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Post by thc on Nov 27, 2014 15:05:57 GMT
Mods, I've started a new thread as the rumours are no longer rumours but concrete plans. Hope that's OK.
THC
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Post by thc on Nov 27, 2014 15:04:43 GMT
Vivarail has finally gone public with its plans for repurposing 'D' stock due to be retired when 'S' stock spreads out across the District line. And mighty fine the plans look too! Can't wait to ride on one. www.vivarail.co.uk/THC
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Post by thc on Nov 7, 2014 10:22:18 GMT
Looks like final final final final final scheme approval is being sought from DfT and will hopefully be granted around about the time that Santa appears (yes, yes, I know). This from the MD’s report to next week’s TfL Rail and Underground Panel (para 4.10, p3): “Hertfordshire County Council is currently finalising their [sic] bid to the Department for Transport (DfT) for funding for the Croxley Rail Link scheme. A decision on this by the DfT is expected by the end of December 2014.” Pending approval, according to Cllr Terry Douris of HCC, the contractors are due on site in early 2015 to start work proper. THC
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Post by thc on Jul 5, 2014 6:04:25 GMT
It's hard to see past Bombardier given that they built the LO Class 378s and will build the Crossrail Class 345s. Stadler have no track record in the UK, outwith a few Croydon trams, ditto Rotem, although their IC DMUs for Iarnrod Eireann are a perfectly good and reliable product. I don't think Alstom have ever recovered from the reliability problems surrounding the Class 458 Juniper introduction in the late 1990s. If only they had sold a total traincare package to the ROSCO/SWT á la Siemens, the UK railway scene could now look a whole lot different. All idle speculation of course.
THC
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Post by thc on Jul 1, 2014 12:01:14 GMT
That's him alright. Quite the entertainer. :-) THC Sorry, that came from the wrong account but yes, he entertained us for hours. I owe him my lifelong interest in the Underground and railways in general. You can see how he brought it all to life so vividly. The irony is that he'd take traction engines and vintage tractors over trains any day of the week! THC
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Post by thc on Jul 1, 2014 11:57:43 GMT
My father, who was the guard on the very first 'C' stock diagram in passenger service back in 1970, was welcomed by prjb and the team at Moorgate to join the tour. I've written to prjb separately but wanted to make my thanks public to him and the tour team on here. Dad had a fantastic time, received VIP treatment and made at every turn to feel a part of the day. I really am very grateful to prjb and all concerned for making an old railwayman feel part of the family again. Thank you all so very much. THC That wasn't the fellow who now lives between Derby and Nottingham was it? The person I was with and I spent a lot of the day talking to him about his memories and we both enjoyed talking to him greatly. That's him alright. Quite the entertainer. :-) THC
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Post by thc on Jul 1, 2014 9:28:15 GMT
My father, who was the guard on the very first 'C' stock diagram in passenger service back in 1970, was welcomed by prjb and the team at Moorgate to join the tour. I've written to prjb separately but wanted to make my thanks public to him and the tour team on here. Dad had a fantastic time, received VIP treatment and made at every turn to feel a part of the day. I really am very grateful to prjb and all concerned for making an old railwayman feel part of the family again. Thank you all so very much.
THC
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Post by thc on Jun 5, 2014 10:33:20 GMT
According to the Investment Programme Report Q4 2013/14 taken at today’s meeting of TfL’s Finance and Policy Committee, things are not well with the Croxley Rail Link. “During this quarter, the schedule has continued to slip and the forecast costs have increased. HCC and LU are in discussions with the DfT about how the funding gap might be bridged. The cost estimates associated with LU’s core scope have remained stable.” www.tfl.gov.uk/cdn/static/cms/documents/fpc-20140605-part-1-item05-ofr-ipr.pdf p15 (p69 of the pdf) Is an Evergreen 3-style solution, where Chiltern ceded programme control to Network Rail, appropriate here? Maybe it’s too late for that given that HCC has already appointed Vinci as its lead contractor. The intended opening date has already slipped from December 2016 to sometime in 2017. THC
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Post by thc on May 13, 2014 8:38:08 GMT
Two good reasons then why there seems to be little financial benefit from selling the site. Thanks for clarifying, trt. THC
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Post by thc on May 12, 2014 8:45:01 GMT
The property isn't worth anywhere near as much without a passenger service from the Met. Maybe not but i) Cassiobridge station will be around ten minutes' walk away and ii) sale of the site would still raise several £m. I must admit to surprise that this sale wasn't pursued and the money raised used to develop siding accommodation at Watford Junction. The real terms cost of doing so will inveitably rise after the Croxley Rail Link is open. THC
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Post by thc on Apr 7, 2014 6:54:13 GMT
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Post by thc on Apr 3, 2014 10:43:05 GMT
Pathetic Council staff; sack them all and then see if they can jobs in the real world! XF Now now, we could fall out very quickly over this! As one of the "pathetic Council staff" you all too easily deride, we have been subjected to many years of cuts and downsizing, our present from central government for being i) widely recognised as the most efficient arm of the public sector and ii) the only part of the public service not under central control. We do the very best we can to serve our public under incredibly trying circumstances. Onto your point, which belies a fundamental misunderstanding of our role. As Council officers, it is a significant part of our job to put into practice the policies of our elected Members. Were this WO report real rather than an April Fool, such posturing over paint would have the stamp of the elected ego all over it. We are professionals, adept at maximising value for money, and would not advocate such nonsense, especially when it clearly flies in the face of common sense. However, the local democratic mandate that Members possess is an incredibly powerful tool and they do not hesitate to wield it. You will have a chance to "sack" them at the local elections; that for the executive Mayor of Watford is on 22 May this year and those for local councillors (county and district) rotate on a four-yearly cycle. Finally, we are all too aware of what goes on in the "real world", thank you very much. We have to house the homeless, take care of vulnerable adults and children and clean up the rubbish from people who think nothing of lobbing it in the gutter. All while coping with year-on-year budget cuts of several per cent each time. How much more "real world" do you want? Trust me on this, you'll miss us when the Coalition have finished trashing us and we're not there anymore. THC
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Post by thc on Mar 17, 2014 10:45:01 GMT
Great pictures @triplex and @unravelled. Thanks for sharing.
And good to meet you on Saturday @xercesfobe. I look forward to seeing the extension when it's ready!
THC
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Post by thc on Mar 14, 2014 15:58:03 GMT
Yet another meeting which result in more waffle but no railway. Let's get James May to run a Hornby train along the existing track bed and across the road to the Met and then at least something would have been achieved! XF Patience young Padawan. The planning process may be exhaustive but it is precisely that for a reason. TRDC in essence have very little scope to delay or object to the project but it is important to engage locally in order to address any objections and ensure compliance with the law of the land. 'S' stocks will come to Croxley Wiggenhall Road before we're too much older... THC
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Post by thc on Mar 14, 2014 15:37:44 GMT
I certainly shall do prjb. It will mean a lot to him so I just want to thank you publicly for your kind and generous gesture.
Tom
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Post by thc on Mar 14, 2014 15:09:23 GMT
My father, Tom Conniffe senior, was the guard on the very first C Stock to enter scheduled passenger service (the late Vic Copeland was the driver). At the 'A' Stock farewell tour, which he attended as a former Ricky-based driver, he was promised by someone in authority (although he doesn't remember who - was it you prjb?) that he would be invited to the 'C' Stock farewell tour but so far has heard nothing. Do any of you with some inside knowledge know who he should contact - or, better still, who will contact him?
Thanks in advance
Tom - THC
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Post by thc on Feb 14, 2014 10:36:07 GMT
The planning applications.,.... are available on the planning portal at www.watford.gov.uk. That link leads to a general Watford Council site - which is typical of its kind in telling you everything and nothing. The "planning" link tells you how to apply for planning permission, but not how to find any existing ones that might affect you. It does also has a search facility, but that is not limited to Watford - thus neither Vicarage Road nor Ascot Road are very sueful as search terms. Could you give us a clue as to what to do once inside the hallowed portals? It would be my pleasure. 1. Select "Planning" from the first column of the "Browse other services" box on the Watford homepage. 2. Select "View and comment on planning applications" from the menu in the left column (it's at the bottom). 3. Click on the "I agree with the copyright notice above and would like to view Planning Applications" statement (halfway down the page). 4. Enter "Croxley Rail Link" in the search box that appears. Et voilá! THC
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Post by thc on Feb 14, 2014 9:30:23 GMT
The planning applications for works associated with the Croxley Rail Link were submitted to Watford BC towards the end of January. Too many in number to detail here, they are available on the planning portal at www.watford.gov.uk. A similar search on the planning portal at www.threerivers.gov.uk has not borne fruit but that is not to say that the relevant applications have not yet been lodged with them. The Cassiobridge station renderings remind me very much of the template for Haggerston station on the northern extension of the East London Line. It’s also clear from the WVR renderings that ‘Watford Hospital’ was the working name for the station until very late in the day. Interestingly, there are 51 documents associated with the WVR application, but only 18 and 15 with the Cassiobridge and viaduct applications respectively, which hints at the relative complexity of works at the Vicarage Road site. THC
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Post by thc on Jan 23, 2014 10:32:58 GMT
mrjrtEven if money were no object, which it is, what possible market(s) would this set of changes serve? There are at least two very good reasons why Chiltern doesn't focus on its inner London stations; likely demand and potential alternatives. The Sudburys are already catered for by the Piccadilly line and the Ruislips by the Central line. Northolt Park and surrounds are the only potential beneficiaries of such a service and the area is hardly isolated as it stands. And you would spend hundreds of millions to, in effect, do nothing more than divert some Jubblies? I sense some merit in diverting the Wembley Park terminators to HotH and splitting out the local Met service as i) there is an established market at intermediate stations and ii) the Met might see a concomitant increase in reliability and speed, but this delivers fewer benefits for infinitely greater spend. Ain't never gonna happen. THC
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Post by thc on Jan 21, 2014 14:38:54 GMT
In the absence of any other recent news, the good people at Watford’s Chamber of Commerce posted a CRL progress update on 10 January. Highlights include the impending submission of relevant planning applications and a slippage to 2017 in the intended opening date. THC — www.watfordchamber.co.uk/news/2014/01/update_on_croxley_rail_link Planning applications for the two new stations, viaduct and electricity substation for the Croxley Rail Link are being submitted this month. Construction of the new structures was approved as part of the legal powers granted to Hertfordshire County Council and London Underground last summer, but the detailed designs must first be approved by Watford Borough Council and Three Rivers District Council, who will consider the applications in the early spring. Meanwhile, overgrown vegetation along the Croxley Rail Link route will continue to be cleared over the next few months by contractors working for Hertfordshire County Council. Trees and bushes have sprung up along the disused line and contractors have been on site since mid-December, using machinery to clear the line ahead of construction work, which is due to start later in 2014. Terry Douris, Cabinet Member for Highways, said “We’ve chosen to clear the overgrown vegetation from the disused line at this time of year as it’s the time that will be least disruptive to local wildlife. “We’re making good progress with the on-site investigations and are gathering a lot of important information that we need to finalise the engineering designs and timetable.” The clearance is the latest in a series of preparatory works. Ground investigations to gather geological information are continuing and surveys of possible electricity cables, water pipes, sewers and communications cabling are being carried out. Hertfordshire County Council and London Underground now expect that trains will be running on the new link in 2017, later than originally planned. Ian Welland, Chief Executive for Watford and West Herts Chamber of Commerce said, “It is important that the Croxley Rail Link continues to progress and any delay envisaged at the present time to the implementation timetable, might well be rectified as the physical works get underway. Naturally, there are other factors, many unknown such as hidden services and weather which may also cause delay; however, it could be plain sailing and work could even get ahead of schedule. We shall have to wait and see. What is important is the positive benefits the Croxley Rail Link will bring to Watford in terms of travel options, linkages and the economy.”
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Post by thc on Dec 13, 2013 10:53:58 GMT
Wales should not be getting cascaded 315s - it should get new trains too to give a proper step change in service quality and capacity when the Valley Lines are electrified. This just demonstrates the DfT's inability to manage rolling stock issues - oh hang on, they deny they do that don't they?! Granted, but the original Valley Lines electrification business case was predicated on reusing cascaded EMUs thanks to the relatively marginal BCR. In any case, Class 315s will represent a step-change for users that have suffered the Class 143 Pacers for the last twenty-odd years! THC
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Post by thc on Nov 2, 2013 19:07:14 GMT
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Post by thc on Nov 2, 2013 18:54:04 GMT
What a60 and superteacher said. I never met the man either but his many contributions added immensely to this site. RIP Chris.
THC
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Post by thc on Aug 10, 2013 19:17:18 GMT
It doesn't actually say Cassiobridge, only it is to be expected. We'll wait and see. I have a letter from someone high up at TfL saying it's the preferred option and another from a senior politician very local to the area who says it's a done deal. That's good enough for me, although I'll concede that there has been no formal announcement yet to that effect. THC
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Post by thc on Aug 8, 2013 11:51:16 GMT
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Post by thc on Jul 23, 2013 11:02:28 GMT
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Post by thc on Jul 22, 2013 12:52:44 GMT
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Post by thc on Jun 23, 2013 12:53:26 GMT
Guess there's no pleasing everybody.
The current Watford Met station is on the Cassiobury estate so giving the Cassiobury name to the Ascot Road station, half a mile away, would be inaccurate (not that accuracy has ever stopped railway companies in naming stations!) Croxley Green Business Park (for that is its name) is a private estate and company so, unless they come up with hefty sponsorship, no dice. New Croxley? It's not even in old Croxley. Cassio Bridge is the historic name for the area and this move would ensure its return to common usage.
THC
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Post by thc on Jun 21, 2013 9:22:45 GMT
Today's article is on a subject I've been banging on about for a while - the patent unsuitability of 'Ascot Road' as a name for one of the new stations and its replacement by the historic name for the area, 'Cassio Bridge'. I wrote recently to Mayor Thornhill, the relevant cabinet and ward members at Herts CC and the relevant bods at TfL about this. Here's hoping... www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/10470655.Names_in_the_frame_for_new_rail_link_stations/ I received a letter by way of reply from Mayor Thornhill yesterday in which she stated that a consensus was emerging around Cassiobridge (one word rather than two) as the name for the new CRL station on Ascot Road. Happy now! THC
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Post by thc on Jun 11, 2013 4:40:27 GMT
Fantastic XF, that reminds me of the original wooden platform at Croxley Green. I used to take the train from CG to Watford West for Cubs on a Tuesday night - 3p priv single. I feel old now.
THC
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