Fantasy: Given no limits, how would you modernise your line?

[Morgsie]

Since MML Electrification has been mentioned then Electrify the Stoke-to Derby line and replace DMU's with EMU's and increase frequency and reliability.

There is a disused railway viaduct in Bourne Valley near Branksome Station re-open and electrify so trains don't have to reverse at Branksome to go to Bournemouth Traction and Rolling Stock Depot

 

[xotGD]

Ultimate fantasy idea:

De-electrify all routes
Scrap all DMUs and EMUs
All services to be operated by diesel locomotives and coaching stock
Coaching stock to be fitted with droplights and opening windows above each seating bay

 

[Bwlch y Groes]

Posted my South Wales suggestions here: https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...nchise-what-would-you-do.159092/#post-3278961

If we're talking full crayonista - and obviously not all of this will come down to the franchise holder per se - then this is what I'd want:

*breathes*

- Electrification of everything between the border and Swansea

- Replacement of the Valleys fleet with refurbished 321s, 322s and 323s

- Pick up a few HST GTis for extra fast Swansea-West Wales services and maybe even the Marches

- Redouble Porth-Treherbert, Abercynon-Merthyr Vale, Bargoed-Rhymney and Garth-Tondu to help bring in those extra Valleys services (though it doesn't have to be 4tph, given that that's clearly based on light rail conversion). Aberdare Line redoubling would probably be a bit pointless but maybe add an extra loop in somewhere

- Extra stations in the Valleys:

-- To Pontypridd: Gabalfa, Nantgarw, Upper Boat

-- Taff Vale/Aberdare Lines: Glyncoch

-- Aberdare Line: Ynysboeth/Tyntetown, Cwmbach North

-- Rhondda Line: Hopkinstown

-- Rhymney Line: Cathays Crwys Road, Roath Park

-- Maesteg Line: Llangynwyd

-- Ebbw Vale Line: Newport West/Maesglas, Risca Darran Road, Abercarn, Crumlin and Cwm

-- City Line: Ely Mill

This would come with more skip-stopping not to bog down individual services, like we do up norf

- Extra SWML stations at Magor/Undy, Llanwern, Newport East (Maindee), Coedkernew, Rumney, Roath, St Fagans, Miskin/Hensol, Brackla and Margam, along with the confirmed one at St Mellons. You'd need new/extended local stopping services on the SWML to pick these up, more use of the slow lines east of Cardiff, and perhaps an extra loop around St Fagans (in addition to the upgraded Miskin Loops)

- Extra Marches Line stations at Caerleon, Llantarnam and Panteg/Sebastopol. You could even stick a bay in that huge platform at Pontypool and New Inn and run a local stopping services from there to Newport

- Extra VoG stations at St Athan, Llandow, Ewenny and Bridgend College

- Reopen Aberdare-Hirwaun with a station at Trecynon (and that extra loop can go in at Aberdare through the old station)

- Reopen Llanhilleth-Abertillery

- Reopen Pontyclun-Beddau with stations at Talbot Green, Llantrisant and Gwaunmeisgyn

- Reopen Ystrad Mynach-Dowlais/Merthyr East with stations at Nelson/Llancaiach, Trelewis and Bedlinog

- Reopen Maesteg-Caerau (the trackbed's all still there and opens you up to extra passengers from the Afan Valley)

- Reopen Newport-Caerphilly with stations at Bassaleg, Machen, Trethomas and Lansbury Park

- Reopen Coryton-Tongwynlais (or at least a park-and-ride station close to J32 of the M4)

- Start running Newport-Ebbw Vale services (you'd need to expand Newport station for this)

- Rebuild an extra platform/turnback at Pontarddulais and run a commuter shuttle from there to Llanelli, perhaps with the future aspiration to extend to Ammanford Town/Gwaun-cae-Gurwen

- Long term aspiration to open a new Swansea East station next to the docks, and run services to it from Llanelli via the Swansea District Line (including new stations), Glynneath and Onllwyn

However, I'm currently living in York and I concur with most of this - I'd add in electrification of York-Scarborough and a station at York Hospital, for purely selfish reasons (as it would be just around the corner from my house!):

Improvements in the York & Yorkshire area:

-The reopening/opening of various stations in the county, such as Haxby, Strensall, Kirkham Abbey, Speeton, Flamborough, Bell Busk, Flaxby Parkway, Knaresborough East, Ferrybridge, Brotherton & Byram, Monk Fryston, East Leeds Parkway, Luddendenfoot, Hemsworth, Rawmarsh, Crosshills, Ossett, Horbury, and Bramhope North
-The reopening/opening of lines from Harrogate to Northallerton*, East Leeds Parkway to Wetherby,* and Ulleskelf to Hornbeam Park*, Arthington to Burley-in-Wharfedale*, Horsforth to Guiseley*, Low Moor to Mirfield*, Ilkley to Skipton*, Sheffield to Wakefield via Wath and Cudworth*, Skipton to Colne, Malton to Pickering, and (oh go on then!) Clapham to Low Gill
(lines marked with * would be electrified)
-Above all, York to Beverley to be reopened and electrified
-Stations to be opened on the above lines at Killinghall, Ripley, Ripon, Barwick, Thorner, Bardsey, Collingham, Tadcaster, Newton Kyme & Toulston, Boston Spa, Wetherby, Spofforth, Follifoot, Bramhope North, Pool-in-Wharfedale, Otley, Leeds Bradford Airport, Yeadon, Cleckheaton, Liversedge, Heckmondwike, Addingham, Earby, Ingleton, Kirkby Lonsdale, Barbon, Casterton, Middleton, Sedbergh, Market Weighton, Pocklington, Fangfoss, Stamford Bridge and York North
-a Leeds Metro network, taking in places such as Rothwell, Gildersome, Drighlington, Birstall, Gomersal, Cleckheaton, Batley, Roundhay...
-direct services from York to Skipton via Harrogate, Otley and Ilkley
-a reopened, electrified Woodhead Line with a station at Stocksbridge

 

[The Ham]

For the SWML I'd:
- build Crossrail 2
- flyover/under junctions at Woking and Basingstoke
- southern approach to Heathrow (2tph from Guildford and Basingstoke calling at all existing stations to Woking)
- "infill" some of the deep cuttings but provide 3 tracks through (would require extra width during construction, but the land owners could be compensated with extra land once compare) this would provide extra capacity between Basingstoke and Southampton.
- have a rolling programme of replacing with OHLE to tie into Crossrail 2 and WofE line wires.
- re-provided the central platforms at Farnborough Main
- where possible build to allow for GC (height) loading gauge on all new works to allow for the potential for double height trains at a later date (probably beyond my lifetime)
- provide grade separated junction (West/North) at Farnborough to provide a bypass to Woking during disruption/during engineering works/for freight as well as providing for more local train travel (i.e. Basingstoke to Bagshot or Camberley to Fleet) as well as giving access to a faster route to London from Frimley and Camberley.
- new stations at Southwood and Fleet West (jest west of Morrison's) to be served by the above services (i.e. requires a change at Fleet/Farnborough to get to London) to free up parking spaces at existing stations (operate a ship stop service pattern on the Heathrow services)
- in exchange for more frequent services (2 tph Basingstoke / Heathrow and 1 tph Basingstoke / Ascot), stations like Hook and Winchfield see a reduction in direct services to London from 2tph to 1tph (off peak). This requiring a change at Fleet, Farnborough or Woking to a faster service resulting in an unchanged (or even slightly reduced) journey time off peak.
- (going slightly off route) following electrification (at least in part) extend the Basingstoke stoppers (and if there were demand the Basingstoke / Ascot services) to Salisbury to increase frequency between Salisbury and Basingstoke. The existing WofE services see a reduction in calling pattern to the minor stations over that length (1 train every 2 hours during the off peak) in return for a more frequent service (>2 tph at all stations rather than 1 tph and easier travel to other North Hampshire towns, but sometimes a slower direct service to London)

 

[Thebaz]

Well you are going to be disappointed later this year then as none of them will be stopping at Sanderstead!

You wot? That's out of order that is!

 

[The Ham]

For the GWML, I'd:
- build a flyover junction at Didcot
- extend the Crossrail tunnels/add an additional pair of lines for as far out as possible
- quad track to at least Swindon, ideally to the junction to Bath and build flyover junctions
Going slightly off piste by going down the B&H:
- build a third track (bi- directional) from Reading to Southcote Just and build flyover junctions
- build a spur and station for Devizes
- build stations for some of the larger settlements which currently don't have one
- build more places for trains to pass one another (especially the faster services given the increased number of stopping/slower services)
- electrification of the line between Exeter abs Plymouth as well as some extra sections to run some of the Exeter Metro services with EMU's (i.e. to Exmouth)
- reopen the line via Okehampton (primarily for services from Waterloo) which acts as a useful diversion, but it's mainly to speed up journey times from the WofE line and connections to Plymouth as well as local traffic (by improving journey times from Woking, Southampton, Salisbury, Weymouth, etc. it could generate enough medium distance passengers to cover a lot of the costs of the services enabling the local traffic to just to this up rather than having to pay it's own way.

 

[backontrack]

However, I'm currently living in York and I concur with most of this - I'd add in electrification of York-Scarborough and a station at York Hospital, for purely selfish reasons (as it would be just around the corner from my house!):

That's a good shout

 

[higthomas]

I think for me, the answer is always:
Electrify
Double/Quad/Six track
Straighten and improve speeds
Eliminate signal/points/infrastructure failures
Introduce direct non-stop trains between where I am and where I want to go

 

[700007]

345s gone and replaced / retained with a mixture of 315s and 350s or 700s. I would say 444s (or 344s I guess ) but they would not work well on Crossrail.

 

[Y Ddraig Coch]

I would turn the Conwy Valley 150 into a hybrid, not diesel /electric but, diesel / water boat with emergency life rafts and the sign to evacuate if need be and things got too bad would be the Hawaii 5-0 theme tune and exit instructions in Welsh first then English. Just to annoy this forum

 

[jyte]

mixture of 315s and 350s or 700s.

Curious as to why the 315s? I have no love lost for those units.

exit instructions in Welsh first then English. Just to annoy this forum

Triggered.

 

[700007]

Curious as to why the 315s? I have no love lost for those units.


Triggered.

I like the 315s. Sad to see them go one by one. The PEPs did their jobs well.

 

[Malcolmffc]

Chessington Branch. I’d demolish and rebuild each of the stations on the line, which are falling to bits, and add in step free access. Then I’d bring the never opened platform at Chessington South into use and run 4tph (which the signalling can handle) in the peaks, plus more evening trains. Luckily the 455s are being replaced anyway so need to spend money on new rolling stock!

 

[CeeJ]

On Midland Main Line: Electrification and moving block (ETCS 2) signalling.

On the North Kent Line: Adding an extra track before Dartford, and switching to ATO between Charing Cross, Cannon Street, Victoria and Gravesend (and probably on the other metro lines to Hayes, etc.)

Edited for clarity.

 

[GusB]

On MML: Electrification and moving block (ETCS 2) signalling.

On the North Kent Line: Adding an extra track before DFD, switching to ATO between CHX/CST/VIC and DFD.

In English?

 

[Malcolmffc]

In English?

His modernisation improves all passengers being required to learn every three letter code on the network by heart

 

[Wirewiper]

Chessington Branch. I’d demolish and rebuild each of the stations on the line, which are falling to bits, and add in step free access. Then I’d bring the never opened platform at Chessington South into use and run 4tph (which the signalling can handle) in the peaks, plus more evening trains. Luckily the 455s are being replaced anyway so need to spend money on new rolling stock!

You could go the whole hog and extend the line along the embankment that was built and never used, as far as Chalky Lane, with a platform at the end. This would be connected by a segregated step-free walkway that would take passengers over the Leatherhead Road to the entrance at Chessington World of Adventures. Add in priority entrance to WoA for passengers holding combined rail and admission tickets.

 

[Muzer]

SWML main line services myself too. The main project (given the "no limits" spec in the title) would be a major Reading-style rebuild of Clapham Junction to provide four SWML fast and four BML fast platforms, with sufficient signalling overlaps to allow a train to arrive in one while station dispatch duties are finishing up on the other. This should hopefully add sufficient capacity to allow every fast train to be stopped at Clapham. Unrealistic? Sure. Nice to have? Definitely

As others have mentioned, flyovers at Woking and Reading are another obvious enhancement which have both been mooted in the past.

OHLE electrification of Basingstoke-Exeter, redoubling of some of the singled line. OHLE Electric Spine and extension to Bournemouth, use of electric locomotives with "last mile" diesel capability for freight, and electric trains for CrossCountry.

Extra passing points on the Pompey Direct.

 

[backontrack]

THE FAR NORTH LINE

-The Lentran Long Loop would be built (obviously)
-A new station at Kirkhill at the western end of the loop
-A new station and passing loop at Evanton
-A new station and passing loop at Halkirk
-A new siding for timber extraction at Kinbrace, with a dynamic loop from there to Kildonan
-The Georgemas Chord would be built, and Georgemas station only served between Thurso and Wick
-New passing loops at Conon Bridge, Fearn, Invershin, Golspie, and Altnabreac
-The reinstation of Platform 2 at both Thurso and Wick
-New rolling stock, like on the Train des Pignes in France

And finally, if money really were no object...

-The construction of a line from Tain to Golspie via Dornoch

 

[CeeJ]

In English?

Fixed it all - was a bit tired

 

[Harshil]

At the risk of offending, I’d cut the Met from Amersham & Chesham and give them to Chiltern (? with a Chesham shuttle). Met line would be Watford/Uxbridge only and Chiltern have the fast line to Harrow/ Marylebone bringing back a stop at Moor Park.

That would be brilliant for a commuter from Preston Road like me who will get more services that do not run fast or semi fast in the peaks!

 

[700007]

That would be brilliant for a commuter from Preston Road like me who will get more services that do not run fast or semi fast in the peaks!

I think Amersham / Chesham is needed on the Met but the frequencies to 4LU are not needed to an extent.

I do not miss commuting or even living at Preston Road haha, that was not pleasant for the most part.

 

[Malcolmffc]

You could go the whole hog and extend the line along the embankment that was built and never used, as far as Chalky Lane, with a platform at the end. This would be connected by a segregated step-free walkway that would take passengers over the Leatherhead Road to the entrance at Chessington World of Adventures. Add in priority entrance to WoA for passengers holding combined rail and admission tickets.

Don’t know if extending heavy rail would be viable, but at the very least perhaps a Parry People move could run a shuttle between Chessington S and Chalky Lane when the park was open.

Back in the cold hard world of reality though, Merlin and SWR are too tight to even fund step free access at Chessington South despite a short footpath already existing from the platform to street level. All that would be needed is to resurface and put a fence on either side.

 

[yorksrob]

Chessington Branch. I’d demolish and rebuild each of the stations on the line, which are falling to bits, and add in step free access. Then I’d bring the never opened platform at Chessington South into use and run 4tph (which the signalling can handle) in the peaks, plus more evening trains. Luckily the 455s are being replaced anyway so need to spend money on new rolling stock!

Couldn't you refurbish the stations instead ? Architecturally they are Southern Railway period classics.

 

[Malcolmffc]

Couldn't you refurbish the stations instead ? Architecturally they are Southern Railway period classics.

The design is elegant but for practical purposes they are falling apart. For example, the structure at Chessington North has multiple leaks on the platforms and ticket hall, and the entrance hall turns into an ice rink every time it rains. All of the staying has were built with monolithic concrete blocks which has aged poorly and there are visible cracks in the concrete viewed from the outside.

Given its a fantasy thread where money is presumably no object, the rebuild could be done to the same style but with better workmanship.

 

[Macwomble]

My local line(s) is Glasgow Suburban...so it's all electric & the units are good enough for the 20 minute ride to take me to Glasgow Central.

Further afield, though, I'd go for electrification of the whole Scottish network (WHL & FNR probably excepted) & a 2 "road" HML for its entire length.

 

[B&I]

I would turn the Conwy Valley 150 into a hybrid, not diesel /electric but, diesel / water boat with emergency life rafts and the sign to evacuate if need be and things got too bad would be the Hawaii 5-0 theme tune and exit instructions in Welsh first then English. Just to annoy this forum

How about conversion to log flume?

 

[jyte]

How about conversion to log flume?

I'll see if Alton Towers are expanding

 

[Killingworth]

Please please please the second platform and track for Dore and Totley

Network Rail are still hoping to start work in late spring 2019. Legal notices are posted in the station car park regarding compulsory purchases and land access. They don't want to start works in the latter part of the year as major earth moving needs to be done in better weather over the summer/autumn. The original plan was to take 15/18 months from spring 2017 for completion by September 2018, with trains to run from the December 2018 timetable change.

They have said construction may take 30-36 months, the longer timescale possibly including a year to get the scheme replanned. However, we all know schemes get delayed, so I'd not put any money on trains running by December 2020, the earliest possible date. 2021 may be optimistic too. It's not just the second track and platform. There are the Dore and Bamford freight loops as well and it's all one project.

The station had 4 platforms until 1985, although the two on the Midland Mainline last saw timetabled stopping trains in the 1960s. (A few northbound trains stopped in February 1979 when all Sheffield buses were off the roads due to snow.) The singling was seen as a mistake almost immediately. Plans to redouble have existed for decades - there was a planning application submitted in 2005.

About 3 or 4 years ago SYPTE commissioned a feasibility study to reinstate all 4 platforms. It has been shelved, not least because any extra trains stopping would get in the way of HS2 coming through. A third bay platform might be possible for stopping services entering Sheffield from the north to terminate there - but don't expect that for a decade or three!

 

[yorksrob]

For my line (The Hallam) - confining myself to less fantastical fantasy and updated from my previous post, I'd stop one of the hourly fast services at Normanton to give a half hourly service to Sheffield and Leeds throughout the day, ending no later than 23:30, including on Saturdays (tough cheese Network Rail).

I'd also extend the Huddersfield - Kirkgate service to York via Castleford, opening up new job opportunities in the area.

I'd bring Castleford's second platform back into use and remodel the layout at Wakefield Kirkgate so that trains from Castleford or Pontefract could use either side of the island. I'd also open a ticket office at Kirkgate and build more shelter on the island.

Perhaps also a station buffet at Normanton serving tea and fry-ups.