Season 4 of ‘The Fifteen Billion Pound Railway’ gets under way with a two-parter documenting the final stages of the project before the start of core passenger services.
This and next Sunday at 8pm on BBC Two
Child of Middlesex, student of the City, resident of the Metropolitan
Many moons ago, when the Liz was still a dream, the service along the GW main line from Reading had a variety of local options from Reading. ( my local station is Twyford) there were the all stations. semi fast, stopping at Twyford, Maidenhead, Slough, Ealing and 'super' fasts Reading, Twyford, Maidenhead. although those and the returns were only a couple of trains morning and evening using P1 and 2 iirc. Now it seems its just an every station service, outside the rush hour ( willing to be corrected)
Could it be possible to put on limited stop services or is the Liz faster that the GWR all stations it replaces? and could the pathing take it Having said that looking forward to a trip on it
Many moons ago, when the Liz was still a dream, the service along the GW main line from Reading had a variety of local options from Reading. ( my local station is Twyford) there were the all stations. semi fast, stopping at Twyford, Maidenhead, Slough, Ealing and 'super' fasts Reading, Twyford, Maidenhead. although those and the returns were only a couple of trains morning and evening using P1 and 2 iirc. Now it seems its just an every station service, outside the rush hour ( willing to be corrected)
Could it be possible to put on limited stop services or is the Liz faster that the GWR all stations it replaces? and could the pathing take it Having said that looking forward to a trip on it
There are still GWR services mixed in with Elizabeth line trains sharing the tracks. Various journey times.
You can check stopping points on the National Rail journey planner.
Many moons ago, when the Liz was still a dream, the service along the GW main line from Reading had a variety of local options from Reading. ( my local station is Twyford) there were the all stations. semi fast, stopping at Twyford, Maidenhead, Slough, Ealing and 'super' fasts Reading, Twyford, Maidenhead. although those and the returns were only a couple of trains morning and evening using P1 and 2 iirc. Now it seems its just an every station service, outside the rush hour ( willing to be corrected)
Could it be possible to put on limited stop services or is the Liz faster that the GWR all stations it replaces? and could the pathing take it Having said that looking forward to a trip on it
There were/are plans for some limited stop semi-fasts to Reading in the peaks (likely 2023 onwards). Off peak, Reading services already skip Hanwell. The Heathrow T5 services may skip stops in the final timetable as they do currently. That is likely to be the limit of complexity though I think, too many complex patterns on a single pair of tracks that also had freight occasionally crossing it is not a recipe for a reliable service.
When I entered Woolwich station this morning I heard an announcement that there was no lift service at Tottenham Court Road.
When I got off there shortly afterwards I saw an elderly lady in a wheelchair with 2 helpers by the lift. The sign above the doors showed Lift under staff control.
The helpers were about to assist the elderly lady to stand and use the escalator. I intervened and said to use the nearest help point. I showed one of the helpers how to use it. Got the ringing tone but no response.
I said I would tell the staff on the gate line of the situation. This I did to the 3 staff in conversation by the gates.
One of them used her radio and I saw that she was told to go and help. One of the helpers had come to the gate line and they went down the escalator together.
Several things spring to mind. Why was there no response on the Help Point? Given the amount of CCTV on the station why hadn't the lady in the wheelchair been spotted? Then why wasn't a member of staff at the lower landing?
I mention this because there does seem to be a us and them situation developing on the stations. The "Tube"staff think it's an Elizabeth line problem. Something similar happened when an incline lift failed at Liverpool Street over the bank holiday weekend. The station management were not allowed to direct people to the Moorgate lifts.
Important that the station staff are allowed to work together.
I mention this because there does seem to be a us and them situation developing on the stations. The "Tube"staff think it's an Elizabeth line problem. Something similar happened when an incline lift failed at Liverpool Street over the bank holiday weekend. The station management were not allowed to direct people to the Moorgate lifts.
Important that the station staff are allowed to work together.
very bad situation, but I suppose its because 'they are not part of our system'
I mention this because there does seem to be a us and them situation developing on the stations. The "Tube"staff think it's an Elizabeth line problem. Something similar happened when an incline lift failed at Liverpool Street over the bank holiday weekend. The station management were not allowed to direct people to the Moorgate lifts.
Important that the station staff are allowed to work together.
very bad situation, but I suppose its because 'they are not part of our system'
Liverpool Street is going to be an interesting watch.
The whole station is now run from a new control room at Moorgate.
Liverpool Street is going to be an interesting watch.
The whole station is now run from a new control room at Moorgate.
I am sure that this was thought through, pros, cons, etc so that this decision was not taken lightly, however I am totally mystified.
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I was in Ilford Town Centre on Friday and went looking for updated signage at the temporary station. I'll be candid, I only expected the name 'TfL Rail' to be covered over. What has been done implies that it will be a while yet before the new station building is ready to open.
I'm not sure why, when they had more space for the station name they chose to use a smaller font. I am totally baffled!
I am sure that this was thought through, pros, cons, etc so that this decision was not taken lightly, however I am totally mystified.
What is mystifying you ? Something in that post ? Or something further back upthread ? Lost me here.
They are separate stations, surely they should be controlled / managed locally?
Oh and if there was a problem (for instance a Central line train giving off smoke) which required the entire station to be closed so as Moorgate is still a separate station Northern line passengers using this station would not understand why they should be included in that closure.
What is mystifying you ? Something in that post ? Or something further back upthread ? Lost me here.
They are separate stations, surely they should be controlled / managed locally?
Oh and if there was a problem (for instance a Central line train giving off smoke) which required the entire station to be closed so as Moorgate is still a separate station Northern line passengers using this station would not understand why they should be included in that closure.
No longer separate.
The control room is just inside the new ticket hall at Moorgate.
They are separate stations, surely they should be controlled / managed locally?
Oh and if there was a problem (for instance a Central line train giving off smoke) which required the entire station to be closed so as Moorgate is still a separate station Northern line passengers using this station would not understand why they should be included in that closure.
No longer separate.
The control room is just inside the new ticket hall at Moorgate.
You beat me to it.
The point is it is now physically a single "station", two groups of platforms with different names merged into a single complex with multiple exits serving both; this needs to be centrally managed and uniquely controlled.
Not sure on this, but aren't Bank and Monument managed from a single control room for similar reasons ?
Bank and Monument are indeed managed as a single station. I don't know whether it is for the same reasons but it does seem likely.
True - but Bank can be closed and Monument remain open, I believe?
So, has anyone said when Moorgate closes so must Liverpool Street ? or v.v. ? I don't think anyone has said that have they ? In which case the situation is no different. or have I missed something upthread ?
Bank and Monument are indeed managed as a single station. I don't know whether it is for the same reasons but it does seem likely.
True - but Bank can be closed and Monument remain open, I believe?
Yes, but Moorgate can close and Liverpool Street remain open (and vice versa) in exactly the same way. Which is also the exact same way that at Embankment the Northern line can close and the Bakerloo line remain open, or the Northern and Jubilee at London Bridge, or SSR and Central at Notting Hill Gate, etc, etc
The essential things in life are seen not with the eyes, but with the heart. --Antoine de St. Exupery
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.
After the mess that was the Thameslink opening (and Heathrow T5), I imagine "big bang" openings have been binned and replaced with incremental work-ups. Until you run trains out onto the "other" network you don't have that risk. Once you connect you have the risk of something affecting Reading hitting crossrail and rippling accross to Shenfield.
Re the discussion about Liverpool Street, Moorgate, Bank and Monument.
Liverpool Street LU, whilst linked physically to the rest of the complex, continues to be managed separately. Moorgate runs itself (LU), plus the Crossrail part, which despite being named Liverpool Street, is actually part of Moorgate. Both stations have distinct rosters and minimum numbers as they were before being physically linked, although they are managed as one area.
Bank/Monument is linked physically and managed as one station, although it is possible to open/close differing parts of the station according to need or operational requirements.
Re the discussion about Liverpool Street, Moorgate, Bank and Monument.
Liverpool Street LU, whilst linked physically to the rest of the complex, continues to be managed separately. Moorgate runs itself (LU), plus the Crossrail part, which despite being named Liverpool Street, is actually part of Moorgate. Both stations have distinct rosters and minimum numbers as they were before being physically linked, although they are managed as one area.
Bank/Monument is linked physically and managed as one station, although it is possible to open/close differing parts of the station according to need or operational requirements.
Whilst I respect your view it is at variance with what I was told by a supervisor outside the Moorgate control room when I spoke to him about the failed incline lift over the Jubilee weekend. This is near the gate line at the Liverpool Street end which is staffed by LUL personnel.
Re the discussion about Liverpool Street, Moorgate, Bank and Monument.
Liverpool Street LU, whilst linked physically to the rest of the complex, continues to be managed separately. Moorgate runs itself (LU), plus the Crossrail part, which despite being named Liverpool Street, is actually part of Moorgate. Both stations have distinct rosters and minimum numbers as they were before being physically linked, although they are managed as one area.
Bank/Monument is linked physically and managed as one station, although it is possible to open/close differing parts of the station according to need or operational requirements.
Whilst I respect your view it is at variance with what I was told by a supervisor outside the Moorgate control room when I spoke to him about the failed incline lift over the Jubilee weekend. This is near the gate line at the Liverpool Street end which is staffed by LUL personnel.
He confirmed it was his problem.
Indeed it would be, as I wrote above, the Crossrail part of Liverpool Street is managed by Moorgate. Their part runs up to where the wall used to be at the top of the central line escalators near the Met line platforms. I.e. any new part belongs to Moorgate and will be controlled by them.
A short video of my visit to the Elizabeth Line. Filmed at Custom House, Paddington, Tottenham Court Road and Canary Wharf. The Eliizabeth Line, 28th June 2022. Click or tap to play.
At Ilford, good progress has been made on the replacement of the concrete slab within the main concourse. Removal of the historical defective slab elements is now completed, and Network Rail anticipates the station building and lifts being brought into use in summer 2022. link
The unexpected evacuation during the first day of service was completed successfully and was attributed to an over sensitive tunnel beam which had since been adjusted. Provisional figures for passenger usage on the first day of service was 460,000 in total. [Minutes of the Elizabeth Line Committee - Wednesday 25 May 2022] link page 7 of 58. Any details of this incident? One needs to take care with "over sensitive tunnel beams"!
By the end of 20 June 2022, the Elizabeth line had seen around 10.25 million passenger journeys across the whole route since it launched on 24 May 2022, around five million are estimated to have involved the central section from Paddington to Abbey Wood. The central section of the Elizabeth line is currently seeing at least 200,000 journeys being made most weekdays. (page 20 of 58)
The unexpected evacuation during the first day of service was completed successfully and was attributed to an over sensitive tunnel beam which had since been adjusted. Provisional figures for passenger usage on the first day of service was 460,000 in total. [Minutes of the Elizabeth Line Committee - Wednesday 25 May 2022] link page 7 of 58. Any details of this incident? One needs to take care with "over sensitive tunnel beams"!
By the end of 20 June 2022, the Elizabeth line had seen around 10.25 million passenger journeys across the whole route since it launched on 24 May 2022, around five million are estimated to have involved the central section from Paddington to Abbey Wood. The central section of the Elizabeth line is currently seeing at least 200,000 journeys being made most weekdays. (page 20 of 58)
The incident was a fire alarm activation at Paddington at about 8:40 - it was in progress when my train arrived and we were hurried off the train and up to the surface.
The unexpected evacuation during the first day of service was completed successfully and was attributed to an over sensitive tunnel beam which had since been adjusted. Provisional figures for passenger usage on the first day of service was 460,000 in total. [Minutes of the Elizabeth Line Committee - Wednesday 25 May 2022] link page 7 of 58. Any details of this incident? One needs to take care with "over sensitive tunnel beams"!
By the end of 20 June 2022, the Elizabeth line had seen around 10.25 million passenger journeys across the whole route since it launched on 24 May 2022, around five million are estimated to have involved the central section from Paddington to Abbey Wood. The central section of the Elizabeth line is currently seeing at least 200,000 journeys being made most weekdays. (page 20 of 58)
The incident was a fire alarm activation at Paddington at about 8:40 - it was in progress when my train arrived and we were hurried off the train and up to the surface.
Silly me! I was thinking this was an sensitive concrete beam, which I believe do exist. I presume it was a sensitive light beam, detecting dust rather than smoke! A wonder it didn't cause trouble during all the trial running!