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GWR Diversions over East West Rail - Nov 2026
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From the sounds of it, Chiltern's pulling trains from the Amersham line to strengthen Oxford services during the Paddington closure; is this the first time this has (will have) happened?
(Sorry if there's a different thread on GWR engineering works rather than specifically EWR diversions.)
(Sorry if there's a different thread on GWR engineering works rather than specifically EWR diversions.)
RTT had one seven-car Oxford to Marylebone service today, which I don't know if it actually ran or was a case of not deleting the original unit after a set swap; is that the maximum length?
The Planner
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No. Chiltern have been known to ask NR to do work on the Met side if the WCML is closed to do this.
No. But one of the only times where there isnt any planned HS2 or 4LM work on the Met LUL line.
It's a mis-form, should have been a pair of 4 cars. (8, total on 1Y10 - 0638 OXF - MYB).
Indeed, little more HS2 work left at this point in time I think
However, previously, more often than not they were unable to run on the Met line due to possessions.
Wembley events tend to see an early shut down in the met in the mid- evening at weekends.
CR165022
Established Member
That's booked, and is actually booked as an 8 but was short formed today. Although that service has to use platform 3 at Oxford, the bay platforms can only hold 6 carriages.
As someone who lives on that line, I can say that they don't hesitate to completely pull the whole met line service at any opportunity!
Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
They do it all the time when there isn't engineering work. Any large Wembley event. It's sort of greater good, but it's also a bit naughty. I suppose comparable with Merseyrail cutting service on some routes to provide enhanced Grand National capacity.
It can't be naughty, as you say, of its agreed.
It's either supported or not supported by the purseholder.
If they do it, it's agreed.
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Do you have to use the replacement busses?
Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
It's naughty in that it leaves people without a proper service.
Those not wanting to use them and going actually to Aylesbury can use the service via Wycombe, but it is slow!
Then they still have a train service (albeit, just not a fast).
I don't immediately see what the issue is.
GWR (almost back on topic!) cuts services to resource special events such as Glastonbury.
But presumably still with a service that is a darn sight better than what is deemed sufficient for many other populous parts of the country (ie no trains at all). OK, I’m making the assumption that an Amersham - Aylesbury shuttle is maintained…
By road vehicle, yes.
In that case, agreed. Not acceptable.
norbitonflyer
Established Member
Or Shepperton services diverted via Twickenham instead of Kingston whenever the Rugby is on. OK, greater goid and all that, but thete is never any advance notice as there would be for maintenance work.
Apart from when the rugby game is announced.
Some operators can be fairly poor at communicating this information, however.
servicedelayed
New Member
I wonder why GWR can't stop at MKC during diversions to allow passengers to board or alight here. It could operate an Avanti style service by having pick-up only and set down only basis. Is there a reason why this will not happen? It would make sense given it will take around 10 minutes for the changeover from electric to diesel and vice versa.
There aren't any fares set for the route for a start, but they also just don't need to make open calls at Milton Keynes as the purpose of stopping there is operational, and the purpose of the train running is to get people from Swindon and points further west through to London. If passengers were carried from Milton Keynes it reduces capacity for other passengers.
GWR didn't have open calls at Banbury in previous diversionary situations, and indeed aren't having passenger calls at Oxford on these trains either.
Arguably, it would just confuse matters, for very little gain.
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It'll take about 30 seconds for the changeover to occur, if indeed running of the OHLE is permitted. I wouldn't be surprised if it ran diesel into London.
What is required from the dwell in Milton Keynes is for the driver and any other required aide to change ends.
Im not sure if GWR need a driver in the cab all the way from Oxford to Euston or if they're being route conducted all the way. (I suspect the latter).
It is likely that the UP service would go via the Hounslow loop as it would catch up the 2U04 0458 Staines to London Waterloo (an all stations stopper) between St Margarets and Barnes: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:L84485/2026-11-28/detailed and have to follow it until the 4 track section from Barnes onwards. Going via the Hounslow loop, there are no other UP services at that time in the morning. The 2U04 uses the UP Fast from Barnes so going via the Hounslow loop would mean that the sleeper could run on the UP Slow with no conflicts.
When the SWML is closed through Wimbledon, 2 diverted UP services an hour go via the Hounslow loop and not via Richmond, but in most cases all the DN services go via Richmond, probably due to conflicts at Barnes and Feltham Junctions to going via the Hounslow loop would cause.
The Planner
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Route conducted from Oxford.
Kite159
Veteran Member
Also by not making Milton Keynes open calls it means the trains can go when ready, rather than having to wait for the correct departure time
Falcon1200
Established Member
Why would GWR even consider this? Milton Keynes is not on their network and they never run trains there, except on the very rare days of diversions such as these!
DarloRich
Veteran Member
because I live there? Do they not know who i am
You are quite correct there is no real gain for them and they would end up using the capacity intended for travellers to the west on a 45 minute journey to MK that is already served by 4/5 trains an hour. Would be nice to get a service train along E-W mind!
servicedelayed
New Member
Appreciate some of the replies.
I was looking at it in terms of onward connections from the West via MKC without the need of going into London and back out again but I'd imagine it would be complicated given it is not normally served by GWR.
I was looking at it in terms of onward connections from the West via MKC without the need of going into London and back out again but I'd imagine it would be complicated given it is not normally served by GWR.
You could say the same about the weekend LNER diversions via Carlisle but most still call there AFAIK .
I was going to suggest that case was making up for displaced services, but as far as I can tell, the LNER services are on top of normal Tyne Valley and Euston / Manchester Airport – Edinburgh services anyway.