The problem here is you'd have to put the service on the graph first and then path eveything else round it. As they won't alter the mainline times the conflicting moves at Eastleigh and Redbridge junctions become the governing factors, as does platforming at Southampton. There are also services over the course of the day that are flexed slightly to allow for the random extra GW services that run between their hourly Cardiff - Portsmouth services, and there must be a number of freight paths through Chandlers Ford that govern times on the single track section.
That was planned in the 2012 GW franchise ITT, but seems to have fallen through the floorboards since. I actually reminded DfT about this in my response to the SWT consultation, although you don't find it in the report...
Yes that is a good point. But surely it would be possible to just keep the same exact timings as at the moment and just extend the journeys that terminate at Romsey to Salisbury.
The timetable at the moment is.
SAL xx:56
DEN xx:08
DBG xx:14
ROM xx:20
RDB xx:27
MBK xx:31
SOU xx:35
SDN xx:40
SWG xx:43
SOA xx:46
ESL xx:50
CFR xx:55
ROM xx:03
DBG - - - -
DEN - - - -
SAL - - - -
SAL - - - -
DEN - - - -
DBG - - - -
ROM xx:07
CFR xx:14
ESL xx:21
SOA xx:25
SWG xx:27
SDN xx:30
SOU xx:37
MBK xx:40
RDB xx:43
ROM xx:51
DBG xx:56
DEN xx:02
SAL xx:15
So if you kept this same exact timetable and just extended the journeys that terminated at Romsey to Salisbury then this would be the timetable.
SAL xx:56
DEN xx:08
DBG xx:14
ROM xx:20
RDB xx:27
MBK xx:31
SOU xx:35
SDN xx:40
SWG xx:43
SOA xx:46
ESL xx:50
CFR xx:55
ROM xx:03
DBG xx:08
DEN xx:14
SAL xx:27
SAL xx:43
DEN xx:55
DBG xx:01
ROM xx:07
CFR xx:14
ESL xx:21
SOA xx:25
SWG xx:27
SDN xx:30
SOU xx:37
MBK xx:40
RDB xx:43
ROM xx:51
DBG xx:56
DEN xx:02
SAL xx:15
This would require 4 units instead of 3 units though. It would also mean that the Salisbury - Dean - Mottisfont & Dunbridge - Romsey section (in both directions) would not be very evenly spaced.
However if this was done then at least it would make it much more simple and there would be no need to revise any of the times of any of the other services on the main line between Redbridge - Millbrook - Southampton Central - St Denys - Swaythling - Southampton Airport Parkway - Eastleigh (in both directions). So at least the services on the main line would not be an issue.
Yes ive just had a look at this -
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploa...hment_data/file/3596/invitation-to-tender.pdf
- Great Western Franchise ITT document.
4.8.2. Stations Background Information
The new Franchisee is expected to be the Station Facility Owner (SFO) for 208 stations (before taking into account any future changes as described below) and trains may call at approximately a further 62, which are managed by a mix of TOCs and Network Rail. More information can be found in the data site. These stations vary widely in their size, facilities and patronage and therefore the approaches to stations may vary accordingly. It has now been formally agreed between the Department for Transport and Network Rail that Bristol Temple Meads and Reading station will become Network Rail managed stations. The Franchisee will be required to facilitate this change from 1 April 2014, and Bidders should set out their plans for so doing. Bidders should be aware that the Franchisee is currently in discussions with Stagecoach South West Trains regarding the potential transfer of Station Facility Ownership of Dean, Mottisfont & Dunbridge and Romsey stations to Stagecoach South Western Trains Limited. No Great Western franchise trains currently call at Dean or Mottisfont & Dunbridge stations. This change should be assumed to have taken place before fr anchise commencement. Bidders should also note the requirement to transfer stations to CTOC in 2017 as part of the Crossrail Project (see Section 4.4.10.7).
As you say it does indeed state about transferring Dean / Mottisfont & Dunbridge / Romsey to SWT. So im not sure why it hasnt happened yet. It does seem a bit ridiculous that a company is managing stations that their trains dont even stop at. Surely it really cant be that hard to just transfer the stations from FGW to SWT.
Im trying to think what improvements would happen if SWT took over these stations. Personally im thinking SWT would probably add a second TVM at Romsey and one PERTIS (Metric Aura) each at Dean and Mottisfont & Dunbridge (or maybe they would get one TVM each if they are lucky). They would probably then include all three of these stations in the Penalty Fare scheme. I cant think of what else they would do other than rebranding the stations.