Post by snoggle on Jul 31, 2018 11:11:42 GMT
If tracks, signalling etc are in place, what is stopping the entire Elizabeth Line service from being introduced in December?
It was the original intention, then to play safe and allow things to bed in (and save money) it was phased. Similarly with Thameslink, also was originally going to be whole timetable from day 1
The alternative (cynical) view is there are no longer managers with the skills, and politicians with guts and determination to implement these sort of changes in one go, by ensuring every last bit of work and training is completed in time prior to big bang day.
Politics and money if we are being fair. The coalition govt want to save money so instituted a value engineering exercise and demanded the project be rephased to reduce risk associated with the mix of signalling technologies. Of course you can argue about "lack of skills and guts" but I am sceptical that the entire route would have been ready to open in 5 months time. The scale of delays is such that we would be looking at long delays. It's still not entirely clear when 345s will reach Heathrow in squadron service nor is it evident as to how well the signalling is working in the core. It remains to be seen if all of the new stations open in December.
The irony is that on Thameslink the physical infrastructure works were complete on time. Trains had been supplied late which screwed the driver training and reliability build up processes. GTR and others then compounded these problems by being unable to create a timetable and duty rosters. On Crossrail it looks like elements of the physical infrastructure won't be ready in time and yet trains are in place and I understand the driver training (on the stock) is well ahead of schedule. Remains to be seen how well training on the new route proceeds but I understand drivers have had a decent amount of simulator time. MTR Crossrail also have no driver shortage.