FGW Reading Blockade 2013 - Advance Notice

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FGW Reading Blockade 2013 - Advance Notice 22/12/2012 at 00:31 #39512
Underwood
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746 posts 		Hello all,

Just around 3 months away and the Reading blockade will be back over Easter, so for those who, like me, missed out on the diversions, there is a chance to do it again. I believe this time it's the final one for a full blockade. The date is from 29th March to 01 April, and 05 April to 08 April. I'd imagine advances will be up soon.

Details:

- Bristol/South Wales HST's will be diverted again via Foxhall Curve Jn to Didcot North Jn (Didcot West Curve) to Banbury, and then reverse for a run to Paddington via High Wycombe and Greenford (more likely direct than via West Ealing)

- West of England HSTs will take normal route to/from the west until Westbury, and like the last diversion they will run via Salisbury to Waterloo. This time they will run via Wimbledon as Swing Link coupling issues are now resolved.

- Two Hourly Didcot - Swindon - Gloucester - Cheltenham shuttles will be in operation, using the two 3-car ex-prototype Class 150s based at Reading. First time for a Class 150 on the GWML east of Swindon in service?

- Worcester/Hereford/Oxford services are set back to start at Didcot.

- a Two Hourly shuttle will be in operation between Theale and Westbury, using Class 165/166s.


I'll be a very busy person, as I'd like to do the Banbury diversion, Salisbury diversion, a Class 150 on the mainline between Didcot and Swindon, and also a Class 165 or 166 from Westbury to Theale and back!

Advances should be up soon I guess, but if I see any I'll post on here.


James.
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The following users said thank you: Sam Tugwell, officer dibble
FGW Reading Blockade 2013 - Advance Notice 22/12/2012 at 05:38 #39516
Zoe
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251 posts 		" said:
West of England HSTs will take normal route to/from the west until Westbury, and like the last diversion they will run via Salisbury to Waterloo. This time they will run via Wimbledon as Swing Link coupling issues are now resolved.

This was discussed elsewhere earlier in the year and it was state that the routing last year had nothing to do with long swing link bogies as these are banned from the entire DC network.
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FGW Reading Blockade 2013 - Advance Notice 22/12/2012 at 05:39 #39517
Zoe
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251 posts 		" said:
West of England HSTs will take normal route to/from the west until Westbury, and like the last diversion they will run via Salisbury to Waterloo. This time they will run via Wimbledon as Swing Link coupling issues are now resolved.

This was discussed elsewhere earlier in the year and it was stated that the routing last year had nothing to do with long swing link bogies as these are banned from the entire DC network.
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FGW Reading Blockade 2013 - Advance Notice 22/12/2012 at 05:41 #39518
Zoe
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251 posts 		" said:
West of England HSTs will take normal route to/from the west until Westbury, and like the last diversion they will run via Salisbury to Waterloo. This time they will run via Wimbledon as Swing Link coupling issues are now resolved.

This was discussed elsewhere earlier in the year and it was stated that the routing last time had nothing to do with long swing link bogies as these are banned from the entire DC network and this issue has not been resolved.
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FGW Reading Blockade 2013 - Advance Notice 22/12/2012 at 05:44 #39519
Zoe
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251 posts 		" said:
West of England HSTs will take normal route to/from the west until Westbury, and like the last diversion they will run via Salisbury to Waterloo. This time they will run via Wimbledon as Swing Link coupling issues are now resolved.

This was discussed elsewhere earlier in the year and it was stated that the routing last time had nothing to do with long swing link bogies as these are banned from the entire DC network.
Last edited: 22/12/2012 at 05:47 by Zoe
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FGW Reading Blockade 2013 - Advance Notice 22/12/2012 at 11:54 #39530
Sam Tugwell
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493 posts 		I'll definately be doing the Chiltern diversions. Will finally be able to hang the route after missing the unrefurbished Chiltern Mrk3s.

Oh, and a turbo in Westbury
"Signalman Exeter"
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FGW Reading Blockade 2013 - Advance Notice 26/12/2012 at 20:33 #39692
Underwood
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746 posts 		Indeed!

Would be nice to have a Turbo from Westbury to Bedwyn, working at full whack since it's a fair distance between the two, same reason for doing a 150 between Didcot and Swindon.

Done a 67 down the Chilterns from Wrexham to Marylebone on a ALR, but haven't done a HST down the whole line.
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FGW Reading Blockade 2013 - Advance Notice 27/12/2012 at 11:18 #39705
58050
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2650 posts 		It amuses me to read posts like thess from the younger generation. Personally I wouldn't get out of bed for any of it. What I'd like to see is these diverted trains worked by Cl.50s, Cl.47s, Cl.31s with rakes of Mk.1 & Mk.2 coaches, or to go a stage better Westerns, Warships & Hymeks. Sadly on todays railway the chances of that happening are very remote. I guess its the different railway eras. Some older people than me would prefer steam hauled trains as opposed to diesel. However I wish you all the best in your quests.
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FGW Reading Blockade 2013 - Advance Notice 27/12/2012 at 17:58 #39730
Stephen Fulcher
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2026 posts 		From my memory of the HSTs reversing at Banbury from 2010 it was such a farce that I would definitely be avoiding it.

Half an hour in Banbury South Signal Box watching the two signalmen and a MOM trying to figure out what was going to happen next was enough for anyone!
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FGW Reading Blockade 2013 - Advance Notice 27/12/2012 at 18:09 #39733
58050
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2650 posts 		Sound to me like none of the blokes in that box knew the layout of the area, let alone signed the box on a comptenancy basis. More importantly who did Network Rail attribute the delays to? Themselves? How hard can it be. I hope the traincrew involved were a bit more clued up than the signalmen & the MOM.
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FGW Reading Blockade 2013 - Advance Notice 27/12/2012 at 18:58 #39735
Underwood
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746 posts 		" said:
From my memory of the HSTs reversing at Banbury from 2010 it was such a farce that I would definitely be avoiding it.

Half an hour in Banbury South Signal Box watching the two signalmen and a MOM trying to figure out what was going to happen next was enough for anyone!
If memory serves me right, they are reversing at Banbury station instead, with the call for staff purposes only. Should also be FGW drivers only too rather than hiring in pilots
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FGW Reading Blockade 2013 - Advance Notice 27/12/2012 at 19:02 #39738
headshot119
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4869 posts 		" said:
From my memory of the HSTs reversing at Banbury from 2010 it was such a farce that I would definitely be avoiding it.

Half an hour in Banbury South Signal Box watching the two signalmen and a MOM trying to figure out what was going to happen next was enough for anyone!
That's the point where you kick the MOM out of the box and get on with the job :whistle:
"Passengers for New Lane, should be seated in the rear coach of the train " - Opinions are my own and not those of my employer
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FGW Reading Blockade 2013 - Advance Notice 27/12/2012 at 19:54 #39743
Stephen Fulcher
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2026 posts 		The people in the box were not the problem, it was everything else.

Missing pilot drivers for the Chiltern Branch, releasing doors on the HSTs then having a long stop whilst the platform staff argued with people as to whether or not they were allowed to board the train, failed equipment etc.
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