Alternative Services When Met Line Closed

Actually, Chiltern are advised of our works, and whether or not it is possible for us to accommodate additional services. It is then up to them to decide on whether to run additional services or not. Obviously it is helpful when they do, but they are under no obligation to do so.

Also, the track access charges remain the same, and there would be no additional cost. The only time money is spoken of is when their services are delayed on our patch (or their service delays our service on our patch.)

As for planning of engineering work. Often the works are planned many months (sometimes over a year) in advance, and it can be very difficult indeed to swap dates around simply because an event crops up (which was planned at a later date).

Sometimes alterations are made to works if there is a large event and thus large crowds trying to get to/from the venue. But it is quite rare.

I'm not sure about Chiltern, but some of the TOCs have recently changed their staffing policies (with agreement) so that Sunday is being treated as part of the standard working week as well. This issue of voluntary overtime being required is probably one of the most difficult staffing issues to handle, as demonstrated by FCC's problems some months back.

Changes to franchise areas of operation are also often a nightmare to handle for the HR people because of the different T&C the inherited staff can have.

Does anyone know how much it actually costs in track access charges per train for Chiltern to use LUL metals?

Quite correct. I think the key word for this situation is *additional*.

The diversion of the High Wycombe line services is something conducted on an ad hoc basis and thus made through personnel such as ourselves. Maybe even between the two of us on occasions!

However the bolstering of the pre-planned engineering work timetables is not ad hoc and, if I understand correctly, requests are generally made directly between TfL and CR at the levels operated above the control floor.

In the latter instance, this would be identical for the railway method relating to the planned diversion of services over another rail operators route, e.g. should a rail operator wish to divert over another operators route. There are such contractual agreements as 'Station Access Rights' and 'Abstractive Revenue Claims' that are adhered to. As such a monetary value is usually placed against such additional trains.

There have previously been ad hoc arrangements with the running additional Harrow shuttles from Marylebone, outside instances of engineering work: such as suspension of services running through Wembley Park. Although the effectiveness of these is somewhat limited, given that our biggest self-contained units are only four vehicles. Which, compared to the A stock, can't shift as many people as would be desired! Anything longer than a four vehicle train would require two drivers to conduct shunting at Harrow.

We (as in LU) are advised of Chiltern service suspensions in much the same way as we advise them of our suspensions.

However, the norm over the past few years is that it has been us (LU) that it is doing the engineering work on our section which has caused the suspension. Not sure how long ago the last Chiltern suspension (because of their own works) was. Someone here is bound to know ;D

According to the Chiltern web site, this Sunday (and possibly Saturday, have not checked) they are running extra trains, to and from harrow / Marylebone. Good news for passengers, if a bit confusing the non consistency from weekend to weekend

Strangely enough Jubilee will be open on 28th (but closed on 29th and 30th).