| Gloucester closure at end of September 2025 - effect on TransWilts Posted by grahame at 18:23, 11th September 2025 |     |
Dear Graham,
Between Saturday 27 September and Sunday 5 October, Network Rail will be undertaking crucial signalling upgrades at Gloucester signal box. The signal box controls trains travelling from Bristol, Worcester, Swindon and South Wales, so it’s essential it remains in good working order.
As a result, all train services to and from Gloucester, extending to include the wider region at weekends, will be impacted
[snip]
Please get in touch if you have any questions and we would be grateful for any support you can provide in cascading this to your networks.
Kind regards,
Olivia & Heledd
Between Saturday 27 September and Sunday 5 October, Network Rail will be undertaking crucial signalling upgrades at Gloucester signal box. The signal box controls trains travelling from Bristol, Worcester, Swindon and South Wales, so it’s essential it remains in good working order.
As a result, all train services to and from Gloucester, extending to include the wider region at weekends, will be impacted
[snip]
Please get in touch if you have any questions and we would be grateful for any support you can provide in cascading this to your networks.
Kind regards,
Olivia & Heledd
Four services a day (two each way) run serve Gloucester before or after Melksham. On previous occasions when the 05:11 from Gloucster has had to be modified, that has broken connections - being significantly disruptive for a relatively small number of passengers - from Melksham beyond Trowbridge and beyond Westbury.
I have checked with Olivia and - good news - the connections are maintained during the Gloucester works. Olivia writes
In general the majority of services are unchanged and will avoid Gloucester. However some services may run at slightly different times so it is advised to use journey planners as they are reflective of the service we will be running during the week. I’ve included a snapshot below so you can see how some services are as normal but others are different.
Week 27 Mon-Fri
2M81 0635 Salisbury - Worcester runs as booked but avoids Gloucester
2G91 2006 Westbury - Cheltenham runs as booked but avoids Gloucester
2O19 0507 Cheltenham - Salisbury runs as booked but avoids Gloucester, except Monday 29th when it starts Swindon
2O09 1750 Gloucester - Salisbury starts Swindon. Does not run between Cheltenham and Swindon.
Week 27 Mon-Fri
2M81 0635 Salisbury - Worcester runs as booked but avoids Gloucester
2G91 2006 Westbury - Cheltenham runs as booked but avoids Gloucester
2O19 0507 Cheltenham - Salisbury runs as booked but avoids Gloucester, except Monday 29th when it starts Swindon
2O09 1750 Gloucester - Salisbury starts Swindon. Does not run between Cheltenham and Swindon.
And in a further follow up, I have thanked her for that and for the maintenance of times on 2O19 which she's let me know have been fed back to the engineering team as a note for future engineering - a drop of knowledge in an ocean, maybe, but still good to have it (with mixed metaphors) on the radar.
| Re: Gloucester closure at end of September 2025 - effect on TransWilts Posted by bobm at 18:37, 11th September 2025 | |
Just looking ahead to the December timetable change.
Realtimetrains has started to show the services from the middle of the month. As we know they can change but currently it suggests the morning Gloucester to Southampton service will leave Swindon three minutes earlier and arrive at Westbury at 06:45 giving a five minute connection to the Weymouth service.
It will still involve a swift walk through the subway or via the lifts. The train from Swindon is booked to use Platform 1 while the Weymouth will depart from Platform 2 at 06:50.
| Re: Gloucester closure at end of September 2025 - effect on TransWilts Posted by grahame at 19:15, 11th September 2025 | |
Just looking ahead to the December timetable change.
Realtimetrains has started to show the services from the middle of the month. As we know they can change but currently it suggests the morning Gloucester to Southampton service will leave Swindon three minutes earlier and arrive at Westbury at 06:45 giving a five minute connection to the Weymouth service.
It will still involve a swift walk through the subway or via the lifts. The train from Swindon is booked to use Platform 1 while the Weymouth will depart from Platform 2 at 06:50.
Realtimetrains has started to show the services from the middle of the month. As we know they can change but currently it suggests the morning Gloucester to Southampton service will leave Swindon three minutes earlier and arrive at Westbury at 06:45 giving a five minute connection to the Weymouth service.
It will still involve a swift walk through the subway or via the lifts. The train from Swindon is booked to use Platform 1 while the Weymouth will depart from Platform 2 at 06:50.
That's going to mean an extra couple of minutes for people from Melksham changing at Trowbridge for Bristol Temple Meads, which IMHO is no bad thing. As well as meaning that the people who - virtually every day now - are travelling from north of Westbury (Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham and Trowbridge) to Frome, Yeovil and elsewhere on the Heart of Wessex.
This train - 2O19 - has crept earlier over the years, somewhat in line with our nudging. Looking back to not-all-that-long ago, it was a scramble-gamble over the bridge at Trowbridge, and no-way at Weymouth as you pulled in to platform 1 you could watch the train you wanted to catch leaving from platform 2. Regular users will be relieved to know that I see no reason to campaign for any more minutes earlier. It now looks right.
| Re: Gloucester closure at end of September 2025 - effect on TransWilts Posted by ellendune at 11:08, 12th September 2025 | |
Does anyone know what they are actually doing to the signalling?
| Re: Gloucester closure at end of September 2025 - effect on TransWilts Posted by bobm at 19:55, 20th September 2025 | |
Some what late in the day I have found this which is not that specific.
Network Rail will complete an essential upgrade of the signal box from Saturday 27 September to Sunday 5 October, replacing 12 miles worth of wiring.
The signalling system at Gloucester controls trains travelling from Bristol, Worcester, Swindon and south Wales, and was installed in the late 1960s. Some components require modernisation and upgrading to ensure rail services can continue to run reliably through the area.
While the upgrade takes place, no trains can stop at or travel through Gloucester station and buses will replace trains at several stations in the region.
The signalling system at Gloucester controls trains travelling from Bristol, Worcester, Swindon and south Wales, and was installed in the late 1960s. Some components require modernisation and upgrading to ensure rail services can continue to run reliably through the area.
While the upgrade takes place, no trains can stop at or travel through Gloucester station and buses will replace trains at several stations in the region.
https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/passengers-urged-to-plan-ahead-as-network-rail-gloucester-signal-box-upgrade
https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/our-routes/western/gloucester-area-upgrades/
| Re: Gloucester closure at end of September 2025 - effect on TransWilts Posted by ChrisB at 17:01, 4th October 2025 | |
Rewiring the entire signalbox is my understanding.
The job is complete, but testing won't be & this is going to over run into Monday.
| Re: Gloucester closure at end of September 2025 - effect on TransWilts Posted by John D at 06:12, 6th October 2025 | |
GWR have added following on Gloucester disruption page
Should have finished yesterday, this suggests possibly later this week
***
We are waiting for confirmation of when lines in the Gloucester area will reopen later in the week and will keep this message updated as we know more. Please check your journey before travelling for the latest information.
***
We're sorry for the disruption to your journey today. If you are more than 15 minutes late arriving into your final destination due to this amended timetable being in place, you may be eligible for compensation under our Delay Repay scheme - visit gwr.com/help-and-support/refunds-and-compensation/delay-repay for details.
| Re: Gloucester closure at end of September 2025 - effect on TransWilts Posted by AMLAG at 10:42, 6th October 2025 | |
No doubt, amongst Senior Rail Industry and Govt. DfT Managers, Marcus Jones NR Wales & West Route Director will be undertaking a full investigation of what’s gone wrong with this long and detailed planned Engineering (Signalling) project at Gloucester, likely involving an army of NR Contractors, which is now seriously overrunning with little advance notice to several thousand passengers of the considerable disruption, road transport and delays to their intended journeys.
Hopefully this investigation will result, at minimum, in an informative and reassuring communication from the NR Contracted PR/Media machine.
| Re: Gloucester closure at end of September 2025 - effect on TransWilts Posted by grahame at 12:14, 6th October 2025 | |
Dear Graham,
Following our earlier note advising that the re-signalling work in Gloucester would overrun into Monday, we are sorry to confirm that the closure will now need to continue for longer while work is completed safely.
Safety testing of the new signalling system is taking longer than planned, and Network Rail teams are working around the clock to complete the upgrades and reopen the line as soon as possible. The line will now be closed until Wednesday 8 October while Network Rail completes this complex re-signalling work.
There will be no train services in the area from GWR, Transport for Wales and CrossCountry on Tuesday 7 October, affecting the following routes:
Cheltenham Spa to Gloucester and Lydney
Cheltenham Spa to Gloucester and Bristol Parkway
Cheltenham Spa to Gloucester, Stonehouse, Stroud and Kemble
Cheltenham Spa to Worcester Shrub Hill
A limited rail replacement bus service will operate on these routes. Trains are expected to resume on Wednesday 8 October but services will not run to the normal timetable, as work is expected to be completed in the early hours of the morning on Wednesday.
We strongly encourage all passengers to check their journeys before travelling via National Rail Enquiries or their train operator’s website.
Please note there will be reduced parking at Gloucester, Cheltenham Spa, Bristol Parkway and Stroud stations due to replacement bus operations.
We are sorry for the extended disruption this will cause between now and Wednesday, and we appreciate your help in sharing this update with your networks.
You can also read Network Rail's media release - issued this morning - here.
Kind regards,
Toby Elliott, Head of Communications, Network Rail
Olivia Barlow, Deputy Head of Public Affairs, GWR
Lewis Brencher, Director of Customer and Communications, TfW
Richard Gibson, Stakeholder Manager West and Wales, CrossCountry
Following our earlier note advising that the re-signalling work in Gloucester would overrun into Monday, we are sorry to confirm that the closure will now need to continue for longer while work is completed safely.
Safety testing of the new signalling system is taking longer than planned, and Network Rail teams are working around the clock to complete the upgrades and reopen the line as soon as possible. The line will now be closed until Wednesday 8 October while Network Rail completes this complex re-signalling work.
There will be no train services in the area from GWR, Transport for Wales and CrossCountry on Tuesday 7 October, affecting the following routes:
Cheltenham Spa to Gloucester and Lydney
Cheltenham Spa to Gloucester and Bristol Parkway
Cheltenham Spa to Gloucester, Stonehouse, Stroud and Kemble
Cheltenham Spa to Worcester Shrub Hill
A limited rail replacement bus service will operate on these routes. Trains are expected to resume on Wednesday 8 October but services will not run to the normal timetable, as work is expected to be completed in the early hours of the morning on Wednesday.
We strongly encourage all passengers to check their journeys before travelling via National Rail Enquiries or their train operator’s website.
Please note there will be reduced parking at Gloucester, Cheltenham Spa, Bristol Parkway and Stroud stations due to replacement bus operations.
We are sorry for the extended disruption this will cause between now and Wednesday, and we appreciate your help in sharing this update with your networks.
You can also read Network Rail's media release - issued this morning - here.
Kind regards,
Toby Elliott, Head of Communications, Network Rail
Olivia Barlow, Deputy Head of Public Affairs, GWR
Lewis Brencher, Director of Customer and Communications, TfW
Richard Gibson, Stakeholder Manager West and Wales, CrossCountry
Hopefully they can find a driver and train manager for tomorrow and Wednesday for the first train through Melksham - the Southampton service that calls at 06:32 - even if it has to start at Cheltenham Spa or Swindon.
| Re: Gloucester closure at end of September 2025 - effect on TransWilts Posted by matth1j at 13:20, 6th October 2025 | |
Hopefully they can find a driver and train manager for tomorrow and Wednesday for the first train through Melksham - the Southampton service that calls at 06:32 - even if it has to start at Cheltenham Spa or Swindon.
...and if they can't, hopefully they don't wait until after the train is scheduled to depart before cancelling it (unlike this morning).| Re: Gloucester closure at end of September 2025 - effect on TransWilts Posted by grahame at 13:54, 6th October 2025 | |
Hopefully they can find a driver and train manager for tomorrow and Wednesday for the first train through Melksham - the Southampton service that calls at 06:32 - even if it has to start at Cheltenham Spa or Swindon.
...and if they can't, hopefully they don't wait until after the train is scheduled to depart before cancelling it (unlike this morning).Real time trains tells me that it ran this morning - though as a "class 5" train and not as a "class 2" train which means it didn't take any passengers.
| Re: Gloucester closure at end of September 2025 - effect on TransWilts Posted by matth1j at 14:36, 6th October 2025 | |
Hopefully they can find a driver and train manager for tomorrow and Wednesday for the first train through Melksham - the Southampton service that calls at 06:32 - even if it has to start at Cheltenham Spa or Swindon.
...and if they can't, hopefully they don't wait until after the train is scheduled to depart before cancelling it (unlike this morning).Real time trains tells me that it ran this morning - though as a "class 5" train and not as a "class 2" train which means it didn't take any passengers.
EDIT: or does that just mean it started picking up passengers from Westbury, and did indeed start at Swindon?
| Re: Gloucester closure at end of September 2025 - effect on TransWilts Posted by grahame at 14:56, 6th October 2025 | |
Hopefully they can find a driver and train manager for tomorrow and Wednesday for the first train through Melksham - the Southampton service that calls at 06:32 - even if it has to start at Cheltenham Spa or Swindon.
...and if they can't, hopefully they don't wait until after the train is scheduled to depart before cancelling it (unlike this morning).Real time trains tells me that it ran this morning - though as a "class 5" train and not as a "class 2" train which means it didn't take any passengers.
EDIT: or does that just mean it started picking up passengers from Westbury, and did indeed start at Swindon?
A train physically ran from Swindon, platform 2 as usual and has to have stopped there as it's the terminus platform. It appears to have passed through Chippenham, Melksham and Trowbridge without stopping, and arrived at Westbury at 06:56 at platform 1. It is shown as "Empty Coaching Stock" and run by GWR.
A train left platform 1 at Westbury for Southampton at 07:00, described as the "06:06 from Swindon to Southampton" which "was cancelled between Swindon and Westbury due to unknown cause (ZW)", run by GWR using their 2 car Turbo 165137. I would strongly suggest that was indeed the same train that had arrived 4 minutes earlier from Swindon.
That 07:00 departure from Westbury is 5 minutes later than the timetable. The train was 11 minutes late into Salisbury, but (as it skipped the wait it's supposed to have there) left on time and arriving into Southampton at 08:10 - just 1 minute late.
