Potential Rolling Stock for GO-OP! Taunton-Nuneaton Service

[samuelmorris]

Go Op are taking it seriously, I know they have been dealing with us over what they want, whether they get it is a different matter. Rumours of 769s.

Any recent feedback? The website seems to list the meeting from July in future tense still...

 

[squizzler]

Go Op are taking it seriously, I know they have been dealing with us over what they want, whether they get it is a different matter. Rumours of 769s.

Does your grapevine say if the 769 is a stopgap till they can get their own fleet or if it would be a permanent arrangement? It doesn't seem a bad option between Taunton and Swindon, presumably it replaces the D-train the Wikipedia page suggests would be used for the shorter route?

 

[DarloRich]

Go Op are taking it seriously, I know they have been dealing with us over what they want, whether they get it is a different matter. Rumours of 769s.

I know what they want but I just can't see it happening especially the leamington ) nuneston part

 

[a_c_skinner]

Go Op are taking it seriously,

Obviously apart from the Taunton-Nuneaton commuters there is the vast untapped leisure market waiting to open up Nuneaton to tourism.

It does seem a curious route to choose.

 

[samuelmorris]

Does your grapevine say if the 769 is a stopgap till they can get their own fleet or if it would be a permanent arrangement? It doesn't seem a bad option between Taunton and Swindon, presumably it replaces the D-train the Wikipedia page suggests would be used for the shorter route?

I'd have thought a 769 would be much more likely to gain approval. The idea of a 60mph 230 trundling along between Taunton and Castle Cary and between Oxford and Coventry seems a bit problematic, to put it politely.

 

[HLE]

Obviously apart from the Taunton-Nuneaton commuters there is the vast untapped leisure market waiting to open up Nuneaton to tourism.

It does seem a curious route to choose.

Haha it's a weird one. I seriously doubt Taunton is first on the must visit list for the vast majority of the inahbitants of treacle town

However, an extra service on the Nuneaton to Leamington route, despite being practically unworkable would be welcome!

 

[Wilts Wanderer]

I'd have thought a 769 would be much more likely to gain approval. The idea of a 60mph 230 trundling along between Taunton and Castle Cary and between Oxford and Coventry seems a bit problematic, to put it politely.

It’s the idea of a 60mph unit trundling along the 2-track sections of the GWML that I find somewhat problematic personally!

Re Nuneaton - I seem to recall the original proposal was for Yeovil Junction to Birmingham New Street. Presumably Nuneaton was substituted once someone took at look at the Proof House Jcn timetable graph!

The day this service starts (in anything approaching the format suggested), I will eat the Western Route WTT, whole, without ketchup.

 

[The Planner]

It also calls into question the whole NUCKLE thing, you dont need 3tph Nuneaton to Coventry, especially when 2tph needs the bay to be built.

 

[The Planner]

It’s the idea of a 60mph unit trundling along the 2-track sections of the GWML that I find somewhat problematic personally!

Re Nuneaton - I seem to recall the original proposal was for Yeovil Junction to Birmingham New Street. Presumably Nuneaton was substituted once someone took at look at the Proof House Jcn timetable graph!

The day this service starts (in anything approaching the format suggested), I will eat the Western Route WTT, whole, without ketchup.

Was Moor St, not New St. Id like to know how many freight paths they assume will move for them too, as it isnt a case of them being able to flex.

 

[43096]

It’s the idea of a 60mph unit trundling along the 2-track sections of the GWML that I find somewhat problematic personally!

Re Nuneaton - I seem to recall the original proposal was for Yeovil Junction to Birmingham New Street. Presumably Nuneaton was substituted once someone took at look at the Proof House Jcn timetable graph!

The day this service starts (in anything approaching the format suggested), I will eat the Western Route WTT, whole, without ketchup.

All feels a bit "we'd like to run some trains but we don't care/know where" given the number of times they've changed the route.

 

[swt_passenger]

All feels a bit "we'd like to run some trains but we don't care/know where" given the number of times they've changed the route.

That is a pretty good summary, I reckon.

 

[adrock1976]

What exactly are Go-Op trying to achieve with a Taunton - Nuneaton service? Is it a regional or traditional Intercity service they are trying to get up and running?

During the time when I was residing in my native West Midlands, I do not ever recall there being direct trains between Nuneaton and Taunton. However, I do recall (and there are still today) direct traditional Intercity trains between Tamworth and Taunton.

 

[samuelmorris]

All feels a bit "we'd like to run some trains but we don't care/know where" given the number of times they've changed the route.

'Wherever DfT will let us' I think is probably apt. This clearly is being run from a perspective, not on what route they feel is most in need of improvement, but on what route they will be allowed to run services to begin with.

 

[HLE]

It also calls into question the whole NUCKLE thing, you dont need 3tph Nuneaton to Coventry, especially when 2tph needs the bay to be built.

True. During the off peak it'd just be fresh air carted about. But 2 tph to Leamington from Nuneaton may well be welcome in a few years time. If the proposed direct service does start in May I can see passenger numbers skyrocketing. I can't drive to Leamington in less than an hour during the peaks on a good day.

But for 3 tph on the cov-leam route (Inc. XC) I assume redoubling would be needed first? So this whole proposal to go through to Nuneaton seems to be a non starter.

 

[The Planner]

But for 3 tph on the cov-leam route (Inc. XC) I assume redoubling would be needed first? So this whole proposal to go through to Nuneaton seems to be a non starter.

Yes, and I can also imagine XC not being happy and saying its a massive performance risk regardless of the Cov Leam bit.

 

[HLE]

Huge given their own services are usually delayed before reaching Leamington!