Test Trains on the ELLE to Dalston Junction

Are there any accessible vantage points on thev ELLX I wonder?

There are a few places that i know of.
One place i would like to capture a shot is of one going over the new bridge over the Regents Canal

Testing is going well and is up to date bar a few minor mishaps but it is all part of the learning curve. At present we only do testing mon-fri but that may change nearer to the official ELL opening date. Depending on what the contractors require testing we tend to do about 4-6 return trips between New Cross Gate & Dalston each day. We've also started running 2 trains at any one time and once we get more 378 deliveries that number will increase. We've just started to test the depot infrastructure at New Cross on nights and will continue for the rest of this week.

Yes we are running at full line speed. Each day starts out with a 'sweep' run from New Cross Gate to Dalston and back at 10mph to ensure there is no damage on the track & any obstructions on the line/platforms. Then we start doing full line speed which varies between 25 and 40mph. The line is great to drive, lots of gradients and curves a bit like a rollercoaster really!

There isn't a set timetable as yet. They run up and down depending on what testing is required, sometimes only between 2 stations. Normally the first run leaves the depot about 0800. However once we get more units delivered there will be a trial period from early next year until the official opening date (all ECS movements) which will be timetabled to check the timings are correct.

The maximum speed of 40mph is between New Cross/New Cross Gate & Dalston Junction. We've not driven units yet on the southern part down to Croydon & Crystal Palace but I understand the maximum speed is 60mph on that section of the line. And yes, 40mph is very sufficient as the stations are very close to each other!

I knew it wouldn't be long before someone was going to ask!!!
In a nutshell there was a miscommunication as to which road was going to be used out the shed, train came out the wrong road and ran through a set of points which were not set correctly. Luckily no damage to train or persons onboard but the points were ripped. Vital lessons have been learned, hopefully there won't be another one!

Instead one took place at Willesden TMD rather then New Cross not a 378 but a lovely 150.

Hi ..

I live in Amersham Grove so our back yard backs on to the former ELL as it approaches New Cross Station ... and just to report I saw the first 378 on the line last Friday (20th) - after 23.00 (most likely nearer midnight) - two journeys to the station and back again one at walking speed - the second much faster i.e. proper operational speed (from memory at a faster speed than the tube stock) - but i guess there will no longer be the need to drop staff off/pick up staff from the old depot that was accessed from Edwards Street ..

I have seen the future - and it looked impressive!

Doubt it as the units never arrived! Problems with traction supply when coupling up to the translator wagons as an 8-car apparently....

Here's a link to a video clip showing Boris visiting Shoreditch High St station yesterday:

video.aol.co.uk/video-detail/lont-transport-boris-johnson-inspects-work-on-new-east-london-line/1142749002

What about those residents who pronounce Crouch End as 'Crouchen', rhyming with 'crouton'?

I am never sure whether the station in Southampton, St Denys is 'Saint Denise', or 'Saint Dennis'.

As regards Ken, some of us recall when he was a member of the Greater London Council as was, and his rise to power.

Here's a video clip from inside Hoxton & Haggerston stations (with 378 footage).



The robotic style PAs at these platforms are a bit of an earful.

Hopefully in 2012 we'll get a Mayor for Zones 2-5! ;D