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Brighton Great Western Services? - New 2013 Franchise

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SussexSpotter

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Does anyone know what the current situation is with regard to this, as the 2013 franchise consulations have suggested the possible removal of these services which would just be insane if they did?

Quote - DFT Great Western Franchise Consultation document:

__________________________________________________

''Question 18: Are the services that extend eastwards from Portsmouth to Brighton the best use of Great Western diesel rolling stock, in view of the fact that there are frequent electric services provided by Southern on this route, or could this rolling stock could usefully be redeployed elsewhere?''

__________________________________________________

There are 2 Brighton services per day from Brighton and 4 on Sundays, which are very well used, especcially for trips between Brighton and Bristol/Bath. It links the key cities of Chichester and Brighton to the Great Western network, so therefore why axe a service that is well used and leave cities isolated all for the sake of reploying a few DMU's elsewhere?

Something they should be considering is to strengthen the current Brighton service to 1 train per hour and give a faster or additonal service between Brighton and Portsmouth. At least it would have toilets unlike the current 313's.

They could run the following hourly service pattern:
_______________________

Cardiff Central
Newport (South Wales)
Filton Abbey Wood
Bristol Temple Meads
Bath Spa
Bradford-on-Avon
Trowbridge
Westbury
Warminster
Sailsbury
Romsey
Southampton Central
Fareham
Cosham
Portsmouth Harbour
Portsmouth & Southsea
Fratton
Havant
Chichester
Barnham
Worthing
Shoreham-By-Sea
Hove
Brighton
_______________________

Brighton
Hove
Shoreham-By-Sea
Worthing
Barnham
Chichester
Havant
Portsmouth Harbour
Portsmouth & Southsea
Fratton
Cosham
Fareham
Southampton Central
Romsey
Sailsbury
Warminster
Westbury
Trowbridge
Bradford-on-Avon
Bath Spa
Bristol Temple Meads
Filton Abbey Wood
Newport (South Wales)
Cardiff Central
_______________________

They should axe the current Brighton - Southampton Southern service which is terrible anyway, and is only compensation for the loss of the Brighton - Reading SWT service in December 2007, either that or axe the Brighton - Portsmouth Harbour service with the 3 coach 313 with no air con and toilets. Both of these services are slow, overcrowded, considerably unnattractive and 1 would be better off being replaced by a fast DMU calling at the main stations along the West Coastway, and giving a better link for passengers between key cities.

If these Great Western services are removed in the new franchise Brighton will become considerably isolated of its long distance direct links. The Brighton - Basingstoke/Reading/Exeter/Paignton services were axed in 2007, the Brighton - Birmingham/Manchester services were axed in 2008 along with the Brighton - Watford Junction Southern service. Leaving Brighton clinging onto it's last long distance services to Bristol, Worcester and Cardiff Central.....which are also now under threat.

It is beggers belief that Brighton which is a major city and tourist destination in the South seems to have become nothing more than a London Commuter station and for slow local services. Brighton Council have recently increased parking charges by a huge ammount to encourage people to use Public transport instead of the car.......ok......so where are the long distance links to get to Brighton station then that are more favourable than using the car? Are the elderly, disabled as well as parents with children expected to travel via the London Underground and/or change trains?......the DFT seem to think so!!!! :roll:
 
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tsr

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It's true that Southern, the DfT et al seem to care less about providing long-distance services to and from key locations on the Brighton Mainline than they do about cluttering the place up with an abundance of services to places such as Horsham, Barnham and Littlehampton which arguably do not need their current service patterns as much as the paths for long-distance services are required by passengers actually on the Brighton Mainline in places such as Brighton, Gatwick Airport, Redhill, Purley and so on.

With specific regard to your proposals/ideas, I do indeed agree that the current quality of services is poor compared to the level of service and facilities one might expect on any other coastline with key economic areas.

What does strike me is precisely how much more attractive a service is if it is direct. The fact that any given suitable stock is used for a long distance service that is seen to be going "out of its way" to reach key destinations is neither here nor there if the economic benefits are clear and justify the service. The use of diesel rolling stock for a more useful and/or intensive pattern would not be a waste of time and the ludicrous electric stock in use could be retired or deployed to some for some short distance services. Simply because Southern have electric stock running part of the route does not mean that such services are worthy competitors, nor does it mean that the services need continuing if a better set of options comes into play!

In essence, I do agree with you quite strongly!
 

ushawk

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Ive said it before, but Brighton losing the SWT services is a much, much bigger loss than XC services being withdrawn. Its one of the biggest places on the South Coast, yet its having services connecting it to other parts of the country withdrawn.

I use the FGW Brighton services reguarly and they are always well used (the exception being the services solely between Portsmouth and Brighton, early or late in the day to get the stock back to Fratton) and them being withdrawn would be a big loss.

I wouldnt call for the Southern services to Portsmouth and Southampton to be withdrawn though, if anything Coastway West services need improvement. I could never see hourly services beyond Southampton, at most it would be 2-hourly, but there isnt any stock to do this.

Losing the services will be a big loss to Sussex on the whole, as you can obviously change at Brighton from other areas and there is then the loss of service from Worthing, Barnham and to a lesser extent - Havant.
 

anthony263

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If only the route between Bath & Southampton were to be electrified I wouldn't mind regular Bristol - Brighton service every 2 hours alternating with a 2 hourly diesel service from Bristol to Weymouth.
 

Ivo

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I would agree too (although not with calling Chichester a "key" city ;)). The services are very well patronised, especially during the summer, and provide a useful for much of the south-east to much of the south-west that avoids both London and Reading (which is often forgotten about in instances like this). I don't see the point in causing the Pompey services to reverse though and continue - that is asking too much.

If this service was to be withdrawn, the former hub of Brighton would be terminally downgraded to a local commuter base (albeit on that works both ways). I would suggest that this service should be maintained - and one to Reading via the North Downs line couldn't hurt either.

It may be pushing pathing a bit but I would hope to see the Westbury stoppers improved to half-hourly, with the former Alphaline route improved as well - and at least one every two horus (if not every hour) running through to Brighton.
 

tbtc

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If only the route between Bath & Southampton were to be electrified

That's what it all comes down to.

At the moment FGW doesn't have enough 158s to meet demand on some of its Cardiff - Portsmouth services. However Southern (and SWT) are getting additional EMUs in the next few years. It therefore makes sense to enhance the EMU service on the "West Coastway" and use the spared DMU resource more effectively on the core FGW route from Cardiff to Bristol/ Southampton/ Portsmouth.

If the FGW route were electrified (maybe including the SWT service through Salisbury to Exeter?) then it'd be much easier to find the stock to give Brighton a direct train to south western England.

(I'm not saying that things are ideal as they are, just trying to justify why the powers that be are considering using scarce resources on the "core" FGW areas)
 

SussexSpotter

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That's what it all comes down to.

At the moment FGW doesn't have enough 158s to meet demand on some of its Cardiff - Portsmouth services. However Southern (and SWT) are getting additional EMUs in the next few years. It therefore makes sense to enhance the EMU service on the "West Coastway" and use the spared DMU resource more effectively on the core FGW route from Cardiff to Bristol/ Southampton/ Portsmouth.

If the FGW route were electrified (maybe including the SWT service through Salisbury to Exeter?) then it'd be much easier to find the stock to give Brighton a direct train to south western England.

(I'm not saying that things are ideal as they are, just trying to justify why the powers that be are considering using scarce resources on the "core" FGW areas)

For what it's worth a reduction in a Portsmouth Harbour service to allow a Brighton service to continue to opperate would have greater economic benefits than to axe a link to Brighton altogether, and keep the current Portsmouth service the way it is. I understand that resources are scarce, but by making cuts to service frequency rather than axing links such as Brighton, is far more favourable in my opinion.
 
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MidnightFlyer

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They should axe the current Brighton - Southampton Southern service which is terrible anyway, and is only compensation for the loss of the Brighton - Reading SWT service in December 2007, either that or axe the Brighton - Portsmouth Harbour service with the 3 coach 313 with no air con and toilets. Both of these services are slow, overcrowded, considerably unnattractive and 1 would be better off being replaced by a fast DMU calling at the main stations along the West Coastway, and giving a better link for passengers between key cities.

Cutting either the Portsmouth or Southampton services ex-Brighton would mean having to cover calls at Emsworth and potentially Southbourne and all stations east of Barnham except for East Worthing, Fishersgate and Aldrington with other services though, unless you'd sacrifice their service level to cater for the extended Cardiff services. I'm not sure whether paths remain to allow them to operate together, or whether you'd need yet another revision along the West Coastway.
 

D1009

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What does strike me is precisely how much more attractive a service is if it is direct.

And fast. Aren't these now the fastest trains of the day between Southampton and Brighton ?

In the old days they came from Exeter and even Plymouth on occasions,THere weren't many stops between Saibury and Exeter, and some naughty ru nning was possible. Demand was such they needed a 12 car Hastings unit, but on later occasions it was a set of well turned out but very ancient SR Mk 1 SOs, some of the earliest built. It was often worked by a pair of 33s, at least one was a slimline 33/2. However fom memory tis only happened on Saturdays.

To my mind routing via Portsmouth would be a retrograde step, given there are plenty of alternatives.
 
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SussexSpotter

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Cutting either the Portsmouth or Southampton services ex-Brighton would mean having to cover calls at Emsworth and potentially Southbourne and all stations east of Barnham except for East Worthing, Fishersgate and Aldrington with other services though, unless you'd sacrifice their service level to cater for the extended Cardiff services. I'm not sure whether paths remain to allow them to operate together, or whether you'd need yet another revision along the West Coastway.

Another timetable revison along the West Coastway could be possible, perhaps a meeting between Southern, Network Rail and the new Great Western franchise holder. With a short turnaround at Portsmouth Harbour it could significantly improve journey opportunity. There is a morning Portsmouth - Brighton FGW service anyway and an evening Sunday service from Brighton - Portsmouth. Besides the service frequency could become 1 every 2 hours, and that would allow for Brighton to be served as well as providing additional stock where it is most needed. It would reduce overcrowding on the current services provided by Southern and add in a more frequent, fast and direct service with the re-route via Portsmouth. It would allow the Portsmouth and Brighton market to be served together improving effeciency and providing an alternative to the awful Class 313 working between Brighton and Portsmouth. Although the service would need to bypass Fratton and Portsmouth & Southsea on the Westbound trips in order to avoid displaying Westbound Brighton services on the departure board and cause confusion, and only serve Fratton and Portsmouth & Southsea on the Eastbound it could be done and at the end of the day it's better than having to change trains and wait on a freezing cold platform for a connecting train.....there's also the possibility of some services missing out Fratton and Portsmouth & Southsea altogether if they wanted to speed things up a bit.

The Emsworth service could be compensated with an extended Portsmouth & Southsea - Littlehampton service to serve Brighton (with reversal at Littlehampton). Some Coastway services during peak reverse at Littlehampton anyway.
 
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WelshBluebird

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One thing I will say is as part of services like this, it would be nice to see more calling at Oldfield Park and Keynsham. Be this as part of a Bristol - Brighton service, or any of the current services. Maybe this will be possible with the electrification of the line (and presumably the break of some of the current services and addition of new ones).

I do agree the services through to Brighton seem well used though. I have been a few of the services that run from Cardiff, and whenever I have been on one there have been quite a few reservations all the way through to Brighton.
 

Ivo

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One thing I will say is as part of services like this, it would be nice to see more calling at Oldfield Park and Keynsham. Be this as part of a Bristol - Brighton service, or any of the current services. Maybe this will be possible with the electrification of the line (and presumably the break of some of the current services and addition of new ones).

It may also improve the case for reopening Saltford, which BaNES council are keen on :p
 

TrainBoy98

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Does anyone know what the current situation is with regard to this, as the 2013 franchise consulations have suggested the possible removal of these services which would just be insane if they did?

Quote - DFT Great Western Franchise Consultation document:

__________________________________________________

''Question 18: Are the services that extend eastwards from Portsmouth to Brighton the best use of Great Western diesel rolling stock, in view of the fact that there are frequent electric services provided by Southern on this route, or could this rolling stock could usefully be redeployed elsewhere?''

__________________________________________________

There are 2 Brighton services per day from Brighton and 4 on Sundays, which are very well used, especcially for trips between Brighton and Bristol/Bath. It links the key cities of Chichester and Brighton to the Great Western network, so therefore why axe a service that is well used and leave cities isolated all for the sake of reploying a few DMU's elsewhere?

Something they should be considering is to strengthen the current Brighton service to 1 train per hour and give a faster or additonal service between Brighton and Portsmouth. At least it would have toilets unlike the current 313's.

They could run the following hourly service pattern:
_______________________

Cardiff Central
Newport (South Wales)
Filton Abbey Wood
Bristol Temple Meads
Bath Spa
Bradford-on-Avon
Trowbridge
Westbury
Warminster
Sailsbury
Romsey
Southampton Central
Fareham
Cosham
Portsmouth Harbour
Portsmouth & Southsea
Fratton
Havant
Chichester
Barnham
Worthing
Shoreham-By-Sea
Hove
Brighton
_______________________

Brighton
Hove
Shoreham-By-Sea
Worthing
Barnham
Chichester
Havant
Portsmouth Harbour
Portsmouth & Southsea
Fratton
Cosham
Fareham
Southampton Central
Romsey
Sailsbury
Warminster
Westbury
Trowbridge
Bradford-on-Avon
Bath Spa
Bristol Temple Meads
Filton Abbey Wood
Newport (South Wales)
Cardiff Central
_______________________

They should axe the current Brighton - Southampton Southern service which is terrible anyway, and is only compensation for the loss of the Brighton - Reading SWT service in December 2007, either that or axe the Brighton - Portsmouth Harbour service with the 3 coach 313 with no air con and toilets. Both of these services are slow, overcrowded, considerably unnattractive and 1 would be better off being replaced by a fast DMU calling at the main stations along the West Coastway, and giving a better link for passengers between key cities.

If these Great Western services are removed in the new franchise Brighton will become considerably isolated of its long distance direct links. The Brighton - Basingstoke/Reading/Exeter/Paignton services were axed in 2007, the Brighton - Birmingham/Manchester services were axed in 2008 along with the Brighton - Watford Junction Southern service. Leaving Brighton clinging onto it's last long distance services to Bristol, Worcester and Cardiff Central.....which are also now under threat.

It is beggers belief that Brighton which is a major city and tourist destination in the South seems to have become nothing more than a London Commuter station and for slow local services. QUOTE]

I use this service most saturdays as i live in worthing and, after the loss of SWT in the area, it makes it hard to get anywhere in the south west without god knows how many chages. Once, i could go all the way down to Paignton on the same 170. Then it was with drawn back to basingstoke with a 450... A major loss for everyone at major coastway stations..

Im sure that once FGW get the 180s there should be a unit freed up for this service?
 

Rich McLean

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huge quote snipped!

Im sure that once FGW get the 180s there should be a unit freed up for this service?

The 180's are to free up Turbo's which will then be used for strengthening in the Thames Valley, so there will be no spare units
 
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swt_passenger

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They should axe the current Brighton - Southampton Southern service which is terrible anyway, and is only compensation for the loss of the Brighton - Reading SWT service in December 2007, either that or axe the Brighton - Portsmouth Harbour service with the 3 coach 313 with no air con and toilets.

It is very well used from the perspective of the Southampton end of the route, as is the SN Victoria service.

--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

And fast. Aren't these now the fastest trains of the day between Southampton and Brighton ?

There's only about 3 mins in it. The single weekday eastbound train runs 3 mins ahead of the SN service all the way from Fareham to Brighton, the morning eastbound train only runs from Portsmouth, so is completely irrelevant to the supposed longer distance benefits from the Bristol area.

They are both a waste of useful DMU stock.
 
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anthony263

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Too be honest if FGW ran a hourly off peak London - Cheltenham service that could release the two dmu's which run the shuttle service between Cheltenham & Swindon.

Of course I would prefer to see those units cascaded to work a Swindon - Westbury - Salisbury service which should get more priority than extra trains to Brighton until more units are available and even then the Cardiff - Portsmouth trains should be increased to 4 carriages.
 

swt_passenger

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The consultation has closed, so hopefully the decision making process will be informed by all the emails people have sent in...
 

tbtc

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For what it's worth a reduction in a Portsmouth Harbour service to allow a Brighton service to continue to opperate would have greater economic benefits than to axe a link to Brighton altogether, and keep the current Portsmouth service the way it is. I understand that resources are scarce, but by making cuts to service frequency rather than axing links such as Brighton, is far more favourable in my opinion.

You'd have to cut a few of the FGW services from Cardiff/ Bristol/ Southampton to Portsmouth to gain the stock for one FGW service from Cardiff/ Bristol/ Southampton to Brighton, given the longer journey.

The lack of DMUs means that it makes more sense overall to focus them on unelectrified routes (rather than duplicating Coastway EMUs).
 

SussexSpotter

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You'd have to cut a few of the FGW services from Cardiff/ Bristol/ Southampton to Portsmouth to gain the stock for one FGW service from Cardiff/ Bristol/ Southampton to Brighton, given the longer journey.

The lack of DMUs means that it makes more sense overall to focus them on unelectrified routes (rather than duplicating Coastway EMUs).

Given the responses on here already the best thing to do would be to re-time the Brighton - Great Malvern service and the Great Malvern - Brighton, perhaps to run off peak, remove the morning Portsmouth Harbour - Brighton and afternoon Brighton - Bristol Temple Meads services from the timetable so there's additional DMU's available in other area. Then divert 1 train per day from Portsmouth Harbour to serve Brighton and other coastal stations & vice versa, that would mean there's a daily link between Brighton and Cardiff Central as well instead of just on Sunday's. The extention to Brighton would allow for other DMU's to be redisributed given the extended journey time.

I see what your saying about it running on non-electrified routes but the whole point is that it avoids the need to change trains, and lug about baggage.

An hourly or 2 hourly service to Brighton might be a bit much but no real reason why a strenghthend Saturday service couldn't opperate with 4 trains the same as on Sunday, those 2 days are when demand is most needed for additional services hense why the Sunday services are often overcrowded. Portsmouth would have to sacrifice some of its services but at the end of the day the service is good there anyway, considering it's hourly. :lol:

I live near Eastbourne and have made a few trips to Bath Spa before on the Brighton services. I find it's so easy to drive to Brighton, park the car and then board the direct service. Otherwise it would mean having to board a London train, and go via the Underground adding additonal journey costs :-x
 

Ivo

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Given the responses on here already the best thing to do would be to re-time the Brighton - Great Malvern service and the Great Malvern - Brighton, perhaps to run off peak.

From my perspective they are off-peak :p

That is part of the problem. They encounter differing peak flows as they continue along a route that is already well-served. Other routes in this situation tend to be either (a) 100+ mph InterCity routes or (b) limited service routes...
 

BestWestern

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The West Coastway route would seem to have far too much focus on local commuter stopping services, with anything resembling a fast or direct link being considered a needless luxury. It's a shame, since it makes rail travel from Portsmouth/So'ton to Brighton - which one would reasonably think of as being a popular journey, linking the south coast's major cities - as a tedious and overly long drawn-out option. In an ideal world, I would personally be in favour of FGW alternating the ex-Cardiff runs so that every other service reaches Brighton, or even make it just a Cardiff - Brighton service and quit the Portsmouth calls altogether. This would arguably offer a better service, and still allow Portsmouth passengers plenty of options to change trains at Southampton, Fareham or Cosham. Fareham allows a 'same platform' departure and So'ton is a big station with plenty of facilities. First few and last few services could run from/to Fratton or Ports Harbour instead to allow the current stabling and crew resourcing arrangements to remain. A timetabling overhaul would be needed of course, but withdrawal of the current Brighton services would allow at least some stock to be freed up for starters. The main issue of course would be timetabling, but perhaps the new Southern/Thameslink super franchise could look at cutting some of the Coastway runs to free up paths - perhaps drop the So'ton runs and just have Portsmouth all stops?!
 

SussexSpotter

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From my perspective they are off-peak :p

That is part of the problem. They encounter differing peak flows as they continue along a route that is already well-served. Other routes in this situation tend to be either (a) 100+ mph InterCity routes or (b) limited service routes...

This is how the current service pattern looks:

___________________________________

Mon - Fri

1N96 0701 Portsmouth Harbour to Brighton
1V94 0859 Brighton to Great Malvern
1O98 1050 Great Malvern to Brighton
1V96 1659 Brighton to Bristol Temple Meads

___________________________________

Sat

1N96 0648 Portsmouth Harbour to Brighton
1V94 0900 Brighton to Great Malvern
1O99 1046 Great Malvern to Brighton
1V96 1700 Brighton to Bristol Temple Meads

___________________________________

Sun

1O81 0819 Romsey to Brighton
1V00 1110 Brighton to Cardiff Central
1O93 1008 Cardiff Central to Brighton
1V96 1546 Brighton to Bristol Temple Meads
1O95 1208 Cardiff Central to Brighton
1V98 1746 Brighton to Bristol Temple Meads
1O98 1635 Cardiff Central to Brighton
2N97 2146 Brighton to Portsmouth Harbour

___________________________________

Now this is how it could and should look.........

Mon - Fri

0628 Cardiff Central to Brighton
1159 Brighton to Cardiff Central
0850 Great Malvern to Brighton
1459 Brighton to Great Malvern

___________________________________

Saturday

Cardiff Central to Brighton
Brighton to Cardiff Central
Great Malvern to Brighton
Brighton to Great Malvern
Cardiff Central to Brighton
Brighton to Cardiff Central
Cardiff Central to Brighton
Brighton to Cardiff Central

___________________________________

Sunday

Bristol Temple Meads to Brighton
Brighton to Cardiff Central
Cardiff Central to Brighton
Brighton to Bristol Temple Meads
Cardiff Central to Brighton
Brighton to Cardiff Central
Cardiff Central to Brighton
Brighton to Bristol Temple Meads

___________________________________
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
The West Coastway route would seem to have far too much focus on local commuter stopping services, with anything resembling a fast or direct link being considered a needless luxury. It's a shame, since it makes rail travel from Portsmouth/So'ton to Brighton - which one would reasonably think of as being a popular journey, linking the south coast's major cities - as a tedious and overly long drawn-out option. In an ideal world, I would personally be in favour of FGW alternating the ex-Cardiff runs so that every other service reaches Brighton, or even make it just a Cardiff - Brighton service and quit the Portsmouth calls altogether. This would arguably offer a better service, and still allow Portsmouth passengers plenty of options to change trains at Southampton, Fareham or Cosham. Fareham allows a 'same platform' departure and So'ton is a big station with plenty of facilities. First few and last few services could run from/to Fratton or Ports Harbour instead to allow the current stabling and crew resourcing arrangements to remain. A timetabling overhaul would be needed of course, but withdrawal of the current Brighton services would allow at least some stock to be freed up for starters. The main issue of course would be timetabling, but perhaps the new Southern/Thameslink super franchise could look at cutting some of the Coastway runs to free up paths - perhaps drop the So'ton runs and just have Portsmouth all stops?!

As much as i'd be in favour of seeing this happen, it's whether the DFt would want to do it. Before they make a decision on the Brighton and Portsmouth services they would have to look at which offers the greatest value for money. There are a few Portsmouth services that could be axed in the new franchise to free up units for example the early morning 1F39 0549 Westbury to Portsmouth Harbour service and late night 2M95 2123 Portsmouth Harbour to Westbury, I doubt either of those are well used considering the times that they run.
 
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MidnightFlyer

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As much as i'd be in favour of seeing this happen, it's whether the DFt would want to do it. Before they make a decision on the Brighton and Portsmouth services they would have to look at which offers the greatest value for money. There are a few Portsmouth services that could be axed in the new franchise to free up units for example the early morning 1F39 0549 Westbury to Portsmouth Harbour service and late night 2M95 2123 Portsmouth Harbour to Westbury, I doubt either of those are well used considering the times that they run.

However at those times, would there be any advantage running to / from Brighton either? I would imagine that in the Westbury-Southampton area they fill up reasonably well.
 

Requeststop

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I'm not very familiar with the south coast except Southampton-Bournemouth. Since electrification to Weymouth, I have always thought it strange that the isn't a South coast fast or express from Brighton direct to Weymouth. Let's say Brighton, Worthing, Barnham, Chischester, Havant, Cosham, Southampton Central, Brockenhurst, (occaisional stop at Christchurch), Bournemouth, Poole, Wareham, Dorchester South, Weymouth. I am also surprised that the Cardiff/Bristol travel over electic rails from Southampton to Portsmouth. I am sure that a re-arrangement of Brighton-Southampton is much desired. Electricifation of Brockenhurst/Southampton to Saiisbury must be worth while? Ok I know nothing!
 

Eagle

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As much as i'd be in favour of seeing this happen, it's whether the DFt would want to do it. Before they make a decision on the Brighton and Portsmouth services they would have to look at which offers the greatest value for money. There are a few Portsmouth services that could be axed in the new franchise to free up units for example the early morning 1F39 0549 Westbury to Portsmouth Harbour service and late night 2M95 2123 Portsmouth Harbour to Westbury, I doubt either of those are well used considering the times that they run.

Services in the Westbury–Southampton–Portsmouth corridor are very well-used; don't underestimate Portsmouth as a passenger magnet!

Also bearing in mind these FGW services are the only fast services between the two neighbouring cities of Southampton and Portsmouth.
 

anthony263

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I have seen the Portsmouth Hbr - Cardiff services are very well used so it would be a big mistake to reduce the frequency by diverting some trains to Brighton.

Trains do see to be very well used between Portsmouth & Southampton.

If the route was electrified I would have liked to see the southern service from Brighton - Southampton extended to Bristol every 2 hours using the class 377's with a 2 hourly Weymouth - Bristol service filling in the gaps between Westbury & Bristol TM.
 

Eagle

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If the route was electrified I would have liked to see the southern service from Brighton - Southampton extended to Bristol every 2 hours using the class 377's with a 2 hourly Weymouth - Bristol service filling in the gaps between Westbury & Bristol TM.

That would only work if you joined the Brighton–Southampton services with the 1tp2h from Bristol that terminate at Westbury/Warminster/Frome... except that those services usually continue to/from Gloucester/Worcester/Malvern. So lots of electrification needed :P
 

VTPreston_Tez

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I'm not very familiar with the south coast except Southampton-Bournemouth. Since electrification to Weymouth, I have always thought it strange that the isn't a South coast fast or express from Brighton direct to Weymouth. Let's say Brighton, Worthing, Barnham, Chischester, Havant, Cosham, Southampton Central, Brockenhurst, (occaisional stop at Christchurch), Bournemouth, Poole, Wareham, Dorchester South, Weymouth. I am also surprised that the Cardiff/Bristol travel over electic rails from Southampton to Portsmouth. I am sure that a re-arrangement of Brighton-Southampton is much desired. Electricifation of Brockenhurst/Southampton to Saiisbury must be worth while? Ok I know nothing!

I'm not sure if the SWML has the capacity, it's one line between Dorchester and Moreton or something like that. Weymouth usually has both SWT platforms full and Platform 1 can fit 3 carriages at best. It would need a lot of upgrades, so Bournemouth terminating may be the only option as there will be no branch lines opening for a while and Weymouth Quay terminating is stupid.
tl;dr version: not for a long time.
 

anthony263

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That would only work if you joined the Brighton–Southampton services with the 1tp2h from Bristol that terminate at Westbury/Warminster/Frome... except that those services usually continue to/from Gloucester/Worcester/Malvern. So lots of electrification needed :P

Plan I had if the Portishead branch was re-opened was to divert the Great Malvern services through to Portishead instead of southampton/Weymouth.

Another idea if the route was wired is to run via the line through Melksham to Swindon giving that line some much needed extra trains.
 
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