Wyrleybart
Established Member
Especially as 4 car 350/2 are sitting in a field not earning for their owner.
If only they had hung some copper over EWR while they were building it, but we have been here before haven't we.
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East-West Rail (EWR) countdown to entry into service
- Thread starter DavidGrain
- Start date
If only they had hung some copper over EWR while they were building it, but we have been here before haven't we.
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87015
Established Member
I hope you've warned them the connections are absolutely dire, can't see them doing it for long with +25s at Bletchley give or take in both directions
DarloRich
Veteran Member
a couple of them are former MV passengers so connection times are a mere trifle
zwk500
Veteran Member
It's very impressive that the Bedford to Bletchley service is typically timed to arrive three minutes after the MK to Bletchley to Oxford train leaves Bletchley.
In the morning peak the Bedfords actually arrive before the Oxford departure, but only the 0849 arrival has a viable connection time (and 5 mins is still tight to get up, across, down, under and up IMO). Mind you, the Marston Vale is a darn sight easier to retime than the MK-Denbigh Hall or Bicester-Oxford sections.
No. But PR use can be important. Oxford is a tourist hotspot, and the railway shouldn't just sit on it's hands but can use advertising effectively to increase traffic on the line.
Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
Assuming it to be a daily 9-5 type commute, the peak extras are a good bet. The first morning one from the Winslow side arrives at 0649, the 0656 is a guaranteed seat even if short formed as it is a Bletchley starter (at present it's a guaranteed half a coach to yourself because it's 10.730 though I expect in time it will be a 5-car service as 10 just isn't needed). It is a slow service but in my view it's the most civilised and it is my preference.
If speed is of the essence doubling back to MKC is probably the best plan, then there are the Avanti services and the WMT Crewe. The services originating from Birmingham tend to be a bit busy anyway. It might require split tickets of course, though I think a mid journey double back isn't automatically banned, it would depend on what Routeing Guide changes are completed for EWR.
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It actually already was retimed to ease EWR connections. However it seems to have only done so in one direction. With the long layovers at Bletchley I'd imagine it can be tweaked again if needs be, though you won't want to break the London connections which work fairly well.
A name for the line?
Now… let me think…
A line which will eventually connect two famous university cities…
Hmm…
No…
Nothing springs to mind!
Falcon1200
Established Member
'The Oxford and The Other Place Railway' sounds good to me.....
Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
(reply moved to correct thread):
www.railforums.co.uk
Should East West Rail's Oxford-MK "branch" have a name?
We keep referring to this line as East West Rail but it is only part of what was once the Varsity Line. The Bletchly to Bedford section is known as the Marston Vale Line. Obviously, the Oxford to MKC service is going to be a stand alone line for many years to come. My question therefore is...
www.railforums.co.uk
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jammmmmsssssss
Member
I think "Cambridge and that random other place" would be a lot better
zwk500
Veteran Member
BIB - and until it does, any name refencing any link between the two will be an albatross around it's neck!
Also, the universities are generally seen as quite elitist institutions, so perhaps the railway may want a more accessible association.
For what it's worth the Chiltern MD was interviewed on the Green Signals youtube channel today. He said that
(a) driver training was "going well" with 50 drivers being based at a new(for Chiltern) depot at Bletchley.
(b) Conversations were taking place with "our partners and trade union colleagues" about how the new service would operate.
(c) Ongoing work fitting out Winslow was in progress.
(d) He declined to give any indication of when public service might start.
Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
It's quite something that you need 50 drivers to run 4 unit diagrams per day - it makes clear why rail operation is sometimes so expensive in staffing terms!
4 unit diagrams / day will be around 12 driver diagrams a day, which would usually mean around 40 drivers to cover Mon- Sat. Add in a bit of float to allow for training failures, and perhaos include training the driver maanagers, and there you are.
Wilts Wanderer
Established Member
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Assuming a 4-day week and 8h45m average turn length (I’m guessing that’s fairly representative), is that really how many heads you need to cover 12 turns 6d/wk? B***** Nora
Assuming a 4-day week and 8h45m average turn length (I’m guessing that’s fairly representative), is that really how many heads you need to cover 12 turns 6d/wk? B***** Nora
Depends on the diagrams of course. But yes.
fishwomp
Established Member
if only that could have been figured out during the 3 years of building the line...
Falcon1200
Established Member
Robin Edwards
Member
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In terms of Countdown plans from Chiltern Railways, the latest offering from Green Signals available on YouTube has an interview going through the plans for introducing the MkV stock on the Marylebone to Moor Street services and more. Richard Bowker did also slip in a question relating to when is EWR line to Oxford ever going to open - the answer was less than clear and seemed related to Union acceptance?? Apologies if I have this wrong but an interesting listen given that London to Birmingham will soon see half-hourly locomotive hauled trains!
Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
There is, unfortunately*, a DOO debate to be had. I wouldn't be surprised if this went on for a very long time and delayed opening.
* I comment not on whether the line should be DOO or not, but it is unfortunate that this repeated issue might delay the line's opening.
Sun Chariot
Established Member
Personally, I'd like to see something like The Camisis Line. A play on Rivers Cam and Isis
Wyrleybart
Established Member
Inclined to agree. It is a "new line" which has not seen Timetabled passenger trains since the 1960s. The actual "new" stretch is really gnly between Bicester village and Bletchley, and involves two station calls - at Winslow and Bletchley high level. Denbigh Hall - Milton Keynes is DOO, but not yet will the Chiltern drivers at Bletchley, unless they retain knowledge from a previous employer.
I daresay we will find out in due course.
duffield
Established Member
Hmm. Sounds like a skin condition to me. "That's the worst case of camisis I've ever seen!"
Personally, I'd like to see something like The Camisis Line. A play on Rivers Cam and Isis
Wyrleybart
Established Member
"Don't worry madam we have a poultice for that".
Sun Chariot
Established Member
Pity the Oxbridge undergrads who mis-hear it and think the train service offers travellers "the green herb...."
East West Rail stages 2 and 3 being re-baselined after DfT spent nearly double expected budget | New Civil Engineer
Revealed in the National Infrastructure and Services Transformation Authority’s (Nista’s) annual report 2024/25, the DfT spent £175.3M on CS2 and CS3 over
www.newcivilengineer.com
First EWR section on cusp of opening
Where CS1 (Oxford to Milton Keynes) is concerned, the project spend 5.9% more than expected over the last financial year, spending £125M against a forecast of £118M according to the Nista annual report.
Nista stated this was driven by risk funding that has been brought forward to cover the cost of some minor snagging issues.
The completion date for CS1 is still scheduled for next month but Nista’s report detailed how there are concerns regarding entry into service. This has been delayed due to the signing of the Deed of Amendment not yet being done and a decision on mode of operation, which in turn has delayed driver training.
The report continued: “Overall the schedule remains ambitious but achievable. Progress is being made with stakeholders to ensure operational readiness for entry into service by 2025.
“The project remains broadly on budget and to schedule. The Deed of Amendment with Chiltern Railways has been signed, which officially onboards them as the Train Operating Company for CS1 services.
“Risk still remains over the trade union response to the mode of operation decision and how this may affect proposed time schedules to enter into service.
“Operational readiness planning remains a key priority focus for the project to deliver services by the end of 2025. “
theblackwatch
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It would appear this in cancelled. Although still showing on the Pathfinder website, it is no longer available for booking.
norbitonflyer
Established Member
Or maybe it's full?
theblackwatch
Established Member
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- 10,889
The pigs have just flown past my window...
You can still book it, where does it say it's cancelled?
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theblackwatch
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- 10,889
No, it isn't bookable. There is no option to book on it when you have gone through to 'BOOK TICKETS' - the tour isn't in the drop-down list.You can still book it, where does it say it's cancelled?
The Shakespearean - Pathfinder Railtours
Travel over Britain's latest mainline to be re-opened, behind Britain's newest mainline steam locomotive. Joining Stations: Eastleigh, Southampton Central, Romsey, Salisbury, Westbury, Chippenham, Swindon, Oxford*www.pathfindertours.co.uk
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It's bookable so not full.
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As if by magic, the tour has now disappeared from the Pathfinder website.
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