Twyford Station – 26th April 2018
I went to Twyford station to get the train to Henley-on-Thames.
The station seems more of less ready for Crossrail.
What isn’t ready is the rail service to Henley-on-Thames station.
There are two trains per hour (tph) on the branch line and the trains take twelve minutes with two single-platform intermediate stations.
This is one of those branch lines, that need four tph to prise people out of their cars it is this one.
The two terminal platforms at each end can each handle four tph, it’s just that there is no passing loop on the line in between.
These are some pictures I took on the branch line.
Note.
- It is a tidy branch line.
- There is only one level crossing.
- Henley-on-Thames station has a reasonably long platform.
- There appears to be more space for a second track, South of the Thames, rather than at the North.
With their purchase of Class 769 trains, GWR could be using some to provide direct services to London from this branch.
Windsor And Eton Central Station – 26th April 2018
These pictures show Windsor And Eton Central station.
In some ways it is more of a Shopping Centre than a railway station.
The current service to Slough station, is one two-car Class 165 train every twenty minutes.
Consider.
- When Crossrail opens to Slough in December 2019, there will be at least six Crossrail trains per hour (tph), between Slough and Central London.
- There will also be at least four GWR tph between Slough and Paddington.
- The upcoming wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markel, will give Windsor masses of world-wide publicity.
- Passengers to Windsor increase significantly on a day with good weather.
I also reckon, that getting to Windsor via Crossrail and Slough could be up to twenty minutes faster, than using Waterloo and Windsor and Eton Riverside stations. So which way, would all the tourists use?
Increasingly, the current train service from Slough will become inadequate.
GWR have ordered nineteen Class 769 bi-mode trains, one of which could be used on the line to increase capacity.
- They would offer a doubling of capacity, from two-cars to four.
- Their slightly faster speed, might enable them to run at a frequency of four tph.
- The trains would probably fit Windsor and Eton Central station with selective door opening or a small platform extension.
Windsor and Eton Central station is going to get very busy.
Those tourists, who just want a selfie with the castle, should be able to take one, between successive trains.
Windsor could become a Tourist Hell!
Slough To Windsor And Eton Central Station – 26th April 2018
I took these pictures as I travelled from Slough to Windsor and Eton Central station.
Note.
- Platform 1 at Slough has not been electrified, although the gantries are there.
- Some modern bridges probably stop full double-tracking of the route.
- There may be space for a passing loop on the line.
- The services is three trains per hour (tph) and the trip between the two stations takes just six minutes.
On balance if it were needed, I suspect that a track layout, signalling regime and operating method can be created that would allow a frequency of four tph.
A train would have fifteen minutes to do each round trip.
This would be tight, but I’m sure that there are operational methods, that could be used with a slightly faster Class 769 train to run the service.
West Drayton Station – 26th April 2018
I took these pictures at West Drayton station.
The station appeared to be staffed by TfL and they certainly had installed TfL’s new ticket machines.
High-Speed Handbacks Could Save NR £250,000 A Week
The title of this post is the same as that, of this article on Rail Technology Magazine.
The article described how by using a more sophisticated tamping machine, Network Rail are able to hand the track back faster after maintenance.
Many businesses, as Network Rail do here, use outdated processes to do regular tasks.
Often by using an improved procedure, companies can save money.
In this instance, Network Rail are saving enough in a year to perhaps build a small station.
Can you be sure, you use the best processes in your business?
Government Must Commit To Investment In Rail Freight Connections To Ports
The title of this post, as the same as that, of this article in Rail Technology Magazine.
This is the first two paragraphs.
etter connections between English ports could boost the nation’s economy, a new study has shown.
The study of England’s port connectivity found that improved rail links could provide more effective freight journeys between key economic areas and ports, which would in turn boost productivity, provide lower costs and give access to international markets.
The study, as might be expected is comprehensive, and is this document on the Government web site.
If you need to know more about road and rail projects to the ports of England, it is a good place to start.
The Site Of The New Meridian Water Station – 25th April 2018
These pictures show the site of the new Meridian Water station.
The site is substantial and the station will feature four platforms and a walking and cycling route over the West Anglia Main Line.
FOBT Stakes Should Be Limited To £2
This is the title on The Thunderer column in The Times today.
If you don’t know, FOBTs are Fixed Odds Betting Terminals, which have been described as the crack-cocaine of gambling.
I have never seen, let alone used one, as when I have a bet, it’s usually on a horse or an event like I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! using the Internet.
The odd thing about this Thunderer comment is not the comment itself, with which I agree totally.
It’s just that it is joint comment, written by.
- Carolyn Harris, who is the Labour MP for Swansea East.
- Iain Douglas smith, who is the Conservative MP for Chingford Green
East and West, Left and Right have met in a good cause.
Surely, we should have more cooperation like this!
Northumberland Park Station – 25th April 2018
These pictures were taken of the rebuilding of Northumberland Park station.
The light coloured bridge is one of the first elements of the new station, whereas the dark bridge is a temporary structure to allow passenger access during the works.
The Anonymous Widower 