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Topic: Redouble Thingley to Bradford? (Read 3689 times)
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Graham Ellis
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I understand that there are plans in the pipeline to redouble the Thingley to Bradford Junction section, just as Swindon to Kemble, though with single junction leads. It would look a bit like this:  My sources is two "removed" but usually fairly good but I have no idea of any time scales, whether it's a feasabillity study, an option in a plan, or much more. Any ideas, anyone. Were it to happen, then this:  Would need to be turned into a double platform. An excellent opportuninty to resite, but alas an excellent opportunity to loose completely too. Sorry - no current daytime pictures. We don't have daytime trains! |
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Nick Field
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Interesting news. Cant understand why they dont make a proper job of it and have double leads and also reinstate the chord allowing trains to run from Melksham towards Bradford on Avon. I assume it would cost a lot more with the signal work etc
Clearly if they plan to do this work then there must be plans to run more trains along the route, presumably an increase in freight trains. Or perhaps there is a plan for a freight terminal nearby.
A good opportunity perhaps to have a Melksham train service 're launch' if another platform were to be put in.
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Steve35
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And don't forget the cost of a footbridge to the new platform. This could easily cost a million or two as it would need to be wheelchair accessible i.e. ramps as well as steps. You'd be needing something like this: http://jpc.fotopic.net/p26309006.html Also, is there room to put in an extra track and platform at Melksham without moving the existing platform? If there isn't then you've got even more cost to justify. |
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Graham Ellis
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There probably *is* room, Steve, but the footbridge is a bit of a frightener. Perhaps this is one of those places where a split platform arrangement would work, with the Swindonbound platform to the South of the road bridge, which would provide the level access. Down side of *that* is that you have another site which isn't on the bus route and is in the back of an industrial area.
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Nick Field
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The free paper that comes through the door - 'The Wiltshire Advertiser' had an interesting article in it yesterday. Apparently there is a row brewing up between Somerset and Wiltshire Councils about roads that lorries from the Somerset quarrys can use on their way through Wiltshire. It looks like Wiltshire has put in restrcitions on some roads which is forcing lorries through unsuitable village roads in Somerset. MP David Heath has got involved. Anyway it got me thinking - I wonder if there is a plan to get more of these lorries off the roads and on to the rails meaning that the re doubling is required?
I cant find any online links yet but I'll post them up if I do.
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« Last Edit: February 02, 2007, 09:06:38 AM by Nick Field »
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Graham Ellis
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The free paper that comes through the door - 'The Wiltshire Advertiser' had an interesting article in it yesterday. Apparently there is a row brewing up between Somerset and Wiltshire Councils about roads that lorrys from the Somerset quarrys can use on their way through Wiltshire. It looks like Wiltshire has put in restrcitions on some roads which is forcing lorries through unsuitable village roads in Somerset. MP David Heath has got involved. Anyway it got me thinking - I wonder if there is a plan to get more of these lorries off the roads and on to the rails meaning that the re doubling is required?
I cant find any online links yet but I'll post them up if I do.
I do know that BaNES also got involved wanting to put restrictions on the A36 through Bath forcing the lorries onto the A350 via Melksham, Beanacre and Chippenham. But I think they've stepped back - for the momemt - from the brink of that. A double track rail link would make sense, and I can understand the "single lead" being much cheaper to maintain and sufficient for - perhaps - quite a period. |
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Nick Field
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A double track rail link would make sense, and I can understand the "single lead" being much cheaper to maintain and sufficient for - perhaps - quite a period. Agreed although I do feel a trick would be missed by not at least reinstating the chord allowing trains to run from Melksham to Bradford Steve35 could you give an idea of what extra capacity the redoubling of the track with single leads would provide and cost savings compared to double leads etc? |
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« Last Edit: February 02, 2007, 09:15:47 AM by Nick Field »
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Graz
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A double track rail link would make sense, and I can understand the "single lead" being much cheaper to maintain and sufficient for - perhaps - quite a period. Agreed although I do feel a trick would be missed by not at least reinstating the chord allowing trains to run from Melksham to Bradford Steve35 could you give an idea of what extra capacity the redoubling of the track with single leads would provide and cost savings compared to double leads etc? I agree Nick- and I'd even go as far as saying the Thingley Junction chord should be reinstated too, allowing direct trains from Melksham to Bath/Bristol should this ever happen and also an extra alternative route from Bath/Bristol to London should the line from Swindon to Reading be closed. And I know it's an extra cost, but doubling the entire track would cut congestion at the junctions and allow for extra freight capacity, leading to a long-term investment. |
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James
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Dobule track would actually be quite good, for when you have HST diversions, would save a lot of pathing trouble & you could actually run the stoppers with it, I remember everytime high speed wanted the line, the stoppers would go, but of course there is only 2 each way to get rid off now!
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Regards
James - Full on Pacer Fan
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Graham Ellis
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James, watch this space ... we're gonna get the stoppers back  I've pulled this thread back up to include a picture I took at Worle yesterday of the bridge there:  And in this view it gives you just some idea of how much steel and engineering is involved. Looking further around at Melksham, there seems to be a logic for the sighting of an "up" platform to the South of the road bridge - there's land available and flat access from the Bath road too.  Probably a "cheap" solution that doesn't fit well with access from the new road loop from McDonalds through Spencer Gate. |
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Graham Ellis
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Are you sure that your source is reliable , Graham?
"Usually fairly good" I think I said  ... not excellent so it may be a red herring or it may have 'missed the cut' |
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