| Diesel trains at Woking to soon be replaced by electrics? Posted by grahame at 09:43, 2nd August 2026 |     |
From Will Foster, MP for Woking
South Western Railway’s diesel trains will soon be replaced by electric trains.
With cancellations and delays already a big issue on the network serving #Woking, I’ve asked the Government to ensure that the rollout of new trains don’t add to the problem.
With cancellations and delays already a big issue on the network serving #Woking, I’ve asked the Government to ensure that the rollout of new trains don’t add to the problem.
Has he heard something we have not?
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2539177199864931
| Re: Diesel trains at Woking to soon be replaced by electrics? Posted by Ralph Ayres at 10:15, 2nd August 2026 | |
The replies on Facebook are quite fun to read, but so far he doesn't seem to have explained what he has based his bizarre claim on.
| Re: Diesel trains at Woking to soon be replaced by electrics? Posted by grahame at 10:49, 2nd August 2026 | |
The replies on Facebook are quite fun to read, but so far he doesn't seem to have explained what he has based his bizarre claim on.
I found it interesting that the minister (?) replying on behalf of the government did not point out that his claim was wrong, but pointed out that electric trains will bring efficiencies ... which (he hoped) would include the minister's consituency. I find myself wondering if GBR|SW in their timetable recast is considering terminating diesel trains from west of Basingstoke at Basingstoke, with connections from there onwards into London?
| Re: Diesel trains at Woking to soon be replaced by electrics? Posted by stuving at 12:47, 2nd August 2026 | |
The replies on Facebook are quite fun to read, but so far he doesn't seem to have explained what he has based his bizarre claim on.
I found it interesting that the minister (?) replying on behalf of the government did not point out that his claim was wrong, but pointed out that electric trains will bring efficiencies ... which (he hoped) would include the minister's consituency. I find myself wondering if GBR|SW in their timetable recast is considering terminating diesel trains from west of Basingstoke at Basingstoke, with connections from there onwards into London?
I thought the PUSS's answer sounded like the question was based on a government statement of some kind. I also wondered when that exchange took place - no date I could see.
I actually came from commons question to the SoS for transport, on June 11th. This section is headlined in Hansard as about transport decarbonisation, but I'm not sure if it was planned as such or just emerged. The three questions in that section start with:
Amanda Martin
(Portsmouth North) (Lab)
10. What steps she is taking to help decarbonise the transport sector. (900360)
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport
(Keir Mather)
Decarbonising transport is vital for our energy security and to make the network fit for the future. We are turbocharging the roll-out of electric vehicles, overhauling public transport, supporting low carbon fuel uptake in aviation, and funding technology innovation for maritime through the multimillion-pound UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions research programme.
(Portsmouth North) (Lab)
10. What steps she is taking to help decarbonise the transport sector. (900360)
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport
(Keir Mather)
Decarbonising transport is vital for our energy security and to make the network fit for the future. We are turbocharging the roll-out of electric vehicles, overhauling public transport, supporting low carbon fuel uptake in aviation, and funding technology innovation for maritime through the multimillion-pound UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions research programme.
After that rather woolly (but still overstated) answer and her follow-up question about Portsmouth port, Will Forster jumps in with his. So it was seen at the time, I'm sure, as based on the published decarbonisation plans, which as we all know are largely a deadline-free zone. For the record:
Mr Will Forster
(Woking) (LD)
Can the Minister assure me that when the diesel trains that operate on the South Western Railway network are replaced with electric trains to decarbonise the network, there will be no reduction in service for my commuting constituents in Woking?
Keir Mather
We believe that the benefits of having electric rolling stock for our train services actually allow us to improve efficiency on the railway, and I hope that those improvements can be realised for the hon. Gentleman’s constituents.
(Woking) (LD)
Can the Minister assure me that when the diesel trains that operate on the South Western Railway network are replaced with electric trains to decarbonise the network, there will be no reduction in service for my commuting constituents in Woking?
Keir Mather
We believe that the benefits of having electric rolling stock for our train services actually allow us to improve efficiency on the railway, and I hope that those improvements can be realised for the hon. Gentleman’s constituents.
| Re: Diesel trains at Woking to soon be replaced by electrics? Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 13:09, 2nd August 2026 | |
Hmm.
That's a different answer to a different question.
| Re: Diesel trains at Woking to soon be replaced by electrics? Posted by eightonedee at 21:53, 2nd August 2026 | |
That's a different answer to a different question.
Clearly, the training he's been given about how to answer a question when he's no idea has worked....
