Dawlish rail line to reopen on 4 April

Well worth a thread of it's own. <BJ>

''The storm-damaged railway line that connects the South West to the rest of the
UK will reopen earlier than planned on 4 April, Network Rail has announced''.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-26433185

 

Seems rather precise considering completion is weather dependent ?.

 

Indeed yes very good progress there but no announcement about Bridgwater which potentially could be a lot longer depending on the damage found when the waters recede.

Don

 

Indeed, my feeling is this section could be "out" a lot longer for exactly the reasons you give. Thankfully, the disruption is not so bad as with Dawlish as the only journey you can't do by rail throughout are those from stations between Temple Meads and Bridgwater to Taunton, as those from Taunton to Bristol are diverted, and Bristol to Bridgwater is still running normally at present. I also suspect that all NR attention is being focused on Dawlish at present so if there is significant damage under that water, I'm not sure how much attention it'll get until Dawlish re-opens.

 

Bridgwater-Taunton reopened on Monday 10 March. Reduced trains service at present, but is being used by some XC trains.

 

Talk of some event to mark the reopening on the 4th April.

http://www.dawlishnewspapers.co.uk/...line=Celebration plan for railway’s reopening

 

It was very good to watch the 2 cl70 diesels in Colas colours arrive at Dawlish Warren this afternoon on a ballast from Westbury.

I was told by a "reliable" souce that the first train or rather the reopening special would be the 07.30 Pad Penz on 4April carrying guests etc. however, locally the date of 28 March is also being mentioned.

The up line is bi-directional and it's being suggested that it will be one track at first. This will enable repairs to continue on the sea wall and the down line!

Obviously we all await a NR/FGW/CC response but I thought I'd post as 10am on the 4April might be a good time to be around
If a steam special is planned then so much the better!

 

Although Fri 4th is the "official" re-opening date, I hear that there's to be a special test train the previous Tuesday. City Of Truro is rumoured to be the motive power, possibly in BR black livery. ;-)

 

I've just noticed this. It's dated 19th March. <BJ>
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-26641828

 

Pictures of the Controlled Landslip near Teignmouth in the Daily Mail.

Link: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...lway-line-damaged-months-storm-continues.html

 

They started laying 30 foot track panels this morning

 

The 30 foot rails have now been removed from the sleepers and longer rails have been put in this afternoon. The sea has been very rough today so not very pleasant for the workers.

 

Ballast drop on down line early this morning and track tamped

 

Today's news regarding the rebuilding of the railway at Dawlish. Thanks to Richard Bilton.

''66552 with autoballasters was the first train to cross the breach in the sea wall at Dawlish this morning at 00.56. 66953 didn't make it across as the train stopped and reversed, presumably back to Dawlish Warren, once the first 10 wagons had been unloaded. 70802 & 70803 stopped just short of the breach last week.
*75406 is still working at Dawlish and moved across the breach at 13.00ish it is now near Langstone rock''.
* presume track machine. <BJ>

 

The controlled land slip near Teginmouth is now finished and should be cleared up at the week end.

 

Assuming that talk of a steam-hauled re-opening train was duff gen?..........

 

Yup! Ironically perpetuated by one person on Gen groups who has a penchant for class 47 diesels :/

http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/...tornado-steam-engine-on-night-riviera-sleeper