Chiltern Oxford Link completed

[midlandred]

Today's photos from visits to Oxford Parkway (Water Eaton) and Bicester Town, to check on the progress of the new station builds

 

[davetheguard]

Thanks for the further update of this exciting project; it appears the NSE-era clock is still hanging on for the moment at Bicester Town station; although it may no longer be working of course.

And looking at the last photo, it looks like Grayline's coaches are still in place at their depot behind the old platform. Amazing, I'd of thought they would have been politely asked to leave months ago.......

 

[21C101]

What happened to the plan for the new stations to be in "heritage" brick style?

 

[Cherry_Picker]

I was unaware they were going to do that, but modern buildings are often just clad in "bricks" for aesthetic purposes. Look at the new multi storey car park at Banbury station, it looks like it's made from a million red bricks when the truth is they are all fake.

 

[21C101]

I was unaware they were going to do that, but modern buildings are often just clad in "bricks" for aesthetic purposes. Look at the new multi storey car park at Banbury station, it looks like it's made from a million red bricks when the truth is they are all fake.

I recall they were going to be heritage buildings in the style of the GW/GC joint that would have done credit to a preserved railway, quite impressive if I remember.

Edit. Found it - they were in GWR heritage design complete with GWR style canopies. Islip was even going to get pagoda shelters!, see pages 49&50, 54&55, 59&60 of this TWA application document from 2011 here:

http://www.chiltern-evergreen3.co.u...- Marked up version 11012011 for sign off.pdf

and this simulation of the planned overbridge entrance to Oxford Parkway in those TWA application plans.

http://www.macnaughton-ltd.co.uk/ou...ions/evergreen-3-project-water-eaton-station/

 

[fgwrich]

What happened to the plan for the new stations to be in "heritage" brick style?

I recall they were going to be heritage buildings in the style of the GW/GC joint that would have done credit to a preserved railway, quite impressive if I remember

Indeed they were, and I was at a presentation by Chiltern Railways which included some initial designs of the stations - all I can say is Thank God they didn't go down the 'traditional' route for this line. As a former LNWR route, A New Great Western style would have looked completely out of place along this line. Also, while I'm a fan of the traditional GWR Architecture, a project and line like this would be served better by the newer Architecture Chiltern are investing in and constructing.

I'm also fairly sure that isn't an NSE Era clock - Than a standard LCD type installed by Chiltern Railways.

Thanks for those photos Cliff, Always good to see some progress along the line. Also of note this week is that the first Ballast Train ran with TNT Colas Rail Class 70s at the weekend, and dropped it's first load of ballast on the 1 in 33 Curve up from Gavray Drive up to the new Bicester Junction - The other line (Down Line) Has been ballasted up to near to the junction - the points I understand are connected but not commissioned yet.

 

[RPM]

Indeed they were, and I was at a presentation by Chiltern Railways which included some initial designs of the stations - all I can say is Thank God they didn't go down the 'traditional' route for this line. As a former LNWR route, A New Great Western style would have looked completely out of place along this line. Also, while I'm a fan of the traditional GWR Architecture, a project and line like this would be served better by the newer Architecture Chiltern are investing in and constructing.

I'm also fairly sure that isn't an NSE Era clock - Than a standard LCD type installed by Chiltern Railways.

Thanks for those photos Cliff, Always good to see some progress along the line. Also of note this week is that the first Ballast Train ran with TNT Colas Rail Class 70s at the weekend, and dropped it's first load of ballast on the 1 in 33 Curve up from Gavray Drive up to the new Bicester Junction - The other line (Down Line) Has been ballasted up to near to the junction - the points I understand are connected but not commissioned yet.

I think the GWR style stations were something of an indulgence by Chiltern's former Chairman. With the project delayed by EWR and a change in Chiltern management, the plans changed.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Although GWR style buildings did not sit right with me for this line, one thing that has been lost in the redesign is decent platform awnings which give proper protection from inclement weather - a significant step backwards in my opinion. Awnings notwithstanding, the design for Bicester Town strikes me as innovative and imposing whilst the design for Oxford Parkway is rather less inspiring.

 

[Chris125]

Thanks for those photos Cliff, Always good to see some progress along the line. Also of note this week is that the first Ballast Train ran with TNT Colas Rail Class 70s at the weekend, and dropped it's first load of ballast on the 1 in 33 Curve up from Gavray Drive up to the new Bicester Junction - The other line (Down Line) Has been ballasted up to near to the junction - the points I understand are connected but not commissioned yet.

I've seen that gradient mentioned before but apparently it's mentioned in the TWA as being 1 in 100, which does seem more likely.

Chris

 

[midlandred]

Indeed they were, and I was at a presentation by Chiltern Railways which included some initial designs of the stations - all I can say is Thank God they didn't go down the 'traditional' route for this line. As a former LNWR route, A New Great Western style would have looked completely out of place along this line. Also, while I'm a fan of the traditional GWR Architecture, a project and line like this would be served better by the newer Architecture Chiltern are investing in and constructing.

I'm also fairly sure that isn't an NSE Era clock - Than a standard LCD type installed by Chiltern Railways.

Thanks for those photos Cliff, Always good to see some progress along the line. Also of note this week is that the first Ballast Train ran with TNT Colas Rail Class 70s at the weekend, and dropped it's first load of ballast on the 1 in 33 Curve up from Gavray Drive up to the new Bicester Junction - The other line (Down Line) Has been ballasted up to near to the junction - the points I understand are connected but not commissioned yet.

Here is the clock!

 

[swt_passenger]

I've seen that gradient mentioned before but apparently it's mentioned in the TWA as being 1 in 100, which does seem more likely.

I'd agree that 1 in 100 would fit the approximate 'rise' and distance nicely, it's only got to gain the height of that over bridge where the lines cross, (which I think will probably be 7 or 8 metres?) and I looked at an aerial view on Google which suggests there's at least half a mile between the (estimated) positions of the junctions, say 800m...

The side on photos of the embankment provided by Cliff in an earlier set: http://cliffjones.zenfolio.com/p805856856 with the branch rising alongside the main line, don't suggest it is a record setting gradient by any means.

 

[21C101]

Has converting the parcels bays to two new platforms at Oxford also been canned?

 

[The Planner]

They dont need to use them. P3 can deal with it.

 

[jimm]

They dont need to use them. P3 can deal with it.

No it can't. Network Rail last week lodged a prior approval application with the city council detailing the work it proposes to carry out to extend platform 3 and the parcels dock line to provide two bay platforms, in what it describes as phase one of the Oxford station masterplan, which is now an eight-stage project apparently.

For some reason the planning statement talks about platforms 1 and 2 but this is plainly wrong in the context of the current platform numbers.

The documents are here:

http://public.oxford.gov.uk/online-...s.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=NI47E1MF0QY00

The platform plan is pretty poorly reproduced but shows two bay platforms, with a new temporary staff accommodation block alongside at the north-east corner of the station site.

 

[TheKnightWho]

No it can't. Network Rail last week lodged a prior approval application with the city council detailing the work it proposes to carry out to extend platform 3 and the parcels dock line to provide two bay platforms, in what it describes as phase one of the Oxford station masterplan, which is now an eight-stage project apparently.

For some reason the planning statement talks about platforms 1 and 2 but this is plainly wrong in the context of the current platform numbers.

The documents are here:

http://public.oxford.gov.uk/online-...s.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=NI47E1MF0QY00

The platform plan is pretty poorly reproduced but shows two bay platforms, with a new temporary staff accommodation block alongside at the north-east corner of the station site.

Got a link to the plan at all?

 

[21C101]

Funny, I thought the whole point was to have a separate track into Oxford with separate bay platforms all off Marylebone IECC so that it was operationally independent of the GW tracks and wouldn't put further strain on them.

 

[The Planner]

That was more to do with people getting concerned about hacking into Oxford signalling as its getting a bit old. The independent line wont get built now. Still not convinced about needing the parcel bays for the Chiltern services from the timetabling Ive seen.

 

[muddythefish]

No separate line ? More expediency then.

 

[The Planner]

So you advocate spending money on things that arent required?

 

[muddythefish]

The GW line is busy enough already so where are these extra trains going to fit in ? And what about future growth ?

 

[Buttsy]

The GW line is busy enough already so where are these extra trains going to fit in ? And what about future growth ?

I expect the Marylebone trains to use the Jericho reversible if required once the signalling in the up direction has been passed for passenger use.

 

[swt_passenger]

Got a link to the plan at all?

The link above is to the file index page on the council planning website.

The fourth file listed there is a plan view:

http://public.oxford.gov.uk/online-...11-PROPOSED_PLATFORM___ROOF_PLANS-1546012.pdf

However if the above URL fails (which is often the case on planning sites), you'll have to follow the earlier link.

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

Funny, I thought the whole point was to have a separate track into Oxford with separate bay platforms all off Marylebone IECC so that it was operationally independent of the GW tracks and wouldn't put further strain on them.

That was the original idea, but without East West Rail. Because EWR services will run through Oxford to Didcot (as described in the planning statement linked yesterday) or even further, then further changes are needed to the whole Oxford station area. Apparently it is now being sorted out in appropriate timescales, with this work being phase 1 of 8.

 

[dysonsphere]

It failed lol

 

[swt_passenger]

It failed lol

Not unexpected, they seem to use session URLs or something that time out. Some local authorities don't even let you link to an application, you have to enter via the main page and drill down via the search system on many of the planning websites.

 

[HowardGWR]

Good to see it being referred to as a railway station on the plans.

 

[davetheguard]

Good to see it being referred to as a railway station on the plans.

Yes! Obviously a man after my own heart.

 

[L&Y Robert]

Good to see it being referred to as a railway station on the plans.

The S4 Oxford bus goes from the Roadway Station, is it?

 

[HowardGWR]

The S4 Oxford bus goes from the Roadway Station, is it?

No, the bus station or coach station, as we say in England (being English).

There is a very good photo of the new incline from Bicester Town up to the main 'Chiltern' line in Modern Railways (Feb issue). It could only be taken, I think, if you have access, unless the footbridge is now open.

 

[davetheguard]

The S4 Oxford bus goes from the Roadway Station, is it?

No, and the Heathrow coach doesn't go to the Plane Port either.

 

[Dampflok]

No, the bus station or coach station, as we say in England (being English).

There is a very good photo of the new incline from Bicester Town up to the main 'Chiltern' line in Modern Railways (Feb issue). It could only be taken, I think, if you have access, unless the footbridge is now open.

I was there on Tuesday 20th January 2015 and the footbridge certainly not open over the new chord, so presumably the photographer had official access.

Photo here from the nearest you can get to the footbridge at the moment:


Cheers, Geoff

 

[a good off]

I expect the Marylebone trains to use the Jericho reversible if required once the signalling in the up direction has been passed for passenger use.

The Jericho isn't reversible as it is only signalled for Down direction moves from Oxford.