Reading electrification

[tbtc]

What units would run an electrified Basingstoke - Reading line's local services - surely a 4 car 319 would be overkill?

If all the branches are wired, we might need an order for 2 and 3 car EMUs. Might tie in nicely with the Valleys and some Northern locals which would also need short EMUs.

Fair point.

I take it that (before the 150) it normally got two coach 165s (rather than three coach), which is 46m (and 3+2 seats) compared to 80m (with 2+2 seats), so that's quite a big jump in capacity still.

For all the talk of the "sparks effect" there will be some lines that can't justify a four coach EMU.

Then again, I'm interested in untapped demand on some lines - if everyone was guaranteed a seat then there must be a number of non-passengers who would be tempted to take the train (more of an issue on XC!)

 

[wintonian]

tbtc:


That is absolutely what happens. Any long distance train you take in the peaks is rammed, and then empties at Reading.

Shuttles leaving 3-4 mins before the Bristol/Cardiff rotations would be good. However you're right, the Penzance and Swanseas should be targeted having the longest journeys.

Bristol trains are more like commuter trains these days! The fast ones via BPW will make it even quicker - possibly 1 hour 15 mins?

I don't know I have trod* on small children and animals getting on a HST going west at Reading in the summer.

Anything that would take the pressure off the HST's untill reading would be welcome, there is already plenty of evening restrictions from Paddington and Reading so something else needs to be done.

*not literally but it has ben close.

What units would run an electrified Basingstoke - Reading line's local services - surely a 4 car 319 would be overkill?

If all the branches are wired, we might need an order for 2 and 3 car EMUs. Might tie in nicely with the Valleys and some Northern locals which would also need short EMUs.

It seems to me that it would make more sense to lay in a third rail and give that stretch to SWT, could you run a Basingstoke - Alton service reversing Woking - Brookwood? Personally I doubt there are the paths but if they ever increase capacity on the SWML?