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Post by nig on Apr 9, 2021 5:49:50 GMT
I wonder if there is any post-Covid update on the future of the Picc Line Upgrade (PLU). We know that the Crossrail fleet was sold and leased back to leave money to order new tube trains. Before Covid it was revealed that only half the new fleet was expected to be built at Goole. With further delays, and the now unlikely order of further trains for other lines, will construction of the new factory go ahead? Work to enlarge South Harrow sidings was planned for late 2020, to allow transfer of some trains from Northfields whilst that depot was rebuilt. Then some trains from Cockfosters would have been moved down to the new Northfields whilst the eastern depot was rebuilt before the new trains arrived, all based on 4LM experience. Is there still money for these works? We have heard the 4LM resignalling is running late and short of money. The PLU was delayed to run after 4LM as money was not available to run the two alongside each other. Update anyone? Answering my own query, Siemens started construction of the new factory at Goole in July and appointed the first apprentices to commence studies in September. Train delivery has slipped six months due to the Virus. This week a sub-contract for train lighting ( www.sharecast.com/news/aim-bulletin/lpa-group-wins-significant-project-for-new-tube-trains--7677542.html ) still hopes for orders for another 216 trains, which includes the Lewisham extension! A start at South Harrow is still due before year end. But what are they doing there now? Originally they were going to lengthen the sidings for two or three trains each. But they found the shallow old Chiltern tunnel crossing the site at its south end, and the cost was too high for six tracks to bridge that to reduce weight distortion. So they then considered some new sidings to the north on the car park area, the original station forecourt. Does anyone now know what they will be doing within a couple of months? Ok thanks thought by the original post it was a problem for 2 trains as well
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Post by nig on Apr 9, 2021 4:55:48 GMT
I would have hoped they would have known it was there - or have the lessons of Old Street not been learned? yes, but... at least the old tunnel was found before any harm (eg: collapse under the weight of several trains) had ensued! They have started work on lengthing all the sidings to accommodate 2 trains each so not sure how they got over the weak tunnel problem
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Post by nig on Mar 24, 2021 23:23:26 GMT
There is a video on you tube called the unfinished Northern line that has loads of information
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Post by nig on Mar 24, 2021 15:24:00 GMT
I suppose they can do some research on which carriages are popular off-peak, which can help determine which carriages they should add more seats Of course the trains are walkthrough with no doors in-between carragies so passengers could just walk to a vacant seat wouldn't of thought all the seats would fill up off peak
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Post by nig on Mar 23, 2021 11:54:37 GMT
They was in a separate room downstairs commonly know as room 39 it had computers and screens and could control the east end of the line for all diffent sorts of running although they were very old computers that were a bit temperamental. they were staffed full time by 2 people although do believe they wasn't signalmen but controllers for some reason I can't rember . The screen in main control room was just for information. you could also take control from 2 computers at arnos grove depot and mangers were regularly trained on them
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Post by nig on Mar 11, 2021 15:45:32 GMT
There is also the issue than not everyone can cope with nights, they are rostered at most depots and it is in the framework agreement that they have to be worked but many people swap them and have never done them, or even if they have struggle through with no driving between 01.30 and 04.45, asking people in a situation where they cannot get decent sleep is asking for trouble. Also they currently only appear on a roster occasionally, they would be frequent if night tube was included. The no driving between 1.30 and 4.45 is for normal duty parameters normal night duties stable later and can come out earlier Not sure how they would include night tube into roster as there is an agreement in place that weekend working is not to be increased
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Post by nig on Mar 11, 2021 14:27:42 GMT
Work lates Tues Wednesday and Thursday if finish 1.30 am on the Friday morning doing nights Friday and Saturday wouldn't be so much of a toll on your body and rest Sunday and Monday would be the best way to work it. I don't think you've ever worked nights. Finish at 0130. What time do you get home and get to bed and sleep? Then work until the end of the next night shift. quite the opposite I've Been doing night shifts for about 10 years now Point I was making it's easier to do go onto a night shift if you was working a Late turn the night before rather than a early as your body will already be used to going to sleep early hours by time you get up say around midday or later on the Friday you will be fresher for a night shift then getting up early morning
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Post by nig on Mar 10, 2021 20:29:30 GMT
The other issue with working 2 nights and three days in a week means that you only get one proper day off. Start work Friday night so friday has to be spent doing things like sleeping in order to be fit to work, and Sunday, after finishing at approx 7am a driver is not going to be fit to pursue normal activities. Then three days have to be fit in between Monday and Thursday. There are also health issues with this sort of shift pattern. Work lates Tues Wednesday and Thursday if finish 1.30 am on the Friday morning doing nights Friday and Saturday wouldn't be so much of a toll on your body and rest Sunday and Monday would be the best way to work it.
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Post by nig on Mar 10, 2021 20:22:06 GMT
67 stock was never operated by guards, the concern about the opening windows was that drivers may trip in the cab and stick their head through an open window. 72 stock had the same facility but it was nearly always isolated as drivers could not walk around the cab while driving. I do not know if it was possible to isolate the droplights, (cab windows) on 67 stock and continue in auto. No it wasn't if the interlock broke or wasn't working you would have to drive in manual and speed was limited can't rember if it was 10 or 25mph
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Post by nig on Jan 13, 2021 16:45:24 GMT
Don't know where you got the figure of 86 trains on the pic line I'm sure there is only 79 trains . 78 in service at moment while they put the rat train back together 87½ trains of 1973 Stock were built for the Piccadilly. 83½ still remain after losses and reforms. how come they can only offer 78 for service (79 when rat back ) ? is it due to overhaul and unserviceable trains ?
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Post by nig on Jan 13, 2021 14:50:21 GMT
Don't know where you got the figure of 86 trains on the pic line I'm sure there is only 79 trains . 78 in service at moment while they put the rat train back together
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Post by nig on Dec 3, 2020 5:57:05 GMT
I wonder if it would be probable for the H&C to go Upminster, the District to Uxbridge thus sharing with the Met, while the Piccadilly will go to Ealing Broadway and Heathrow which looks like a good balance. Only issue is whether it will cause overcrowding from Elm Park to Barking. That won't improve the trains to go to Richmond which is the whole idea of pic line going to Ealing Broadway if anything would make it worse
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Post by nig on Nov 16, 2020 5:18:14 GMT
Don't forget the plan is unless it's been changed for the pic to run to Ealing Broadway so the district won't be a issues except for Ealing common depot trains but I assume they would all be off peak
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Post by nig on Oct 8, 2020 23:12:53 GMT
Why would the northern line need the jubilee line trains? Surely the line would have far too many trains to maintain if this was the case? Does the line struggle to meet service levels with the current number of trains? They need extra trains for the Battersea extension and to increase the frequency obviously won't have all the jubilee line trains just enough to meet there needs
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Post by nig on Oct 8, 2020 22:08:24 GMT
How you transfer stock from the jubilee to the northern line is there a crossover ?
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Post by nig on Oct 7, 2020 19:47:23 GMT
I wonder though, would some 1996 stock be used on the Piccadilly as emergency replacement stock since I doubt the 73 would last any looooonger reliably...or at least the 1995s can be transported via the King’s Cross loop onto the picc The new pic trains have already been ordered and paid for so they will already be running before any spare 1996 stock become available
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Post by nig on Sept 18, 2020 11:57:02 GMT
So how many members voted yes? How many government employees, because that's what they are in a nationalised industry. I bet it's a fraction of the pit workers in the 1970's. For example say 2000 members' 70% voted = 1400, 95% yes = 1330. why do you need to know the numbers its completely irrelevant just more drivers that are Aslef members voted yes than Aslef drivers that didn't vote or voted no that's how voting works well of course it wont be as many as pit workers as there was a lot more of them then underground drivers
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Post by nig on Sept 17, 2020 22:20:14 GMT
Votes cast in the ballot as a % of individuals who were entitled to vote 74.5% Question: Are you prepared to take part in industrial action consisting of a strike? Yes: 95.2% No: 4.8% “Yes” votes as a % of individuals who were entitled to vote 70.9% According to that link 75% voted, and the vote in favour was just over 70% of those eligible to vote. It doesn't give numbers of people though. The result link quoted was for the March 2020 ballot, not the recent September 2020. The link aslefshrugged gave www.aslefdistrict8.org/post/95-yes-vote-to-protect-agreementsIs for Septembers vote Numbers don't really matter as long as the percentage threshold is made and it was 70 percent of eligible drivers voted and out of those 95 percenters voted yes
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Post by nig on Sept 1, 2020 13:54:45 GMT
Sadly the fact that both unions are about to declare a dispute suggests that the current crop of senior managers are just as obstinate, uncooperative and confrontational as those they have replaced Early days yet. To be fair the current management will have their hands tied in a way probably never seen before. Not saying you’re not right, however we will have to see how the next few months pan out. Personally I think threats of strike action are a little premature at this point, especially with little evidence of the commuter peaks returning at the moment. Certainly the comms coming out of the current senior team aren’t quite as belligerent as that from their predecessors. It's not a threat of stile action is the union's being being prepared being able to negotiate better being able to take action as a last resort A strike ballot takes about 2 months from when they decide to ballot till they can strike and because it's the whole combine they can take action over local issues . Say for instance bakerloo line took away tea points next week it would take 2 months before any effective way of getting them back and then it could only be a local vote Then they did something else on northern line again another 2 months . With this strike ballot they can give 2 weeks notice for industrial action
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Post by nig on Aug 21, 2020 8:54:03 GMT
It makes no difference how long two people WITHOUT the virus are in a sterilized cab together. You are safer taking training than actually driving in service, a point which is seemingly being wilfully disregarded. We are happy to drive, but not to take training. Why not? You do realise that training involves driving a train in service so how can it be safer ? They are starting a trail soon where the trainee and Io are both tested weekly and keep just those 2 training together and masks will have to be worn all the time while in the cab and maybe visors
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Post by nig on Jul 26, 2020 18:47:45 GMT
Can only happen at stations with platform staff. At other stations the driver has to check the train if necessary. So, are you saying that at all other stations the driver always has a clear unimpeded view of the entire length of the train (using monitors and mirrors where available), and is able to do the job as effectively as platform staff? And that the platform staff are there solely to check for passengers remaining on the train. As I said earlier in the thread, there is a systemic failure, here. If the further staff member was trying to communicate that someone was trapped, the situation could have been far worse. LU should investigate this and do something about it before there is a serious injury and someone makes them. what he is saying is you dont always have help from station staff when detraining especially on early morning and late stablers/reversers and have to close all the doors yourself and also depart the station by yourself
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Post by nig on Jul 25, 2020 9:58:00 GMT
The notice states From this it is clear to me that the depot is going to move somewhere. I wonder if the disused sidings at South Harrow may be a suitable location, a quick mooch on a Satellite image shows some houses nearby but also the total size of the site does look comparable to the current location. South Harrow is an essential site for the Picc line upgrade, starting with expansion to provide alternative stabling to allow a start on Northfields depot reconstruction anytime soon! Also the sidings are not disused they stable 4 trains on there every night
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Post by nig on Jul 23, 2020 19:00:26 GMT
We’re definitely not at only one or two trains cancelled a day. Picadilly Victoria jubilee central district northern and bakerloo seem to be only having a few trains cancelled and some have a full sercice going by the daily summary it's only met circle and Hammersmith and city that seem to be having problems
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Post by nig on Jul 23, 2020 11:28:05 GMT
Anyone know why the service status of all lines is still special service when nearly all lines are now running a full service with only 1 or 2 trains cancelled a day ?
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Post by nig on Jul 18, 2020 1:05:08 GMT
Why wouldn't you just specify the same doors for replacement stock? Unless there is a problem with where the doors (and thus PEDs) are situated on the 96ts it would seem to me to be a total waste of money to charge it for the sake of it. The Siemens trains for each line are not going to be exactly the same anyway. On the new stock they want all double doors and no single doors to speed up alighting and boarding times
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Post by nig on Jul 17, 2020 15:34:16 GMT
May I suggest a whistle blown an agreed number of times in quick succession to indicate an emergency in such a situation. Waving arms is not ideal in any situation as anyone can wave their arms. And by the time you find your whistle the train has gone also you might not hear whistle over public announcements cab radio air con going cab door shut other trains moving in area. If is train pulling away and halfway in tunnel you still got in cab monitors on most lines it is a emergency sign anyone can use it does not have to be station staff if they see a danger and the driver should stop
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Post by nig on Jul 8, 2020 19:10:58 GMT
Please, please, please give London more fully automated trains just like the Victoria line, BUT please ensure that there is also someone sitting up front able to react to stuff which no amount of computer control can prevent - like dozy bankers falling onto the tracks whilst focused on their iThing or total idiots deciding to drill a piling shaft straight through a tunnel roof. That sounds like the best of both worlds for me as a mere commuter and if there is an offer of free money from Government then why not take it?
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When you say more trains like Victoria line don't forget the central northern jubilee are already like that and soon so will be all the sub surface lines soon it's will just the Piccadilly and bakerloo lines that you have to manually drive
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Post by nig on Jul 7, 2020 4:35:57 GMT
I think PSA's should operate the trains in fairness since the DLR runs fine with psa's do should the new tube for London The diffence in size and speed they go is a massive difference it's a bit like saying a 2 year old can drive a battery powered toy car they will be fine driving a petrol powered go cart
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Post by nig on Jul 6, 2020 13:13:54 GMT
With the Covid-19 restrictions and delay, July won't be happening. I would unwrap your 2021 diary and have that ready for SMA 3. Make sure you write everything in pencil though. It helps if you have one of those with a built-in eraser. From the rmt website Proposed 4LM migration dates SMA 3 Operational Proving – 9 th / 10th January 2021 SMA 3 – 6 th / 7th March 2021 SMA 4 – 8 th / 9 th May 2021 SMA 5 – 18th / 19th July 2021 SMA 6 – September 2021 SMA 7 – January 2022 SMA 8 – May 2022 SMA 9 – August 2022
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Post by nig on Jun 30, 2020 12:39:22 GMT
Ultimately a massive shakeup is probably now inevitable. There’s already a massive hole in resourcing (just on the basis of no training having been going on for four months). I’d say expect night tube drivers to be offered full time or nothing, and massive cuts in back office functions. If there still aren’t enough staff to rosters then service cuts are likely to be inevitable, though redeploying night tube drivers may mitigate this. I can’t see night tube returning - with a training backlog it just won’t prove efficient to train people for two days of productive work. Perhaps we’ll see later last trains on the two nights plus weekday startup times on Sundays. Our depot have had a small number (I think four) Night Tube staff transferred to us permanently full time from this week and I fully expect more to follow. I also expect this has happened elsewhere on the combine. With the amount of NT staff now gone/going from the establishment, it's hard to see how this is ever going to get reintroduced. That's because Arnos has reduced the Night tube operators by 8 and Acton 7 with the new timetables coming in and with no training going on they cant transfer lines yet so when cross line training comes back not sure how many will be staying
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