| Archived Save the Train forum articles - 2005 to 2010. See below
The freight angle... - 36/56 Written by philmcm on Thursday, 6th October 2005 Hi Graham, nice forum and much needed. I live in Melksham and catch the train three or four times a month, going on business to either central London or (if I'm really lucky ;D) to Basingstoke. I try and go from Melksham whenever I can; either via Chippenham and on to Reading and London (or Basingstoke) that way, or to Westbury and on to London Paddington via Pewsey and Reading, or even sometimes to London Waterloo via Salisbury if I'm not in too much of a hurry. I used to be able to get to Basingstoke via Westbury and Salisbury as well, but that service doesn't seem to run at a reasonable hour during the working day any more. If I'm in a hurry I'll drive to Chippenham station (or sometimes Westbury, since the parking's cheaper there), but I like to try and support and use Melksham station primarily since I believe in it, but also since I think we're damn lucky to have it still - just think, we could easily be living in Devizes or Calne (or Marlborough for that matter) with no hope of ever seeing a railway line there again, or in Corsham where they have a railway but little or no chance of ever seeing a station again. I've lived in two places that have lost their railway stations (and lines) in my lifetime, Wells for many years and after that Winscombe in Somerset; and in both cases it was like watching the heart and soul being ripped out of the place simultaneously. I'd hate to see that happen to Melksham. Which brings me on to why we do happen to still have a railway... only I suspect because it's an important freight route. It's the Mendip Quarries that keep our line open. Without them, I'm sure the line would have been completely ripped up years ago. Us passengers are just an inconvenience; our slow little stopping trains an expensive annoyance to the authorities, they get in the way of the expresses on the main line and of the revenue-making stone trains. Has anyone approached the stone companies to ask what their medium term plans are for traffic on the Melksham route? Are they looking to increase it, reduce it, cease it altogether (heaven forbid!)? If we could get them on our (ie the passengers') side we'd have a much more powerful voice. Re: The freight angle... - 36/57 Written by admin (Graham Ellis) on Friday, 7th October 2005 You're making a whole load of really excellent points, Phil. I'm certainly aware that the line has only survived because of the stone trains - I'm not sure if that's now a "historic" point or whether it continues to be the case. I DO know that stone trains generate an enormous income for the railways, and an extra stone train brings in more revenue that an extra intercity 125 full of passengers. Have you / has anyone got any contacts at the Stone Companies ... it's not something I have personally and I've not had a chance to investigate this one. Just wanted to say a quick welcome. I'll be coming back to this thread later in the day and splitting out / commenting on other parts innew threads if I may Re: The freight angle... - 36/59 Written by philmcm on Friday, 7th October 2005 Thanks, Graham. Sorry to say I have no connection at all with the stone companies, and sadly no time to chase them up - but I'm sure it won't be too hard to find a willing volunteer to at least write to them. Thinking back to when the line in Melksham was reopened to passenger traffic (which I have a short film of on video, by the way! It was screened on ITV I think as part of a programme about Dr. Beeching, the "evil mastermind" behind the closure of much of Britain's railways system - Melksham was for a while the first post-Beeching station in the country to be reopened) - thinking back to that time, local gossip had it that the real reason the line and station was reopened was that the rail company had opened some new offices in Swindon and were relocating people from elsewhere (Bristol maybe, or possibly London), and because there was a lot of house-building going on in Melksham at the time, they offered the workers a relocation package which included a cheap new home in Melksham and free rail travel to and from Swindon. So, it suited them to reopen the station, but obviously not to actually inject any money into the project - hence the crappy little shelter we ended up with. Ooh and some bike racks. Woo-hoo. This is pure conjecture and gossip, mind, and I can't even recall who the company in question was at the time; but it's almost definitely another piece of the jigsaw puzzle. Phil. Re: The freight angle... - 36/877 Written by Lee on Thursday, 13th July 2006 Here is some further information on this : Stone trains pass through Melksham station roughly twice a day at present. One of the routes that they take is Shepton Mallet (Merehead) to Wooton Bassett. As you can see from Page 8 , Figure 11 of the link below , the Merehead line is projected to achieve high - level tonnage growth to 2015. http://www.networkrail.co.uk/documents/3110_Route%2012%20Reading%20to%20Penzance.pdf Also , a Track Access Grant for the EWS Shepton Mallet (Merehead) to Wooton Bassett route has been approved (7 December 2005.) The grant also covers the EWS Shepton Mallet (Merehead) to Eastleigh route (link below.) http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_freight/documents/page/dft_freight_610669.hcsp Here is a link to more information on Track Access Grants. http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_freight/documents/page/dft_freight_039487.hcsp A group of Parliamentary Written Questions related to the Mendip Quarries was recently asked (link below.) http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmhansrd/cm060711/text/60711w1564.htm#column_1703W Mr. Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will take steps to ensure that freight traffic from the Mendip quarries is re-routed via Bristol to enable essential repair work by high-output machinery on the Reading to Taunton line; and if he will make a statement; [83528] (2) what discussions he has had with the owners of (a) Whatley and (b) Merehead Quarry on their use of freight trains at times when repairs could be effectively carried out to the Reading to Taunton line by high-output machinery; [83529] (3) if he will ensure that the high-output machinery for repairing and improving rail track is used on the West country route between Reading and Exeter and not transported to other parts of the rail network until the work is completed. [83532] Derek Twigg [holding answer 10 July 2006]: These are operational matters for Network Rail, the owner and operator of the national rail network. The hon. Member should contact Network Rail Re: The freight angle... - 36/936 Written by Lee on Wednesday, 19th July 2006 Here are some other examples of approved Railfreight grants. Felixstowe to Ditton (Freightliner) Southampton to Widnes (EWS) Southampton to Liverpool (Freightliner) Tilbury to Liverpool (Freightliner) Felixstowe to Liverpool (Freightliner) These are all Company Neutral Revenue Support grants (details contained in the link below.) http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_freight/documents/page/dft_freight_039488.pdf In addition , Track Access Grants have been approved for the following routes. Tilbury to Knowsley (EWS) Immingham to Knowsley (EWS) These routes all either terminate , or pass through or near to the area shown in the map below. http://www.derektwigg.org.uk/uploads/ukmap.jpg Here is another link on this area. http://www.derektwigg.org.uk/sect3/ Here is an article on Ditton freight village. http://www.thisisworld.co.uk/cheshire/runcorn__widnes/changing_face/RUNCORN__WIDNES_CHANGING_FACE1.html Quotes from the above link : "This giant rail park has been earmarked by the Government to become a site of regional significance." "The ambitious masterplan has been given the green light with Re: The freight angle... - 36/937 Written by admin (Graham Ellis) on Thursday, 20th July 2006 [quote author=philmcm link=topic=36.msg56#msg56 date=1128631327] I've lived in two places that have lost their railway stations (and lines) in my lifetime, Wells for many years and after that Winscombe in Somerset; and in both cases it was like watching the heart and soul being ripped out of the place simultaneously. I'd hate to see that happen to Melksham. Which brings me on to why we do happen to still have a railway... only I suspect because it's an important freight route. It's the Mendip Quarries that keep our line open. Without them, I'm sure the line would have been completely ripped up years ago. Us passengers are just an inconvenience; our slow little stopping trains an expensive annoyance to the authorities, they get in the way of the expresses on the main line and of the revenue-making stone trains. Has anyone approached the stone companies to ask what their medium term plans are for traffic on the Melksham route? Are they looking to increase it, reduce it, cease it altogether (heaven forbid!)? If we could get them on our (ie the passengers') side we'd have a much more powerful voice. [/quote] An update on a very old post, Phil. The more I see and learn, the more important the freight angle looks. Re: The freight angle... - 36/943 Written by Lee on Thursday, 20th July 2006 [quote author=Lee link=topic=36.msg936#msg936 date=1153323285] Here is a link on the Olive Mount Chord track near Mersey Docks. http://iccheshireonline.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0200businessfarmingnews/tm_objectid=17304908&method=full&siteid=50061&headline=fresh-hopes-for-rail-link-name_page.html Quote from the above link : "Secretary of State for Transport, Douglas Alexander yesterday revealed that the Olive Mount Chord was one of several projects to be included in the government's productivity transport innovation fund." A Parliamentary Written Question was recently asked on the transport innovation fund (link below.) http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmordbk1/60703w01.htm Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the total estimated cost is of the schemes outlined by his Department as potentially eligible for the first round of Transport Innovation Fund funding; and what total funding is available for projects which receive this funding.[/quote] Here is a link to another Parliamentary Written question on this. http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmhansrd/cm060719/text/60719w1817.htm#column_436W Mr. Geoffrey Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what role the Transport Innovation Fund will play in generating sustainable increases in national productivity. Dr. Ladyman: Through its productivity strand the Transport Innovation Fund will support national, inter-regional, regional, inter-urban (and exceptionally local) transport schemes which are expected to make a substantial and sustainable contribution to national productivity. Re: The freight angle... - 36/944 Written by Lee on Thursday, 20th July 2006 [quote author=Lee link=topic=36.msg936#msg936 date=1153323285] "Whilst NDS’s stone traffic from Penmaenmawr to Crewe is expected to remain steady, the other freight flows are likely to grow, and new flows may appear. Ellesmere Port has reopened to rail freight traffic. Not only is the existing flow of 2 coal trains a day expected to grow to 3, but there is a possibility that the reopening of the port will stimulate further traffic. On the Ellesmere Port to Helsby line, the connection to Kemira Fertilisers is expected to see a return of freight traffic in 2006, initially associated with Kemira, but with the possibility of further flows, such as for glass traffic. There is also a possibility that Birkenhead Docks will reopen to rail freight traffic. Although unlikely to involve a large number of daily train paths, it would add more traffic to a busy freight line, and the ultimate destination of the traffic may add to the case for increasing capacity on the single line between Wrexham and Chester (on Route 14). There is still a desire to transport slate waste from Blaenau Ffestiniog by rail. We continue to work with the WAG and McAlpine to determine the scope of work this would require." "The rail freight industry has recently provided to Network Rail a set of 10 year traffic forecasts as part of the Freight RUS, and we are presently assessing their implications. The key route sections within this route that has been identified as a fragile route and has clearly defined additional tonnage/ train numbers projected by the industry are: Crewe Independent lines and Ditton – Garston slow lines." Other key route sections identified are : Wrexham – Bidston.[/quote] Here are a couple of links on the Office of Rail Regulation - approved Oswestry line re-opening. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/shropshire/5172542.stm http://www.cambrian-railways-soc.co.uk/press/pressarc03.html A Track Access Grant has also been approved for the EWS Carlisle - Chirk (near Oswestry) route. [quote][/quote] Kill the passenger trains and you've got the freight route from Southampton to Garston (isn't minister Derek Twigg's constituency very close to that?).[quote][/quote] Also likely to end up very close to Derek Twigg's constituency is the Eurorail Freight Route. Here is a relevant link. http://www.savethetrain.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=330.msg942#msg942 Re: The freight angle... - 36/957 Written by Lee on Friday, 21st July 2006 [quote author=Lee link=topic=36.msg943#msg943 date=1153394590] [quote author=Lee link=topic=36.msg936#msg936 date=1153323285] Here is a link on the Olive Mount Chord track near Mersey Docks. http://iccheshireonline.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0200businessfarmingnews/tm_objectid=17304908&method=full&siteid=50061&headline=fresh-hopes-for-rail-link-name_page.html Quote from the above link : "Secretary of State for Transport, Douglas Alexander yesterday revealed that the Olive Mount Chord was one of several projects to be included in the government's productivity transport innovation fund." A Parliamentary Written Question was recently asked on the transport innovation fund (link below.) http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmordbk1/60703w01.htm Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the total estimated cost is of the schemes outlined by his Department as potentially eligible for the first round of Transport Innovation Fund funding; and what total funding is available for projects which receive this funding.[/quote] Here is a link to another Parliamentary Written question on this. http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmhansrd/cm060719/text/60719w1817.htm#column_436W Mr. Geoffrey Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what role the Transport Innovation Fund will play in generating sustainable increases in national productivity. Dr. Ladyman: Through its productivity strand the Transport Innovation Fund will support national, inter-regional, regional, inter-urban (and exceptionally local) transport schemes which are expected to make a substantial and sustainable contribution to national productivity. [/quote] Here is the answer to Chris Grayling's question (link below.) http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmhansrd/cm060720/text/60720w1861.htm#column_689W Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the total estimated cost is of the schemes outlined by his Department as potentially eligible for the first round of Transport Innovation Fund funding; and what total funding is available for projects which receive this funding. Gillian Merron: The total funding available within the Transport Innovation Fund (TIF) is Re: The freight angle... - 36/983 Written by Lee on Monday, 24th July 2006 Several Parliamentary Written Questions on issues related to this today (link below.) http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmordbk1/60724w01.htm Anne Main (St Albans):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what environmental factors are taken into account when deciding where to grant permission for a rail freight interchange. Anne Main (St Albans):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will visit the proposed site for a rail freight interchange in Park Street, St Albans. Anne Main (St Albans):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what criteria his Department took into account when deciding there was a need for four rail freight interchanges. Anne Main (St Albans):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent studies have been undertaken on the capacity of the rail systems around London to accommodate freight; and if he will make a statement. Re: The freight angle... - 36/985 Written by Lee on Monday, 24th July 2006 One of the advantages of building a railfreight interchange at Park Street , St Albans is highlighted by the map at the top of the link below. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/beds/bucks/herts/4883060.stm The line that you can just make out on the left edge of the green-shaded area is the St Albans Abbey Line. Using this line would give the interchange access to the West Coast Main Line , as well as the access already planned to the Midland Main Line at Radlett. However , if they did that , then there would be no room for passenger trains on the St Albans Abbey Line. Here is a map of the route. http://www.abfly.org.uk/Route.htm Here is a link to the West Midlands Franchise Consultation Document. http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_railways/documents/page/dft_railways_611835.pdf Page 25 of the link above : "Bidders will be asked to commit to meeting a base specification for the franchise. Amongst other things this includes a specification of train services as a Service Level Commitment (SLC). There will be two service level commitments: SLC1, which will operate from November 2007 to December 2008; and SLC2 which will operate from December 2008 until the end of the franchise. This approach reflects the major timetable changes which will be implemented in December 2008 following completion of the West Coast Main Line Route Modernisation." "SLC1 and SLC2 form a minimum base specification and bidders will be able to propose additional services by means of Alternative Tenders. Whilst SLC2 sets out the minimum train service level from December 2008, the bidders will be expected to respond to changes in demand and to respond to any opportunities that arise from any changes to the railway infrastructure throughout the life of the franchise." Page 29. The service improvement that would safeguard the future of the St Albans Abbey Line is a priced option & not part of the base case specification. Here is a link to the Eastern Regional Planning Assessment which covers the St Albans Abbey line. http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_railways/documents/downloadable/dft_railways_611208.pdf Page 92 of the above link. "The Watford Junction to St Albans branch is a single line allowing a maximum frequency of one train every 45 minutes, it has low levels of utilisation." Here are a couple of links on the St Albans Abbey Line. http://www.abfly.org.uk/News.htm http://www.abfly.org.uk/News_archive.htm The above links detail quite a lot of disruption. Here are some relevant links. http://www.savethetrain.org.uk/melkshamrailway/139_Our_battle.html http://www.savethetrain.org.uk/melkshamrailway/140_is_part_of_a_planned_war.html http://www.savethetrain.org.uk/melkshamrailway/138_Lies_damned_lies_and_statistics.html Re: The freight angle... - 36/1034 Written by Lee on Thursday, 27th July 2006 The St Albans Abbey line is a Community Rail Line. Here is a relevant link. http://www.savethetrain.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=324.msg911#msg911 Re: The freight angle... - 36/1111 Written by Lee on Thursday, 3rd August 2006 Here are some links on the Avonmouth & Severn Beach area. http://www.cabotpark.co.uk/pages/home.asp# http://www.davidlawson.co.uk/Files/Rail087.htm http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Documents/Custom/Rev%20Dec%20TTs/SX%20-%20Bristol%20to%20Avonmouth%20-%20Severn%20Beach.pdf http://www.brb.gov.uk/property/property_listings/index_html?keyword=Severn+Beach Re: The freight angle... - 36/1112 Written by admin (Graham Ellis) on Thursday, 3rd August 2006 I note they're selling off the former goods yard at Severn Beach, just like they're selling off the land at Melksham station that's earmarked for the new station. Is there any issue at Severn Beach with selling off this land and predjudicing future rail development there? Or is it a good thing with more houses near the station leading to an increase in passenger traffic on the existing trains / buses? Re: The freight angle... - 36/1117 Written by Lee on Friday, 4th August 2006 [quote author=Graham Ellis link=topic=36.msg1112#msg1112 date=1154598551] I note they're selling off the former goods yard at Severn Beach, just like they're selling off the land at Melksham station that's earmarked for the new station. Is there any issue at Severn Beach with selling off this land and predjudicing future rail development there? Or is it a good thing with more houses near the station leading to an increase in passenger traffic on the existing trains / buses? [/quote] Thats a very difficult call to make , Graham. However , I do think that the link below may be of general interest. http://www.brb.gov.uk/property/property_listings?keyword=Pilning Re: The freight angle... - 36/1120 Written by Lee on Friday, 4th August 2006 References - http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Documents/Custom/OT60479%20PTT%206%20to%20Southampton.pdf http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Documents/Custom/OT60479%20PTT%206%20from%20Southampton.pdf http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Documents/Custom/Rev%20Dec%20TTs/SX%20-%20Cardiff%20-%20Bristol%20to%20Weymouth%20-%20Portsmouth%20-%20Brighton.pdf Here are the current Pilning train times. Towards Bristol : Monday to Friday - 0934 Saturday - 0929 Towards Cardiff : Monday to Friday - 1536 Saturday - 0954 & 1436 Here are the Pilning train times from December 2006. Re: The freight angle... - 36/1121 Written by admin (Graham Ellis) on Friday, 4th August 2006 You appear to have truncated your post, Lee ... nothing is showing up for train times from December ... Re: The freight angle... - 36/1122 Written by Lee on Friday, 4th August 2006 Yep , you are correct. I guess First must have missed them out. Re: The freight angle... - 36/1123 Written by Nick Field on Friday, 4th August 2006 :o A mistake surely? Re: The freight angle... - 36/1125 Written by admin (Graham Ellis) on Friday, 4th August 2006 Gainsborough Central, Kirton Lindsey, Brigg, Denton, Reddish South, Tees-side Airport Re: The freight angle... - 36/1129 Written by Lee on Saturday, 5th August 2006 Pilning was originally split into two parts. Pilning (High Level) & Pilning (Low Level.) Pilning station is currently served by stops in the West Country - Weston - Super - Mare - Cardiff Central service. This service does not appear in the final FGW December 2006 timetable and neither do any trains that call at Pilning. Pilning has 10 car parking spaces available. A very recent independent assessment of the Pilning station facilities found that the nameboards had not been First Great Western "re-branded , " unlike the vast majority of stations on the FGW network. First have been there , because they have put up a FGW poster and taped over the Wessex Train logos. Pilning has a telephone box but it is in a very poor state , and it was suspected that the telephone itself had not worked for some time (emergency calls only.) The former sidings at Pilning are up for sale by BRB (Residuary) (link below.) The former coal yard at Pilning is actually "under offer." http://www.brb.gov.uk/property/property_listings?keyword=Pilning Pilining station is on the Bristol - Cardiff line which is projected to achieve high - level tonnage growth to 2015 (Page 11 , Figure 11 of the link below , Network Rail Business Plan 2006.) http://www.networkrail.co.uk/documents/3111_Route%2013%20Great%20Western%20Main%20Line.pdf Here are a couple of quotes from the link above (Page 10) : "There is continuing interest in providing greater capacity and reduced journey times, to offer improved frequencies as an attractive alternative to road to both Newport and to Cardiff thereby seeking to actively increase rail market share." "New stations at Magor with Undy, replacing Severn Tunnel Junction, Llanwern, Coedkernew, St Mellons and Llanharan are proposed." As you can see , things look rather better to the west of Pilning than they do at Pilning itself. One final quote from this section of the Network Rail Business Plan 2006 (Page 3) : "The route has extremes in station usage. Paddington the busiest with 22.3 million journeys per annum, followed by Reading (13m), Cardiff Central (8m), Bristol Temple Meads (5m), Ealing Broadway (5m) and Slough (4m). However, twelve stations generate fewer than 90 passengers per day, with Pilning, Combe, Finstock and Ascott under- Wychwood each having less than 6 per day." Re: The freight angle... - 36/1166 Written by Lee on Friday, 11th August 2006 Here is another link on the proposed rail improvements to the west of Pilning station. http://archive.southwalesargus.co.uk/2006/2/1/79998.html I also couldnt help but notice the following recently - posted links on the First Great Western website. http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/NewsItem.aspx?id=380 http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/NewsItem.aspx?id=381 Re: The freight angle... - 36/1253 Written by Lee on Tuesday, 22nd August 2006 One thing may have puzzled followers of this thread : If it is becoming increasingly obvious that a large number of freight trains are about to be routed via Melksham , then why is the line (and the line from Southampton through Westbury & Trowbridge that links into it) only projected to achieve medium - level tonnage growth to 2015? The answer probably lies in the quotes below : 1) Network Rail Business Plan 2006 (Page 8 of the link below.) http://www.networkrail.co.uk/documents/3103_Route%204%20Wessex%20Routes.pdf "Capacity on the line that stretches from Route 13 to Route 3 is also expected to be adequate for the required quantum of freight and passenger traffic , but this is to some extent dependent on routeing choices for future freight flows and the implementation of a W10 diversionary route." 2) [quote author=Lee link=topic=275.msg969#msg969 date=1153662927] Here is a link to Appendix 10.2 of the South West Main Line Route Utilisation Strategy. http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/south%20west%20main%20line/appendices/appendix%2010.2.pdf Quotes from the above link : "Benefits elsewhere in the appraisal compensated for disbenefits between Romsey and Southampton, where the extended journey time from having to travel via Eastleigh had the same effect as a service frequency reduction. An alternative has now been developed that would see the service operate from Salisbury via Romsey and Redbridge to Southampton, then continuing via Eastleigh back to Romsey; and vice versa. This maximises the journey opportunities and benefits whilst preserving the estimated performance improvements. Terminating trains would be retained at Romsey, as now, but removed from Southampton and Totton. However, this does not address concerns over the quantum increase between Romsey and Salisbury, which could be exacerbated by trains continuing to terminate at Romsey as well as the new terminators at Salisbury. These proposed changes will have to be planned around freight services on the line, and balanced against the identified need for freight growth. Hence, the revised proposal cannot be recommended without further work." In other words Network Rail were not convinced. "The analysis has revealed clear potential to achieve significant benefits at relatively low cost by restructuring passenger services in an area where services had developed in an uncoordinated way. New links across Southampton, including improving access to the airport, are beneficial.Further iteration of the proposals is needed to ensure that the possible disbenefits are eliminated, or are quantified and consciously balanced against the benefits. These proposals are being considered by the Department for Transport, and are likely to be taken forward through the refranchising process." Network Rail considered "extending the hourly Totton Re: The freight angle... - 36/1254 Written by admin (Graham Ellis) on Tuesday, 22nd August 2006 In other words, a moderate increase in traffic could be caused by a removal of the majority of passenger trains and a massive increase in freight, and that is what you're foreseeing? Re: The freight angle... - 36/1256 Written by Lee on Tuesday, 22nd August 2006 [quote author=Graham Ellis link=topic=36.msg1254#msg1254 date=1156244360] In other words, a moderate increase in traffic could be caused by a removal of the majority of passenger trains and a massive increase in freight, and that is what you're foreseeing?[/quote] Here are some more quotes , the first two from the Network Rail Business Plan 2006. On future capacity requirements : "changes to the timetable structure to reduce the mix of different train types and the number of conflicting moves." "Between Didcot and Oxford the mix of non stop passenger and freight services with local services calling at little used stations reduces the ability to maximise capacity." [quote author=Graham Ellis link=topic=377.msg1140#msg1140 date=1154843862] I quote from FGW's web site ... [i]Over the term of the franchise we will invest Re: The freight angle... - 36/1543 Written by Lee on Thursday, 28th September 2006 [quote author=Lee link=topic=36.msg1129#msg1129 date=1154773685]Pilining station is on the Bristol - Cardiff line which is projected to achieve high - level tonnage growth to 2015 (Page 11 , Figure 11 of the link below , Network Rail Business Plan 2006.) http://www.networkrail.co.uk/documents/3111_Route%2013%20Great%20Western%20Main%20Line.pdf Here are a couple of quotes from the link above (Page 10) : "There is continuing interest in providing greater capacity and reduced journey times, to offer improved frequencies as an attractive alternative to road to both Newport and to Cardiff thereby seeking to actively increase rail market share." "New stations at Magor with Undy, replacing Severn Tunnel Junction, Llanwern, Coedkernew, St Mellons and Llanharan are proposed." As you can see , things look rather better to the west of Pilning than they do at Pilning itself. One final quote from this section of the Network Rail Business Plan 2006 (Page 3) : "The route has extremes in station usage. Paddington the busiest with 22.3 million journeys per annum, followed by Reading (13m), Cardiff Central (8m), Bristol Temple Meads (5m), Ealing Broadway (5m) and Slough (4m). However, twelve stations generate fewer than 90 passengers per day, with Pilning, Combe, Finstock and Ascott under- Wychwood each having less than 6 per day." [/quote] [quote author=Lee link=topic=36.msg1166#msg1166 date=1155310301]Here is another link on the proposed rail improvements to the west of Pilning station. http://archive.southwalesargus.co.uk/2006/2/1/79998.html I also couldnt help but notice the following recently - posted links on the First Great Western website. http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/NewsItem.aspx?id=380 http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/NewsItem.aspx?id=381[/quote] Work is to begin on laying the tracks for a rail link between Cardiff and Ebbw Vale , which it is hoped will boost one of Wales' most deprived areas. It has been 44 years since the last passenger train ran on the line (link below.) http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_east/5386240.stm Now the line , which has been used for freight services , is being upgraded with six new stations being built. It is hoped the hourly service will provide better commuting opportunities for people in Blaenau Gwent. This wouldnt happen to be another marginal seat , would it? (click on http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/5127262.stm) The Ebbw Vale rail link scheme will upgrade 18 miles of railway line for passenger services , restoring a link with Cardiff that was severed in 1962. New stations along the route will include Abertillery, Llanhilleth and Risca. However, the leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, Mike German said he was concerned about the standard of the service. "What sort of trains are people going to travel in? Are they going to be comfortable or are they going to be squashed up like bottles in a milk crate?" asked Mr German. Much as I welcome this news , Re: The freight angle... - 36/1545 Written by admin (Graham Ellis) on Thursday, 28th September 2006 [quote]Much as I welcome this news , Re: The freight angle... - 36/1546 Written by Lee on Thursday, 28th September 2006 As long as BOTH the South West & Wales get a decent service , then thats fine by me. Re: The freight angle... - 36/1599 Written by Lee on Wednesday, 11th October 2006 [quote author=Lee link=topic=36.msg985#msg985 date=1153752585]One of the advantages of building a railfreight interchange at Park Street , St Albans is highlighted by the map at the top of the link below. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/beds/bucks/herts/4883060.stm The line that you can just make out on the left edge of the green-shaded area is the St Albans Abbey Line. Using this line would give the interchange access to the West Coast Main Line , as well as the access already planned to the Midland Main Line at Radlett. However , if they did that , then there would be no room for passenger trains on the St Albans Abbey Line. Here is a map of the route. http://www.abfly.org.uk/Route.htm Here is a link to the West Midlands Franchise Consultation Document. http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_railways/documents/page/dft_railways_611835.pdf Page 25 of the link above : "Bidders will be asked to commit to meeting a base specification for the franchise. Amongst other things this includes a specification of train services as a Service Level Commitment (SLC). There will be two service level commitments: SLC1, which will operate from November 2007 to December 2008; and SLC2 which will operate from December 2008 until the end of the franchise. This approach reflects the major timetable changes which will be implemented in December 2008 following completion of the West Coast Main Line Route Modernisation." "SLC1 and SLC2 form a minimum base specification and bidders will be able to propose additional services by means of Alternative Tenders. Whilst SLC2 sets out the minimum train service level from December 2008, the bidders will be expected to respond to changes in demand and to respond to any opportunities that arise from any changes to the railway infrastructure throughout the life of the franchise." Page 29. The service improvement that would safeguard the future of the St Albans Abbey Line is a priced option & not part of the base case specification. Here is a link to the Eastern Regional Planning Assessment which covers the St Albans Abbey line. http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_railways/documents/downloadable/dft_railways_611208.pdf Page 92 of the above link. "The Watford Junction to St Albans branch is a single line allowing a maximum frequency of one train every 45 minutes, it has low levels of utilisation." Here are a couple of links on the St Albans Abbey Line. http://www.abfly.org.uk/News.htm http://www.abfly.org.uk/News_archive.htm The above links detail quite a lot of disruption. Here are some relevant links. http://www.savethetrain.org.uk/melkshamrailway/139_Our_battle.html http://www.savethetrain.org.uk/melkshamrailway/140_is_part_of_a_planned_war.html http://www.savethetrain.org.uk/melkshamrailway/138_Lies_damned_lies_and_statistics.html[/quote] Hundreds of protestors flocked into St Albans city centre on Saturday to demonstrate against a proposal for an international rail freight depot near Park Street (link below) http://www.rmtbristol.org.uk/2006/10/st_albans_rail_freight_depot_p.html#more A planning application for the rail freight depot has been submitted to St Albans district council and hundreds of objections have been received. It proposes five giant warehouses , parking for 1,665 vehicles and 20 trains going in and out daily as well as a relief road to take traffic away from existing roads and a wildlife park. Re: The freight angle... - 36/1604 Written by Lee on Wednesday, 11th October 2006 [quote author=Lee link=topic=36.msg1120#msg1120 date=1154710591]References - http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Documents/Custom/OT60479%20PTT%206%20to%20Southampton.pdf http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Documents/Custom/OT60479%20PTT%206%20from%20Southampton.pdf http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Documents/Custom/Rev%20Dec%20TTs/SX%20-%20Cardiff%20-%20Bristol%20to%20Weymouth%20-%20Portsmouth%20-%20Brighton.pdf Here are the current Pilning train times. Towards Bristol : Monday to Friday - 0934 Saturday - 0929 Towards Cardiff : Monday to Friday - 1536 Saturday - 0954 & 1436 Here are the Pilning train times from December 2006.[/quote] According to National Rail Enquiries : SATURDAYS ONLY FROM DECEMBER 2006 Towards Bristol : 0834 Towards Cardiff : 1541 Re: The freight angle... - 36/1897 Written by Lee on Friday, 10th November 2006 [quote author=Lee link=topic=36.msg1604#msg1604 date=1160572893] [quote author=Lee link=topic=36.msg1120#msg1120 date=1154710591]References - http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Documents/Custom/OT60479%20PTT%206%20to%20Southampton.pdf http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Documents/Custom/OT60479%20PTT%206%20from%20Southampton.pdf http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Documents/Custom/Rev%20Dec%20TTs/SX%20-%20Cardiff%20-%20Bristol%20to%20Weymouth%20-%20Portsmouth%20-%20Brighton.pdf Here are the current Pilning train times. Towards Bristol : Monday to Friday - 0934 Saturday - 0929 Towards Cardiff : Monday to Friday - 1536 Saturday - 0954 & 1436 Here are the Pilning train times from December 2006.[/quote] According to National Rail Enquiries : SATURDAYS ONLY FROM DECEMBER 2006 Towards Bristol : 0834 Towards Cardiff : 1541[/quote] The December 2006 timetable , published today on the FGW website , shows just ONE service per week from Pilning , at 1541 to Cardiff. The 0834 to Bristol does not appear. How the hell is anyone going to use a train service like that ??? ??? Re: The freight angle... - 36/1900 Written by Lee on Friday, 10th November 2006 [quote author=Lee link=topic=36.msg1129#msg1129 date=1154773685]Pilning was originally split into two parts. Pilning (High Level) & Pilning (Low Level.) Pilning station is currently served by stops in the West Country - Weston - Super - Mare - Cardiff Central service. This service does not appear in the final FGW December 2006 timetable and neither do any trains that call at Pilning. Pilning has 10 car parking spaces available. A very recent independent assessment of the Pilning station facilities found that the nameboards had not been First Great Western "re-branded , " unlike the vast majority of stations on the FGW network. First have been there , because they have put up a FGW poster and taped over the Wessex Train logos. Pilning has a telephone box but it is in a very poor state , and it was suspected that the telephone itself had not worked for some time (emergency calls only.) The former sidings at Pilning are up for sale by BRB (Residuary) (link below.) The former coal yard at Pilning is actually "under offer." http://www.brb.gov.uk/property/property_listings?keyword=Pilning Pilining station is on the Bristol - Cardiff line which is projected to achieve high - level tonnage growth to 2015 (Page 11 , Figure 11 of the link below , Network Rail Business Plan 2006.) http://www.networkrail.co.uk/documents/3111_Route%2013%20Great%20Western%20Main%20Line.pdf Here are a couple of quotes from the link above (Page 10) : "There is continuing interest in providing greater capacity and reduced journey times, to offer improved frequencies as an attractive alternative to road to both Newport and to Cardiff thereby seeking to actively increase rail market share." "New stations at Magor with Undy, replacing Severn Tunnel Junction, Llanwern, Coedkernew, St Mellons and Llanharan are proposed." As you can see , things look rather better to the west of Pilning than they do at Pilning itself. One final quote from this section of the Network Rail Business Plan 2006 (Page 3) : "The route has extremes in station usage. Paddington the busiest with 22.3 million journeys per annum, followed by Reading (13m), Cardiff Central (8m), Bristol Temple Meads (5m), Ealing Broadway (5m) and Slough (4m). However, twelve stations generate fewer than 90 passengers per day, with Pilning, Combe, Finstock and Ascott under- Wychwood each having less than 6 per day."[/quote] [quote author=Graham Ellis link=topic=508.msg1482#msg1482 date=1158812872] With references to Pilning and its curring back to one train per WEEK from December, I Googled to find some picture and came up with an excellent site from Chris McKenna, which I'm sharing here: Re: The freight angle... - 36/1909 Written by Lee on Saturday, 11th November 2006 Quote from SLC2 : "3.1 Pilning On Saturdays, one service in each direction shall call." Re: The freight angle... - 36/1910 Written by Lee on Saturday, 11th November 2006 Of course , the worst thing about the near - death of the Pilning train service is the precedent that it could set. Here is a list of the First Great Western stations that , along with Pilning , rank in the bottom 100 of the latest publicly - available usage stats for the entire country. Thornford Bugle Roche Finstock St Keyne St Budeaux Ferry Road Quintrel Downs Luxulyan St Columb Road Newton St Cyres Chapelton Portsmouth Arms Copplestone Dorchester West (disputed , as many passengers ask for "Dorchester") Coombe Dorking West Just to cap it off , the thing that strikes me most is that the majority of these stations are in Devon & Cornwall. Save The Train has featured the Looe Valley & Newquay lines , but there are 4 stations on the list above that form part of a line that we havent mentioned so much - Exeter - Barnstaple or the "Tarka Line" (link below.) http://ndrailusers.wikispaces.com/ Re: The freight angle... - 36/1930 Written by Lee on Tuesday, 14th November 2006 One station from the above list deserves special attention (link below.) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newton_St_Cyres_railway_station Newton St Cyres was proposed for closure as part of Beeching's plan for faster links between Exeter - Barnstaple. Jacobs Consultancy also recommended this in the Greater Western Franchise Replacement Outline Business Case Report (pages 212 & 213 of the link below.) http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_foi/documents/page/dft_foi_612538.pdf Newton St Cyres is also featured in this Beeching 2 background article (link below.) http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2806285.stm Quote from the above link : "Newton St Cyres narrowly escaped the Beeching cuts, but forty years on hardly anyone uses it." Newton St Cyres passengers have had a lucky escape. Their passenger train service was due to be cut from 9 trains per weekday to just 2. However , as a result of intervention by those with an extensive knowledge of the local area & its rail users , Newton St Cyres has ended up with 8 trains per weekday , a remarkable acheivement. Newton St Cyres is not the only fortunate station on the Exeter - Barnstaple line. From 11 December 2006 , there will be 1 MORE train from Copplestone (11 places above Pilning & 561 places below Melksham in the latest publicly - available station usage stats) than the week before. I certainly take my hat off to those responsible. However , other stations have not been so lucky. Here is another quote from the same BBC article , which will ring a bell with Pilning passengers. "Denton in south Manchester is the only station on the network where you cannot buy a return ticket. There is just one train a week in one direction only. You can go but you cannot come back." Network Rail have proposed the closure of Denton station , along with Ardwick & Reddish South (link below.) http://www.savethetrain.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=641.msg1929#msg1929 I tend to look at the issue of "low usage" stations from the same perspective as Christian Wolmar , which is articulated in the following article (link below.) http://www.christianwolmar.co.uk/articles/rail/516.shtml "So there is an important regeneration point: should not these stations not be used as a regenerative tool to foster development rather than simply be abandoned....." The village of Newton St Cyres (population 1000) is also worth zooming in for a closer look (links below.) http://www.francisfrith.com/search/england/devon/newton+st+cyres/newton+st+cyres.htm Re: The freight angle... - 36/1931 Written by Graz on Tuesday, 14th November 2006 Although I've never been to Pilning, checking the map I haven't realised until now how far it is away from the village. In fact, Pilning village seems to be about the same distance from Severn Beach station to its own. I've also wondered if the Severn Beach line was ever connected to the Bristol-Wales line, they're so close. Going back on topic more, I'm very surprised of the outcome of the Newton St Cyres cuts. The village is so small, I wouldn't have thought it would have much of a case - especially considering Melksham is so much larger and yet is having half the number of services that this station is getting. Not that that's a bad thing of course, I'm happy for any station which gets back a lot of threatened services. Re: The freight angle... - 36/1932 Written by Lee on Tuesday, 14th November 2006 [quote author=Graz link=topic=36.msg1931#msg1931 date=1163508571] Although I've never been to Pilning, checking the map I haven't realised until now how far it is away from the village. In fact, Pilning village seems to be about the same distance from Severn Beach station to its own. I've also wondered if the Severn Beach line was ever connected to the Bristol-Wales line, they're so close.[/quote] Redrow Homes has long-standing planning permission for industrial and other uses on a site near to Pilning station (link below.) http://212.58.226.40/1/hi/england/bristol/3370537.stm The Severn Beach line was indeed connected to the Bristol-Wales line. See map contained in the link below. http://www.systemed.plus.com/New_Adlestrop_Railway_Atlas.pdf Re: The freight angle... - 36/1948 Written by Lee on Wednesday, 15th November 2006 STOP PRESS!!!! I have just recieved this from National Rail Enquiries : "You will be pleased to know that I have heard back from my colleague at First Great Western who advises me that Pilning was omitted from the pocket guide due to space constraints, however the note to cover this fact in the introduction of the timetable was missed out by mistake. Re: The freight angle... - 36/1951 Written by Lee on Wednesday, 15th November 2006 [quote author=Lee link=topic=36.msg1930#msg1930 date=1163502223]Newton St Cyres passengers have had a lucky escape. Their passenger train service was due to be cut from 9 trains per weekday to just 2. However , as a result of intervention by those with an extensive knowledge of the local area & its rail users , Newton St Cyres has ended up with 8 trains per weekday , a remarkable acheivement. Newton St Cyres is not the only fortunate station on the Exeter - Barnstaple line. From 11 December 2006 , there will be 1 MORE train from Copplestone (11 places above Pilning & 561 places below Melksham in the latest publicly - available station usage stats) than the week before. I certainly take my hat off to those responsible.[/quote] Another impressive feature of the Newton St Cyres campaign is the way that they have grasped the chance for Tarka Line trains to integrate with main line trains. One of the advantages that the final December 2006 Newton St Cyres timetable has over the original draft is that there is a decent evening service that allows this. For example , what if you are a Newton St Cyres long - distance commuter facing the prospect of a lengthy working day in (say) the Bristol area? Here are some examples of possible "commutes" from December 2006 , courtesy of National Rail Enquiries : OUTWARD Newton St Cyres depart 0805. Exeter St Davids arrive 0813 & change. Exeter St Davids depart 0823. Bristol Temple Meads arrive 0925. Journey Time - 1 hour 20 minutes. RETURN Bristol Temple Meads depart 1644. Exeter St Davids arrive 1743 & change. Exeter St Davids depart 1755. Newton St Cyres arrive 1802. Journey Time - 1 hour 18 minutes. Bristol Temple Meads depart 1744. Exeter St Davids arrive 1843 & change. Exeter St Davids depart 1908. Newton St Cyres arrive 1917. Journey Time - 1 hour 33 minutes. Bristol Temple Meads depart 1944. Exeter St Davids arrive 2043 & change. Exeter St Davids depart 2055. Newton St Cyres arrive 2102. Journey Time - 1 hour 18 minutes. As you can see from the link below , such commuting opportunities would have been far more limited had the original December 2006 Draft Timetable been implemented , especially with long working days becoming the norm in many occupations / industries. http://ndrailusers.wikispaces.com/DraftTT If only Melksham - Bristol commuters were so lucky. [quote author=Lee link=topic=217.msg1706#msg1706 date=1161622839]It is also my view that those who decide these matters have decided to "do a Calne" on the Melksham train service (see quote below.) [quote author=Lee link=topic=249.msg676#msg676 date=1150290922] This is one of the aspects of the Melksham issue that concerns me most. It looks to me like First were conducting a usage survey. Journey Statistics Link. http://www.savethetrain.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=233.msg589#msg589 5% from and to Chippenham. Here is Map 3 of the original Beeching Report. http://www.shropshiretransport.info/beeching/report1/maps/Map03.htm Dean , Dilton Marsh & Dunbridge all appear as red dots ( Re: The freight angle... - 36/2017 Written by Lee on Wednesday, 22nd November 2006 [quote author=Lee link=topic=36.msg1948#msg1948 date=1163588266]STOP PRESS!!!! I have just recieved this from National Rail Enquiries : "You will be pleased to know that I have heard back from my colleague at First Great Western who advises me that Pilning was omitted from the pocket guide due to space constraints, however the note to cover this fact in the introduction of the timetable was missed out by mistake. Re: The freight angle... - 36/2106 Written by Lee on Wednesday, 29th November 2006 Here are some superb photos of Pilning , Severn Beach & the railways around that area. New Passage. http://www.pilningvillage.co.uk/unionrailway.htm http://www.pilningvillage.co.uk/newpassageferry.htm Pilning. http://www.pilningvillage.co.uk/signalboxmain.htm http://www.pilningvillage.co.uk/signalboxbranch.htm http://www.pilningvillage.co.uk/pilningstationmain.htm http://www.pilningvillage.co.uk/pilningst2.htm http://www.pilningvillage.co.uk/pilningst1920s.htm Severn Tunnel. http://www.pilningvillage.co.uk/pacific1952.htm http://www.pilningvillage.co.uk/severntunneleast1952.htm http://www.pilningvillage.co.uk/severntunnel1.htm http://www.pilningvillage.co.uk/pumpingstation2003.htm http://www.pilningvillage.co.uk/pumpingst2003.htm http://www.pilningvillage.co.uk/pumpingstation2.htm http://www.pilningvillage.co.uk/severntunneleast1952.htm Severn Beach. http://www.pilningvillage.co.uk/sbstation1924.htm http://www.pilningvillage.co.uk/sbgwrstation1931.htm http://www.pilningvillage.co.uk/sbstation2003.htm Here is a link to the Pilning village website. http://www.pilningvillage.co.uk link to index of articles |
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Save the Train was the campaign to bring an approriate train service back to and through Melksham. Most big contributors are still around writing at the Coffee shop forum where new members are very welcome. The train has been saved - sort of - we have stepped back up from an unusable service to a poorish one but it's doing very well. We did that through setting up the TransWilts Community Rail Partnership. That fulfilled its early objectives; it has been taken over by local and regional government types who are now doing medium and long term work. The team from this forun can also be found at the Melksham Rail User Group (which was the Melksham Rail Development Group at the time these articles were written and we had no users. We mustn't loose sight, though, that the train service remains poor and needs our community support in marketing and campaigning to keep it going in a positive direction ... and all the more so when we're expecting to find a different normallity once we get out of the Coronavirus Pandemic and head for zero carbon via the climate crisis. Yes, it's saved ... it's now a key community facility ... the need for enhancement and the strong and near-universal local support remain, and the rail industry and goverment remain slow to move and provide the enhancements even to level us up with other towns. Please support the Melksham Rail User Group - now very much in partnership rather than protest with the rail industry and local government, including GWR, TransWilts and unitary and town councils. And please use the trains and buses, and cycle and walk when you can. -- Graham Ellis, (webmaster), February 2021 | |||
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