Great Western Railway is reminding passengers that this Saturday and into next week Network Rail will be continuing the electrification of the line between Reading and Newbury.
The electrification works will allow Great Western Railway to run Electrostar trains direct between Newbury and station stops on its way to the capital, it will also extend the operation of the Bi-Mode Intercity Express Trains on electric power to Newbury, before continuing to the South West on diesel power.
To achieve this, Network Rail is closing the line on selected dates throughout the year. The next phase runs from 14:00 on Saturday 2nd June 2018 to Thursday 7th June 2018 inclusive.
Buses will replace trains from stations between Pewsey and Theale on weekdays, extending to Reading during the weekend. Train services will still operate from Theale to Reading during the week.
Season ticket holders with tickets valid for one month or longer from Pewsey, Bedwyn, Hungerford, Kintbury, or Newbury may use South Western Railway services from Salisbury, Grateley, Andover, Whitchurch, Basingstoke or Overton for travel towards Reading and London Paddington/Waterloo.
The last direct train from London Paddington to Newbury on Saturday will depart at 1233.
Long distance services from London Paddington to Devon and Cornwall will continue to operate but will be diverted, adding up to 50 minutes to journey times.
What did the officials say?
GWR Managing Director Mark Hopwood said:
“With the completion of electrification work we will be able to run brand new electric, and bi-mode Intercity Express Trains, to Newbury – supporting the local economy with more train seats, more comfortable and more frequent journeys.
“In order to achieve this however, Network Rail will need to undertake a significant programme of upgrade works.
“We have worked hard to ensure we have produced a train and bus service that supports the local economy while also allowing Network Rail the vital access it needs to the railway to electrify the route.”
Network Rail Western Route Managing Director Mark Langman said:
“This will boost local communities and provide a better service for passengers travelling in Berkshire, across the Thames Valley and west London.
“We are working very hard with GWR to minimise disruption to passengers while we deliver electrification to Newbury. Owing to the scale of the work we will be doing this over periods of several days.
“I thank the communities in Newbury and across Berkshire for their patience in advance of the upgrade.”
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There is the bay platform where the electrostars could terminate and run from at newbury.
Is there a siding at Newbury so that GWR Class 387 Electrostar trains can use as a turn back and to operate back to London Paddington with Bi-Mode Class 800’s to switch from AC 25kv to Diesel mode to continue its duties coming to & from London Paddington.
We aren’t sure on this, Andrew. Maybe they will arrive and depart from the same platform?
Thanks for your continued commenting!
Regards,
Michael