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  October 2011
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Bridging The Gap
   Reading Rail Replacement
 
Reading Rail Replacement
Over the 2010 Christmas period, one of the largest rail replacement/diversions occurred when Reading railway station was closed for the replacement of a bridge in the town.   Being one of the busiest regional stations in the UK, this ensured that plenty planning was in place including the temporary re-opening of the town's dingy bus station.   All high speed trains from Paddington to the West Country and Wales were diverted via Basingstoke and bus replacement services bridged the gaps.   Everything seemed to go off without a hitch.
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Summary of Diversions/Replacements:

  • +++++ : All First Great Western rail services from London Paddington to West Country and Wales diverted via Basingstoke
  • +++++ : All Arriva Cross Country trains from the South Coast to Birmingham and beyond terminated at Basingstoke and Didcot
  • +++++ : Rail replacement of Arriva services between Didcot and Reading
  • +++++ : Rail replacement of Arriva services between Basingstoke and Reading
  • +++++ : Rail replacement of First Great Western Paddington stopping service between Reading and Maidenhead
  • +++++ : Rail replacement of Stagecoach South West Trains Waterloo stopping service between Reading and Wokingham
  • +++++ : Rail replacement of First Great Western service between Reading and Basingstoke
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xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx All photos taken on 27th December 2010.   Click to enlarge.
    
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Photo Facts (Top to Bottom)
  • Barnes FJ60EKC, a Volvo Prestige 9700 demonstrator (now with Berrys of Taunton), on rail replacement to Didcot at Reading station
  • Reading bus station was re-opened especially for the occasion.   It remained dark and dank even with the addition of new signs and freshly painted stances.
  • First Great Western 43093, an HST, at Basingstoke station
  • Trueman J14TRU, a Plaxton Panther bodied MAN, on a non-stop B1 rail replacement service to Reading at Basingstoke station
  • Reading 1024 (YN06NXT), a Wright bodied Scania, at Basingstoke about to depart for Reading on the B2 stopping service
  • Stagecoach South 16513 (R513UWL), an Alexander bodied Volvo, at Reading station bound for Wokingham
  • Barnes WA58JNN, a Volvo bodied Van Hool, on service to Didcot and Reading 1006 (YN05GXF), a Wright bodied Scania, on service to Maidenhead at Reading station
  • Stagecoach South 16624 (P224VCK), a Northern Counties bodied Volvo, at Reading bus station
  • There was plenty of information at Reading station about the diversions in place, and also plenty of yellow-jacketed assistance
  • Reading station was definitely closed
  • Clip: A First Great Western HST leaves Basingstoke en route to the West Country from London

 

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