Bath Spa & Swindon works, May - August 2015

[DaveHarries]

Evening all,

Two things.

Firstly, for anyone not aware, the late May Bank Holiday this year will see the abolition of Swindon PSB and transfer of its area of control to Thames Valley SCC (Didcot). Therefore there will be a few days (23rd - 28th May 2015) when there will be significant alterations to trains between Didcot, Swindon & Bristol Temple Meads / Bristol Parkway. Times are starting to appear on opentraintimes.

Info: https://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Swindon2015

Secondly I also just thought I might give a quick heads-up that, according to a recent article in the Western Gazette, trains through Bath Spa will be subject to heavy alteration during a shutdown that will last from 18th July to 31st August 2015. The shutdown will no doubt cause chaos for the travel plans of many people.

The work to be undertaken is, of course, in preparation for the electrification of the line.

Western Gazette story:
http://www.westerngazette.co.uk/dir...month-August/story-26129142-detail/story.html

Details also now on First Great Western's website:
https://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/bath2015

No diagrams on OTT as yet (well, when I last checked this morning) but the article says that Bristol - Weymouth services will start from / terminate at Westbury while FGW's website says that, during Phase 2, Bristol TM - Portsmouth Harbour trains will be diverted via. Melksham & Chippenham to start from / terminate at Swindon.

Fun & games for regular train users is in store!

HTIOI,
Dave

 

[Parallel]

The general service pattern for trains that would usually be running via. Bath Spa seems to be the Portsmouth/Brighton services starting at Swindon, calling at Chippenham, Trowbridge, Westbury and so on. The local stopping services that would usually call at all stations started at Swindon too, calling at Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge and then the rest of their usual calling patterns.

It's going to be an interesting summer...

 

[DaveHarries]

Yes quite. Something tells me that the public (not RRS) bus services out of Bradford-on-Avon may be quite busy over August as well: the 265 (Bath - Bradford-on-Avon - Westbury - Warminster - Salisbury) could stand to do well between Bath, B-O-A and Trowbridge.

Dave

 

[D6975]

The July alterations seem to make the Melksham line very busy, but little actually stopping there as a result. Buses replacing most Swindon-Westburys, TM-Padd HSTs reversing at Trowbridge (or just N of), plus the regular freight too.
Oh for the North chord to still be in place....

edit: some decent lengths of double track would be handy too.

 

[Hophead]

Secondly I also just thought I might give a quick heads-up that, according to a recent article in the Western Gazette, trains through Bath Spa will be subject to heavy alteration during a shutdown that will last from 18th July to 31st August 2015. The shutdown will no doubt cause chaos for the travel plans of many people.

I doubt it. If it's well publicised and ample replacement travel is provided, it will likely cause some minor inconvenience for many people.

 

[TimTraveller]

The ticket reservation system has just gone live for the first few days of these works, with the expected delays and diversions. However, the LAST train from Paddington to Bath Spa leaves at 21.45, and the last train from Paddington to Bristol Parkway and Cardiff leaves at 21.15. There isn't even a later train to Swindon or Westbury.

I finish work in central London at 22.30 and regularly take the 23.30 Paddington-Bath Spa. And when that's not running leave my car at Westbury, Swindon, or Parkway.

Any suggestions for an alternative late-night route Paddington-Bath over the summer? I don't mind driving part way, but would rather not drive into central London.
Thanks

 

[Kite159]

The ticket reservation system has just gone live for the first few days of these works, with the expected delays and diversions. However, the LAST train from Paddington to Bath Spa leaves at 21.45, and the last train from Paddington to Bristol Parkway and Cardiff leaves at 21.15. There isn't even a later train to Swindon or Westbury.

I finish work in central London at 22.30 and regularly take the 23.30 Paddington-Bath Spa. And when that's not running leave my car at Westbury, Swindon, or Parkway.

Any suggestions for an alternative late-night route Paddington-Bath over the summer? I don't mind driving part way, but would rather not drive into central London.
Thanks

23:40 Waterloo to Salisbury with a drive to/from Salisbury from Bath via the A36?

 

[DaveHarries]

I have been looking on RTT for an idea of the schedule during the July closure between Bath Spa and Chippenham: it seems that HSTs will run up the Melksham line by reversing at Bradford Junction as shown here by 1A12 for 23rd July:

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/P00035/2015/07/23/advanced

Surely it would make more sense to reverse them in Trowbridge station instead?

Dave

 

[Class 170101]

I have been looking on RTT for an idea of the schedule during the July closure between Bath Spa and Chippenham: it seems that HSTs will run up the Melksham line by reversing at Bradford Junction as shown here by 1A12 for 23rd July:

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/P00035/2015/07/23/advanced

Surely it would make more sense to reverse them in Trowbridge station instead?

Dave

Probably no signal and crossover there for the reversal.

 

[PHILIPE]

Evening all,

Two things.

Firstly, for anyone not aware, the late May Bank Holiday this year will see the abolition of Swindon PSB and transfer of its area of control to Thames Valley SCC (Didcot). Therefore there will be a few days (23rd - 28th May 2015) when there will be significant alterations to trains between Didcot, Swindon & Bristol Temple Meads / Bristol Parkway. Times are starting to appear on opentraintimes.

Info: https://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Swindon2015

Secondly I also just thought I might give a quick heads-up that, according to a recent article in the Western Gazette, trains through Bath Spa will be subject to heavy alteration during a shutdown that will last from 18th July to 31st August 2015. The shutdown will no doubt cause chaos for the travel plans of many people.

The work to be undertaken is, of course, in preparation for the electrification of the line.

Western Gazette story:
http://www.westerngazette.co.uk/dir...month-August/story-26129142-detail/story.html

Details also now on First Great Western's website:
https://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/bath2015

No diagrams on OTT as yet (well, when I last checked this morning) but the article says that Bristol - Weymouth services will start from / terminate at Westbury while FGW's website says that, during Phase 2, Bristol TM - Portsmouth Harbour trains will be diverted via. Melksham & Chippenham to start from / terminate at Swindon.

Fun & games for regular train users is in store!

HTIOI,
Dave

Diagrams don't appear on Open Train Times, only train services and other info regarding them. I prefer to using Real Time Trains as you can filter TOCs and don't have to keep going back to the top and clicking onto the next page.

 

[louis97]

I have been looking on RTT for an idea of the schedule during the July closure between Bath Spa and Chippenham: it seems that HSTs will run up the Melksham line by reversing at Bradford Junction as shown here by 1A12 for 23rd July:

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/P00035/2015/07/23/advanced

Surely it would make more sense to reverse them in Trowbridge station instead?

Dave

No signals or crossovers at Trowbridge, plus you can reverse two HSTs at the same time at Bradford Junction.

 

[animationmilo]

The ticket reservation system has just gone live for the first few days of these works, with the expected delays and diversions. However, the LAST train from Paddington to Bath Spa leaves at 21.45, and the last train from Paddington to Bristol Parkway and Cardiff leaves at 21.15. There isn't even a later train to Swindon or Westbury.

I finish work in central London at 22.30 and regularly take the 23.30 Paddington-Bath Spa. And when that's not running leave my car at Westbury, Swindon, or Parkway.

Any suggestions for an alternative late-night route Paddington-Bath over the summer? I don't mind driving part way, but would rather not drive into central London.
Thanks

the 22:45 Swansea is not advertised, http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/P00317/2015/07/23/advanced

Suppose its runnings seeing as its on there

 

[TimTraveller]

Thank you Kite159 for the Salisbury suggestion.

Thanks also animationmilo for the information that the 22.45 Swansea service is scheduled but not advertised. I'm bewildered: does this mean it will run empty? Or will ut be advertised at a later date?

Thanks for all your help!

 

[Class 170101]

I would probably keep watching the schedules as well. I can't believe they are all up yet considering there is usually a 23:30 departure from Paddington to Bristol and Cardiff Monday to Friday nights.

 

[GlosRail]

Could be a problem on 24th May if Swindon Town make it to Wembley for the play off final with no trains running.

 

[alb1]

Could be a problem on 24th May if Swindon Town make it to Wembley for the play off final with no trains running.

Spoke too soon!

 

[Kite159]

All abroad the magic rail replacement bus!

 

[Ze Random One]

Thank you Kite159 for the Salisbury suggestion.

Thanks also animationmilo for the information that the 22.45 Swansea service is scheduled but not advertised. I'm bewildered: does this mean it will run empty? Or will ut be advertised at a later date?

Thanks for all your help!

The 2330 Paddington to Cardiff via Temple Meads is now showing on this date:
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/P00446/2015/07/23

 

[Parallel]

I am dreading this summer, with my local line I use to commute to and from work being closed to allow for electrification prep for the mainline. Traffic in and out of Bath is already very congested at the best of times and is going to get worse when the railway line is closed. Also, how is a bus going to get to Avoncliff and Freshford stations?

I understand why the line will be closed and the benefits electrification will bring between Bristol and London, but to a commuter on the Bath - Westbury line, severe disruption followed by 25 year old trains replacing 25 year old trains a couple of years later doesn't look great on paper. I've heard other commuters talking about it and one said it feels like we have the short straw. At least we can hope capacity improves and FGW actually do run 5 cars on the Cardiff - Pompeys, even 3 car 158s are needing more capacity now throughout a lot of the day. Let's just hope the works go smoothly and don't end up delayed!