24hr Olympic tube service eh Boris?

Nothing new - looking at the TTNs for the '35 and '52 Coronations there was gap of much less than an hour between first and last trains. Of course this was in an era before programme machines reset themselves at 3 and people willingly worked extra hours.

I've never seen a TTN for the '48 Olympics - but I know that there is a full set in captivity.

The Olympics in Sydney did not need all-night trains....

I think a large portion of his appeal was that he wasn't going to do stuff (eg the unconsulted western extension to the congestion charge). I have a lot of sympathy for some of Livingstone's early stuff, but he was starting get project-itis. (I still voted for him as better than Boris).

Won't bother me either way.
Interested to note the RMT has been quoted as talking abnout safety issues etc. Wonder if they are going to get talked into a corner as being "anti-olympic", there is certainly widespread cynicsm about their talking about safety whenever they strike.

I certainly don't see there's any issue with running for 24hrs in short bursts (although I hope everything will be checked and fettled beforehand.

I did not vote Boris either

I didn't vote for him, nor my wife and daughter, though we don't live in London! I am quite a fan of his. As to Mr Livingstone, some of us remember when he was Deputy Leader of the GLC. I am sure that a lot of DD members weren't even born then. However, despite his politics being the anthithesis of my family's I have to say that initially, especially when he stood as an Independent for Mayor, he was probably the right man for the job. He might still have been if dare I suggest if he had remained on an Independent hustings. I started out in local politics back in 1973, in Hounslow, but have had experience back to when my father first stood for Feltham UDC back in 1961. I can say that I have I believe seen 'how the system works' in London. Well, I thought I did until I started watching the televised Questions of the Mayor, and realised that perhaps it is a different ballgame now.

I also have to say that I was very much 'around' when the Heathrow T4 extension was mooted and eventually authorised and built. There was no Mayor of London then, but it was still a trying and nail-biting time as to whether the link would ever be built. London has seen a whole string of failed projects in the past. I would, having worked in Acton, like to see the Uxbridge Road tram system but local objections seem to have killed that off.

I am sure that the 24-hour or extended-hours for the opening and closing ceremonies would be agreeable to the RMT. In the end it must surely come down to money, and I am sure that there will be plenty to reimburse the staff? Who knows, the District works might even have been finished by then? Still, the Unions (I think ably) represent the workers on the ground and given plenty of time to negotiate and discuss before 2012, something can be agreed for the benefit of London and the country.*

Being a cynic again, I do wonder if there is any point in the Gaz Guzzler charge...sales of Smarts have soared as it is unpatriotic/foolhardy/ridiculous/uneconomic or whatever words you want to add in to drive one in this day and age, with fuel costs so high. Sales of SUVs or 4x4s have dropped like a stone. Nowadays even in country and rural areas some cars are virtually worthless compared to a year or so ago. Our little KIA has a 1.1 litre engine, has done 73,000 miles ince March 2005 and has just proven to have averaged 50 mpg over 260 miles (3/4 tank). Yet I absolutely fume at the way that, around here, 4x4 drivers (not Land-Rovers or Utility vehicles) think that they own the road and can lord it over the rest of us.

As to pollution control, unfortunately the LTI taxis are still belching out exhaust gases, and yet even under the previous administration no demand for cutting taxi emissions seems to have been proposed.


* I should add that London is not the only area to benefit from the Games. Apart from football up in Scotland, down in Weymouth there will be the sailing. This is hoped to benefit the local economy, and I pray that SWT or whomever runs the trains down there at the time gets their act together. Also that the road works down to Portland from Dorchester which are so needed, work as planned.

As we have a while yet, and that by summer 2012 there will be new staff joining with an eye on the Games, I agree that negotiations should start, well now!

Depends which bit of paperwork you read; I've seen 40 foot long with 1200 entries and also 45 foot long with however many entries it is at 0.3" pitch. Perhaps Acton Town S5 or JR 15 Secs can confirm, as they've both contributed to Programme Machine related threads? I know we've had a discussion that mentions 50 foot long with 1400 entries....

Chanelling Colin:



How many programme machines will still be around in 2012?

Yes - it unwound all over my dining room floor! ;D

No, but I have had to hand wind a roll on its carrier before now. It takes a good few minutes...

I know that Boston Manor and Northfields were also among the first.
At least the 3 you mention are now on the cards, as when Tube Lies were paying for it, they were going to miss out them sites as they are Metronets!
I wonder if Ealing Broadway is included or if that is too complicated!

However - least said soonest mended - Ealing Broadway is only complicated from an asset ownership/management POV [1] - I'd hesitate to suggest: but I'm going to anyway - check your DC [2] feeds.

As it is bad form to use textspeke:

[1] Point Of View, I'd suggest that (ultimately) it might be worth looking into the supply/rectification between the Central and District - 'cus I think one is 'Yellow'and t'other is 'Blue' - think of: phase angle, vanes &c. Not to mention the historical antipathy.

[2] Direct Current.

1. I was told Brixton S2 had the longest roll can't remember the length though.

2. Well if all goes well not many the Northern & Victoria lines should be in their new control rooms and the new SSL control at Hammersmith should open before then although we will have to wait and see how the first change overs go on the Met.

Indeed! A victim of the collapse of Metronet, I believe the contract for the signalling is being re-tendered and ground has not yet been broken on the building site.