The Merchant Venturer 21 November 2009

Apparently the running lines are to be diverted to cross an adjacent disused bridge on the site of the former Feltham marshalling yard. The diversion is unlikley to be available for use by trains for another week or so. After that the failed bridge will be rebuilt over the course of several months.

http://www.richmondandtwickenhamtimes.co.uk/news/4741523.Updated___Bri/

Expect the Merchant Venturer outward leg to run via the GWML to Reading.

David

 

Me. Noisy?

 

I've heard from contacts in SWT it's going to take about 10 days to slew the tracks onto the disused formation. Many thousand tonnes of stone will need to be dropped to provide the new formation, the track will need to be moved across and an extra length spliced in and signalling and data cable will need to be diverted.

Revised timings via WLL & GWML were being worked on earlier today.

Cheers, Neil

 

You in Coach 'J' then???

 

Yes! In the Group of 12!

 

Been looking at my notes for the 1960s to see how Clan Line could while away the 52 minutes booked from Salisbury to Basingstoke on Saturday!

1. 12 minute late start from Salisbury and just the bridge slack near Hurstborne. Passed Basingstoke in 39 mins 14 secs with Fred Hoare and 35013 on the up ACE in April 1964, including a long and severe temporary speed restriction at Hurstborne. That long slowing would more than have made up for the fact that Fred got 35013 a little over 80 mph through Andover, after his normal careful start from Salisbury.

2. Leave Salisbury on time and have very short stops at Andover, Whitchuch and Overton, as per the 07.49 ex Salisbury in July 1964. That was the up working of the crew of the down ACE. On the 23rd July we did those sections with a total running time of just over 50 mins. Albeit a WC on just 7. Be a challenge for a MN on 11 or 12!

Not sure about the 66 mins from Basingstoke to Waterloo on Sunday. Possibly frequent slowings to cross from slow to fast and back again etc will more than use up the surplus 20 minutes or so we have in that schedule!

 

Have a great day out behind 'Clan Line' all those of you that are travelling. I'll be thinking of you enjoying that Bulleid chatter.

Cheers,

Paul

 

Thanks Paul for the best wishes - It's certainly going to be an entertaining day!! Bulleid Chatter and with what will be happening will be high on the agenda!

 

Taken from the UK Railtours web site, its good news

LATEST NEWS AS AT 18 NOV - RIVER CRANE BRIDGE COLLAPSE: The line between Feltham Junction and Staines remains completely closed. As a result the tour will be diverted after leaving Waterloo and will now run via Kensington Olympia, Willesden SW Sidings, Acton Wells, Ealing and Slough, rejoining the advertised route at Reading. The train still leaves Waterloo at 08.55, and arrival times at Bath and Bristol are unchanged too. The return route via Salisbury is not affected.

 

Thanks Spindizzy - This has been spoken alot today and was only updated early this afternoon. I for one hope this remains. Without Diesel first.

 

Why would the diesel be on the front?

 

Don't really know about the diesel on the front. All I do know, at least we get to see some proper motive power on the GW mainline that isn't too heavy on the Brasso budget...

 

What does this mean for 60019 the following Saturday?

 

They really have a task on there...the bridge is in a terrible mess,dates from the Victorian days.Brought down by the fast flowing flood waters.The strain must have been too much on the old brickwork.

 

Does anyone know any new times Reading & beyond? As the departure & arrival times are the same, I assume they are much the same as before, saying this, I would of thought that the journey down the GW line would be quicker.
UKsteam has acknowledged the route change, but still showing the original timings.

 

We are getting a bit worried about this as well. We were due to be getting on at Ascot but I wonder where we will have to board now? We are also out for 35028 on Saturday if we can get the correct timings.

 

Some times I have been given for Sat 21.11.09. Usual caveat applies.


1Z82



WATERLOO 08:55

NINEELMSJ PASS 09:00

WLONDONJN PASS 09:03

LATCHMERE PASS 09:05

KENSGTN O PASS 09:12

NTHPOLEJN PASS 09:16

MITREBDGJ PASS 09:18

WILSDN SW PASS 09:22

ACTONWLSJ PASS 09:24

ACTON ML PASS 09:27

ACTONWEST PASS 09:29

SOUTHALL PASS 09:36

AIRPORTJN PASS 09:40

SLOUGH PASS 09:50

MAIDENHED PASS 09:59

TWYFORD PASS 10:07

RDG NEWJN PASS 10:15

READNG PASS 10:17

SOUTHCOTJ PASS 10:23

NEWBURYRC 10:45 11:13

NEWBURY PASS 11:17

BEDWYN PASS 11:38

WOODBORO PASS 11:53

LAVINGTON PASS 12:04

HEYWDRDJN PASS 12:13

HAWKRDGJN PASS 12:17

BRADFORDJ PASS 12:27

BATHAMPTN PASS 12:39

BATH SPA 12:44 12:48

NSOMERSTJ PASS 13:02

BRISTOLEJ PASS 13:03

BRISTOLTM 13:06

 

[ edited ]

 

Cheers, these times are now on UKsteam as well.

 

Thanks for the timings B1.