Minstral25
Established Member
I was reading about an abortive proposal to build a South of London Orbital railway and suddenly realised there is one already there that probably just needs right equipment to set up.
There are services from Strood to Paddock Wood via Maidstone extended to Tonbridge part of the day. Then Tonbridge to Redhill services and the Redhill to Reading services. It seems ripe for them to be joined up. A Strood to Reading service every hour.
It seems this could be done without much infrastructure work but the issue is probably lack of Diesel Rolling stock to operate as there are shortages everywhere.
However perhaps the driver for this service is new rolling stock, the new Stadler Flirts electro-diesels bi-modes could be this. A three car version with high acceleration on electric mode (less so on Diesel probably) could run the service. An hourly Strood to Reading all stations service – picking up the Tonbridge Redhill service and the Redhill to Reading stopper. Additional Strood to Redhill services could be run in the peak to make the service half-hourly.
The benefit of new units could extend to the whole North Downs with the same new units taking over Reading to Gatwick Services utilising third rail where possible, potentially creating opportunities then include to extend service to Brighton or Crawley. Also, these units could take over the Marshlink and Uckfield services.
All of this would release many DMU’s for operation elsewhere and stop using diesels over electrified track, plus a few EMU’s would also be released for strengthening other services.
I’m guessing in line with other new stock a new depot would be needed, there is space at Redhill in the tringle between the quarry, Tonbridge and main lines and it is naturally in the middle of most of the services.
Is this a good idea or just Crayonista dreaming on a Sunday afternoon?
There are services from Strood to Paddock Wood via Maidstone extended to Tonbridge part of the day. Then Tonbridge to Redhill services and the Redhill to Reading services. It seems ripe for them to be joined up. A Strood to Reading service every hour.
It seems this could be done without much infrastructure work but the issue is probably lack of Diesel Rolling stock to operate as there are shortages everywhere.
However perhaps the driver for this service is new rolling stock, the new Stadler Flirts electro-diesels bi-modes could be this. A three car version with high acceleration on electric mode (less so on Diesel probably) could run the service. An hourly Strood to Reading all stations service – picking up the Tonbridge Redhill service and the Redhill to Reading stopper. Additional Strood to Redhill services could be run in the peak to make the service half-hourly.
The benefit of new units could extend to the whole North Downs with the same new units taking over Reading to Gatwick Services utilising third rail where possible, potentially creating opportunities then include to extend service to Brighton or Crawley. Also, these units could take over the Marshlink and Uckfield services.
All of this would release many DMU’s for operation elsewhere and stop using diesels over electrified track, plus a few EMU’s would also be released for strengthening other services.
I’m guessing in line with other new stock a new depot would be needed, there is space at Redhill in the tringle between the quarry, Tonbridge and main lines and it is naturally in the middle of most of the services.
Is this a good idea or just Crayonista dreaming on a Sunday afternoon?