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Rail Re-think in the South West
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P156KWJ
Established Member
hmm, never thought about that possible problem before
Not sure why this is a new story - it's been mentioned before. I wonder if they are actually doing something now?
They should reopen it, but keep both routes open for as long as possible.
Does anyone know what the timings would be like, and what the line speeds are on the Okehampton route?
Surely it will require 2 reversals for through trains from London to Penzance?
They should reopen it, but keep both routes open for as long as possible.
Does anyone know what the timings would be like, and what the line speeds are on the Okehampton route?
Surely it will require 2 reversals for through trains from London to Penzance?
Turbostar
Member
Like Yorkie said, this is an ongoing thing, been going on for as long as I can remember, but nothing ever gets done about it, as per usual. Sooner or later, it'll be too late, & they'll say "why didn't we do something about this sooner?" 
I hope something does come about it, wasting money each year doing the same thing around Dawlish etc. year after year, seems pointless to me. Just out of curiosity, is this linked to the proposed re-opening of the line from Plymouth to Tavistock?
I hope something does come about it, wasting money each year doing the same thing around Dawlish etc. year after year, seems pointless to me. Just out of curiosity, is this linked to the proposed re-opening of the line from Plymouth to Tavistock?devon_metro
Established Member
Problem with this is that redirection via Tavistock would mean reversal at Plymouth to go to Cornwall and also missing out the second largest population base in Devon (bigger than Plymouth) - Torbay, not forgetting Dawlish and surrounding towns. Diversionary route on the other hand is in the middle of nowhere!
A major problem with reopening via tavistock as a main line is the lack of capacity through the Western Plymouth Suburbs. The Ex Southern Line has long since been lost under development.
The GW line is tortuous with low speed limits and the single section over the Albert bridge (which is just beyond the junction to the ex Southern Line) limits capacity. Realistically with say a 75 mph speed limit I reckon you are talking 1 h 30 to Exeter via Oakhampton.
I'm of the opinion a new cut off mostly in tunnel from just North of Starcross to Newton Abbot Racecourse would be a far better bet. It would also facilitate future electrification by avoiding the Dawlish Sea front.
The GW line is tortuous with low speed limits and the single section over the Albert bridge (which is just beyond the junction to the ex Southern Line) limits capacity. Realistically with say a 75 mph speed limit I reckon you are talking 1 h 30 to Exeter via Oakhampton.
I'm of the opinion a new cut off mostly in tunnel from just North of Starcross to Newton Abbot Racecourse would be a far better bet. It would also facilitate future electrification by avoiding the Dawlish Sea front.
devon_metro
Established Member
Indeed. The traffic flows between Plymouth and Exeter respectively aren't overly large. Passenger flows into and out of Plymouth and Exeter from Torbay, Dawlish, Newton Abbot on the other hand are too large to sacrifice. A route similar to the A380 would be ideal up to Newton Abbot, although the gradients would be severe and can't see NR funding a tunnel!
Whenever it happens, (and I guess even though it will take many years to come to fruition, this plan is inevitable), I want to be on the last ever train that goes along the coast line.
Even if it means the tide engulfing the whole train and dragging me to a watery grave. What a way to go......
Even if it means the tide engulfing the whole train and dragging me to a watery grave. What a way to go......
I think it would be a real loss to many of the communities the costal route serves and also feel that the levels of traffic that do not stop at the local stations are too little to justify a whole new line. I favour other proposals highlighted on this thread that would see the line slightly diverted from its present course.
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