Chiltern Railways - Project Evergreen 3

[tbtc]

More likely is that the GWML will be electrified to Reading and Oxford which would allow 165s to be cascaded onto Chiltern to strengthen services.

That's about the only place for the 165s to go, I suppose.

As for electrification, I guess a lot depends on whether this route is taken over by the proposed High Speed Heathrow - Midlands service.

 

[Voyager 2093]

Regarding the Stratford upon Avon service, Chiltern do not only use 165s on that line, I was at Marylebone today and saw 168 002 forming the 16:49 Express service to Stratford Upon Avon

 

[fgwrich]

That's about the only place for the 165s to go, I suppose.

As for electrification, I guess a lot depends on whether this route is taken over by the proposed High Speed Heathrow - Midlands service.

Not totally... as FGW were, from what i was told a while back, possibly move some of the 165's to the Exeter area... thats as long as the fit in the local guage of course...

but theres truth and rumers... and that could be either :roll:

But the thing is, i wish they would drop the plans of electrifying the entire GWML for now... considering theres other routes that that could benefit more from Electrification at present... Such as various areas around london for example...Transpennine Express and the Midland Mainline... Which is far more electrified than the GWML...

And why just electrifiaction to Reading... Taking it further would make far more sense that just reading... just like the MML and electrification to Bedford... Not even a half mesure...

rich

 

[Chafford1]

Can anyone give an update on the proposed upgrading of track between Neasden and Aynho. Have the locations for the extra tracks been finalised yet?

 

[The Planner]

No, considering the Bicester to Oxford section is already being "de-scoped". Expect a few more cut backs on Evergreen 3 I reckon.

 

[Aictos]

And I wouldn't call their HST refurbishment "high quality", the seats are awful.

Only if you're travelling in Standard Class , First Class looks quite comfortable, much much more better then NXEC!

 

[PhilipW]

No, considering the Bicester to Oxford section is already being "de-scoped". Expect a few more cut backs on Evergreen 3 I reckon.

Just how is Evergreen 3 being descoped ? I have read nothing about that.

 

[The Planner]

Cant say at the mo, but Bicester - Oxford is reportedly not going to be as originally planned.

 

[PhilipW]

Oh !

I hope that it is going to remain double track. As such that allows a good deal of timetabling flexibility and is also a key stepping stone to the full Oxford-Milton Keynes East-West rail link.

I also think that the cost of the new Water Eaton Parkway with its 2 platforms would pay for itself from the large untapped potential there.

There is an old adage in life "If you are going to do something, do it properly". If you cheapskate projects, they always come back to haunt you later on. We don't have to list them here but we all know many railway projects that would fall into that category.

I can only hope that Evergreen 3 goes forward as currently planned. It does look like a good scheme.

 

[paul1609]

Cant say at the mo, but Bicester - Oxford is reportedly not going to be as originally planned.

Cant say I'm surprised I always wondered how such a grand scheme was justified for a service planned to be formed of 2 4 car dmus an hour or how you justify building in capacity for a proposed service.
GWML electrification may well have sounded the death knell for Evergreen 3 I fear.

 

[Aictos]

There is an old adage in life "If you are going to do something, do it properly". If you cheapskate projects, they always come back to haunt you later on. We don't have to list them here but we all know many railway projects that would fall into that category.

Hmm, the whole ECML electrification project comes to mind having been done on the cheap which is why it doesn't take much to bring them down.

 

[Chafford1]

Latest info. on Evergreen 3 London - Birmingham upgrade to achieve 100 minute timings (from another website):

1) Rebuilding of Neasden, Northolt and Aynho Junctions (including new down passing loop at South Ruislip to give 4 tracks there (currently 3).

2) Increases in line speed.

3) Third bi-directional through track at Princes Risborough.

4) Straightened line at Bicester with platform extended out (to increase line speed).

These changes will be completed by December 2010.


There will also be a new trailing crossover at Gerrards Cross for terminating trains to turn back into the down platform.

 

[Chafford1]

Everything's gone very quiet on signing off Evergreen 3. Does anyone know why there's a delay?

 

[Old Timer]

Staff are out there signal sighting this week.

 

[gwr2006]

Everything's gone very quiet on signing off Evergreen 3. Does anyone know why there's a delay?

Chiltern and DfT failed to achieve financial sign-off before the 1st December deadline contained in their franchise agreement due to the number of other track access and development funding agreements with ORR and Network Rail that had to be in place first. They have continued negotiating and should get sign-off shortly with an announcement expected within the next two weeks. The Transport & Works Act Order applicatioin is being made to DfT today.

 

[Waddon]

As for electrification, I guess a lot depends on whether this route is taken over by the proposed High Speed Heathrow - Midlands service.

It won't be taken over for HS2 - there are too many busy commuter towns and stations on route, and high speed needs as few intermediate stations as possible. Hwever I suspect (if HS2 is ever built) it may end up running alongside for a lot of it's alignment, and if so the ideal solution would be to electrify both at the same time?