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MARLOW - MAIDENHEAD
PASSENGERS’ ASSOCIATION
TWYFORD – TAPLOW / HIGH WYCOMBE |
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Jump to: News Events and Articles Publications
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The Marlow - Maidenhead Passengers' Association is the public transport user group - bus and train -
in the area served by the Maidenhead to Marlow railway line in the Thames Valley including its former route into High Wycombe.
We cover main line services from Taplow, Maidenhead and Twyford as well as High Wycombe station.
The Association’s Constitution may be viewed here.
We lobby the operators and local government on behalf of users to improve services and facilities, and we bring you timely information regarding proposed and actual service changes. The more members we have the stronger is our voice in fighting for your interests. For more about the benefits of membership and an application form please visit the Membership Page or e-mail us.
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Timetable DownloadsChiltern Railways 16 May to 10 September 2021:London Marylebone - High Wycombe - Oxford/Aylesbury/Birmingham Moor St.
Changes to train times (HTML) Great Western Railway 16 May to 11 December 2021:
T12 Maidenhead to Marlow (PDF)
Arriva Bus 35/36/37 High Wycombe - Bourne End - Maidenhead (PDF) More timetable links on our Timetable Index. Live signalling diagram Twyford - West Drayton (from OpenTrainTimes.com) Compensation for DelaysFor information see GWR’s web site or download the Delay Compensation Form (PDF). For Chiltern Railways please see their Contact Us page. |
HTML Timetables
Marlow Branch 15 May until 11 Dec 2021 Engineering Summary Service Disruptions Journey Check 
Unit 165134 crosses Cock Marsh on 6.4.2013. Click photo to enlarge. © 2013 R. Porter |
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Some IETs Return to ServiceAll Intercity Express Trains have now been examined and a number are fit to return safely to service.
For more details please read the letter from Mark Hopwood which includes the press release
issued jointly by Hitachi Rail, Rail Delivery Group, ORR, HM Railway Inspectorate, GWR and LNER.
Update: Hitachi is working on a solution to the problem which involves taking the trains up to their factory at
Newton Aycliffe. It is expected to take at least two years for both fleets (GWR and LNER) to be modified. Without
attention it is virtually certain that all the IETs will suffer the cracks at some point. In the mean time GWR is able to
operate about two thirds of the fleet, which means that some services that are scheduled for ten car trains will only
have a single 5-car unit, the 9-car units will be concentrated on the South-West and the Cotswold services will be handled
by Class 165/6 turbos.
IETs recalled to depot for checksAll Hitachi Class 80x Intercity Express Trains (IETs) have been withdrawn for precautionary inspection after hairline cracks were found where the yaw damper brackets attach to the coach body. The yaw dampers prevent the bogies hunting from side to side. This affects all operators of these trains including GWR, LNER, Trans-Pennine Express and First Hull Trains. As a result there is severe disruption on the whole of the network. Local and branch line services are unaffected. TFL-RAIL and local services are running but are busier than normal.
More information.
Update: later reports from Hitachi cite the lifting points on the coaches as the location of the cracks. In fact the problems apply to both sites which are fairly close together over the bogies. The cracks under the lifting points were not noticed at first because the paint stretched over them. However it transpires that one unit was stopped back in April. Meanwhile GWR is trying to hire in alternative rolling stock from other parts of the country, including some Class 387s (like the Thames Valley Electrostars) from c-2-c. Also some Class 387s are running as far as Swindon, connecting with Cross Country services to Bristol Temple Meads and the South West. Face Covering CompulsoryJust a reminder that you still need to wear face covering when travelling by public transport unless you are exempt.
Travelling by train is extremely safe but it’s best to avoid crowded services. Hand sanitiser is available at many stations.
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Crossrail Starts Trial RunningCrossrail has commenced trial running at four trains per hour through the central section to prove that the railway is
safe and reliable. The frequency will be stepped up during the year. Meanwhile three stations have been handed over the TfL:
Custom House, Farringdon and Tottenham Court Road, and Crossrail is now fully integrated with the Great Western Main Line
at Portobello. However, service trains from the west will continue to terminate at Paddington high level for some time.
The latest target we have for the opening of Elizabeth Line is “the first half of 2022”. (DHYB)
Progress at High WycombeWe have been campaigning for a long time to get a signal repeater installed for platform 1 at High Wycombe. This would
allow drivers to see when the starter signal is off (showing a proceed aspect) when a short train is stopped near the buffers.
At the time of writing the new footbridge obscures the signal so a short train needs to stop sooner, giving passengers a long walk.
Update: The new signalling is now in place and operational.
Contactless Travel on the BranchWe are led to believe that a cashless ticket vending machine will be installed at Furze Platt, and that NFC ("contactless")
travel will be extended from Maidenhead to Marlow for journeys as far as Paddington and Reading. (DHYB)
PlusBus from Bourne EndPassengers travelling to High Wycombe can book to Bourne End with the PlusBus add-on which gives unlimited bus travel on participating operators’ services including Arriva and Carousel around the High Wycombe urban area (PDF). The cost per day is £3.60 for adults or £2.40 with a railcard. A child ticket is £1.80. For season tickets and further information please see the PlusBus web site.
Older News |
Bourne End looking North-East in 1947. The bay platform for the “Marlow Donkey” is on the left. |
EVENTSPlease contact the organisation concerned for membership or if you wish to join the meeting as a guest. Marlow and District Railway Society - currently holding meetings on Zoom. RCTS - currently holding meetings on Zoom. Tuesday 7th to Thursday 9th September 2021 - Railtex/Infrarail, NEC (postponed from May). Friday 24th September 2021 - AGM, Bourne End (Bucks) Community Centre. Sunday 11th December - new timetables start. |
ARTICLESBattery Trains for the Branch? We get a ride on Viva Rail’s Class 230. GWR Report to the AGM 2018 Intercity Express - First Impressions Electrifying the Branch -
A personal view (html) by Richard Porter. Could High Wycombe Line Be Reopened? Read this article
from the Bucks Free Press.
Maurice Oram 1935 - 2018 Some recollections of our late Honorary President from Mark Hopwood. |
Latest PublicationsMMPA NewsletterNewsletter 186, February 2021 (PDF) (Archive) RailnewsRail Technology MagazineModern Railways |
Railfuture (all PDF)Railwatch No. 166 December 2020
Community Rail NetworkTransport Focus |
Last updated 11th June, 2021
Webmaster: Richard Porter Hosted by eUKhost.com