jonny777 Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 (edited) In my naivety, and not keeping that up to date with the current scene I have always thought of stone trains to Merehead or Whatley running up and down the Berks & Hants, but from looking at the Real Time Trains schedules, a large number seem to go via Swindon and Thingley Junction. Is this a modern phenomenon, or has it been going on for years? Maybe it is a temporary arrangement for reasons unknown to me; but I would have thought that with the number of high speed services between Didcot and Wootton Bassett Junc, the extra freight flow would interfere with trains to Wales and Bristol more than the SW services via Newbury. Edited March 13, 2018 by jonny777 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rivercider Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 The normal route for most services is via the B&H, but it has always been the case that at times when there is planned engineering work trains will be diverted via Melksham for the week. Is there currently engineering work going on? cheers Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zomboid Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 I think the Reading to Newbury section is closed Mon to Thurs this week for electrification works. There's a couple more such events occurring over the next few months as well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonny777 Posted March 13, 2018 Author Share Posted March 13, 2018 Thanks Zomboid, that probably explains the RTT schedules. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted March 13, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 13, 2018 Yesterday travelling back to Reading I certainly passed a lot of empty stone trains west of Didcot heading back towards Westbury/Merehead, quite a parade of them mixing it with a procession of Class 800s. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steadfast Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 The only regular booked daytime Mendip traffic via Swindon is Wootton Bassett (r/r at Swindon), Appleford and Oxford. The Oxford empties return via the B&H. Once every few weeks the B&H is shut at night for routine maintenance, and the overnight trains divert via Melksham and Swindon. 6V98 Acton - Whatley on a Monday and Friday (though technically for Tarmac not Mendips) lunchtime seems to fluctuate which way it goes Reading to Westbury, presumably as the paths are STPs. I believe the current diversions are for a mix of relaying and electrification work. This week is Mon - Thurs, there's a load more planned through the year. Here's the GWR page, listing all the relevant dates https://www.gwr.com/travel-updates/planned-engineering/newbury2018 Jo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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