Southminster Branch Electrification - A Waste of Money ?

[dk1]

I had a chat with a couple of the enforcement officers the other evening.

They are soon to be kitted out with ticketing machines and penalty fare books so you may find tickets will be checked much more frequently.
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We where told at the Abellio staff roadshow back in January that the enforcement officers will issue tickets as well. Ruud said that no point apprehending fare evaders then not being able to get their cash if it is possible.

 

[Bald Rick]

One of the great things about this forum is that we can have a thread titled 'Southminster Branch Electrification A Waste of Money?', and another thread arguing for the electrification of all manner of branch lines. Withou a difference of opinion where would we be?

The Southminster line (annual usage 1.25m passengers) was electrified very much on the cheap - c17 miles single track and no feeder stations, it's basically 51 miles of wire and about 400 masts. It was an add on to the wider electrification of Anglia Routes in the mid 80s, with great economies of scale. As has been said earlier, combined with Romford - Upminster and Stratford - N Woolwich electrification it removed a small pocket of diesel working, taking out the need for a whole diesel maintenance facility for about 4 units.

Compare to what is seen by many as a 'must do' : the Uckfield line (annual usage 1.38m passengers). 25 miles of double and single track which would need new grid connections and about 8 substations. Cost: a lot. In terms of benefit for cost, there are far better electrification schemes to be had.

Perhaps BR got it right?

 

[Pyromaniac]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the fact this line was closed for one week last year to have the North Fambridge passing loop extended to allow 12 car trains to pass here.

Another question someone might know the answer to, why does the 7:37 weekday service from Southminster not stop at Battlesbridge? From looking at the timetables I cannot see any conflicting movements at Wickford. Thanks in advance!

 

[jonb]

Another question someone might know the answer to, why does the 7:37 weekday service from Southminster not stop at Battlesbridge? From looking at the timetables I cannot see any conflicting movements at Wickford. Thanks in advance!

I think it's just a case of keeping this particular service (1J07) to a fast timetable. Battlesbridge is a very small village, with only the A130 nearby so patronage would probably be low. The same train also goes non stop from Billericay to Stratford.

 

[iphone76]

I now travel from Battlesbridge and catch either the 6.34am or 7.14am from there into London.

There is a notice on the station notice board saying that as part of the December 2012 change they are considering taking the Battlesbridge stop out of the 6.48am ex Southminster and putting it on the 7.37am ex Southminster instead.

The other option being considered it taking out the Battlesbridge stops from both of these trains meaning a gap from the 6.34am until the 8.41am.

I thought the reason the 7.37am doesn't stop at Battlesbridge is that all 12 carriages are occupied when the train arrives at Wickford (I believe 4 are unlocked at South Woodham Ferrers), whereas the 6.48am travels with the last 4 cars locked out of use until Wickford so can stop at Battlesbridge. (As I have never caught this train from SWF, I cannot be completely sure of this).

 

[Sleepy]

as regards Guards/DOO on this line - Wickford has recently had a new guards depot opened for this line !! McNulty must be doing his nut !!!

 

[lauraGeeGee]

I now travel from Battlesbridge and catch either the 6.34am or 7.14am from there into London.

There is a notice on the station notice board saying that as part of the December 2012 change they are considering taking the Battlesbridge stop out of the 6.48am ex Southminster and putting it on the 7.37am ex Southminster instead.

The other option being considered it taking out the Battlesbridge stops from both of these trains meaning a gap from the 6.34am until the 8.41am.

I thought the reason the 7.37am doesn't stop at Battlesbridge is that all 12 carriages are occupied when the train arrives at Wickford (I believe 4 are unlocked at South Woodham Ferrers), whereas the 6.48am travels with the last 4 cars locked out of use until Wickford so can stop at Battlesbridge. (As I have never caught this train from SWF, I cannot be completely sure of this).

Exactly right. The full 12 cars come into service at SWF. Battlesbridge is only an 8 car platform so it has to miss that stop out.

You're also right about the other 12 being opened up at Wickford. It has caused a lot of problems. People were piling into the rear of the 8 next to the locked out unit so they could transfer themselves into the empty bit at wickford. It has caused quite a bit of delay on occasions. Also due to passengers at wickford wanting to pile into that same empty unit. Can't blame them but it has created delay.

 

[iphone76]

Cool - yep - when I used to travel in from Wickford, I would get in the last carriage and it was nice and empty all the way into London, however, I noticed people were rammed into the 8th carriage and ran up the platform once the doors opened.

On a couple of occasions, I believe the doors wouldn't open at Wickford for the rear 4 carriages causing a bit of a hold up.

 

[Pyromaniac]

Many thanks for the replies guys, answers my query perfectly .

Cheers

PT