Chiltern Oxford Link completed

[67018]

You can take the 18:47 Mainline service that overtakes it and change at Leamington Spa.

Yes indeed - it waits at Bicester North for the 1847 so you can change onto it anywhere from there to Leamington.

Won't do much for resilience of the timetable if anything goes wrong, though, as it goes over to the up line just behind an up train from Birmingham, then will be blocking it while it waits for the overtaking move when it only has 4 minutes to get out of the way of the next train from Birmingham. So a great way to transmit delays on the up trains onto the downs or vice versa. (Of course this happens already with the terminators but I thought it would happen less often once most of them went along the new line).

 

[Class 170101]

Yes indeed - it waits at Bicester North for the 1847 so you can change onto it anywhere from there to Leamington.

Won't do much for resilience of the timetable if anything goes wrong, though, as it goes over to the up line just behind an up train from Birmingham, then will be blocking it while it waits for the overtaking move when it only has 4 minutes to get out of the way of the next train from Birmingham. So a great way to transmit delays on the up trains onto the downs or vice versa. (Of course this happens already with the terminators but I thought it would happen less often once most of them went along the new line).

Would have thought Banbury might be a better place to pass rather than Bicester North.

 

[Andyjs247]

Similarly, demand for travel between Banbury and Oxford and Bicester and Oxford is far higher than between Banbury and Bicester, for which two to three trains per hour seems a perfectly adequate provision. The bus service between the two towns is effectively non-existent these days, hardly suggesting some huge unmet demand for travel.

But there are no longer 2 or 3 trains an hour stopping at both Bicester and Banbury. And as you mention the bus service is also poor. If you need to travel between Bicester and Banbury you now have less choices. I suspect there is suppressed demand. Which was partly my point. So can you go via Oxford now that your choices have been reduced and given you might have to wait up to an hour for a train?

*Off-peak it appears you can travel BIT-OXF and OXF-BAN for the same price as BCS-BAN (coincidentally and by booking separate tickets) but I can't find a fare for Bicester Stations-Banbury which should give you the choice of route.

Yes indeed - it waits at Bicester North for the 1847 so you can change onto it anywhere from there to Leamington.

Won't do much for resilience of the timetable if anything goes wrong, though, as it goes over to the up line just behind an up train from Birmingham, then will be blocking it while it waits for the overtaking move when it only has 4 minutes to get out of the way of the next train from Birmingham. So a great way to transmit delays on the up trains onto the downs or vice versa. (Of course this happens already with the terminators but I thought it would happen less often once most of them went along the new line).

Actually fewer services gives more opportunity for overtaking it seems - the 1624 ex-MYB to Snow Hill also gets overtaken at Bicester waiting there for 17 minutes! It gets overtaken again at Hatton by the 1715 ex-MYB to Kidderminster where it waits for another 7 minutes. It finally arrives in Snow Hill at 1912 - at 12 minutes short of 3 hours it must be one of the slowest services.

 

[67018]

Actually fewer services gives more opportunity for overtaking it seems - the 1624 ex-MYB to Snow Hill also gets overtaken at Bicester waiting there for 17 minutes! It gets overtaken again at Hatton by the 1715 ex-MYB to Kidderminster where it waits for another 7 minutes. It finally arrives in Snow Hill at 1912 - at 12 minutes short of 3 hours it must be one of the slowest services.

Strewth! - people are going to need to be on the ball not to be caught out with that one.

Interestingly, Realtimetrains has it sitting in platform 1 for 17 minutes, during which time the 1647 ex Marylebone overtakes it while also calling at platform 1. I hope that's an error in the platform number otherwise there's going to have to be some nifty splitting/joining or a train full of grumpy people sitting at a red signal!

If you miss the hourly fast trains to Bicester North in the evening peak, there's a choice of a longer journey time or a walk from Bicester Village - maybe they should install some Boris Bikes!

 

[The Planner]

Would have thought Banbury might be a better place to pass rather than Bicester North.

You would get caught before Banbury.

 

[168lover]

Appears that there is a top and tailed network test train with DRS 37s this morning. Pasted Beaconsfield at about 07:55. Looks like on Real Time Trains it is going to Oxford Parkway via the bicester cord

 

[jimm]

But there are no longer 2 or 3 trains an hour stopping at both Bicester and Banbury. And as you mention the bus service is also poor. If you need to travel between Bicester and Banbury you now have less choices. I suspect there is suppressed demand. Which was partly my point. So can you go via Oxford now that your choices have been reduced and given you might have to wait up to an hour for a train?

What are we talking about? The service between Banbury and bicester or between Bicester and Birmingham?

From October 26, there will be trains in either direction between Bicester North and Banbury at roughly 25/30 to 40 minute intervals all day and with seven trains northbound between 1627 and 1835! The last northbound is at 0105. Basically the same service as there is now. How on earth is that suppressing demand?

As for Birmingham, as I have said before, one hourly through train, backed up by one slick change at Banbury each hour, seems more than adequate for the likely traffic, and the pattern is based on years of ticket sales, rather than sticking a finger in the air.

 

[FordFocus]

You'll never win with a Chiltern timetable, I have sympathy for the planners because of the infrastructure and the need to balance a commuter and express timetable onto a 2 track railway.

Straford-upon-Avon trains may extend to Banbury once the resignalling in July 2016 is completed perhaps?

 

[Dampflok]

Appears that there is a top and tailed network test train with DRS 37s this morning. Pasted Beaconsfield at about 07:55. Looks like on Real Time Trains it is going to Oxford Parkway via the bicester cord

Despite the apparent chaos in the RTT timings for 1Q05, the NR test train yesterday, I decided to go out in any case and hope for the best. As it was scheduled to go to Claydon, I checked out the level-crossing at Charbridge Lane (Bicester Eastern Perimeter Road) where the track was fenced off the previous week - sure enough, the fences had been removed again...

On checking RTT again on arrival at the footbridge over the Bicester Chord it seemed the train had got to Saunderton and then slipped under the radar once again. Fortunately, I was able to contact the Chiltern driver who was scheduled to conduct the train over the Bi-Ox route and he explained what was happening. Apparently, as the train had arrived early at South Ruislip, signallers were anxious to keep it going and so it arrived early into Princes Risborough, where the conductor/driver was supposed to be picked up. However, he was unable to get there earlier and was waiting for the train at Haddenham & Thame Parkway. I asked him about the Claydon leg and he said that would not be happening - and even if it was it would have required another conductor/driver as he does not sign the route to Claydon...

Hence the train passing over the chord around 24 minutes early. It was also early on the return run, passing Gavray Junction at 09:22 and was stopped for a while on the chord awaiting a path south to return to Old Oak Common, getting away around 10:12, some 90 minutes early.

During this period of uncertainty, the FreightMaster realtime maps proved invaluable to see what was going on!

The driver training units arrived during this time as well, running as 5T03, with 168 325 leading the set (the second of the former 170/3 units) with 165 002 and 168 218. This went to Oxford Parkway and split into the three units to maximise training runs.

In the meantime, 66147 was at the Banbury Road stone terminal with 6M06/6V01, which ran for the first time yesterday, though the outward run is in the dark unfortunately.

So quite an interesting morning!

Some photos below:













"Clickable" images to take you to larger photos on my site with full captions.

Cheers, Geoff

 

[midlandred]

Photos of the former crossings at Holts Farm and Oddington taken today

 

[swt_passenger]

Well done Geoff for the fourth photo above with the three trains caught alongside one another.

Has reminded me of all the kerfuffle some months back when one of the mags reported that the gradient on the chord was one of the steepest in the known universe; has the true gradient ever been established from official sources?

 

[L&Y Robert]

Well done Geoff for the fourth photo above with the three trains caught alongside one another.

Hear hear. Good to see some shine on the new rails. But what are those yellow things in the four-foot?

 

[swt_passenger]

Hear hear. Good to see some shine on the new rails. But what are those yellow things in the four-foot?

They are lateral sleeper resistance anchors, to resist the sleeper movement through the ballast that would otherwise occur.

A fairly regular infrastructure question, so I'll refer you to this discussion: http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=65528

There's a picture of the bare device here: http://www.vossloh-fastening-system...ukte/schwellenanker_sn/schwellenanker_sn.html

 

[jopsuk]

Well done Geoff for the fourth photo above with the three trains caught alongside one another.

Agreed, that photo is a superb shot.

The 168/3-165-168/2 formation is an interesting one!

 

[midlandred]

. . . has the true gradient ever been established from official sources?

Here is 6A48 today ascending the chord

 

[The Planner]

Has reminded me of all the kerfuffle some months back when one of the mags reported that the gradient on the chord was one of the steepest in the known universe; has the true gradient ever been established from official sources?

1 in 103 so not earth shattering.

 

[swt_passenger]

1 in 103 so not earth shattering.

Thanks a lot for the inside knowledge.

I think that's the conclusion we came to back whenever, IIRC there was a mention in the TWA Order bumph that it was around 1 in 100 anyway, which rather put paid to the exaggeration...

 

[Dampflok]

Thanks for the comments on the photos - much appreciated, though luck had a lot to do with it!

A few more photos from today - as per usual these are "clickable" images to take you to larger photos on my site with full captions:











I was happy to get the Chiltern units in the Bicester COD Reception Sidings as this is presumably not something that will happen once the normal service starts!

Cheers, Geoff

 

[ironstone11]

Some of the driver training runs have been cancelled according to RealTime Trains, with the message:-

This service was cancelled throughout due to a signalling problem with the ETCS/ERTMS equipment (TS).

Does anyone know what this really means? As far as I am aware the line is not signalled with ETCS and none of the trains are equipped with ETCS either.

 

[edwin_m]

Does anyone know what this really means? As far as I am aware the line is not signalled with ETCS and none of the trains are equipped with ETCS either.

Could be referring to the ATP system used on the Chiltern line. Incidentally is this system being extended to Oxford?

 

[t_star2001uk]

Incidentally is this system being extended to Oxford?

No the whole of the route between the Bicester South Chord and Oxford Parkway is not ATP fitted.

 

[FordFocus]

Ongoing signalling testing overnight I suspect.

 

[alexx]

Having been extended for a few days, then a few more days - apparently because one of the barrier motors failed - the London Road level crossing in Bicester (next to Bicester To.. erm, Village station) has been reopened.

Not earth-shattering news I know, but thought I'd share it nonetheless. Also, I'm pleased to be able to tell you that the vast majority of the local community in Bicester appear to be experts on railway engineering, especially level crossing installation.

Oh, and apparently someone tried to drive at the barriers the other day. Didn't take long...

 

[67018]

Having been extended for a few days, then a few more days - apparently because one of the barrier motors failed - the London Road level crossing in Bicester (next to Bicester To.. erm, Village station) has been reopened.

Not earth-shattering news I know, but thought I'd share it nonetheless. Also, I'm pleased to be able to tell you that the vast majority of the local community in Bicester appear to be experts on railway engineering, especially level crossing installation.

Oh, and apparently someone tried to drive at the barriers the other day. Didn't take long...

The celebrations in the streets have been a marvel to behold, with old timers reckoning that they'd seen nothing like it since VE day in 1945. Finally, the locals can drive their cars to clog up the town and are freed from the relentless drudgery of having to walk half a mile instead.

Joy will be curtailed once the service starts running!

Incidentally, has anything officially been announced yet as to whether there will be a 'Bicester Stations' group and interavailable ticketing between the new stations?

 

[alexx]

The celebrations in the streets have been a marvel to behold, with old timers reckoning that they'd seen nothing like it since VE day in 1945. Finally, the locals can drive their cars to clog up the town and are freed from the relentless drudgery of having to walk half a mile instead.

It didn't last long as gas works have now closed Launton Road - which, for those who don't have local knowledge, was the diversion route around the London Road level crossing whilst it was closed.

 

[swt_passenger]

Incidentally, has anything officially been announced yet as to whether there will be a 'Bicester Stations' group and interavailable ticketing between the new stations?

Yes. We discussed it in this thread about four pages back. 'Bicester Stations' is alive and kicking in the NRES App.

 

[RPM]

It was interesting to see London Road Crossing in operation today for the first time. On my previous trips over the new line it had been closed. There is still a 50mph ESR over the whole of the main line. I gather it was due to have been lifted a few days ago but this has not happened yet. Work continues at a furious pace to get the stations finished and to erect the noise absorbing barriers that line the route wherever it passes residential buildings.
Very impressed with the line overall. It has the look and feel of a brand new railway.

 

[67018]

Yes. We discussed it in this thread about four pages back. 'Bicester Stations' is alive and kicking in the NRES App.

Thanks - must have missed that. Was trying to see whether season tickets would be issued to 'Bicester stations' - the season ticket calculator returns separate entries for the two stations. If they are separate, is a ticket valid to one valid to both?

I also note that Bicester Village has a 'via High Wycombe' ticket which is the same price as the Bicester North one, and a slightly more expensive 'Any Permitted' presumably valid via Oxford to Paddington.

 

[swt_passenger]

Thanks - must have missed that. Was trying to see whether season tickets would be issued to 'Bicester stations' - the season ticket calculator returns separate entries for the two stations. If they are separate, is a ticket valid to one valid to both?

I did point out that the season ticket calculator didn't show Bicester Stations yet, although the normal planners did. We may have to wait.

 

[67018]

I did point out that the season ticket calculator didn't show Bicester Stations yet, although the normal planners did. We may have to wait.

Not too long I hope - I have to renew my ticket soon! Will ask at the ticket office.

Can't imagine there won't be joint validity as people are going to be extremely grumpy if their regular train is diverted to the new station and they are told their ticket isn't valid. Or they get a Penalty Fare because they didn't buy a zero fare excess!