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Post by xplaistow on May 29, 2022 23:33:32 GMT
I got to try out the new line yesterday (for which read Saturday since I'm posting this after midnight) and I have to say that I was fairly impressed although it did also leave me with a strange feeling. Having waited years upon years for it to open and then for that wait to be in the past is a very odd feeling indeed.
While travelling along it I took the time to get out and have a look around each of the stations (and also took a slight detour to check out the new Northern line platform at Bank) and felt wowed at how much earth must have been shifted to carve out those spaces underground. I think the biggest surprise was when I went into the connection to the Northern line at Moorgate (for the aforementioned detour) and instead of seeing a passageway just large enough for the stairway I found myself in an open-ish area with the ceiling about 30-40 feet up.
One small detail that amused me was in one of the connecting passages adjacent to the Northern line at TCR where there are a couple of purple roundels with the station name. It felt like a very strange place for them to be since they were perpendicular to the direction of travel! I'm wondering if this is a unique occurance.
As a final note I want to point out that I chose a very interesting day to ride the line as there were a lot of people dressed up as various fictional characters on their way to ComicCon at ExCel. It certainly added a lot of colour to the trip!
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Post by goldenarrow on May 29, 2022 23:35:40 GMT
Figures collated in time for Monday morning news items show that the Crossrail core surpassed 1 million journeys in its 5 days since opening to passenger service.
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Post by humbug on May 30, 2022 6:14:09 GMT
We moved from central London a few months ago, and the experience so far of the Elizabeth line is good;
Used it Wed and Thur; commuting from Taplow to Farringdon.
Bit of exercise at PAD changing lines, isn’t the new line impressive?
More importantly - saved 15 minutes or so off the journey.
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Post by Tom on May 30, 2022 10:16:06 GMT
Agreed; I used it on Thursday from Slough to Stratford. Excluding walking to/from the station at each end, the fastest I'd ever done the journey was 57 minutes (and that was on a GWR service fast from Slough to Paddington), this time it was 64 minutes.
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Post by A60stock on May 30, 2022 17:04:21 GMT
Apologies if this has been discussed in detail before but does anyone have the full timetable of Elizabeth line in TPH once it is fully open, or at least from this autumn when services from the west to paddington are integrated with the core?
Cheers
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Post by xtmw on May 30, 2022 17:43:51 GMT
How are trains reversing at Paddington? Are they going round a crossover?
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Post by MoreToJack on May 30, 2022 17:45:07 GMT
How are trains reversing at Paddington? Are they going round a crossover? There are three reversing sidings to the west of the station, near to Westbourne Park. |
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Post by Chris L on May 30, 2022 18:43:30 GMT
I went on a trip today from Woolwich to Hayes & Harlington.
Several years ago I worked in Hayes and the journey used to take around 2 hours via Charing Cross, Bakerloo line and Paddington with 2/3 car trains on the final stretch.
Today it took not much over an hour including the walk at Paddington. My Reading train ran fast to Ealing Broadway and arrived 3 minutes early. Next stop Southall 4 minutes early. If the timetable for the through service is based on the running times today the overall journey time savings will be very good.
Interesting that the new ticket hall at Hayes & Harlington bears a National Rail symbol as well the Elizabeth line roundel. Correct as GWR stop there.
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Post by silenthunter on May 30, 2022 18:46:57 GMT
How are trains reversing at Paddington? Are they going round a crossover? There are three reversing sidings to the west of the station, near to Westbourne Park. I don't think they've started it yet, but there's going to be a system where the train does the reversal automatically as the driver changes ends. Went on the core today myself. My personal thoughts: - The trains shoot out of stations with incredible acceleration and are running very fast through the tunnels - around 60mph.
- WiFi works in the stations, doesn't seem to in the tunnels.
- The stations are very large and there is quite a bit of walking involved for interchange or exit. This is particularly truly at Liverpool Street.
- Some of the stations could do with more visual distinctiveness at platform level - this was something that was realised on older tube lines with different tiling styles.
- I doubt many people are going to use Elizabeth Line out to Reading when you can get GWR services on contactless that are much faster.
- There are still a couple of 315 workings on Shenfield services, although the trains have been debranded.
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Post by Chris L on May 30, 2022 19:23:53 GMT
There are three reversing sidings to the west of the station, near to Westbourne Park. I don't think they've started it yet, but there's going to be a system where the train does the reversal automatically as the driver changes ends. Went on the core today myself. My personal thoughts: - The trains shoot out of stations with incredible acceleration and are running very fast through the tunnels - around 60mph.
- WiFi works in the stations, doesn't seem to in the tunnels.
- The stations are very large and there is quite a bit of walking involved for interchange or exit. This is particularly truly at Liverpool Street.
- Some of the stations could do with more visual distinctiveness at platform level - this was something that was realised on older tube lines with different tiling styles.
- I doubt many people are going to use Elizabeth Line out to Reading when you can get GWR services on contactless that are much faster.
- There are still a couple of 315 workings on Shenfield services, although the trains have been debranded.
The auto reverse system was trialled. Not sure if it's been signed off yet. Elizabeth line trains to Reading take about an hour from Paddington. Through running and not having to wait for your GWR train at Paddington may make it easier for some. |
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Post by xtmw on May 30, 2022 21:19:19 GMT
This line won't be as useful for me yet as I am actually near the end of the Central Line, and changing at Liverpool Street for Central London Liz line stations just isn't worth it for me yet. I will 100% use it though as there is cross-platform interchange at Stratford.
Are there any reversal sidings/crossovers in the core section?
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Post by Chris L on May 30, 2022 21:41:46 GMT
This line won't be as useful for me yet as I am actually near the end of the Central Line, and changing at Liverpool Street for Central London Liz line stations just isn't worth it for me yet. I will 100% use it though as there is cross-platform interchange at Stratford. Are there any reversal sidings/crossovers in the core section? There are crossovers and both tunnel bores are bi-directional. |
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Post by ijmad on May 30, 2022 22:38:16 GMT
- WiFi works in the stations, doesn't seem to in the tunnels.
There will be 4G in the tunnels later this year. Not sure why it wasn't switched on for Day 1 but apparently EE are supplying the infrastructure and both they and TfL have confirmed on Twitter it will be going ahead. The WiFi base stations on the trains are designed to forward traffic on via 4G, this works fine on the surface but will only work in the tunnels when the aforementioned 4G is switched on. Then there should be seemless wifi and 4G coverage at all stations and throughout journeys both above and below ground. |
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Post by MoreToJack on May 30, 2022 23:18:19 GMT
There has been some interference with the 4G and other critical systems. I'd much rather have the railway open now rather than wait until data connectivity is 100%!
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Post by d7666 on May 30, 2022 23:26:21 GMT
I do like the way the E.line has been drawn in the Traksy real time maps.
Once again posting a link is defying me*** so you'll have to go look see yourselves.
Kind of puts the XR core in perspective of simplicity compared with the complexity of the GW and GE main line termini.
*** maybe device related, it's a Fire tablet.
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Post by ijmad on May 31, 2022 0:26:28 GMT
There has been some interference with the 4G and other critical systems. I'd much rather have the railway open now rather than wait until data connectivity is 100%! Ah yes, I had heard some rumblings on twitter, I absolutely agree it's not worth delaying the opening for that! Thanks for confirming. |
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Post by Chris M on May 31, 2022 1:23:06 GMT
The auto reverse system was trialled. Not sure if it's been signed off yet. The auto-reverse system is not yet in use, but I believe it is required for the full timetable. The last I heard there were issues with the system requiring something (I think it was the driver's safety device) to be operated in the "rear cab", even when it was empty (I don't know whether this is referring to the cab at the east end of the train departing Paddington, west end departing the siding or both). |
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Post by occasionaltraveller on May 31, 2022 9:50:09 GMT
Are there any reversal sidings/crossovers in the core section? There are crossovers and both tunnel bores are bi-directional. If CartoMetro's map is to be believed, there are crossovers between Tottenham Court Road and Farringdon (roughly around Holborn station), just west of Whitechapel, and on either side of Custom House. It looks like next Saturday's (11 June) closure is down to works in the Plumstead-Slade Green area. Buses are replacing trains on Southeastern and Thameslink. The Crossrail Central Operating Section infrastructure is supposed to be separate, but there could be constraints meaning Abbey Wood station cannot open, even for trains to reverse out of service. It may also mean that the Plumstead Sidings are out of action. Some trains start from there in the morning. Trains cannot directly enter the tunnel from the sidings, they have to reverse at Abbey Wood. It did make me wonder if a limited service from Paddington terminating at Custom House would be possible, but there isn't really anywhere to put a failed train if the Plumstead Sidings aren't accessible. I guess the line management have decided it's better not to run for a single weekend day of disruption, when the line has only just opened. |
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Post by Chris L on May 31, 2022 11:01:09 GMT
There are crossovers and both tunnel bores are bi-directional. If CartoMetro's map is to be believed, there are crossovers between Tottenham Court Road and Farringdon (roughly around Holborn station), just west of Whitechapel, and on either side of Custom House. It looks like next Saturday's (11 June) closure is down to works in the Plumstead-Slade Green area. Buses are replacing trains on Southeastern and Thameslink. The Crossrail Central Operating Section infrastructure is supposed to be separate, but there could be constraints meaning Abbey Wood station cannot open, even for trains to reverse out of service. It may also mean that the Plumstead Sidings are out of action. Some trains start from there in the morning. Trains cannot directly enter the tunnel from the sidings, they have to reverse at Abbey Wood. It did make me wonder if a limited service from Paddington terminating at Custom House would be possible, but there isn't really anywhere to put a failed train if the Plumstead Sidings aren't accessible. I guess the line management have decided it's better not to run for a single weekend day of disruption, when the line has only just opened. It was said prior to opening that some Saturday closures were needed for updates and testing and I think work at Bond Street was mentioned so that it can open in October. The ability for Southeastern to reverse trains at Plumstead is a recent development. It doesn't mean the planned work is there or at Abbey Wood. The Elizabeth line track and access to/from Plumstead sidings is self contained. |
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Post by Dstock7080 on May 31, 2022 12:25:07 GMT
It was said prior to opening that some Saturday closures were needed for updates and testing and I think work at Bond Street was mentioned so that it can open in October. Whitechapel District/H&C station closed too weekend 11/12 June, services suspended to facilitate. (Overground appears to be running) |
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Post by ducatisti on May 31, 2022 20:48:53 GMT
On Thursday last week, I caught a Sevenoaks train from Barnet to get off at Farringdon to catch the LizLine one stop to Moorgate/Liverpool St.
It's astonishing how many voids they.have managed to carve out for crossrail under London isn't it?
Made me think how many recent(ish) lines and service patterns that required.
The completely bonkers bit is that I could have stayed on to City Thameslink and walked to work.
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Post by Chris L on May 31, 2022 22:31:05 GMT
On Thursday last week, I caught a Sevenoaks train from Barnet to get off at Farringdon to catch the LizLine one stop to Moorgate/Liverpool St. It's astonishing how many voids they.have managed to carve out for crossrail under London isn't it? Made me think how many recent(ish) lines and service patterns that required. The completely bonkers bit is that I could have stayed on to City Thameslink and walked to work. Watching cricket at The Oval tonight with the game fishing at 22:05. Walked to Oval station which was very crowded so I used the emergency stairs. Northbound train in the platform which I managed to squeeze on. Heading for Shooters Hill in SE London I would previously have changed to Jubilee line at London Bridge for a train to North Greenwich to get a bus to the top of my road. Things have changed. Stayed on until Moorgate and walked through to the Elizabeth line. Train has just arrived. Lot of party people on the train. Arrived in Woolwich at 22:55. Walked to the bus stop. 2 minutes to wait. Walked through my front door at 23:05. This is at least 30 minutes faster than my previous route. |
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Post by jimbo on Jun 5, 2022 4:06:15 GMT
So what is the Sunday service? Is it the same every day at 12tph throughout the traffic hours?
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Post by Dstock7080 on Jun 5, 2022 6:47:19 GMT
So what is the Sunday service? Is it the same every day at 12tph throughout the traffic hours? A special service will operate on Sunday 5 June 2022 for the Platinum Jubilee weekend running from 08:00-22:00. First train interval x12min, then x10, then to standard x5min from 0830. |
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Post by jimbo on Jun 6, 2022 5:10:28 GMT
All the core tunnel stations are double-ended except for Whitechapel, but I am pretty sure that started out with a planned second ticket hall on Cambridge Heath Road, before economies led to the constructed scheme with only emergency access at its east end. Can anyone confirm my recollection? Woolwich was a later developer supported deep station which also has only one ticket hall.
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Post by aslefshrugged on Jun 9, 2022 12:01:46 GMT
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Post by A60stock on Jun 10, 2022 23:25:51 GMT
Does anyone know why once crossrail is fully operational, shenfield starters will terminate at Paddington? Whilst I see the reasoning for them not to go all the way to reading, I would have thought a Hayes and harlington or Maidenhead service would have been Included? 2tph would suffice
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Post by jimbo on Jun 11, 2022 5:19:31 GMT
I wonder if this will revise planned Lewisham extension tunnelling, which was centred around station sites in the last consultation. Burgess Park station would provide the launch site for tunnel machines towards Lambeth North, but would also await the arrival of tunnel machines from New Cross with spoil removed by train from the latter site. However, their launch would need to await the earlier launch of machines to the east from there to Lewisham before these were returned for the westward drive. Tunnel equipping would start from the new tunnel mouths beyond Lewisham and work westward to Lambeth North. This presumably is the most economic way, but not the speediest, to achieve the end result. |
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Post by spsmiler on Jun 11, 2022 11:17:42 GMT
Does anyone know why once crossrail is fully operational, shenfield starters will terminate at Paddington? Whilst I see the reasoning for them not to go all the way to reading, I would have thought a Hayes and harlington or Maidenhead service would have been Included? 2tph would suffice I think its to reduce the likelihood of delays in one part of London affecting services at the other end of the line. That said, some through trains to Heathrow might be run. |
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Post by Chris L on Jun 11, 2022 13:03:36 GMT
Does anyone know why once crossrail is fully operational, shenfield starters will terminate at Paddington? Whilst I see the reasoning for them not to go all the way to reading, I would have thought a Hayes and harlington or Maidenhead service would have been Included? 2tph would suffice I think its to reduce the likelihood of delays in one part of London affecting services at the other end of the line. That said, some through trains to Heathrow might be run. Stage 5c will see Shenfield trains running beyond Paddington. Next year. |
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