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Passenger TOCs operating on private lines

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IanXC

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A trip to Okehampton a couple of weeks ago prompted this question, are there any other locations where a National Rail Passenger TOC operates a timetabled service on private (ie non Network Rail) infrastructure?
 
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Eagle

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I'm assuming you're not including TfL infrastructure or HS1, as those are both publicly-owned.

In that case the only other instance I can think of is trains to Heathrow.
 

alex17595

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I believe some have gone onto the WSR, Norton fitzwarren station wikipideia say there a FGW ECS from Bishops lydyard to taunton if that counts.
 

dysonsphere

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Taunton to Bishop's Lydeard is NR owned though. It's only beyond Bishop's Lydeard that the track is owned by WSR.

I thought the join was just outside the old cider works by the mainline as the new triangle belongs to the WSR and thats next to the mainline
 

Class172

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Either LM or Chiltern have run on the SVR between Kidderminster and Bewdley.
 

David Goddard

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A trip to Okehampton a couple of weeks ago prompted this question, are there any other locations where a National Rail Passenger TOC operates a timetabled service on private (ie non Network Rail) infrastructure?

I think Specials are outside the scope of this.
 

WSW

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Taunton to Bishop's Lydeard is NR owned though. It's only beyond Bishop's Lydeard that the track is owned by WSR.

Sorry that is not correct, Mr Eagle. The line from milepost 165 and a quarter at Norton Fitzwarren to the buffer stops at Minehead is leased by WSR Plc from owners Somerset County Council. The WSR Plc own a short stretch, 200 yards or so, from milepost 165 and a quarter towards Norton Fitzwarren Junction (the boundary with Network Rail is approproximately opposite Station Road.

In answer to the OP there have been several examples of timetabled passenger-carrying trains operated by TOCs over the Minehead Branch in recent times. Plus a great many freight trains (usually one each weekday) and quite a number of ECS workings. Lots of pics of all of these on wsr.org.uk

Steve
 

sonic2009

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Railsigns:1539075 said:
Fishguard Harbour?

The station is owned by Stena, so i would assume the tracks inside the harbour belong to the ferry port owners?
 

Old Hill Bank

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Either LM or Chiltern have run on the SVR between Kidderminster and Bewdley.

Chiltern have operated a couple of specials from Bridgnorth to Marylebone using 168s, LM ran the Class 150 farewell special up to Bridgnorth and back as part of the days itinerary. I think a FGW HST has made the trip as well, then as mentioned above the Royal train.
 

theageofthetra

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What about Heathrow Express after airport junction Isn't that owned by BAA? I'm not sure about the spur to Stansted airport is that NR owned? I also think one of the lines in the Isle of Man is run by the Manx government but the line is owned by a preservation group or charitable trust.
 

WatcherZero

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One of the North East Open Access Operators was planning to electrify and lease back the equipment to NR isnt it. The Scottish Government tried to get the Borders Railway built as a private line but all the bidders pulled out because the economic case just didnt add up so they had to get NR to build it instead.
 

jopsuk

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Is the Swanage Railway still looking to get SWT to run regular services?
 

button_boxer

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What about Heathrow Express after airport junction Isn't that owned by BAA?

I would have classed HEX and HC the other way round - not a franchised TOC running trains onto non-NR metals, but rather a "private" operator (for want of a better term) using open access rights to run from its own infrastructure onto NR, in the same way as the NYMR does to Whitby.
 

umontu

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There was the EMT hst that made its way to Oxenhope on the Worth Valley last year.

There's been various other mainline trains use it too. (mostly freight though)
In the early BR days parcel trains used to run down the Keighley curve from the mainline. (So I'm told!)
 
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RPM

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Chiltern ran a 165 over the Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway on at least one occasion around 12 - 15 years ago. There are plans for Chiltern to operate specials to Chinnor again this October, both a 165 and a bubble car.
 

gwr4090

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Taunton to Bishop's Lydeard is NR owned though. It's only beyond Bishop's Lydeard that the track is owned by WSR.

This is NOT correct. Norton Fitzwarren to Bishops Lydeard is WSR not NR owned. The physical boundary has actually been moved a bit towards Taunton in the last few months and is now at 165m 15.5ch. This is about 35 chains beyond Norton Fitzwarren Jn.

There are currently no regular timetabled ToC operated passenger services to the WSR, although this may change before too long with the possibility of local trains being extended from Taunton to Bishops Lydeard. However special through services are occasionally operated by FGW at weekends, as last happened on 8 and 9 June.

David
 
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