Dorset Coast V6

[michaelhendle]

I thought the Eurostar platforms are now used by Windsor line trains,and the Axminster loop was being reinstalled to speed up services to Exeter.

So realy it depends what era you want Dorset Coast to be set in after all if you want it current then the Weymouth Harbour Branch would have to go,I think it's best to have it for multey era's instead of a specific era.

After all the Salisbury - Exeter route was a double track main line until Western Region got thier grubby mits on it the 1960's and down graded it, Western Regions ultimate plan was to close the route beyond Salisbury, what really saved it was Network South East when they took over the route,even with clapped out locomotives dumped on them by other regions.

I know every one looks fondly on the 50's but they failed frequently to be replaced at the last minute by a 33 which struggled to keep time,and the 47's wern't much better,most people who used the route regulary sighed with relief when the 159's came along.

Michael

[NiallGray]

I've been using Waterloo on and off the past 2 weeks, and have not seen one train in the old Eurostar platforms, and I was on the Windsor train!

[gswindale]

It will only be P20 to start with and I think they're still ensuring that loading guages etc and signalling is fine before going live.

[tubemad]

The International platforms aren't actually in use yet anyway, it is still borded up.

It was originally going to be an overflow platform for all services, but International Junction links up with the Windsor Side only, then it was planned for a million other things...and then today I have no idea what will actually use it.

If anyone sees a class 455 enter the International side and claim it to be the first 455 in the terminal, you'd be wrong! about 10 - 15 (something) years ago a 455 has stepped into the terminal in service...possibly the only time it did too!

Michael - The Axminster loop is to increase services down the line, it doesn't make the service any faster

[JasVick]

You are correct, it was a special run organised by NSE at the time (I think for guaging purposes). The eurostar platforms are to narrow to guage and staff have to be present to supervise any movements until reconstruction work is complete. Also the whole of that side of the line has had or is having to be realined for NR use, along with resignalling as well. The plan behind the eurostar platforms is that they are to be used alongside existing serivces to free up what will eventually become an even busier station than at the moment as the SWT service is to be improved over some lines to give a better frequency and more reliable service. For this to happen, the london terminus will require extra platforms and the former eurostar platforms were the ideal choice.

[tubemad]

Hmm that must be a 2nd time it has then.

The only time i have read about it was in one of my old mags (so many of them I cannot find the damn article) but was a 455 from Twickenham with VIP guests to Brussels or Paris, and ran into the E* terminal parking next to their 373 for quick easy interchange.

[salopiangrowler]

Dave modelled it to 2002 Quails so the axminster line wont be making an appearance

[cilperiswh]

So no hopes of going down to exeter?

[salopiangrowler]

You'll have to wait and see?

its not impossible as its only from Yeovil Junction - Exeter which is pretty straight forward with the exception of getting Exeter St Davids to Exeter Central just right.

edit; i was talking about the re-instatement of axminster loop

[cilperiswh]

Oh right sorry i miss understood.

[Lad491]

I think Dave has pretty much ruled the extension to Exeter out because its all single line and so not much scope for running activities. But who knows .....

[dennisat]

Having lived in Salisbury for 20 years, the Salisbury - Exeter line was always my favourite. I first knew it in its singled state with that run-down slightly desperate air about it. However, gradual improvements happened:

Extending the Sherborne loop to just west of Yeovil Junc to allow 2 platforms to be used. This eliminated the ludicrous situation where, when east bound trains were very late, west bound trains went into Yeovil Junc and then reversed back out to await the east bound train to cross! This caused no small concern to uninitiated passengers in the days when train announcements were non-existant.

The turnout at Pinhoe where the double track ends used to reduce the speed of east bound trains, which had just worked up to 70mph+, to 30mph. This is now a 75mph turnout.

The Tisbury loop to provide an extra crossing point. This is a bit of a compromise in that it's outside the station. The land for the other Tisbury platform had been bought by an agricultural machine manufacturer and couldn't be compulsorily re-purchased! I believe there is a vague idea of providing a west bound platform (staggered) east of the station.

Over the last 10 years or so the line has achieved a phoenix-like renaissance with the advent of the 159s and SWT. Although I have now lived in Eastleigh for 20 years, I still occasionally go down to Exeter to "see how it's getting on".

On the assumption that Dave won't continue the route to Exeter, I've set myself a little project to learn how to use Route Editor and see if I can "complete" the route for my own personal, not for distribution, use. Hmmm. Well, I've laid the basic track to Exeter including the proposed Axminster loop and I'm currently laying the track from Dorchester to Yeovil Pen Mill. I've decided that laying the track, with the terrain DEM formed, is the easy part. It's the scenery that's nearly stopped me in my tracks, so to speak. I agonised for weeks over the River Axe and now I've got to deal with the Otter and the Stour. I've not even contemplated buildings, forests and interactives yet. As for modelling Exeter Central and St Davids - well I do have Trainsim Modeller and I suppose I'm going to have to learn how to use it! At the current rate of progress I think I may be finished in 5 years time. Come on Dave, finish it to Exeter and put me out of my misery!

Dennis

[jontrains12]

hi I Thank that the New BAA Airtrack will use Waterloo platforms 20-24 for heathrow and at guildford the coach sidings will be made into bay platforms for the same trains as new lines will added to southeastern net work for this use and the old depot site at feltham for there use.

[jontrains12]

hi Dave a big well done just doing a rail tour T&T 33s from Basingstoke to basingstoke via Yeovil, Southampton and guildford taking in all the new lines

[davejc64]

Does anybody know when the DVD for this route will be available?