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Post by spsmiler on Apr 25, 2021 19:24:21 GMT
The doors don't open on Platform 2 if the train is terminating and reversing via the sidings, in that case you are supposed to use the subway but I've seen people with buggies waiting on Platform 3 for the next District Line train and then go through it to Platform 2. Obviously the easiest thing to do is to get on a train that's going to Dagenham East or Upminster instead of one terminating at Barking. Another issue with Barking terminating trains is that some of them go into the bay platform!
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Post by spsmiler on Apr 24, 2021 9:35:25 GMT
More CBTC today... Monument - Sloane Square
below are a few tweets on the topic (one by me)
re: Embankment, I have some interesting video footage of it in action, although before I can use it I need to return and see it bagged-up.
As an aside, in anticipation of more CBTC roll-outs over the past few days I've been photographing signals on the Upminster branch, was surprised to see so many of them are atop of the signal control box rather than free-standing. Some also have wire mesh cages to ensure that LU signal staff do not accidentally tray too near the mainline's overhead electric wires.
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Post by spsmiler on Apr 23, 2021 22:54:32 GMT
Right now the finances are a mess, but who can be sure what they will be like in a few years from now. Its easy to assume and guess, I'd rather wait and see!
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Post by spsmiler on Apr 23, 2021 22:41:44 GMT
There is an announcement on eastbound LU trains advising passengers who want a lift to exit on the left - but what happens with trains that don't open their doors on that side?
Below are two tweets about planned works at Barking.
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Post by spsmiler on Apr 17, 2021 19:37:45 GMT
I'm also wondering about the Q stock and Standard stock heritage trains. I suppose that funding is the issue.
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Post by spsmiler on Apr 17, 2021 19:30:42 GMT
I recall reading about interest in what Vivarail are doing from within the USA. Maybe one day in the future I'll go and visit this museum to see the train in action, however not until things have settled down and international travel does not come with a risk of an expensive stay at a quarantine hotel when arriving back in the UK.
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Post by spsmiler on Apr 13, 2021 20:08:16 GMT
Aha, I wish I'd read this thread yesterday ... I was out today and also expected to see 9 coach Class 345 trains at Stratford. I was planning to complete the train part of my journey home via Ilford station so that I could film the longer trains at the same lineside location I filmed the 7 coach trains a few weeks ago. In the event I returned home via Gants Hill and got my first haircut in many months!
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Post by spsmiler on Apr 13, 2021 19:51:52 GMT
It annoys me that with so much money spent on new signalling, they still can't get anywhere near the end-to-end running times achieved in the 70's / 80's, although it's partly down to speed limits being more liberally observed (and enforced) back then. Perhaps speed limits were breached - not being a train driver I cannot really comment. But, if this was happening then what is significant is that it was done in perfect safety - therefore since the speeds which might have been being travelled at were proven 'safe' they should become the normal limits. Especially since train speeds nowadays are very tightly monitored and controlled with automated systems preventing breaching the limits. As an aside, I was on the SSR today and noted that the trains seem to accelerate more rapidly than before, but they were running so close to each other that it was not possible to experience the newer top speeds (where they exist). Whilst waiting on the platform at Kings Cross (eastbound) the trains seemed to be entering the station more slowly than before and there was at least one train where the white lights did not illuminate immediately prior to door closure. However that may have been my fault (LOL) because it only happened when I had a still image camera in my hand hoping to film the white lights in action! I also noted that the new track to the east of Tower Hill's bay platform is still not available for use.
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Post by spsmiler on Apr 11, 2021 20:59:17 GMT
Im guessing Euston Square to King's Cross, King's Cross to Farringdon, Victoria to Sloane Square and St. James's Park to Victoria. SMA 5 could have Sloane Square to South Kensington having better speeds. For part of the northern side of the Circle see link below - this leads to a message earlier in this thread. Note how in some places CBTC is so much slower than 'traditional manual' that average journey durations for westbound journeys are now longer than before! This mirrors the situation in the Watford area where track replacement some years ago saw points designed for higher speeds were replaced with points designed for significantly slower speeds. It also mirrors the situation on the roads where speed limit reductions are rife. districtdavesforum.co.uk/post/500682
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Post by spsmiler on Apr 9, 2021 23:15:18 GMT
Recent Central Line newsletter to Staff suggests that the W&C '92 Stock will have some of the CLIP work done; no mention of where but would guess within Waterloo depot Does Waterloo depot have the required equipment to install wheelchair bay? Oh and if the works are done here will the wheelchair bays be identical to the Central line fleet?
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Post by spsmiler on Apr 9, 2021 22:57:06 GMT
re: Ilford station... 1) Rebuilding Cranbrook Road main station entrance is delayed by the virus situation, estimated completion now 'end 2021' 2) Several months of potentially noisy night time works ahead Information source: a pdf file published by Network Rail - link here and in tweet below:
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Post by spsmiler on Apr 7, 2021 20:31:50 GMT
The trouble with the word Harlequin is that one of its usages is to refer to 'a comedian' - in the past this meaning became too apt as the service itself was seen as a joke.
Does the DLR often change its service patterns? What about the LU Subsurface network when weekend engineering works sees Circle line trains going to Barking (etc) or Upminster - Edgware Road District line trains travelling direct between High Street Kensington and Gloucester Road. These too must confuse some passengers!
Brunel Line sounds great to me. A new name is also needed for the North London line, as that way it mitigates the loss of the West and South London Lines and the fact that part of the (nowadays) East London line was originally part of the North London line!
As for the maps, rather than use a different colour per line the Overground should remain orange but with different shapes in the lines. This tweet of mine (actually a reply to other people) shows what I mean...
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Post by spsmiler on Apr 7, 2021 19:57:40 GMT
What do you mean by behave unexpectedly?
Is some sort of alarm message played, telling you to refrain from holding the doors?
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Post by spsmiler on Apr 6, 2021 20:46:41 GMT
Excellent! It's nice to see some sense finally being spoken on the issue by someone in charge. Let's hope they stick with the names (West London line, Watford DC, Goblin etc.) that existed prior to them being taken over by LO. Of course it should have been done already, and whilst pre-Overground names would be optimal even as Line A, Line B, etc would be better than the present situation. The formal naming should also be applied to the DLR.
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Post by spsmiler on Apr 6, 2021 20:28:15 GMT
Things are getting busier... see tweet:
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Post by spsmiler on Apr 5, 2021 23:20:00 GMT
Thanks and wow, that list is far more extensive than I had previously known.
Gants Hill was not on the list but it got the distinctive 'Moscow Metro' arched waiting area between the tracks.
After the war Newbury Park ended up with the distinctive concrete bus shelter which won many awards. Its just a shame that the people who gave the awards have never waited for a bus there on a cold windy day! brrrrr Also, the special plaque recognising its award winning status is cracked and in need of some tlc (tender loving care) or remedial work.
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Post by spsmiler on Apr 5, 2021 22:58:33 GMT
The extra platform width between the two remaining "Crossrail" tracks is to be welcomed. In any event, having two platforms serving the same track would just confuse people. This works well at Tower Gateway, Canary Wharf and Stratford westbound Central line.
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Post by spsmiler on Apr 3, 2021 17:29:20 GMT
Surely faster acceleration can negate slightly longer dwell time.
I am astonished to learn that S7s have a capped top speed of a mere 48. Even if that is MPH there are (surely) places where higher / perfectly reasonable and of course safe. My thoughts turn to outer suburban branches - Richmond, Wimbledon, Upminster.
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Post by spsmiler on Apr 3, 2021 17:13:30 GMT
Alas domestic moaning and a lockdown have kept me from the trains since last September. So I did not even know that its been replace - let alone seen it.
Probably two indicators would have been too expensive - because of the wiring works required. But yes two would have been far FAR better. Or at least something with much larger lettering.
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Post by spsmiler on Mar 31, 2021 23:52:05 GMT
Luke 'Tubemapper' shared an artistic photo of the platforms at Clapham Common and someone replied asking the width of the platform. Does anyone know? btw: look, two passengers!
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Post by spsmiler on Mar 30, 2021 20:22:22 GMT
well there is no question as to where they are - even the station name is seen!
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Post by spsmiler on Mar 30, 2021 20:16:42 GMT
re: people starting to travel by train again, a few days ago I mentioned to a relative my desire to do so 'asap' and received a horrified response along the tone of writing my will before I board the train as they are 'horribly infected / infectious'.
Their uninformed 'fake news' comment points to the mountain that public transport has to climb to get ordinary passengers back onboard.
I see using public transport as less risky than visiting a supermarket with many closely spaced aisles.
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Post by spsmiler on Mar 30, 2021 20:02:49 GMT
re: the last journey of 1938ts, I wonder if the date of the 1990 Morden depot open day would be the last day that these trains carried passengers here?
On this day what by then had become the heritage 1938ts train carried passengers between Morden station and depot - this being a special service and a journey that passengers would not normally be expected (or welcomed) on as part of the normal day to day service.
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Post by spsmiler on Mar 30, 2021 19:51:39 GMT
I'm not familiar with the exact length of the individual shells of the new train. In the image, that first shell looks very roughly like a traditional DM car less the non-cab end single doorway. So, about 13m - 14m or so? I shall miss those single leaf doorways at the car ends - when I started travelling to / from school (September 1971!!!) on the Underground this became my favourite part of the train for alighting at Gants Hill as it was closest to the escalators. That said, until the advent of ATO it was always a bit of a 'hit or miss' issue as sometimes the train stopped a little further forwards than usual.
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Post by spsmiler on Mar 24, 2021 22:35:05 GMT
I once saw a summary of the special station - specific works of modern art that were planned for any fully rebuilt stations. Only East Finchley actually got its work of art (the Archer) and the only only other one that I can remember was going to be some sort of leaf design related to a nearby stream / river.I think this was going to be at Mill Hill The Hale.
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Post by spsmiler on Mar 23, 2021 23:43:55 GMT
Interesting. Presumably details weren't given in the public part of the meeting about how LU propose to resolve the lack of social distancing possibilities in the crew room at Waterloo, given that seems to have been a significant part of the problem? Hopefully the social distancing rules will be dropped by the summer. that would be wonderful - but more likely perhaps just eased - providing people are wearing masks its good to see that plans to reopen the W&C are advancing
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Post by spsmiler on Mar 20, 2021 19:31:52 GMT
I've now bought a Peco inspection pit - its modular and has four sets of steps - if it was used as the basis for the pit with added plasticard between the Peco sections it would be possible to use one kit for two platforms. OK, extra rail fasteners etc would need adding, plus painting, but it looks possible.
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Post by spsmiler on Mar 18, 2021 22:02:26 GMT
boo if all trains will soon be all stations - sad news. Its bad enough that this is already the off-peak situation. re: the impending longer trains, I must dust down my camcorder for present-day length trains. I'll be shopping in Ilford later this week... It’s been the off peak situation for quite a few years now though. If they plan to run semi-fast services in the west, I don’t see why they can’t do it in the east. It would also be nice to get the peak service level back to what it was 30 years ago! Whenever I have compared services today to those of 30 years ago I've been told that the service is as intense as it could be. No-one seem to believe otherwise. I know that train frequency is less than it used to be because I lived it 30 years ago - and still have a 1982 timetable book. I do not have the data in front of me at the moment but it is something like 6 trains per hour in the rush hours (including some trains which terminated in the bay platform at Ilford) fewer today than there used to be. Is it any wonder that before the pandemic services became so overcrowded that passengers would be left behind? I was always told that it was because passenger numbers had risen - this may be true but its not the true reason. I feel sure that especially passengers who travel to Stratford or Liverpool St to / from stations Romford and onwards will feel very put out / short changed at the loss of faster services - six extra stations* (Maryland, Forest Gate, Manor Park, Seven Kings, Goodmayes and Chadwell Heath) and noticeably longer journey times. *(Even more when services start travelling underground - Whitechapel) It would have been far better had local services (so called 'Shenfield Metro') not been hived off from East Anglia services and instead just as the west will include trains to Reading off-peak services to the east of London included trains to Southend On Sea^ and some Great Eastern Main Line destinations. (^ie: retaining the off-peak Stratford, Ilford, Romford and then all stations service)
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Post by spsmiler on Mar 18, 2021 21:32:02 GMT
Golders Blue (when talking about Golders Green)
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Post by spsmiler on Mar 14, 2021 19:58:17 GMT
boo if all trains will soon be all stations - sad news. Its bad enough that this is already the off-peak situation.
re: the impending longer trains, I must dust down my camcorder for present-day length trains. I'll be shopping in Ilford later this week...
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