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Old September 18th 15, 03:54 PM
Robin9 Robin9 is offline
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First recorded activity at LondonBanter: Feb 2011
Location: Leyton, East London
Posts: 902
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Recliner[_3_] View Post
As most people here must know, Chiltern runs one service a day, M-F,
to Paddington. It's run mainly for maintaining driver route knowledge
for the occasions when Chiltern services are diverted to Paddington.

It's not quite a parly service, as it runs at a convenient time, five
days a week, but it's also not promoted and little used other than by
rail enthusiasts (the few passengers are all sole males with cameras).
And, yes, I was one of those this week, and here's the evidence:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/reclin...57654494380303

But it got me wondering if Chiltern could or should run more services
into Paddington? Chiltern's services are growing steadily, with 2 tph
Oxford services being added soon. The two-track route into Marylebone
is congested, as are Marylebone's six platforms. Would it be possible
to run, say, 2 tph into Paddington? There's obviously many
constraints, including:

- the single track sections on the neglected former main line from
South Ruislip to Old Oak Common, which also sees occasional freight
trains

- the flat Old Oak Common West Junction to the GW relief lines

- capacity on the relief lines into Paddington

- Paddington platform availability.

But might there still be room for a limited number of Chiltern
services, maybe even at peak times? Once Crossrail starts, there will
be more room in Paddington itself, but what about on the approach
lines?
I travelled on this train this morning. Very interesting. There was one other
passenger - with the regulation camera - and a member of staff in civilian
clothes who seemed to be the guard. He said the reason for the service was
to maintain Chiltern's right of way into Paddington and seemed to think that
staff training was a secondary consideration.

He also confirmed there was no chance of Chiltern sending more trains to
Paddington because of a lack of train paths and platforms.

Does anyone know why there are such severe speed limits on this line? The
parallel Central Line moves quite quickly and the track seems to be well-
maintained.