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

[Sun Chariot]

Halfway between the 2 Whaddon Roads, just west of Newton Longville. Here's another pic from the same day a bit further east that did still have rails (and a pic of the same bridge from this week) (btw, I *am* still behind the fence on that second one!)

I know that bridge well and I plan to be there for 5th April's Hastings set.
That photo of the abandoned car perfectly captures the state of the route in its "mothballed" years.

@sqwizz That recent shot is taken from the north side of the line + the Bletchley side of the overbridge, yes? I don't recall a public access into that field - where did you access it from?
Network Rail's gated compound is through the bridge arches to the right hand side of your photo, yes?

 

[sqwizz]

I just caught a glimpse of the Night Riviera stock on the EWR line, thanks to @FGW_DID

@Sun Chariot, messaged

 

[Sun Chariot]

I just caught a glimpse of the Night Riviera stock on the EWR line, thanks to @FGW_DID

@Sun Chariot, messaged

Thanks, just replied. Great video.

 

[sqwizz]

We may never, they’re being subleased from WMT. Of course it’s possible that it does happen, it seems like it could end up being a bit of a trade for those 4 172/1s Chiltern surrendered a few years back.

A news post today by Chiltern confirms they will be having a change of livery https://www.chilternrailways.co.uk/oxford-to-miltonkeynes (thanks to @wls1 in another thread)

 

[DarloRich]

what is the current thinking on end of training/go live dates?

 

[zwk500]

what is the current thinking on end of training/go live dates?

Presumably the method of operation (DOO, Guards, or Other) needs to be decided first, as that'll have quite a big impact on the training requirements.

 

[DarloRich]

Presumably the method of operation (DOO, Guards, or Other) needs to be decided first, as that'll have quite a big impact on the training requirements.

thanks - i had wrongly assumed that had already been agreed.

 

[DavidGrain]

what is the current thinking on end of training/go live dates?

Presumable the 196s could not be re-liveried prior to the official announcement so they will have to go for that work to be done. So far only three of the units have been reported as being at Bletchley. So the other three must be still in store.

RTT shows the ghost full operational timetable commencing with the May timetable but with all services cancelled for the first few weeks. So it will be a case of watching for the train codes being changed from 5 (ECS) to 1 or 2 (passenger).

 

[zwk500]

thanks - i had wrongly assumed that had already been agreed.

Losing track between the threads but think it's been confirmed by posters currently working in the industry that it's not yet been decided.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 26 Mar 2025 ==

Presumable the 196s could not be re-liveried prior to the official announcement so they will have to go for that work to be done. So far only three of the units have been reported as being at Bletchley. So the other three must be still in store.

RTT shows the ghost full operational timetable commencing with the May timetable but with all services cancelled for the first few weeks. So it will be a case of watching for the train codes being changed from 5 (ECS) to 1 or 2 (passenger).

The data change will probably take effect the night after any public announcement. It's a relatively simple task for the NR and Chiltern timetable teams to process, but it likely won't be done until official confirmation of the start date is received.

 

[DavidGrain]

Presumably the method of operation (DOO, Guards, or Other) needs to be decided first, as that'll have quite a big impact on the training requirements.

There have been no reports of guards being trained so I am assuming that DOO will be the method of operating. Chiltern uses guards only north of Banbury and on the loco hauled trains.

 

[DarloRich]

I saw a 196 at MKC yesterday - nice to see.

 

[Peter Sarf]

All I can say is I am looking forward to the Bedford/Bletchley "section" getting absorbed into EWR - But when ?.
Then its onwards to Cambridge somehow - But how soon ?

 

[swt_passenger]

All I can say is I am looking forward to the Bedford/Bletchley "section" getting absorbed into EWR - But when ?.
Then it’s onwards to Cambridge somehow - But how soon ?

Is that better asked in this thread?

East-West Rail (EWR): Consultation updates [not speculation]

The consultation feedback analysis will normally be dealt with thematically (e.g. ‘trees’, ‘flooding’ and so on) and not by question or group of questions. Thanks, I see what you mean now!

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[Benjwri]

No those stations are not ‘part of the same branch line’ in my book - they have direct trains to London and

And that’s exactly the thinking that holds EWR, and the country, back, that any line which does not include London is just a branch line. EWR connects major areas on either side, and providing better connections like this will cause them to grow. Cities don’t grow out of nothing, and the hyper focus on London is exactly why other cities don’t get anywhere.

 

[Sun Chariot]

And that’s exactly the thinking that holds EWR, and the country, back, that any line which does not include London is just a branch line.

Just imagine if the same mindset existed in the promoters of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway...

"This wondrous new railway, forging an invaluable link between the mighty port of Liverpool and the industrial powerhouse of Manchester!"
"Naah mate, it's not got a link to London - it's just a branch line."

 

[fishwomp]

It will be open way before the end of the year, [..]

H2 2025 is all that has been promised so far. I bleedin' hope so..

Am I the only one who thinks it's a bit shambolic to build a railway, and for it to be ready enough to have run passenger specials, before contracting with a company to operate it or decide how it'll be crewed. This should be in business earning its keep - the money spent is not earning any return at the moment. May could have been a target, or earlier, but right now it sounds like no-one here knows what the target is.

Timely reminder btw, that this Saturday is the Hastings unit down the 'branch'

Workings are:

Realtime Trains | 1Z49 0902 Hastings to Milton Keynes Central | 05/04/2025

Real-time train running information for 1Z49 0902 departure from Hastings to Milton Keynes Central on 05/04/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 1Z49 0902 Hastings to Milton Keynes Central | 05/04/2025

Real-time train running information for 1Z49 0902 departure from Hastings to Milton Keynes Central on 05/04/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 1Z49 0902 Hastings to Milton Keynes Central | 05/04/2025

Real-time train running information for 1Z49 0902 departure from Hastings to Milton Keynes Central on 05/04/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Sun Chariot]

Timely reminder btw, that this Saturday is the Hastings unit down the 'branch'

And its first time out as a 9 car rake (6 car + 3 car)

https://www.hastingsdiesels.co.uk/railtours/#eastwest

 

[sqwizz]

I saw a 196 at MKC yesterday - nice to see.

I saw one there today

 

[Mag_seven]

Just a gentle reminder that discission in this thread should be confined to East-West Rail (EWR) Driver Training and Route Learning.

thanks

 

[Gagravarr]

I noticed a lone class 57 trundling through Oxford yesterday, which seems to have been on its way to Milton Keynes from Reading - https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:R62309/2025-04-03/detailed . It popped back again later too - https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:R62305/2025-04-03/detailed . Is that for more GWR sleeper diversion route learning?

 

[sqwizz]

I noticed a lone class 57 trundling through Oxford yesterday, which seems to have been on its way to Milton Keynes from Reading - https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:R62309/2025-04-03/detailed . It popped back again later too - https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:R62305/2025-04-03/detailed . Is that for more GWR sleeper diversion route learning?

I saw it pulling along the empty sleeper stock a couple of weeks ago, and it's been going back and forth by itself quite a lot since then

 

[FGW_DID]

I noticed a lone class 57 trundling through Oxford yesterday, which seems to have been on its way to Milton Keynes from Reading - https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:R62309/2025-04-03/detailed . It popped back again later too - https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:R62305/2025-04-03/detailed . Is that for more GWR sleeper diversion route learning?

57305. It’s being used by GBRF drivers for route learning.

 

[Robin Edwards]

196009 & 196010 were outside Bletchley TMD this morning with a third tucked inside. It seems Chiltern are training with 165004 this morning working Oxford to Fenny Stratford, then back to Bletchley?

 

[sqwizz]

196009 & 196010 were outside Bletchley TMD this morning with a third tucked inside. It seems Chiltern are training with 165004 this morning working Oxford to Fenny Stratford, then back to Bletchley?

Still orange and purple I assume? And yeah Chiltern have been using various 165s and sometimes 168s. For the 196s I've seen six here; 001 and 008-012.

 

[Roger B]

196009 & 196010 were outside Bletchley TMD this morning with a third tucked inside. It seems Chiltern are training with 165004 this morning working Oxford to Fenny Stratford, then back to Bletchley?

Thanks for this info. I'd very much like to track down 010, and am heading there this afternoon. Just wondering where you saw it from: a Bletchley - Bedford train, or from James Way outside the depot, or what?

Many thanks

 

[sqwizz]

nm

 

[DavidGrain]

As we have been told upthread The 196s are being used for traction learning and the 165s are being used for route learning. This is why they are running to Fenny Stratford as that is the access route to the depot.

 

[Robin Edwards]

Thanks for this info. I'd very much like to track down 010, and am heading there this afternoon. Just wondering where you saw it from: a Bletchley - Bedford train, or from James Way outside the depot, or what?

Many thanks

I came in by train from the Bedford line and 009 & 010 were sat coupled outside the TMD

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Apr 2025 ==

Still orange and purple I assume? And yeah Chiltern have been using various 165s and sometimes 168s. For the 196s I've seen six here; 001 and 008-012.

WMT Orange

 

[DarloRich]

As we have been told upthread The 196s are being used for traction learning and the 165s are being used for route learning. This is why they are running to Fenny Stratford as that is the access route to the depot.

it will be an interesting shunt:

Bletchley high level > Flyover > Fenny ( reverse) > Bletchley P5 ( reverse) > depot/sidings

I wonder if Cambridge Sidings are refettled to offer some extra stabling?

 

[Roger B]

I came in by train from the Bedford line and 009 & 010 were sat coupled outside the TMD

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Apr 2025 ==


WMT Orange

Many thanks Robin