

However, in what appeared to be a breakthrough after talks in recent weeks between both the union and Chiltern Railways, with the operator advertising for Customer Service Operators, hopes have been dashed with RMT’s rejection of the proposal.

In a memo to Union members and seen by RAIL, RMT’s General Secretary Eddie Dempsey said; “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.”

Chiltern Railways have advertised for new inspectors, which are to be based at EWR’s Bletchley depot. The new inspectors will undertake tasks including customer care, revenue protection and on-train announcements. They will also be responsible for reporting faults.

However, the role stops short of responsibility of opening train doors, which will still be operated by drivers. This would mean that some services could be operated without a second person onboard.

Dempsey told members that its National Executive Committee had determined that the new role 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."

 

[Robin Edwards]

From Oxford, no - Platform 7 leads out to the footbridge and then it's across to Platforms 5/6, 35-50m or so from the exit of P7 with only 1 set of stairs/lift.

To oxford, it's a bit more of a faff as you have to go up from Platforms 5/6 to the footbridge, across to 7, and then down to the ground level and up again to get to P8. so 80-100m with 3 sets of stairs/lifts.

Just to add, to get to the over bridge from P5 there is a lift but from P6 not so, only stairs.

 

[Starmill]

Just to add, to get to the over bridge from P5 there is a lift but from P6 not so, only stairs.

I have a feeling that there was some confusion over this up the thread, too. Was it that this was a proposal which was descoped? I'm uncertain.

 

[Robin Edwards]

I have a feeling that there was some confusion over this up the thread, too. Was it that this was a proposal which was descoped? I'm uncertain.

I haven't trawled the thread so couldn't say what work may be or maybe isn't planned to resolve access to/from P6. What I can say is that if someone with disabled access needs joins en-route between Bedford and Bletchley then the "guard" attempts to get the unit directed to P5 should this be available otherwise someone on the train who can't use the stairs is trapped.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I haven't trawled the thread so couldn't say what work may be or maybe isn't planned to resolve access to/from P6. What I can say is that if someone with disabled access needs joins en-route between Bedford and Bletchley then the "guard" attempts to get the unit directed to P5 should this be available otherwise someone on the train who can't use the stairs is trapped.

The new town centre side entrance, assuming it happens, I believe includes a lift to P6 from its new footbridge.

 

[Robin Edwards]

The new town centre side entrance, assuming it happens, I believe includes a lift to P6 from its new footbridge.

Definitely needed so some good news for BY

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Aug 2026 ==

Here's a proper source for RMT's rejection of the second person proposal:

So I'm confused (easy I know ) - are we anyway closer to MK to OX opening or not? RMT have been active on X today to say they don't support DOO but does a non-guard-member of staff on the 196s (assuming that's what's proposed) get the trains running?

I'm also confused as a regular user of Thameslink who run 12 car trains DOO, why RMT are okay there but not elsewhere? (I'm sure this is covered up thread but I'm being lazy!)

 

[Starmill]

The new town centre side entrance, assuming it happens, I believe includes a lift to P6 from its new footbridge.

That was definitely always the intention so I'm very pleased if it is indeed going ahead.

 

[Zomboid]

I'm also confused as a regular user of Thameslink who run 12 car trains DOO, why RMT are okay there but not elsewhere

I think they're not ok with it anywhere, but that ship has sailed. They're vehemently against any expansion of DOO to routes where it currently isn't used.

 

[800002]

I think they're not ok with it anywhere, but that ship has sailed. They're vehemently against any expansion of DOO to routes where it currently isn't used.

Would be interested to know what the RMTs stance was when DOO was first introduced (or which came first, DOO or The RMT).

 

[fishwomp]

(on the Dempsey idea of an Early Day Motion)

I don't think they will get far with that!

well.. I stand corrected, already...

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/08/05/burnham-faces-far-left-revolt-over-rail-plans/

John McDonnell, the former Labour minister who chairs the RMT’s parliamentary group of MPs, confirmed that the group’s membership of largely Left-leaning MPs would be asked to oppose the Government-backed EWR policy.

“We serve as the voice of the union in Parliament so that the Government and others are aware of the union’s policies and concerns,” he said. “So yes, we will be tabling an EDM as it’s a useful method to express a view on a policy. It also enables us to open up a dialogue with the Government.”

Obviously, we'll see if the government want to whip this early after the rebirth.

 

[800002]

Certainly interesting, isn't it...
What has suddenly changed, here, apart from the leader of the party / PM?

 

[CyrusWuff]

Certainly interesting, isn't it...
What has suddenly changed, here, apart from the leader of the party / PM?

As far as I can tell, nothing apart from Chiltern opening recruitment for CSIs to be based at Bletchley.

 

[800002]

As far as I can tell, nothing apart from Chiltern opening recruitment for CSIs to be based at Bletchley.

Chiltern actually taking steps (likely encouraged or directed by the DfT) to move forward... yes, actually that sounds about right.

 

[dk1]

Chiltern actually taking steps (likely encouraged or directed by the DfT) to move forward... yes, actually that sounds about right.

That’s my take on it too.

 

[Bald Rick]

Chiltern actually taking steps (likely encouraged or directed by the DfT) to move forward... yes, actually that sounds about right.

It will have been approved by DfT. Most likely at Ministerial level.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Aug 2026 ==

well.. I stand corrected, already...

Ah, the MP for Hayes & Harlington, where every single train that calls in the constiuency is DOO…

 

[Magdalia]

well.. I stand corrected, already...

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/08/05/burnham-faces-far-left-revolt-over-rail-plans/



Obviously, we'll see if the government want to whip this early after the rebirth.

Early Day Motions are rarely debated or go to a vote, so using the whip is very unlikely to be necessary.

For an Early Day Motion to be debated time would have to be allocated in the business of the house. Given that's controlled by the Leader of the House, a member of the Cabinet, and there is lots of other more pressing business, Early Day Motions are usually only debated when it suits the government to have a debate.

For the proposer of an Early Day Motion, what matters is how many other MPs support their Early Day Motion.

There is more information on Early Day Motions here:

https://www.parliament.uk/about/how/business/edms/

What are Early day motions?​

Early day motions (EDMs) are motions submitted for debate in the House of Commons for which no day has been fixed.
As there is no specific time allocated to EDMs very few are debated. However, many attract a great deal of public interest and media coverage.

What are EDMs used for?​

EDMs are used to put on record the views of individual MPs or to draw attention to specific events or campaigns. Topics covered by EDMs vary widely.
By attracting the signatures of other MPs, they can be used to demonstrate the level of parliamentary support for a particular cause or point of view.

 

[befated]

No proper timetable (afaik), but searching RTT you can find placeholder trains at Winslow (I picked 16 December as an example, linked here). Doing a quick check, a train arrives from Oxford at XX48 (give or take depending on the specific hour) and the Bletchley train typically departs at XX52, so the connection seems pretty tight. Annoyingly, in the other direction, trains from Bedford seem to arrive just a few minutes after an Oxford train departs. Somebody ought to sort that out!

Regardless, it's good to (finally) see a light at the end of the Ox-MK tunnel.

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.

[…]

At MKC the LNR ex Crewe arrives at xx48, just in time to see the tail lights of the xx47 Oxford…

Going north it’s not much better (arrive xx55 depart xx18)

This is just what’s on RTT so I suppose it might change, but I fear fitting around the WCML slows and Chiltern Oxford - Marylebone probably precludes fixing these.

 

[Bletchleyite]

At MKC the LNR ex Crewe arrives at xx48, just in time to see the tail lights of the xx47 Oxford…

Going north it’s not much better (arrive xx55 depart xx18)

This is just what’s on RTT so I suppose it might change, but I fear fitting around the WCML slows and Chiltern Oxford - Marylebone probably precludes fixing these.

I've always suspected most journeys will be direct or from a relatively local area (e.g. Northampton and WCML stops north of Watford) on EWR because there are other established services to Oxford i.e. XC via Birmingham/Coventry or GWR via London. Yes, XC is grim, but so will EWR be while they're operating more or less everything 2 car* - I am strongly of the view that demand will massively outstrip supply very quickly.

Thus, this might not really matter very much.

* Am I remembering right that they'll be able to strengthen one diagram to 4 car with the units they have and maintenance requirements? Which won't even mean commuter services both ways...