Easter services affected by engineering works

[LeylandLen]

Easter Sunday is 12 weeks today Sunday April 5th. However looking at NR future engineering works for Easter weekend there seems to be very little work planned, apart from on going London Bridge work , diverted Scotrail sleepers via ECML (obviously a clue that there is work on WCML) and work at Bicester. I presume there is more to come. Obviously after the problems on ECML and Paddington over Xmas , Network Rail wants to get it right. I see no Virgin trains in/out Euston over Easter but nothing on Virgins website . I am a fan of the railways and don't want to see any more adverse publicity !!

 

[philjo]

WCML works at watford Junction at Easter (& Feb half term) - they have been advertised since early last year. (though amended after the planned 3 week clsoure last August was changed to weekends only


http://www.virgintrains.co.uk/updates/route-improvements/spanner/

 

[Kite159]

Looks like Euston is pretty much London Overground only over the weekend, not even the Birmingham International diversions via Chilterns.

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If I recall, Reading is going to be hit over Easter weekend

 

[Rich McLean]

Reading is also blocked over the Easter Period, with WoE trains into Waterloo via Westbury, Salisbury & Basingstoke, and 1tph Bristol - Padd via Oxford, Banbury & Greenford, and 1tph Swansea - Padd, via Oxford, Banbury & Greenford.

 

[Kite159]

Reading is also blocked over the Easter Period, with WoE trains into Waterloo via Westbury, Salisbury & Basingstoke, and 1tph Bristol - Padd via Oxford, Banbury & Greenford, and 1tph Swansea - Padd, via Oxford, Banbury & Greenford.

Although strangely not stopping at Salisbury, they must have to go quite slowly through the stations for the speed limit on the curve.

HST Diversion time

(I notice on RTT there is Westbury to Reading services running, all station stoppers, would they be Turbos [to avoid having to use SDO at most of the stations and to get into P1/P2 at Reading?]

 

[221129]

Although strangely not stopping at Salisbury, they must have to go quite slowly through the stations for the speed limit on the curve.

HST Diversion time

(I notice on RTT there is Westbury to Reading services running, all station stoppers, would they be Turbos [to avoid having to use SDO at most of the stations and to get into P1/P2 at Reading?]

They didn't stop last time either, and yes the shuttles are normally turbos.

 

[Class 170101]

Looks like Euston is pretty much London Overground only over the weekend, not even the Birmingham International diversions via Chilterns.

---

If I recall, Reading is going to be hit over Easter weekend

Probably not enough space for Chiltern, FGW and VT to all run via High Wycombe.

 

[causton]

VTs are running throughout the day from Birmingham/Wolverhampton to Northampton - but nothing yet shown for them to connect to!

 

[CallySleeper]

VTs are running throughout the day from Birmingham/Wolverhampton to Northampton - but nothing yet shown for them to connect to!

The M1?

 

[rmt4ever]

Reading is also blocked over the Easter Period, with WoE trains into Waterloo via Westbury, Salisbury & Basingstoke, and 1tph Bristol - Padd via Oxford, Banbury & Greenford, and 1tph Swansea - Padd, via Oxford, Banbury & Greenford.

Will Greenford to London all stations still run as normal?

 

[swt_passenger]

Although strangely not stopping at Salisbury, they must have to go quite slowly through the stations for the speed limit on the curve.

As Ollie has pointed out they didn't stop at Salisbury on the other two times this diversion operated, and there's really no necessity, because the diverted trains do not supersede the normal timetable - like they do when FGW run west of Yeovil Jn on the singled route.

If they'd ever had to thin out the SWT & FGW existing services through Salisbury to make room a call might have been needed, but at the end of the day its a diversion, not a rail tour.

 

[berneyarms]

Will Greenford to London all stations still run as normal?

No. See below.

Friday 3 to Monday 6 April

No train services will run between Hayes & Harlington and Didcot Parkway

No train services will run on the Greenford, Windsor & Eton, Marlow and Henley-on-Thames branches

No trains will call at Acton Main Line, West Ealing or Hanwell

Valid rail tickets will be accepted on Transport for London for these stations

No train services will run between Reading and Basingstoke (4 and 5 April only)

 

[rmt4ever]

No. See below.

Any reason why they can't run trains GFD-PAD

 

[swt_passenger]

Any reason why they can't run trains GFD-PAD

Greenford to West Ealing is one of many routes under possession, as are the reliefs through Acton. The publicly available Engineering Access statement shows something about junction removal at Acton Middle (Crossrail related) but that's not an up to date plan now.

It seems likely the whole area is out of use predominantly down to Crossrail works.

 

[Class 170101]

In that case then there would be no access to South Greenford so Virgin wouldn't be able to run. Going to be a bit tight on the single line sections between Paddington and West Ruislip though for trains in both directions.

 

[rmt4ever]

In that case then there would be no access to South Greenford so Virgin wouldn't be able to run. Going to be a bit tight on the single line sections between Paddington and West Ruislip though for trains in both directions.

Thats what I was thinking

 

[TSR :D]

Dropping from 9 tph to 2 tph between Birmingham and London is going to be disaster. It was already bad enough during summer engineering works last year with VT services being diverted via Chiltern main line. Will VT and LM do something to alleviate this?

Does FGW alight/pick up passenegers at Banbury?

 

[berneyarms]

In that case then there would be no access to South Greenford so Virgin wouldn't be able to run. Going to be a bit tight on the single line sections between Paddington and West Ruislip though for trains in both directions.

It's two trains each way an hour - it should be perfectly possible, given there is a loop at Greenford.

Trains will leave Paddington at xx:00 and xx:27.

They will be on the single track between Old Oak Common and Park Royal between xx:06 and xx:08, and xx:33 and xx:35, and between Greenford West and South Ruislip between xx:12 and xx:20 and xx:40 and xx:44.

Inbound trains will be between South Ruislip and Greenford West between xx:02 and xx:05 and xx:31 and xx:35, and between Park Royal and Old Oak Common between xx:13 and xx:15 and xx:42 and xx:45.

Outbound and inbound will cross at the loop at Greenford.

 

[221129]

Dropping from 9 tph to 2 tph between Birmingham and London is going to be disaster. It was already bad enough during summer engineering works last year with VT services being diverted via Chiltern main line. Will VT and LM do something to alleviate this?

Does FGW alight/pick up passenegers at Banbury?

No they don't have a passenger stop at Banbury.

 

[Class 170101]

It's two trains each way an hour - it should be perfectly possible, given there is a loop at Greenford.

Trains will leave Paddington at xx:00 and xx:27.

They will be on the single track between Old Oak Common and Park Royal between xx:06 and xx:08, and xx:33 and xx:35, and between Greenford West and South Ruislip between xx:12 and xx:20 and xx:40 and xx:44.

Inbound trains will be between South Ruislip and Greenford West between xx:02 and xx:05 and xx:31 and xx:35, and between Park Royal and Old Oak Common between xx:13 and xx:15 and xx:42 and xx:45.

Outbound and inbound will cross at the loop at Greenford.

I know it can be done as Chiltern do it when they divert to Paddington vice Marylebone. Just not much scope for late running.

Normally FGW run in one direction via Park Royal and in the other direction via South Greenford.

 

[louis97]

I know it can be done as Chiltern do it when they divert to Paddington vice Marylebone. Just not much scope for late running.

Normally FGW run in one direction via Park Royal and in the other direction via South Greenford.

They did the time before last, but not the last time - presumably because of engineering work at Acton, the reason they are not going that way this time.

 

[Rich McLean]

Will Greenford to London all stations still run as normal?

Yes as they run via West Eailing, however if there is a Block on they wont. Stoppers are running Padd - Hayes
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Dropping from 9 tph to 2 tph between Birmingham and London is going to be disaster. It was already bad enough during summer engineering works last year with VT services being diverted via Chiltern main line. Will VT and LM do something to alleviate this?

Does FGW alight/pick up passenegers at Banbury?

Nope. Turnback only, except maybe on one or two services

 

[louis97]

Yes as they run via West Eailing

Not during this closure, the relief lines are closed through West Ealing - therefore no Greenford service or services at Acton Mainline, West Ealing or Hanwell.

 

[berneyarms]

I know it can be done as Chiltern do it when they divert to Paddington vice Marylebone. Just not much scope for late running.

Normally FGW run in one direction via Park Royal and in the other direction via South Greenford.

I'd say that they'll manage - the single sections are only occupied for 30 minutes each hour.

Yes as they run via West Eailing, however if there is a Block on they wont. Stoppers are running Padd - Hayes
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


Nope. Turnback only, except maybe on one or two services

As I posted above - the Greenford branch is shut.

 

[Blindtraveler]

If VT and LM are only going to Northampton then this will I assume require the mother of all bustitution opperations but to where? Surely not all the way to London? Would 1 way round it be running running XC Shuttles Birmingham Darby or Leicester connecting with dedicated EMT Fasts to STP?↲

 

[LeylandLen]

If VT and LM are only going to Northampton then this will I assume require the mother of all bustitution opperations but to where? Surely not all the way to London? Would 1 way round it be running running XC Shuttles Birmingham Darby or Leicester connecting with dedicated EMT Fasts to STP?↲

I dislike bustitution unless its a last resort , esp when there are rail alternatives. Busses never seem to be of a suitable standard and far less legroom ! I cant see why Virgin don't run services Coventry - Leamington Spa ( the Chiltern Voyagers blockade busters run that way ) and suggest passengers change onto Chiltern Railways to Marylebone or inform passengers that its a short walk BHM New Street to Moor Street for connecting frequent services to Marylebone ( I know not suitable for those with luggage).

 

[TSR :D]

If VT and LM are only going to Northampton then this will I assume require the mother of all bustitution opperations but to where? Surely not all the way to London? Would 1 way round it be running running XC Shuttles Birmingham Darby or Leicester connecting with dedicated EMT Fasts to STP?↲

Looking at timetable, VT trains are either terminating at Rugby or Milton Keynes. LM trains are terminating at Northampton.

I can't see anything special in the timetable for Derby and Leicester.

 

[Class 170101]

I think the Birmingham to Leicester / Derby service is a suggestion for Virgin to use their Voyagers to connect with MML services.

The better option might be Birmingham, Nuneaton, Wigston Jn and thence to St Pancras but I bet the crews don't sign it and the Voyagers are unlikely to be cleared between Wigston Jn and London.

All that assumes of course you can find paths for these services.

As for the actual plan it involves buses between Hemel Hempstead and Stanmore.