Stumbled over these in another place.
To refresh memories, Soham station is a stop on the Ipswich-Bury-Ely-Pbo line, with 0.5tph. None of the trains are conveniently timed for either schoolchildren (who actually have a dedicated school-bus from Ely), or
9-5 workers.
There's also a 1tph stage bus to Ely, not just to the station but the
centre of town, just like it would pick up in the centre of Soham, not
the edge of town.
Annual entries and exits 65,796, making it 1941st out of 2,586 stations. Daily average of 12 passengers per service, 993rd out of 1772.
A good use of -u18.6million, or -u28 per passenger entry or exit (-u56 per day for return trips) amortised over ten years; what does the team think?
On 12/01/2026 05:46, Roland Perry wrote:
Annual entries and exits 65,796, making it 1941st out of 2,586 stations.
Daily average of 12 passengers per service, 993rd out of 1772.
A good use of -u18.6million, or -u28 per passenger entry or exit (-u56 per >> day for return trips) amortised over ten years; what does the team think?
What are the line stats like? It's all very well picking up on one little used station when the rest of the time the trains are jammed.
Where does the -u18.6m come from?
Stumbled over these in another place.
To refresh memories, Soham station is a stop on the Ipswich-Bury-Ely-Pbo >line, with 0.5tph. None of the trains are conveniently timed for either >schoolchildren (who actually have a dedicated school-bus from Ely), or
9-5 workers.
There's also a 1tph stage bus to Ely, not just to the station but the
centre of town, just like it would pick up in the centre of Soham, not
the edge of town.
Annual entries and exits 65,796, making it 1941st out of 2,586 stations. >Daily average of 12 passengers per service, 993rd out of 1772.
A good use of u18.6million, or u28 per passenger entry or exit (u56 per
day for return trips) amortised over ten years; what does the team
think?
Annual entries and exits 65,796, making it 1941st out of 2,586 stations. >>> Daily average of 12 passengers per service, 993rd out of 1772.
A good use of u18.6million, or u28 per passenger entry or exit (u56
per day for return trips) amortised over ten years; what does the
team think?
What are the line stats like? It's all very well picking up on one >>little used station when the rest of the time the trains are jammed.
The trains may be jammed at Soham.
On 12/01/2026 05:46, Roland Perry wrote:
Stumbled over these in another place.
To refresh memories, Soham station is a stop on the
Ipswich-Bury-Ely-Pbo line, with 0.5tph. None of the trains are >>conveniently timed for either schoolchildren (who actually have a >>dedicated school-bus from Ely), or 9-5 workers.
There's also a 1tph stage bus to Ely, not just to the station but
the centre of town, just like it would pick up in the centre of
Soham, not the edge of town.
Annual entries and exits 65,796, making it 1941st out of 2,586
stations.
Daily average of 12 passengers per service, 993rd out of 1772.
A good use of u18.6million, or u28 per passenger entry or exit (u56
per day for return trips) amortised over ten years; what does the
team think?
What are the line stats like? It's all very well picking up on one
little used station when the rest of the time the trains are jammed.
Where does the u18.6m come from?
In message <10k2bho$271ab$1@dont-email.me>, at 08:31:52 on Mon, 12 Jan
2026, Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> remarked:
On 12/01/2026 05:46, Roland Perry wrote:
Stumbled over these in another place.
To refresh memories, Soham station is a stop on the
Ipswich-Bury-Ely-Pbo line, with 0.5tph. None of the trains are
conveniently timed for either schoolchildren (who actually have a
dedicated school-bus from Ely), or 9-5 workers.
There's also a 1tph stage bus to Ely, not just to the station but
the centre of town, just like it would pick up in the centre of
Soham, not the edge of town.
Annual entries and exits 65,796, making it 1941st out of 2,586
stations.
Daily average of 12 passengers per service, 993rd out of 1772.
A good use of -u18.6million, or -u28 per passenger entry or exit (-u56
per day for return trips) amortised over ten years; what does the
team think?
What are the line stats like? It's all very well picking up on one
little used station when the rest of the time the trains are jammed.
Where does the -u18.6m come from?
Partly from the Mayor's funds, and partly from Network Rail, I would
think.
On Mon, 12 Jan 2026 05:46:20 +0000, Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk>
wrote:
Stumbled over these in another place.
To refresh memories, Soham station is a stop on the Ipswich-Bury-Ely-Pbo >>line, with 0.5tph. None of the trains are conveniently timed for either >>schoolchildren (who actually have a dedicated school-bus from Ely), or
9-5 workers.
There's also a 1tph stage bus to Ely, not just to the station but the >>centre of town, just like it would pick up in the centre of Soham, not
the edge of town.
Annual entries and exits 65,796, making it 1941st out of 2,586 stations. >>Daily average of 12 passengers per service, 993rd out of 1772.
A good use of u18.6million, or u28 per passenger entry or exit (u56 per
day for return trips) amortised over ten years; what does the team
think?
It seems to me that building a station on a line with such a scant
frequency is questionable. If they reinstate the curve to allow a
direct service to Cambridge things might be different but even then it >wouldn't be a quick journey.
In message <ccf9mkl8hn2g6nf2h9mqiud8hsr2kir3tq@4ax.com>, at 09:26:35 on
Mon, 12 Jan 2026, Trolleybus <ken@birchanger.com> remarked:
On Mon, 12 Jan 2026 05:46:20 +0000, Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk>
wrote:
Stumbled over these in another place.
To refresh memories, Soham station is a stop on the Ipswich-Bury-Ely-Pbo >>line, with 0.5tph. None of the trains are conveniently timed for either >>schoolchildren (who actually have a dedicated school-bus from Ely), or >>9-5 workers.
There's also a 1tph stage bus to Ely, not just to the station but the >>centre of town, just like it would pick up in the centre of Soham, not >>the edge of town.
Annual entries and exits 65,796, making it 1941st out of 2,586 stations. >>Daily average of 12 passengers per service, 993rd out of 1772.
A good use of -u18.6million, or -u28 per passenger entry or exit (-u56 per >>day for return trips) amortised over ten years; what does the team
think?
It seems to me that building a station on a line with such a scant >frequency is questionable. If they reinstate the curve to allow a
direct service to Cambridge things might be different but even then it >wouldn't be a quick journey.
The problem with reinstating that curve is the single line from Ely to
Soham is at capacity, and the line from Newmarket to Cambridge (also
single track) is probably at capacity too. Although the latter will have some dualling done as part of East/West rail, assuming that project
doesn't get cancelled.
The Line from Ely to Soham can't realistically be dualled because of the infamous "ground conditions". Network Rail ruled it out, not very long
ago.
It seems to me that building a station on a line with such a scant
frequency is questionable. If they reinstate the curve to allow a
direct service to Cambridge things might be different but even then it
wouldn't be a quick journey.
The problem with reinstating that curve is the single line from Ely to
Soham is at capacity, and the line from Newmarket to Cambridge (also
single track) is probably at capacity too. Although the latter will have
some dualling done as part of East/West rail, assuming that project
doesn't get cancelled.
Presumably any improvement of services (and hence ridership) to Soham is >contingent on Ely North being sorted out. That project having dragged its >heels, Soham waits on.
(As does Wisbech, but at least Soham have a station they can somewhat use >now)
The Line from Ely to Soham can't realistically be dualled because of the
infamous "ground conditions". Network Rail ruled it out, not very long
ago.
It was once dualled, wasn't it?
Has anything detrimental happened to the trackbed since?
This reminds me of Warwick Parkway station, whose original building cost
was approximately -u3m by the time of its construction by Chiltern Railways, in partnership with Warwickshire County Council and John Laing Group, the parent company of M40 Trains. This was significantly under the initial -u12m to -u13.4m estimated by Network Rail's predecessor, Railtrack.
In message <ccf9mkl8hn2g6nf2h9mqiud8hsr2kir3tq@4ax.com>, at 09:26:35 on
Mon, 12 Jan 2026, Trolleybus <ken@birchanger.com> remarked:
On Mon, 12 Jan 2026 05:46:20 +0000, Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk>
wrote:
Stumbled over these in another place.
To refresh memories, Soham station is a stop on the Ipswich-Bury-Ely-Pbo >>> line, with 0.5tph. None of the trains are conveniently timed for either
schoolchildren (who actually have a dedicated school-bus from Ely), or
9-5 workers.
There's also a 1tph stage bus to Ely, not just to the station but the
centre of town, just like it would pick up in the centre of Soham, not
the edge of town.
Annual entries and exits 65,796, making it 1941st out of 2,586 stations. >>> Daily average of 12 passengers per service, 993rd out of 1772.
A good use of -u18.6million, or -u28 per passenger entry or exit (-u56 per >>> day for return trips) amortised over ten years; what does the team
think?
It seems to me that building a station on a line with such a scant
frequency is questionable. If they reinstate the curve to allow a
direct service to Cambridge things might be different but even then it
wouldn't be a quick journey.
The problem with reinstating that curve is the single line from Ely to
Soham is at capacity, and the line from Newmarket to Cambridge (also
single track) is probably at capacity too.
The Line from Ely to Soham can't realistically be dualled because of the >>> infamous "ground conditions". Network Rail ruled it out, not very long
ago.
It was once dualled, wasn't it?
When I suggested that in a posting a few years ago, I was shouted at
for getting it wrong. But maybe my critics were wrong?
On 12/01/2026 11:18, Roland Perry wrote:
In message <ccf9mkl8hn2g6nf2h9mqiud8hsr2kir3tq@4ax.com>, at 09:26:35 on Mon, 12 Jan 2026, Trolleybus <ken@birchanger.com> remarked:
On Mon, 12 Jan 2026 05:46:20 +0000, Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk>
wrote:
Stumbled over these in another place.
To refresh memories, Soham station is a stop on the Ipswich-Bury-Ely-Pbo >>> line, with 0.5tph. None of the trains are conveniently timed for either >>> schoolchildren (who actually have a dedicated school-bus from Ely), or >>> 9-5 workers.
There's also a 1tph stage bus to Ely, not just to the station but the
centre of town, just like it would pick up in the centre of Soham, not >>> the edge of town.
Annual entries and exits 65,796, making it 1941st out of 2,586 stations. >>> Daily average of 12 passengers per service, 993rd out of 1772.
A good use of -u18.6million, or -u28 per passenger entry or exit (-u56 per
day for return trips) amortised over ten years; what does the team
think?
It seems to me that building a station on a line with such a scant
frequency is questionable. If they reinstate the curve to allow a
direct service to Cambridge things might be different but even then it
wouldn't be a quick journey.
The problem with reinstating that curve is the single line from Ely to Soham is at capacity, and the line from Newmarket to Cambridge (also single track) is probably at capacity too.
I do not know the area well, but it seems odd to me that a line "To
refresh memories, Soham station is a stop on the Ipswich-Bury-Ely-Pbo
line, with 0.5tph" can be "at capacity". I assume it is long with no
passing loops??
On 12/01/2026 11:21, Recliner wrote:
This reminds me of Warwick Parkway station, whose original buildingBut Warwick apparently added 222 car park spaces for u2m more
cost was approximately u3m by the time of its construction by
Chiltern Railways, in partnership with Warwickshire County Council
and John Laing Group, the parent company of M40 Trains. This was >>significantly under the initial u12m to u13.4m estimated by Network >>Rail's predecessor, Railtrack.
recently.
One of the 'benefits' of Soham Station is making local property more
expensive, of course. I presume there is no shopping mall planned.
The problem with reinstating that curve is the single line from Ely
to Soham is at capacity, and the line from Newmarket to Cambridge
(also single track) is probably at capacity too.
I do not know the area well, but it seems odd to me that a line "To
refresh memories, Soham station is a stop on the Ipswich-Bury-Ely-Pbo
line, with 0.5tph" can be "at capacity". I assume it is long with no
passing loops??
In message <10k2obt$29jqr$1@dont-email.me>, at 12:10:38 on Mon, 12 Jan
2026, Nick Finnigan <nix@genie.co.uk> remarked:
On 12/01/2026 11:21, Recliner wrote:
-aThis reminds me of Warwick Parkway station, whose original buildingBut Warwick apparently added 222 car park spaces for -u2m more recently.
cost-a was approximately -u3m by the time of its construction by
Chiltern Railways,-a in partnership with Warwickshire County Council
and John Laing Group, the-a parent company of M40 Trains. This was
significantly under the initial -u12m-a to -u13.4m estimated by Network >>> Rail's predecessor, Railtrack.
One of the 'benefits' of Soham Station is making local property more
expensive, of course. I presume there is no shopping mall planned.
No, it's on a rather windswept plot on the edge of town. The shops are
some distance away in the High Street.
It was largely a vanity project by the first Mayor (of the combined authority, who also took rather too much credit for funding the whole
thing) who by co-incidence [!] lived in Soham. It wasn't delivered until
his successor was in office.
Some of the cost will have been a rather grand footbridge to access a
future second platform, connecting to a walking/cycling route across the
fen to Wicken. The latter opened very recently. They also had to build a
new access road from the nearest exiting tarmaced road.
Plus it has a surprisingly large car park. Which begs the question of
why if it appears to be aimed at car users, why wouldn't they drive the
four and a half miles to Ely instead (and save the train fare too).
Plus it has a surprisingly large car park. Which begs the question of why
if it appears to be aimed at car users, why wouldn't they drive the four
and a half miles to Ely instead (and save the train fare too).
On 12/01/2026 12:41, Roland Perry wrote:
In message <10k2obt$29jqr$1@dont-email.me>, at 12:10:38 on Mon, 12
Jan 2026, Nick Finnigan <nix@genie.co.uk> remarked:
On 12/01/2026 11:21, Recliner wrote:
aThis reminds me of Warwick Parkway station, whose originalBut Warwick apparently added 222 car park spaces for u2m more recently.
building costa was approximately u3m by the time of its
construction by Chiltern Railways,a in partnership with
Warwickshire County Council and John Laing Group, thea parent
company of M40 Trains. This was significantly under the initial
u12ma to u13.4m estimated by Network Rail's predecessor, Railtrack.
One of the 'benefits' of Soham Station is making local property more >>>expensive, of course. I presume there is no shopping mall planned.
No, it's on a rather windswept plot on the edge of town. The shops
are some distance away in the High Street.
It was largely a vanity project by the first Mayor (of the combined >>authority, who also took rather too much credit for funding the whole >>thing) who by co-incidence [!] lived in Soham. It wasn't delivered
until his successor was in office.
Some of the cost will have been a rather grand footbridge to access
a future second platform, connecting to a walking/cycling route
across the fen to Wicken. The latter opened very recently. They also
had to build a new access road from the nearest exiting tarmaced road.
Plus it has a surprisingly large car park. Which begs the question
of why if it appears to be aimed at car users, why wouldn't they
drive the four and a half miles to Ely instead (and save the train
fare too).
Perhaps some of them are not going to Ely.
If the Wisbech project ever takes off, there might be a case for
rebuilding the curve north of Newmarket and running a shuttle from
Wisbech to Cambridge via Soham.
In message <10k2e8e$2787j$1@dont-email.me>, at 09:18:07 on Mon, 12 Jan
2026, Nick Finnigan <nix@genie.co.uk> remarked:
Annual entries and exits 65,796, making it 1941st out of 2,586 stations. >>> Daily average of 12 passengers per service, 993rd out of 1772.
A good use of -u18.6million, or -u28 per passenger entry or exit (-u56 >>>per day for return trips) amortised over ten years; what does the >>>team think?
What are the line stats like? It's all very well picking up on one >>little used station when the rest of the time the trains are jammed.
The trains may be jammed at Soham.
There's just one passenger train every two hours on that line, all
that's changed is they built a new station.
Two small DMUs shuttle between Ipswich and Peterborough via Ely. I've
never seen them even with standing pax.
In message <10k2s79$2bmii$1@dont-email.me>, at 13:16:25 on Mon, 12 Jan
2026, Certes <Certes@example.org> remarked:
On 12/01/2026 12:41, Roland Perry wrote:
In message <10k2obt$29jqr$1@dont-email.me>, at 12:10:38 on Mon, 12
Jan 2026, Nick Finnigan <nix@genie.co.uk> remarked:
On 12/01/2026 11:21, Recliner wrote:
-aThis reminds me of Warwick Parkway station, whose original >>>>building cost-a was approximately -u3m by the time of its >>>>construction by Chiltern Railways,-a in partnership with >>>>Warwickshire County Council and John Laing Group, the-a parent >>>>company of M40 Trains. This was significantly under the initial >>>>-u12m-a to -u13.4m estimated by Network Rail's predecessor, Railtrack. >>>>But Warwick apparently added 222 car park spaces for -u2m more recently. >>>
One of the 'benefits' of Soham Station is making local property more >>>expensive, of course. I presume there is no shopping mall planned.
No, it's on a rather windswept plot on the edge of town. The shops
are some distance away in the High Street.
It was largely a vanity project by the first Mayor (of the combined >>authority, who also took rather too much credit for funding the whole >>thing) who by co-incidence [!] lived in Soham. It wasn't delivered
until his successor was in office.
Some of the cost will have been a rather grand footbridge to access
a future second platform, connecting to a walking/cycling route
across the fen to Wicken. The latter opened very recently. They also >>had to build a new access road from the nearest exiting tarmaced road.
Plus it has a surprisingly large car park. Which begs the question
of why if it appears to be aimed at car users, why wouldn't they
drive the four and a half miles to Ely instead (and save the train
fare too).
Perhaps some of them are not going to Ely.
Next stop is Manea, and there won't be many people in Soham wanting to
go there. Rinse and repeat for March and Whittlesea. Maybe a few a day wanting to catch an onward train from Peterborough.
20 minute wait at Ely for Cambridge direction, but only 5 minutes for
Kings Lynn direction.
If the Wisbech project ever takes off, there might be a case for >rebuilding the curve north of Newmarket and running a shuttle from
Wisbech to Cambridge via Soham.
Can't do that because the single line from Ely to Soham is at capacity,
and can't be doubled.
On 12/01/2026 12:41, Roland Perry wrote:
Plus it has a surprisingly large car park. Which begs the question
of why if it appears to be aimed at car users, why wouldn't they
drive the four and a half miles to Ely instead (and save the train
fare too).
"along the A142 between Ely, Soham and Newmarket, a route already under >traffic pressure" ? Another benefit is the huge savings in road
traffic delays.
https://cambridgeshirepeterborough-ca.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/document >s/transport/transport-business-cases/Soham-Station-SOBC.pdf
Two small DMUs shuttle between Ipswich and Peterborough via Ely. I've
never seen them even with standing pax.
Should be class 755 now.
In message <10k2obt$29jqr$1@dont-email.me>, at 12:10:38 on Mon, 12 Jan
2026, Nick Finnigan <nix@genie.co.uk> remarked:
On 12/01/2026 11:21, Recliner wrote:
This reminds me of Warwick Parkway station, whose original buildingBut Warwick apparently added 222 car park spaces for -u2m more
cost was approximately -u3m by the time of its construction by
Chiltern Railways, in partnership with Warwickshire County Council
and John Laing Group, the parent company of M40 Trains. This was
significantly under the initial -u12m to -u13.4m estimated by Network
Rail's predecessor, Railtrack.
recently.
One of the 'benefits' of Soham Station is making local property more
expensive, of course. I presume there is no shopping mall planned.
No, it's on a rather windswept plot on the edge of town. The shops are
some distance away in the High Street.
It was largely a vanity project by the first Mayor (of the combined authority, who also took rather too much credit for funding the whole
thing) who by co-incidence [!] lived in Soham. It wasn't delivered until
his successor was in office.
Some of the cost will have been a rather grand footbridge to access a
future second platform, connecting to a walking/cycling route across the
fen to Wicken. The latter opened very recently. They also had to build a
new access road from the nearest exiting tarmaced road.
Plus it has a surprisingly large car park. Which begs the question of
why if it appears to be aimed at car users, why wouldn't they drive the
four and a half miles to Ely instead (and save the train fare too).
In message <1768226000-2991@newsgrouper.org>, at 13:53:20 on Mon, 12 Jan 2026, Ulf Kutzner <user2991@newsgrouper.org.invalid> remarked:
Two small DMUs shuttle between Ipswich and Peterborough via Ely. I've
never seen them even with standing pax.
Should be class 755 now.
[Making an exception to post this]
Some of the cost will have been a rather grand footbridge to access a
future second platform, connecting to a walking/cycling route across the
fen to Wicken. The latter opened very recently. They also had to build a
new access road from the nearest exiting tarmaced road.
Last summer I cycled from Soham to Wicken. The route which one of my >companions knew, and Google recommended, was closed - very closed: 2m wire >fence barriers extending to the hedge on either side. Perhaps that was to >do with the construction.
We ended up having to go round by the main road which was not at all >pleasant.
--Plus it has a surprisingly large car park. Which begs the question of
why if it appears to be aimed at car users, why wouldn't they drive the
four and a half miles to Ely instead (and save the train fare too).
Because theyrCOre not going to Ely or because the route involves either the >famously low, narrow and much bashed bridge, or the long way around via the >bypass?
In message <10k2ok1$2al9t$1@dont-email.me>, at 12:14:56 on Mon, 12 Jan
2026, ColinR <rail@greystane.shetland.co.uk> remarked:
-aThe problem with reinstating that curve is the single line from Ely
to-a Soham is at capacity, and the line from Newmarket to Cambridge
(also-a single track) is probably at capacity too.
I do not know the area well, but it seems odd to me that a line "To
refresh memories, Soham station is a stop on the Ipswich-Bury-Ely-Pbo
line, with 0.5tph" can be "at capacity". I assume it is long with no
passing loops??
There are no passing loops between Soham and Ely, and the line is chock- a-block with container trains serving Felixstowe. It doesn't help that
they crawl along, and also often have to share a path with passenger
trains at the junction with the Fen Line south of Ely Station.
On 12/01/2026 11:21, Recliner wrote:
But Warwick apparently added 222 car park spaces for -u2m more recently.
This reminds me of Warwick Parkway station, whose original building cost
was approximately -u3m by the time of its construction by Chiltern Railways, >> in partnership with Warwickshire County Council and John Laing Group, the
parent company of M40 Trains. This was significantly under the initial -u12m >> to -u13.4m estimated by Network Rail's predecessor, Railtrack.
Nick Finnigan <nix@genie.co.uk> wrote:
On 12/01/2026 11:21, Recliner wrote:
But Warwick apparently added 222 car park spaces for u2m more recently.
This reminds me of Warwick Parkway station, whose original building cost >>> was approximately u3m by the time of its construction by Chiltern Railways, >>> in partnership with Warwickshire County Council and John Laing Group, the >>> parent company of M40 Trains. This was significantly under the initial u12m >>> to u13.4m estimated by Network Rail's predecessor, Railtrack.
The point is that John Laing could build a new station for less than a >quarter of what RT/NR could do. So Soham station could probably have been >built for under u5m, or much less without the unnecessary footbridge.
In message <qoi9R.23378$s_zc.20227@fx15.ams1>, Recliner ><recliner.usenet@gmail.com> writes
Nick Finnigan <nix@genie.co.uk> wrote:
On 12/01/2026 11:21, Recliner wrote:
But Warwick apparently added 222 car park spaces for -u2m more recently. >>>
This reminds me of Warwick Parkway station, whose original building cost >>>> was approximately -u3m by the time of its construction by Chiltern Railways,
in partnership with Warwickshire County Council and John Laing Group, the >>>> parent company of M40 Trains. This was significantly under the initial -u12m
to -u13.4m estimated by Network Rail's predecessor, Railtrack.
The point is that John Laing could build a new station for less than a >>quarter of what RT/NR could do. So Soham station could probably have been >>built for under -u5m, or much less without the unnecessary footbridge.
Whilst not disagreeing with the basis of the point you are making, I
think you might be comparing Granny Smiths with Bramleys. The two were >built many years apart.
The better (but probably impossible figure to
get) would be to compare what it would have cost to build Warwick
Parkway at the time that Soham was built. I suspect that the >planning/political/environmental (etc.) environments changed
significantly during the interim, and that has had a detrimental affect
on the costs, irrespective of who was doing the job.
In message <vXGwRYLWAOZpFACq@perry.uk>, at 11:50:46 on Mon, 12 Jan 2026, Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> remarked:
The Line from Ely to Soham can't realistically be dualled because of the >>> infamous "ground conditions". Network Rail ruled it out, not very long >>> ago.
It was once dualled, wasn't it?
When I suggested that in a posting a few years ago, I was shouted at
for getting it wrong. But maybe my critics were wrong?
I've just looked at a 1965 OS map, and it was single then. The station closed in 1965 for passengers, 1966 for freight.
In message <10k2v89$2cpt8$1@dont-email.me>, at 14:08:09 on Mon, 12 Jan
2026, Sam Wilson <ukr@dummy.wislons.fastmail.co.uk> remarked:
Some of the cost will have been a rather grand footbridge to access a
future second platform, connecting to a walking/cycling route across the >>> fen to Wicken. The latter opened very recently. They also had to build a >>> new access road from the nearest exiting tarmaced road.
Last summer I cycled from Soham to Wicken. The route which one of my
companions knew, and Google recommended, was closed - very closed: 2m wire >> fence barriers extending to the hedge on either side. Perhaps that was to >> do with the construction.
Yes, I expect so.
We ended up having to go round by the main road which was not at all
pleasant.
Indeed. One of the much-hyped benefits of the route is so Wicken
children can cycle to school, the main road being unsafe.
Let's see how that pans out, especially on dark Winter mornings and evenings. I'm going to have a look at it tomorrow, as it happens, to
answer the question none of its fans could: "does it have lighting"?
Another of the frankly laughable claims is that Soham folk can now cycle
to the gastro-pub in Wicken (closed Mondays and Tuesdays) for a drink, presumably in the evening.
Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <vXGwRYLWAOZpFACq@perry.uk>, at 11:50:46 on Mon, 12 Jan 2026,
Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> remarked:
The Line from Ely to Soham can't realistically be dualled because of the >> >>> infamous "ground conditions". Network Rail ruled it out, not very long >> >>> ago.
It was once dualled, wasn't it?
When I suggested that in a posting a few years ago, I was shouted at
for getting it wrong. But maybe my critics were wrong?
I've just looked at a 1965 OS map, and it was single then. The station
closed in 1965 for passengers, 1966 for freight.
Wikipedia[1] reckons it was originally single but doubled between Soham and >Snailwell Junction (ie Newmarket) in 1938. Not sure when it was singled.
Seems like you were right about the 'line from Ely to Soham' specifically >always being single.--
Theo
[1]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ipswich%E2%80%93Ely_line#London_and_North_ >Eastern_Railway_(1923%E2%80%931947)
citing an offline source.
| Sysop: | Amessyroom |
|---|---|
| Location: | Fayetteville, NC |
| Users: | 54 |
| Nodes: | 6 (0 / 6) |
| Uptime: | 08:30:00 |
| Calls: | 743 |
| Files: | 1,218 |
| Messages: | 189,822 |