Posted 12th December 2016 | 4 Comments

New Oxford to London trains launched

TRAINS have started running on an alternative route between central Oxford and London for the first time since 1963.

The first advertised train departed from Oxford at 07.20 this morning, although a few test services ran yesterday.

Chiltern Railways is using the modernised line between Oxford and Bicester to provide a half-hourly service between the university city and London Marylebone. Trains are using the recently-built chord at Bicester to join the main line towards High Wycombe and London, taking just over an hour to make the 106km (66miles) journey.

Great Western Railway trains will now be competing for passengers on the traditional route to London via Reading, but although the GWR route is slightly shorter, season tickets and other regulated fares are the same and available to and from Paddington or Marylebone.

The new Chiltern service also provides a restored railway link between Oxford and stations in Buckinghamshire such as High Wycombe and Beaconsfield, and connects the city's new park and ride station in Water Eaton with the centre of Oxford.

The line from Oxford to Bicester was closed at the end of 1967, together with the rest of the line as far as Bletchley. Oxford-Bicester was reopened by British Rail in 1987 and closed again for modernisation in 2014, with Bicester-Oxford Parkway reopening in October last year.

It will form part of the future East West Rail link to Bedford and potentially Cambridge, restoring the former 'Varsity Line' between the two university cities.

Chiltern managing director Dave Penney said: “The new line will bring significant social, economic and environmental benefits to those living and working along the route."
 
Network Rail route managing director Martin Frobisher added: "This important landmark in our nationwide Railway Upgrade Plan  will bring economic benefits to the Oxford region and with it new opportunities for people living there."

It was once possible to travel from Oxford to London Marylebone via Wheatley and Thame, changing at Princes Risborough, but the fastest journeys took over two hours and trains were relatively infrequent. This service was withdrawn in January 1963, although Chiltern Railways has been investigating the possibility of restoring trains along the surviving stub of this branch as far as Cowley, in suburban Oxford.

Reader Comments:

Views expressed in submitted comments are that of the author, and not necessarily shared by Railnews.

  • Tim Price, Bestwood Village

    "Just over an hour to make the 66 mile journey".
    Very nice. Meanwhile, here in the East Midlands, it takes the same time to make a journey of half the distance on some routes.
    How about bringing existing infrastructure into the 21st century elsewhere in the country before expending money and manpower on yet another route into London!

  • transtraxman, Warrington

    Shame, shame shame:
    so much talk talk talk about the east - west rail links in the the north and then this "Dons" route is given preference.
    There is a greater economic benefit to the country in ungrading the Manchester - Leeds line than this vanity line for the benefit of Oxcam residuals.
    Is it not about time we got our priorities right?

  • J Hutton, Oxford

    Good to have the Chiltern service going through to central Oxford. re the Cowley Branch: it would make sense to reopen the line at least as far as the M40 creating a 'park and ride' station for Oxford as well as serving Wheatley and villages in between.

  • Manchester Mike, Manchester

    Well done. Improved travel options, additional capacity, bring on the East-West Rail link!