Is it possible to extend either the District or Central lines from Ealing Broadway to West Ealing (0.75 miles - may need a tunnel) then continue to Greenford (or West Ruislip)?
I don't think Chiltern will take this over but I would be surprised if it wasn't wired up as part of the Chiltern route wiring whenever that may come to pass (we're all assuming CP6 but who knows). Agree that it'd make some sense to put the stopping services to High Wycombe (and Tring) on to Crossrail instead of turning half of the trains round in the Paddington sidings but I don't think that anyone would want to entirely withdraw Chiltern services south of HWY. Also the issues with Crossrail stock being without toilet facilities might well cause problems.I note that Greenford has been left out of any electrification plans. Post Crossrail this will likely leave an isolated diesel shuttle from West Ealing to Greenford.
The absence of Newbury-Bedwyn electrification from the announced plans is perhaps more baffling than the Sheffield-Leeds/Doncaster and GOBLIN omissions; there's a frequent Paddington-Bedwyn service which will presumably be either scrapped (to the chagrin of anyone west of Newbury who'll have to change to a new diesel Newbury-Westbury service) or will run under 60 miles of OHLE to Newbury during its 74 mile run to Bedwyn.
BBC news
Extending the electrification of a Great Western branch line is to be considered by the government.
Currently, electrification plans for the line from London Paddington to the south west stop at Newbury in Berkshire.
MPs from west Berkshire and Wiltshire met rail minister Simon Burns to ask for an extension along commuter lines to Westbury, Bath and Swindon.
Mr Burns said he would look to see whether there was a "viable case".
BBC South transport correspondent Paul Clifton has learned Network Rail has been asked to look into the financial viability of three options.
The first would electrify 14 miles of line between Newbury and Bedwyn, the second a 53-mile section to Westbury and the third, the potential to link the line to Swindon and Bath allowing connections into the Mendip stone quarries at East Cranmore and Whatley.
Commuter concern
It would create a secondary route for electric trains between London and Bath and Bristol.
Newbury MP Richard Benyon was part of the meeting with Mr Burns alongside Claire Perry, MP for Devizes, and Westbury MP Andrew Murrison.
Mr Benyon said: "The overriding concern is the future could mean lesser services for commuters west of Newbury.
"The government is keen for regeneration projects that boost the economy and this could certainly be one of them.
"While the minister couldn't give us a commitment one way or the other, it's good to see him reversing the decision of the previous government by agreeing to look into it."
Steve Smith, of the Bedwyn Trains Passenger Group, said: "We are concerned that this review is only for electrification.
"It should also encompass the option of an hourly semi-fast train between Paddington and Exeter. The review should be for the retention of our services and not just electrification."
Mr Burns said: "Rail electrification hugely benefits passengers by enabling faster, more reliable train services.
"I have agreed to look again into whether there is a viable case to extend the government's plans to electrify the Great Western main line beyond Newbury to Westbury."
I wasn't suggesting only Crossrail from Wycombe into London, but the removal of all stops south of Wycombe. So all services on Chiltern would call at Wycombe & then run fast to Marylebone, with the Jubilee line taking over stops north of Neasden & being extended out to Ruislip.
My master plan sees Crossrail to Wycombe as a first stage of wiring the line, removing all the Chiltern inner suburban services from Marylebone. The 2nd stage would be extending the wires to Bicester and Oxford to grab the outer suburban services as well.
MPs from west Berkshire and Wiltshire met rail minister Simon Burns to ask for an extension along commuter lines to Westbury, Bath and Swindon
All lines are commuter lines to some extent or other.
And then as if by magic, now wiring the Snow Hill lines, as well as releasing 27 of LM's suburban DMUs for cascading, enables Chiltern to go fully electric.
In doing the 'Chiltern Route' you probably do:
Hatton-Wilmcote
Leamington-Coventry
Again, I think they may struggle to get the numbers to add up past Kidderminster.Moor Street-Worcester Shrub Hill
Coventry-Nuneaton
as well as the 'Coventry Crossrail' service of Nuneaton-Leamington,
Hatton-WilmcoteEven if the rest was done I suspect you would struggle to get a decent business case for it and may end up as a Leamington - Stratford diesel shuttle.
While the service frequency wouldn't justify electrification, i'm sure the wider strategic benefits would justify the pretty minimal expense especially if there's no major bridge work required.
Chris
It depends how long the 150s have left
The 150s have little more time than the Pacers really.
You have to wonder what might have been achieved if the governments of that period had decided to invest.
Even if the rest was done I suspect you would struggle to get a decent business case for it and may end up as a Leamington - Stratford diesel shuttle.
Part of the electric spine being done in CP5
Again, I think they may struggle to get the numbers to add up past Kidderminster.
Part of the electric spine being done in CP5
Not going to happen, you cannot get the trains across Coventry. Coventry to Nuneaton service will be enhanced if the £££ are there and Kenilworth will be out on a limb either as an extension to New St to Cov locals or as a Leamington - Cov shuttle.
Apart from subway systems is the uk the only country that has a third rail system for main line railways.
Not in the distant future but the next few years! Wires are replacing third-rail from Southampton to Basingstoke (I think that's as far as it's going) so that process is already starting.