Brentford Branch potential re-opening

[Mordac]

There are plans to restore passenger services on the Brentford branch.

In between making the earlier post and now, I actually read the article on the current edition of RAIL about it. I'm guessing those don't involve electric, though, judging by their considering using 230s.

 

[MatthewRead]

In between making the earlier post and now, I actually read the article on the current edition of RAIL about it. I'm guessing those don't involve electric, though, judging by their considering using 230s.

I know it's great isn't it can't wait

 

[contractador]

In between making the earlier post and now, I actually read the article on the current edition of RAIL about it. I'm guessing those don't involve electric, though, judging by their considering using 230s.

Out of interest what was the gist of the article for Brentford?

 

[swt_passenger]

There are plans to restore passenger services on the Brentford branch.

Proposals by local authorities. Not serious plans yet at all. Not relevant to GW electrification IMHO...

 

[swt_passenger]

Out of interest what was the gist of the article for Brentford?

Dunno but there was a thread last year. Seems a bit of a basket case really...

http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=131161&highlight=brentford

 

[Mordac]

Out of interest what was the gist of the article for Brentford?

GRIP 2 study has been done, identifying a range of options. Hounslow borough council seems to be funding the GRIP process. Study done for them by WSP shows a BCR of between 2.4 and 3. A range of options is provided, but from the article, they're leaning to double tracking from the main line to the M4 overbridge, while retaining single track from thereon. There would be a Brentford Golden Mile station near the A4 and the Sky Campus (the only station). Considering building a new independent island platform at Southhall to avoid having the branch trains clogging the main line. 230s being flogged by Adrian Shooter to the council. Line upgraded to run 3tph at 50mpg. Think that cover the key points.

 

[swt_passenger]

Considering building a new independent island platform at Southhall to avoid having the branch trains clogging the main line.

Surely that must be a fundamental requirement, not a consideration...

 

[Mordac]

Surely that must be a fundamental requirement, not a consideration...

The other option given is to reinstate the branch platform on the south side of Southall station.

I don't know this area at all, but I just went and looked at satellite images and the sectional appendix. This would be the south side of the existing island platform, the north side of which is currently platform 1 on the Down Main. If this was done, the only interference would be with trains on the Southall West Loop, the Up Brentford Loop, and the line from Southall depot not with any trains on the main line, despite what the article claims.

 

[contractador]

GRIP 2 study has been done, identifying a range of options. Hounslow borough council seems to be funding the GRIP process. Study done for them by WSP shows a BCR of between 2.4 and 3. A range of options is provided, but from the article, they're leaning to double tracking from the main line to the M4 overbridge, while retaining single track from thereon. There would be a Brentford Golden Mile station near the A4 and the Sky Campus (the only station). Considering building a new independent island platform at Southhall to avoid having the branch trains clogging the main line. 230s being flogged by Adrian Shooter to the council. Line upgraded to run 3tph at 50mpg. Think that cover the key points.

Thanks. I live and work in the area and have been trying to keep abreast of developments with this. Shame it's not planning to utilise electrics but am not too surprised.

Appreciate your summarisation.

 

[IanXC]

Something sticks in my mind that the we know ScotRail told us that the 172s are not available, but we don't have any clue where they are committed to. If TfL were to take over the Greenford branch, and if this Brentford scheme goes ahead, we're approaching the point where they could be TfL use for this fleet of 8x 2 car units.

 

[SpacePhoenix]

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.4...4!1s8j5Th7VS5-LDC46nYAyaFA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

The blocks of flats visible in that Google Streetview image, is that where the Brentford station used to be?

 

[greatkingrat]

GRIP 2 study has been done, identifying a range of options. Hounslow borough council seems to be funding the GRIP process. Study done for them by WSP shows a BCR of between 2.4 and 3. A range of options is provided, but from the article, they're leaning to double tracking from the main line to the M4 overbridge, while retaining single track from thereon. There would be a Brentford Golden Mile station near the A4 and the Sky Campus (the only station). Considering building a new independent island platform at Southhall to avoid having the branch trains clogging the main line. 230s being flogged by Adrian Shooter to the council. Line upgraded to run 3tph at 50mpg. Think that cover the key points.

Very impressed by the proposed fuel efficiency!

 

[MarkyT]

Once a passenger service is established, a future possibility might be to connect the branch across the A4 to the SW network via a new bridge and incorporate the service into the SW 'Windsor Lines' network. using some of the new capacity being created at Waterloo. The curve would be about 200m in radius. Little demolition required, only possibly part of the modern rear warehouse component of the JC Decaux premises, not it's splendid Art Deco front office block (formerly Curry's Cycles and Radios). It's possible the viaduct crossing the A4 could extend across this area to avoid losing significant space in the complex.

http://www.fosterandpartners.com/projects/jcdecaux-headquarters/

 

[JohnR]

Something sticks in my mind that the we know ScotRail told us that the 172s are not available, but we don't have any clue where they are committed to. If TfL were to take over the Greenford branch, and if this Brentford scheme goes ahead, we're approaching the point where they could be TfL use for this fleet of 8x 2 car units.

What if TfL were to take on a small fleet of 230's :razz:

 

[MarkyT]

What if TfL were to take on a small fleet of 230's :razz:

They could be used on the Greenford branch as well and perhaps Windsor and Marlow services. A small fleet based at Southall perhaps operated by a local microfranchise or concession, with an 'Elizabeth Line branches' identity.

 

[PermitToTravel]

FGW Link

 

[159]

Seeing as TFL will probably take over SWT inner suburban services and inner GWML for Crossrail, maybe it can reinstate trains on the North and South Western Junction Railway (New Kew Junction between Kew Bridge and Brentford). Provide an interchange for Crossrail at Acton Main Line. Join w/willesden junction, continue to stratford or possibly Watford. southbound, continue to hounslow. what do you think?
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_and_South_Western_Junction_Railway)

 

[swt_passenger]

Seeing as TFL will probably take over SWT inner suburban services and inner GWML for Crossrail.)

The southwestern franchise retains a significant suburban network even under Crossrail 2, which has nothing to do with the Windsor side services that serve the Brentford area. Crossrail 2 takes over services via Wimbledon..

 

[159]

The southwestern franchise retains a significant suburban network even under Crossrail 2, which has nothing to do with the Windsor side services that serve the Brentford area. Crossrail 2 takes over services via Wimbledon..

TFL under Sadiq Kahn has expressed desire to take over GTR's (Southern, SEtern) inner suburban services to complement its Overground network - as well as the entire SWT service within Oyster zones not taken up by Crossrail.

 

[abn444]

TFL under Sadiq Kahn has expressed desire to take over GTR's (Southern, SEtern) inner suburban services to complement its Overground network - as well as the entire SWT service within Oyster zones not taken up by Crossrail.

The latest I heard was that idea was pretty much dead in the water.

 

[Chris125]

The latest I heard was that idea was pretty much dead in the water.

It is while Grayling remains SoS, that's for sure.

 

[Mordac]

What does this discussion have to do with the Brentford Branch?