Reading Station Upgrade

[richard222]

http://therailwaycentre.com/News%20Sept ... ading.html

Plans are released above. Seems sensible to me. A most needed project IMO.

Richard

[Crimpsal]

I would imagine that is going to cause massive disruption, let's hope it doesn't turn out to be another Rugby fiasco.
They have been renewing track & replacing the signalling through Lincoln Central, they had to close the line for
quite a while whilst they did the work, what they did is nothing compared to the Reading project.

[mattvince]

Reading at present is essentially three stations - Main (fast) Lines, Relief (slow) Lines, and Southern Region. It should be possible, by correctly phasing the works and with some amendments to the timetable, to keep Reading partially open during the works. Some major closures (i.e. 52-hour possessions) will be needed to get the new Switch and Crossing work in, and to commission the signalling.

However - just check out that new layout in the triangle! That is the best solution I have yet seen for solving all the presently-conflicting moves at the west end of Reading - note that there is even a non-conflicting route for CrossCountry services in both directions, as well as allowing the Berks & Hants locals to more readily access the Relief Lines side of the station. The virtual segregation of the Main Lines will improve reliability, and will almost certainly allow more fast trains to operate, as without the need to timetable around the conflicts at Reading (both CrossCountry and freight services), a train service which better reflects commercial reality can be operated. And, very possibly, if combined with a more general resignalling of the GWML, allow faster trains (IEP 155mph specification, anyone?).

Need I mention that it would be the ideal opportunity to install a slight bit of Overhead Line Electrification?

And, surely to the relief of all, no mention of the Three Guineas being demolished...

[gswindale]

Hmm,

It's all very well lengthening the SWT platforms to 12 cars, but what about the rest of the stations along the route?
I suppose it makes sense to do all the works at Reading at the same time, but how long will it take for the Reading-Waterloo line to be capable of using 12 car trains?