The Windsor Link Railway

[QueensCurve]

ive been watching the windsor rail link developments with keen interest now they have approval and funding they are getting a plan together on how to build the thing.

where will ten cars go at Slough?

"Windsor Link" or "Ordsall Lane Chord"?

The Windsor Link (and Salford Crescent Station) was built in the mid 1980s.

 

[gswindale]

"Windsor Link" or "Ordsall Lane Chord"?

The Windsor Link (and Salford Crescent Station) was built in the mid 1980s.

What has Salford got to do with The Windsor Link Railway (www.windsorlink.co.UK)?

 

[QueensCurve]

What has Salford got to do with The Windsor Link Railway (www.windsorlink.co.UK)?

Mia Culpa. I had no idea that there was a proposal for a "Windsor Link" in Windsor. It made me think immediately about the one in Salford!

 

[adrock1976]

Mia Culpa. I had no idea that there was a proposal for a "Windsor Link" in Windsor. It made me think immediately about the one in Salford!

Is it not officially "Windsor Bridge" in Salford, as that is what the signs refer to the junction name as?

In peace

Adam

 

[quantinghome]

couldn't find anything on that website that said it had funding in place. looks more aspirational than anything. A solution in search of a problem.

 

[snowball]

Is it not officially "Windsor Bridge" in Salford, as that is what the signs refer to the junction name as?

In peace

Adam

"Windsor Link" is the name for the section of railway in Salford from Ordsall Lane Junction to Salford Crescent station (Windsor Bridge South Junction). This section is younger than the surrounding railways by well over 100 years - it was built in the late 1980s.

 

[edwin_m]

couldn't find anything on that website that said it had funding in place. looks more aspirational than anything. A solution in search of a problem.

We seem to have three schemes mixed up here.

Windsor Link in Salford was the connection between Ordsall Lane and Salford Crescent as stated.

Western Rail Access to Heathrow provides a link to the GW main line towards Reading and has funding.

Windsor Link in Windsor is a proposed scheme with no funding and considerable doubts on feasibility. WRAth plus an "Airtrack Lite" or similar scheme (to introduce a fourth one, not funded) providing a link from the Staines area to Heathrow would provide similar connectivity albeit probably with a change of train at Terminal 5.

 

[civ-eng-jim]

The design for Western Rail Link to Heathrow (As it's now called) is well underway. The Alignment is almost nailed and the GRIP3 design will be done by the end of the year ready for the Development Consent Order application early 2016.

Probably rules out the Windsor Links scheme......

 

[monsento]

oh well next time i meet the director ill tell him to close down... its happening! the gears are grinding just takes time. only phase two mentions heathrow and is a totally separate plan.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
my question to the forum was about Slough, and the capacity.

 

[edwin_m]

oh well next time i meet the director ill tell him to close down... its happening! the gears are grinding just takes time. only phase two mentions heathrow and is a totally separate plan.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
my question to the forum was about Slough, and the capacity.

If they are going ahead without knowing whether Slough has capacity then I have serious doubts regarding their competence.

A few moments on Bing Maps confirms that the Slough bay is far too short for 10 cars and extending it would destroy the historic station building or at least totally change its setting. Crossrail trains will run on the Relief lines which are separated from the Windsor branch by the Main lines. The Mains have an intensive service of high speed trains and there's basically no way a branch service would be allowed to cross them on the flat.

 

[monsento]

its the terminus, looking at Slough its going to be interesting if they do want to expand.

 

[MarkyT]

its the terminus, looking at Slough its going to be interesting if they do want to expand.

It looks like an extension of the existing bay to 10 car length would be feasible under the William Street Bridge and without any changes to the historic buildings or canopies, and it might be possible to construct another parallel platform alongside where there was once a siding with a loading dock, although the access to the station car park alongside the branch further west would have to be rearranged to make space. Some junction pointwork may need moving and the new platform(s) might have to curve a little at the western extremities.

 

[EM2]

Having lived in both Windsor and Slough, and also having worked in Camberley, I really cannot see the point.
I'm pretty sure I never heard anyone say 'What Windsor needs is both the railway lines linked up'.

 

[telstarbox]

oh well next time i meet the director ill tell him to close down... its happening! the gears are grinding just takes time. only phase two mentions heathrow and is a totally separate plan.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
my question to the forum was about Slough, and the capacity.

Have Network Rail had any input to the proposals?

 

[ironstone11]

Have Network Rail had any input to the proposals?

This subject has already been discussed on this forum in 2013.

See:- http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=85721

 

[dysonsphere]

Just read old thread and agree pigs might fly before this silly idea gets built. And there still trying the staines Heathrow link failed before on the level crossing problems

 

[swt_passenger]

Just read old thread and agree pigs might fly before this silly idea gets built. And there still trying the staines Heathrow link failed before on the level crossing problems

However I believe a straightforward Heathrow to Staines terminating service (using a new west facing bay platform) wouldn't involve any level crossings. All those well documented issues were towards Waterloo or Woking, I think an extension of Hex or Crossrail just as far as Staines would be relatively straightforward; and possibly all you'd need if WRatH is in place as well...

 

[gswindale]

Indeed a direct link from Staines to Heathrow would be a big benefit for some as it would help confections by avoiding either traveling to Reading and getting the coach or traveling to Feltham and getting the local bus.

I would certainly use such a service subject to connecting timings with the Reading line services.

 

[monsento]

exactly, and regenerated park in Windsor would be spectacular, much more suited to a world heritage site and the jewel in the uk.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

exactly, and regenerated park in Windsor would be spectacular, much more suited to a world heritage site and the jewel in the uk.

Aren't both stations in Windsor already rather striking from an architectural point of view?

There's simply no need for a cross-Windsor line, in fact even less need than there is of the "Bradford Crossrail" proposal that resurfaces every few years.

 

[philabos]

As a visitor, I have stayed in Windsor many times. I too have to wonder why a direct line would even be considered. It is certainly an easy walk from town centre to either station.
Admittedly the SWT service is slow, but if your destination is in the Waterloo area of the city it is faster than going via Slough and the tube beyond Paddington.

 

[swt_passenger]

exactly, and regenerated park in Windsor would be spectacular, much more suited to a world heritage site and the jewel in the uk.

OK, I'll say it.

Just what are you on about here? Do you still think this proposal is going to happen, despite the lack of evidence that it ever will, and has a 'regenerated park' got anything to do with it at all?

 

[MarkyT]

As a visitor, I have stayed in Windsor many times. I too have to wonder why a direct line would even be considered. It is certainly an easy walk from town centre to either station.
Admittedly the SWT service is slow, but if your destination is in the Waterloo area of the city it is faster than going via Slough and the tube beyond Paddington.

I am not saying the scheme is viable or justified in it's currently envisaged form, but not all journeys are to or from London! Their website explains the concept is about making many more local journeys easier by public transport, such as Slough to Staines. A tram-train running on surface streets through Windsor might be a better bet. That could replace the Slough - Windsor shuttle, and with reversal at Slough could be extended via a flyover then use of the GWML Reliefs to Maidenhead, Bourne End and Marlow, and with a cheaper more lightly built new build link to High Wycombe, joining the Chiltern line near Loudwater, with light rail standards solving the level crossings problem in Bourne End.

 

[monsento]

the gears are rolling, its happening

 

[HilversumNS]

the gears are rolling, its happening

Could you please explain WHAT exactly is happening, where and when?

From http://windsorlink.co.uk/

Current status
In addition to support from local businesses, WLR has received overwhelming support from local people responding to a survey and a petition generated over 1,000 signatures. Last summer, WLR also announced that its proposals had been positively received by Network Rail.

In February this year, the council passed a unanimous motion in support of WLR bringing forward proposals.

The company is now working on more detailed plans and is in negotiations with a small number of selected partners to raise further private finance.

As at least 2 previous posts have mentioned, one by an ex-resident of the area (as I am) and one a regular visitor, what is the benefit of this project compared to the £100m cost?

This is basically a private company, led by someone with no railway experience (except as a passenger) who is also local councilor. I believe that he is also up for re-election.

 

[jimm]

Plans for a £200m private railway to improve transport links between Windsor and London have been unveiled.
Windsor Link Railway's "master plan" includes the regeneration of the riverside and the creation of a tunnel to allow through trains from Slough to join the Waterloo line.
WLR said the track would be the "first privately funded addition to the core network for over 100 years".
Network Rail approved plans for the scheme in 2013.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-36381258

Project website

http://windsorlink.co.uk

Previous thread about this proposal is currently closed:

http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=115325

 

[greaterwest]

I don't want to have to be the first to bring this up, but wouldn't they need to electrify the line from Windsor & Eton Riverside, through the tunnel, through WNC to Slough?

Would that be a third rail infill scheme, or would it have to be an extension of the OHLE from the GWML to Riverside, and a switchover for any units involved (then SWT would need to modify some of their fleet, or GWR would take over the line with dual-voltage units)

The plan is interesting, nevertheless, though I don't think six months is a realistic target, even if that's just construction of the tunnel.

 

[Bald Rick]

I don't want to be first to bring this up, but:

WTF????!!!!

There isn't any part of the proposal that's credible.

Cost, Schedule, financing, and most importantly, Why?

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

When I saw the title of this thread on the index page, being a resident of the North-West of England, I assumed that it was the Windsor Link line connection that leads to Salford Crescent railway station that was about to be discussed, noting future expansion matters at that particular railway station.

 

[Busaholic]

I don't want to be first to bring this up, but:

WTF????!!!!

There isn't any part of the proposal that's credible.

Cost, Schedule, financing, and most importantly, Why?

Unless of course Joanna Lumley somehow gets to associate herself with it, in which case...