MLX Metropolitan Line Extension (Go-ahead for Croxley Link)

But wouldn't LU have to pay a ton in maintenance costs? Or could they just let it rot?

I can sort of understand the rationale of starting the official closure process now, as it is an enabling process which can take ages. However even if its approved I don't think it obliges you to cease the service - it just gives the option. However I think this is one decision which may come home to haunt them. Surely it makes better sense to keep their options open with a suck it and see approach at least for a few years after the new branch is open, especially if they may be retaining some/all of the Watford Met track infrastructure for stabling purposes.

Estimating future loadings on the branch(es) is far from a precise science, so simply dividing current Watford Met passenger loadings across the new branch seems a bit misleading.

When this idea first arose - decades ago - one key rationale was to reduce pressure on central london tubes and Euston mainline station - by encouraging some West Coast Mainline travellers to join trains at Watford Junction rather than Euston. However this sort of rerouting of passenger flows probably won't happen overnight, but might eventually see a substantial growth in traffic diverted onto the Met to Watford Junction which is currently heading into town. In turn it may also result in pressure on Virgin to increase the number of services calling at Watford Junction.

Other local draws like the hospital and football stadium all have the potential to see traffic growth, which together may strengthen the case for keeping Watford Met open primarily to meet peak hour commuter flows but also to provide valuable capacity to fill gaps in services by turning services if platform capacity at Watford Junction becomes an issue.

the smoke out of it,looks as if its on fire.

People near Watford Met Station will have to join the real world now and walk a little way to Ascot Road and the problem is.....?

XF

HI Chris

At the public shows which the project team staged last year this issue was discussed and as I understand it,they were looking how both the systems could work in parallel; it was accepted that this might be somewhat challenging

Given that both the Class 378 & S Stock a Bombardier products this hopefully will mean that there is similarity in electrical systems which could help with the resolution of this issue.

XF

Im not sure if thats reassuring to be honest!

I wasnt really thinking about the 378's, more the various classes of Chiltern DMU and anything else that might need to operate over the Met/NR lines north of Harrow, including those that could be used for a future Watford-Aylesbury(?) service, that currently have to be fitted with tripcocks. Im hoping the solution found for the 'mainline' will be applied to the Watford branch.

Chris

I don't think that this is a big problem, the newer signalling systems can drive more than one type of lineside equipment (as has been seen during the Victoria line resignalling). So having both a new ATP/ATO system for the S-stock and the more conventional equipment needed for the National Rail rolling stock (be it DMU or EMU) shouldn't be a big leap.

To be fair, Watford is only just over the border. Bushey & Oxhey is just within the border (if you are talking about the old coal duty boundary). There was talk of returning the Bakerloo Line service to Watford Junction as well (IMHO a bad idea).

There is a boundary post buried in the wall outside Wickes on Lower High Street, Watford, just north of Bushey Arches and Bushey & Oxhey station. There is another one on the footpath below the WCML viaduct which crosses the Colne between Bushey and Watford Junction. The boundary has moved around a bit. It used to follow the Colne, hence the post between Moor Park and Northwood.

No. One of these.

g.co/maps/3dfhr

The existing Met station is to be retained as a stabling point (providing the vandals don't make that more hassle than it is worth), so the station, track and viaduct would all be retained. However, the station would be closed to the public.

I think the post at Wickes is something to do with the road in front of it being a turnpike once upon a time. Although I must admit it is years since I read what it said.

There is as stated however a coal marker on the Dn DC side about halfway between Hatch End and Carpenders Park.

Is that The Michael Fish writing in?

Network Rail's objection seems an obvious formallity. Residual rights cause all sorts of interesting liabilities! Would have thought, however, that would in the relative scheme of things be straightforward to rectify.
Transfering the DC lines to TfL custody seems a decent consequence, however I guess that brings up interesting questions of who-owns-what where TfL are the majority service provider.

It would make a nice little house if they sold it off.