Chiltern Oxford Link completed

[swt_passenger]

I take it the special rail replacement bus has now been replaced by extending the Oxford Bus Company route 500 from/to Water Eaton Park & Ride (aka Oxford Parkway) to Oxford railway station?

Yes. It has been mentioned a few times in this thread already, and is clearly explained in the online Chiltern pdf timetable. I would assume it is covered in paper timetables as well if anyone has seen one?

 

[67018]

I take it the special rail replacement bus has now been itself replaced by extending the Oxford Bus Company route 500 from/to Water Eaton Park & Ride (aka Oxford Parkway) to Oxford railway station? This is certainly the impression that Chiltern's website gives; although it doesn't actually say that rail tickets are valid on the 500 bus, and nor does the OBC website.

Are rail tickets valid on the 500? And what happens if you have a rail ticket that doesn't actually mention Oxford e.g. Swindon to High Wycombe, or Reading to Bicester?

Finally, can you break your bus journey in central Oxford or Summertown?

All of the connections to Oxford in the paper timetable are annotated with note 'p', which reads 'Bus-Rail connection service number 500. Operated by Oxford Bus Company. Buses depart outside Oxford train station and return from Oxford Parkway station bus stand A'

As it's advertised in the timetable, I would expect all rail tickets to be accepted provided that Oxford-Oxford Parkway is on a permitted route.

Can't imagine that a bus driver would object to anyone getting off at an intermediate stop, but they would probably be within their rights to refuse re-boarding.

 

[Andyjs247]

I take it the special rail replacement bus has now been itself replaced by extending the Oxford Bus Company route 500 from/to Water Eaton Park & Ride (aka Oxford Parkway) to Oxford railway station? This is certainly the impression that Chiltern's website gives; although it doesn't actually say that rail tickets are valid on the 500 bus, and nor does the OBC website.

Are rail tickets valid on the 500? And what happens if you have a rail ticket that doesn't actually mention Oxford e.g. Swindon to High Wycombe, or Reading to Bicester?

Finally, can you break your bus journey in central Oxford or Summertown?

All of the connections to Oxford in the paper timetable are annotated with note 'p', which reads 'Bus-Rail connection service number 500. Operated by Oxford Bus Company. Buses depart outside Oxford train station and return from Oxford Parkway station bus stand A'

As it's advertised in the timetable, I would expect all rail tickets to be accepted provided that Oxford-Oxford Parkway is on a permitted route.

Can't imagine that a bus driver would object to anyone getting off at an intermediate stop, but they would probably be within their rights to refuse re-boarding.

I took a trip from Bicester to Oxford on Sunday, including the 500 bus. As it happens, I got off the bus in Oxford city centre as it was more convenient to do so.

My return was from Oxford station. The frequency of the 500 during the day is every 15 minutes now, so technically only every other bus doubles as a rail replacement - the train frequency being 2tph. Not all the buses are loaded into the NRE system so the main departure board at OXF only showed a 30 minute frequency.

I think I was the only passenger boarding at Oxford station but many more got on in the centre. I don't imagine it would be a problem reboarding in the centre but I didn't try this time. All the signage - road signs, buses and bus stops - seem to have been changed over to read "Oxford Parkway" rather than "Water Eaton".

 

[Techniquest]

The ticket thing, well I had an Off Peak Day Return Hereford to Bicester Village (well, Town on the tickets as the TVMs etc haven't been updated) which was checked by the Chiltern lady at Oxford station. Checked only by the driver on the way back.

I think you'll probably be fine if it doesn't specifically say Oxford, Bicester or Islip on the ticket, but an unusual place may need explaining where it is etc.

If you're coming down from Birmingham, split the fare at Banbury, will be much cheaper. Banbury to Oxford was showing valid via both Haddenham and via the more direct way when I checked last weekend, which would save a lot of doubling back!

 

[davetheguard]

Thanks for all the replies about ticket validities on the 500 bus.

We travelled out from Oxford station via the bus & Oxford Parkway to Bicester Village this morning; all very easy and on time despite the road works in Summertown en-route.

Our rail tickets were accepted on the bus at both Oxford station (& at Oxford Parkway station on the way back) with a smile and no problems. Chiltern Railways staff were present at both bus stops to supervise and answer enquiries, which I thought was impressive.

Both Oxford Parkway & Bicester Village have staff present, ticket machines, and nice looking cafes. Still some minor work and snagging going on in places along the "new" line. Trains on time, clean, and carrying good numbers of people for a Saturday morning, and considering the service is only a week old.

Still to "do" the new curve in Bicester; I'll return for that another day soon. The trip on the "new" railway was good fun - recommended!

 

[Techniquest]

Seems a bit daft not to carry on around to do Bicester East Curve while you were there!

Do we have an ETA for the final couple of miles into Oxford?

 

[swt_passenger]

Seems a bit daft not to carry on around to do Bicester East Curve while you were there!

Do we have an ETA for the final couple of miles into Oxford?

Chiltern are still publicising 'spring 2016', although I'd have thought May 2016 might be more realistic. Still a lot to do in Oxford station itself if they reckon on getting it done in 6 months, although planning permission was achieved in September.

 

[CyrusWuff]

Chiltern are still publicising 'spring 2016', although I'd have thought May 2016 might be more realistic. Still a lot to do in Oxford station itself if they reckon on getting it done in 6 months, although planning permission was achieved in September.

Last I checked, "Spring" ran from 21st March to 20th June, or thereabouts.

However, the Informed Sources Third Law states "Never believe estimates based on the seasons" (or words to that effect).

 

[The Planner]

Latest Ive heard is still May as it sits better with the timetable change.

 

[Techniquest]

Well if they get on with it then yes May is perfectly reasonable. Hopefully they spruce up the station by the bay platforms while they're at it too. Quite, the whole place could do with getting improved in my eyes!

 

[jimm]

Well if they get on with it then yes May is perfectly reasonable. Hopefully they spruce up the station by the bay platforms while they're at it too. Quite, the whole place could do with getting improved in my eyes!

What do you mean by spruce up? The Network Rail prior consent applications approved by the city council include the demolition of everything above platform level north of the footbridge at that side of the station, including the old Red Star parcels building, staff accommodation and the platform and parcels bays canopies. The new bay platforms, with all-new canopies, will both extend almost to the north end of the main station building, where a new cross passage will be built behind the buffer stops.

All of which is, of course, the first stage of rebuilding the entire station over the next few years.

 

[Techniquest]

Ah good, it is getting improved then slowly

 

[route:oxford]

What do you mean by spruce up? The Network Rail prior consent applications approved by the city council include the demolition of everything above platform level north of the footbridge at that side of the station, including the old Red Star parcels building, staff accommodation and the platform and parcels bays canopies. The new bay platforms, with all-new canopies, will both extend almost to the north end of the main station building, where a new cross passage will be built behind the buffer stops.

All of which is, of course, the first stage of rebuilding the entire station over the next few years.

Something that has been needing done for at least 20 years. I just hope that there will be enough capacity at the station to accommodate further growth in traffic.

Bit of farce with the Green party members whining about temporary buildings resulting in a loss of income from domestic solar panels as part of the planning process though.

 

[Andyjs247]

Our train departed from Platform 2 requiring crossing the bridge even though Platform 1 was unoccupied.
...

How the 07:24 loco-hauled "club-train"runs tomorrow morning will be the crunch!

You can't turn back in 1 without going bi di all the way to Bicester I thought?

That's correct. I'm told by a reliable correspondent that almost all trains will use platform 2; the only exception being the 0724 M-F departure, which will use platform 1 and run "wrong road" to Gavray Junction.

Although Realtime trains suggests otherwise, according to announcements (automated) to the effect that trains may use either platform in either direction at Bicester, the 0708 departure to Oxford Parkway will also go bang road (from Bicester South Jn). It will normally use platform 2 (all other trains from BIT to OXP use platform 1). Presumably its so it won't get in the way of the 0724 departure if it happens to be more than a few minutes late arriving at OXP. These are the 2 exceptions.

 

[L&Y Robert]

Something that has been needing done for at least 20 years. I just hope that there will be enough capacity at the station to accommodate further growth in traffic.

Just so we don't forget how things have changed - In the 60s I once went to a public meeting in Oxford about the then British Rail's proposals for Oxford station. The BR man explained that they were going to "bring all trains over to the 'Up' platform". - because that's where the proposed new station building was to go. He went on to explain that this would be so much more convenient for passengers and staff and crews. Of course this meant no trains on the down platform, which then would lie semi-derelict. But although it never happened in Oxford, it did in Swindon. Train to Bristol crossed over Down main to Up Main - then Up Main to Up platform Loop. And on departure, Up Loop to Up main, Up Main to down Main. So convenient!

 

[RPM]

Just so we don't forget how things have changed - In the 60s I once went to a public meeting in Oxford about the then British Rail's proposals for Oxford station. The BR man explained that they were going to "bring all trains over to the 'Up' platform". - because that's where the proposed new station building was to go. He went on to explain that this would be so much more convenient for passengers and staff and crews. Of course this meant no trains on the down platform, which then would lie semi-derelict. But although it never happened in Oxford, it did in Swindon. Train to Bristol crossed over Down main to Up Main - then Up Main to Up platform Loop. And on departure, Up Loop to Up main, Up Main to down Main. So convenient!

It happened at Princes Risborough too, until Chiltern undid it. Railtrack had no interest in reinstating the down platform, so Chiltern took a lease on the land and built the platform themselves.

 

[edwin_m]

It happened at Princes Risborough too, until Chiltern undid it. Railtrack had no interest in reinstating the down platform, so Chiltern took a lease on the land and built the platform themselves.

Seemed to be a particularly Western Region thing - they nearly managed it with Newport as well - along with truncating branch termini to make room for car parks.

 

[Hophead]

Anyone know why my train to Oxford Parkway terminated at the London end of platform 2? As a 5-car, it the front of the train was just about half-way along the platform - from the station building you could have been forgiven for not knowing the train was there .

The evening return train had come all the way to the footbridge, though, so I assume that was the more usual procedure.

Couldn't help noticing that shelter on the platforms was restricted to just a single bus-stop type arrangement in each direction, which seemed to me to be asking for complaints once the line runs beyond to Oxford itself and there'll be no train waiting for passengers to board.

 

[davetheguard]

Anyone know why my train to Oxford Parkway terminated at the London end of platform 2? As a 5-car, it the front of the train was just about half-way along the platform - from the station building you could have been forgiven for not knowing the train was there .

The evening return train had come all the way to the footbridge, though, so I assume that was the more usual procedure.

Couldn't help noticing that shelter on the platforms was restricted to just a single bus-stop type arrangement in each direction, which seemed to me to be asking for complaints once the line runs beyond to Oxford itself and there'll be no train waiting for passengers to board.

Yes, I noticed this inconsistency when I travelled on the line last Saturday; our train from Oxford Parkway was stopped by the footbridge; our train on the way back stopped right away from the footbridge - it would have been a long -apparently unnecessary- walk if it had been raining. The pictures below illustrate the different stopping positions of the two trains.

 

[HowardGWR]

Just so we don't forget how things have changed - In the 60s I once went to a public meeting in Oxford about the then British Rail's proposals for Oxford station. The BR man explained that they were going to "bring all trains over to the 'Up' platform". - because that's where the proposed new station building was to go. He went on to explain that this would be so much more convenient for passengers and staff and crews. Of course this meant no trains on the down platform, which then would lie semi-derelict. But although it never happened in Oxford, it did in Swindon. Train to Bristol crossed over Down main to Up Main - then Up Main to Up platform Loop. And on departure, Up Loop to Up main, Up Main to down Main. So convenient!

This is similar to Brunel's idea and invoked at Reading. For a long time you could see a kink in the down platform where the 'two stations' joined.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

This is similar to Brunel's idea and invoked at Reading. For a long time you could see a kink in the down platform where the 'two stations' joined.

It was how Chester worked until the 1890s, and at Cambridge until an island platform was built very recently.
Chester also had a 1990s plan to abandon the 1890 island and go back to how it was, but luckily it got dumped.
The scissors crossing half-way has been reduced to a single east-facing link, and it is used quite often, especially now Virgin terminate and split/join Voyagers there.

 

[RPM]

Yes, I noticed this inconsistency when I travelled on the line last Saturday; our train from Oxford Parkway was stopped by the footbridge; our train on the way back stopped right away from the footbridge - it would have been a long -apparently unnecessary- walk if it had been raining. The pictures below illustrate the different stopping positions of the two trains.

The issue is that unless a bank of monitors is installed for every possible train length from 2 to 9 car, then there will be certain lengths of train where the stopping position is a bit of a compromise.

OXP is equipped with two monitor positions, one for 2, 3 and 4 car trains and another for 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9 car trains. Therefore a 5 car train has to stop with the rear cab at the London end of the platform.

The 5 car trains that have been observed to have stopped nearer the footbridge have simply overshot the 5 car stop board, easy to do as the moment as drivers are still unfamiliar and stop boards are temporary cardboard ones which aren't terribly easy to see

 

[fgwrich]

Just so we don't forget how things have changed - In the 60s I once went to a public meeting in Oxford about the then British Rail's proposals for Oxford station. The BR man explained that they were going to "bring all trains over to the 'Up' platform". - because that's where the proposed new station building was to go. He went on to explain that this would be so much more convenient for passengers and staff and crews. Of course this meant no trains on the down platform, which then would lie semi-derelict. But although it never happened in Oxford, it did in Swindon. Train to Bristol crossed over Down main to Up Main - then Up Main to Up platform Loop. And on departure, Up Loop to Up main, Up Main to down Main. So convenient!

Slight thread diversion, but it's been mentioned that this practice, until recently happened at Swindon. Why does such a practice exist with the HSTs at Newport?

Couldn't help noticing that shelter on the platforms was restricted to just a single bus-stop type arrangement in each direction, which seemed to me to be asking for complaints once the line runs beyond to Oxford itself and there'll be no train waiting for passengers to board.

It is a shame to see such things downgraded to a small bus shelter type set up - even many of the ScotRail ones at least have a powered door and make's more of a shelter of these things than the average open Bus Shelter. But no canopy of any useable functional form, even if it's just something covering the bottom area around the stairs / bridge - which rather obviously has been built with the new Electrification standards in mind for East West -making them look taller than necessary, the extra stairs being rather noticeable. (Who needs to use a running machine at the gym if you've got one of those bridges to contend with on your commute!).

 

[D1009]

Slight thread diversion, but it's been mentioned that this practice, until recently happened at Swindon. Why does such a practice exist with the HSTs at Newport?

It doesn't. The through lines you see at Newport are the relief lines. The main lines go through platforms 3 and 4, with platform 2 being a loop off the down main.

 

[Kite159]

Silly question, but is Islip open for it's 2 hourly service?

 

[jimm]

Silly question, but is Islip open for it's 2 hourly service?

Yes. Has been open from day one, even if much of the station area still looks like a building site.

 

[BanburyBlue]

See complaints on the local news today over the amount of time the level crossing gates are closed at Bicester Town.

Apparently causing traffic carnage in Bicester Town Centre.

 

[L&Y Robert]

See complaints on the local news today over the amount of time the level crossing gates are closed at Bicester Town.

Apparently causing traffic carnage in Bicester Town Centre.

Well, we on this forum all knew that ages ago. But the locals didn't - well, not all of 'em anyway. This is my posting 879 of mid February this year:-

Having just read a thread about level crossings, waiting times etc. I wondered if said 'locals' realise that the London Road crossing will close 8 times per hour. It's right in the town, with a lot of houses on one side and the town centre on the other. I had to wait there one day whilst some kind of engineering train passed, and fell into conversation with a woman who was fretting about the delay. She had no idea about the number of trains that are planned for the line, commenting "Well they stop at the station just there, and then go back to Oxford. Don't they?"

 

[BanburyBlue]

Well, we on this forum all knew that ages ago. But the locals didn't - well, not all of 'em anyway. This is my posting 879 of mid February this year:-

Having just read a thread about level crossings, waiting times etc. I wondered if said 'locals' realise that the London Road crossing will close 8 times per hour. It's right in the town, with a lot of houses on one side and the town centre on the other. I had to wait there one day whilst some kind of engineering train passed, and fell into conversation with a woman who was fretting about the delay. She had no idea about the number of trains that are planned for the line, commenting "Well they stop at the station just there, and then go back to Oxford. Don't they?"

May be a silly question but I assume they check this sort of thing as part of the planning and design process? Are there any rules about how long barriers are down before the councils and highway authorities get angsty?

 

[Andyjs247]

The ball is with Oxfordshire County Council Highways Department at the moment. They have some money to improve the crossing but as yet there is no preferred solution. They don't seem to be any in any particular hurry to make a decision (and perhaps there is now less urgency with likely delays to the next phase of East West Rail). The do minimum option would seem to be installing a new pedestrian footbridge whilst keeping the crossing open to road traffic.

It remains to be seen whether a road/pedestrian bridge over (or bridge under plus footbridge over) is feasible either at London Road or at some other location. This would then allow the crossing to be closed. As far as Network Rail is concerned, the crossing is adequate for current and assumed traffic levels with East West Rail running through to Bletchley. And the station was designed was staggered platforms to mitigate delays to road users as far as possible.