Grecian 1998
Member
Network Rail have published a study about the WoE line, particularly the Salisbury - Exeter section, which can be seen here: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/wp-co...udy-Continuous-Modular-Strategic-Planning.pdf
Whilst it's a long document, the first 9 pages are a summary of the key points. Interestingly it contains the admission on p7 that ''It is impossible to deliver a reliable “on time” railway that has a resilient timetable without reducing the amount of single track on this line.''
Unsurprisingly it doesn't suggest full double tracking is needed - that will always be a pipe dream unless vast gold deposits are discovered around Crewkerne. It does however list a number of improvements which seem to be in order of priority. Not surprisingly capacity at the western end is a priority to allow a Barnstaple - Axminster service and a more frequent GWR service during disruptions. Extending the Tisbury loop in both directions is also a priority - again not surprising when a large number of down trains park up in the Wiltshire countryside for several minutes, eventually set off when the up train has passed, only to then call at the station 30 seconds later.
Surprisingly a loop at Crewkerne on the 17 mile single line between Chard Jct and Yeovil Jct doesn't seem to be considered (although extending double track west from Yeovil Jct is), and extension of the loop at Axminster still seems to fall short of Chard Jct for some reason.
An obvious question will be where the money comes from with any improvements, along with whether they're really necessary if public transport demand falls off a cliff for several years. However the fact that NR seem to suggest the current timetable cannot be delivered consistently with the current infrastructure seems significant.
Whilst it's a long document, the first 9 pages are a summary of the key points. Interestingly it contains the admission on p7 that ''It is impossible to deliver a reliable “on time” railway that has a resilient timetable without reducing the amount of single track on this line.''
Unsurprisingly it doesn't suggest full double tracking is needed - that will always be a pipe dream unless vast gold deposits are discovered around Crewkerne. It does however list a number of improvements which seem to be in order of priority. Not surprisingly capacity at the western end is a priority to allow a Barnstaple - Axminster service and a more frequent GWR service during disruptions. Extending the Tisbury loop in both directions is also a priority - again not surprising when a large number of down trains park up in the Wiltshire countryside for several minutes, eventually set off when the up train has passed, only to then call at the station 30 seconds later.
Surprisingly a loop at Crewkerne on the 17 mile single line between Chard Jct and Yeovil Jct doesn't seem to be considered (although extending double track west from Yeovil Jct is), and extension of the loop at Axminster still seems to fall short of Chard Jct for some reason.
An obvious question will be where the money comes from with any improvements, along with whether they're really necessary if public transport demand falls off a cliff for several years. However the fact that NR seem to suggest the current timetable cannot be delivered consistently with the current infrastructure seems significant.