Goblin Electrification info

dazz285 - thanks for this cab view videos. Most interesting to watch. A few comments / observations.

1. It hadn't dawned on me that NR had dewired the section through South Tottenham. It makes sense when I stopped to think about it but obviously the "rare" working via the Lea Valley line, S Tottenham and the curve to Seven Sisters isn't coming back any time soon.

2. Nice to see that most of the platform extension works are done barring Harringay Green Lanes and that might even be ready by opening day if they put in a spurt of effort. They also need to get a spurt on at Woodgrange Park if the gates are supposed to be in use on 27/2/17 but I suspect they'll achieve that.

3. I was astounded at how variable the extent of the work is. Some sections look as if someone has put some effort in with regard to masts and hangers etc. However the eastern end on the viaducts is so devoid of masts you have to wonder what's been going on. Even the platform areas have few masts despite their positions having been marked out *before* the closure began. What have they (not) been doing? I can only assume this is the bit where the design problems are.

4. Quite how TfL can claim, as they have, that they were unaware of the lack of progress is beyond me. Even if we ignore the fact that questions were being asked via the Mayor months ago about whether works were on schedule all TfL had to do was jump on a bus in Leyton or Leytonstone and go for a ride or walk down some side roads. They could see for themselves what hadn't been done. Even if they had visited their own worksites for the platform works they'd have seen what wasn't happening. I was left open mouthed watching the video as to how anyone could claim they didn't know what was going on. It's not as if the line is in tunnel the whole way - it's visible for almost all of its length.

5. Does anyone know if Network Rail have replaced a number of small bridges on the Leytonstone - Wanstead Park section? Several looked new but were they done months ago or in the blockade? Clearly several more bridges at the east end require attention given the PSRs in place.

6. NR need to raise the line speed, subject to the new bridges being OK, near the Lea Valley reservoirs. All those new bridges and trains still trundling across them!

7. I think it's clear that the bridge arrangement at Blackhorse Road doesn't create a long walk round the new ramp. There are steps up to the ramp's higher level and then you reach the footbridge. The lifts certainly won't be ready for the 27th.

8. It's really telling that the stations that kept their old long platforms have got oodles of space and new shelters and yet Blackhorse Road, one of the busiest stops, has gained nothing in terms of extra platform size. It really, really needs it. Let's hope TfL have a cunning plan stored away in their cunning filing cabinet or very cunning computer system.

For question 1 - I think you will find that there is a once weekly 'parliamentary' train over that section the 05.30 from Liverpool Street to Enfield Town on Saturdays

Not been to South Tottenham in last 3 weeks but it can't run if the OLE is not in place

It could, if you can find a driver signed for both the route and for diesel traction, but I think it's more likely to be diverted via Rectory Road

Not sure about that; however, they will be considerably shorter in overall length.

I had a little spin around N17 and E17 this morning. Evident that there has been a bit of a spurt of effort from NR - more masts in place on Ferry Lane and at Blackhorse Road. Also many many more hangers have been fitted to posts. Weights have also been hung on masts where wiring sections will end. Class 172s were out and about today - saw 2 or 3 of them. Finishing touches being made at Blackhorse Road - I've seen the new ramp thing for myself for the first time. Oddly it appears to have been boarded off from the stepped part of the arrangement - dare say we'll find out on Monday what's going on.

EDIT - Blackhorse Rd platform view

Did anybody (except perhaps dazz285) go for a spin today?

I'll probably take a look on Tuesday. No point trying to get some snaps during endless showers of rain and hail.

The user group went for a little spin this morning. Based on various tweets on their stream it seems trains were not exactly busy - perhaps not a great shock. There were issues with a range of station assets along the line and a bit of signalling kit at South Tottenham failed to "wake up" meaning train tracking and customer info displays weren't working properly. Seems technicians and Arriva Rail staff have been busy all day trying to rectify issues. The PIXC buster AM peak train at Willesden Junc was curtailed at Crouch Hill and it seems a PM PIXC buster from Gospel Oak didn't run either. So a little wobbly round the edges but perhaps not too serious today. Give it a few days for people to really understand the line is open and I imagine the peak crowds will be as big as ever.

I boarded the 15.48 from Barking. I'd say the service was only about 20% full. I'm sure rush hour would have been busier and that trains will fill up as word spreads that the line is back up and running.

Travelling on the Central Line today in the Leytonstone area I noted that the overhead wire masts are up - but lack wires!

Simon

Someone ought to tell Mr Copley that TfL doesn't own the Class 315s, they're leased from Eversholt. Good point about driver training too

Here's a thought on the 315's, & please don't shoot me down in flames if I'm wrong, Install temp mirrors on the platform & only train up, if numbers exist, the drivers that used to drive the 313's.. At this rate, I think that TfL has already made up their mind that nothing will happen until the 710's turn up.

Aren't all LO stations, including the Gob, equipped with safety critical platform staff anyway?

From the bit Snoggle posted

"In light of the short period of time between the old TfL Rail trains becoming available and the introduction of new electric trains on the Barking to Gospel Oak line, this action would not represent good value for money."

Remember TfL will lose all central government funding from next year, it doesn't have loads of spare cash to flash about and I'm sure Eversholt has someone lined up to take over the 315s when TfL have finished with them.

The last 313 was withdrawn in September 2010, any drivers who were still with LO would need as much training as ones that weren't in order to fulfil ORR's requirements.