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Post by snoggle on Aug 15, 2016 19:00:50 GMT
A new consultation has turned up from TfL. It is about TfL's desire to make the central section of Crossrail "specialised infrastructure". This is a device under the Railways Act which effectively prioritises the capacity of the infrastructure for high frequency metro services and to pretty much restrict the ability for anyone else to secure paths on the infrastructure. This ensures that TfL have the ability to operate the planned services and secure the revenues to pay back the required financing of the infrastructure. consultations.tfl.gov.uk/rail/crossrail-cosIn the pdf below there is a diagram of the proposed service frequency and service patterns (peak and off peak). It also provides a track diagram for the TfL owned section. consultations.tfl.gov.uk/rail/crossrail-cos/user_uploads/16.08.09_specialised_infrastructure_designation_consultation.pdf |
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Post by snoggle on Aug 15, 2016 21:04:06 GMT
One of the interesting things in the consultation document is the first glimpse of Crossrail's peak and off peak service patterns.
Off Peak
4 tph Shenfield to Paddington (all stations)
2 tph Shenfield to Reading (semi fast Paddington to West Drayton)
2 tph Shenfield to Maidenhead (semi fast Paddington to West Drayton)
4 tph Abbey Wood to Heathrow T4 (all stations)
4 tph Abbey Wood to Paddington (all stations)
Peak
the above off peak service pattern but supplemented by
4 tph Shenfield to Paddington (all stations)
4 tph Gidea Park to Liverpool Stn (high level) all stations, peak direction only.
2 tph Abbey Wood to West Drayton (semi fast Paddington to West Drayton)
2 tph Abbey Wood to Paddington (all stations)
There is also reference to occasional Peak only services that operate between:
- Shenfield to Heathrow
- Shenfield to West Drayton
- Abbey Wood to Reading
- Abbey Wood to Maidenhead
The diagram also makes reference to "quiet periods" before 0700 and after 2100 when the off peak pattern may not apply.
The above service pattern throws up some oddities like no direct access to / from Heathrow from Stratford eastwards. Also no services to / from Acton Main Line to Stratford eastwards. There are also discontinuities in West London with no trains between West Ealing and Hanwell which looks really daft. Again Hanwell can't be reached without a change from Stratford eastwards. West Ealing also doesn't have direct trains to Heathrow - you have to change at Hayes. I know there are constraints in West London but it all looks a bit peculiar to me and not what has been advertised to people.
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Post by ServerKing on Aug 17, 2016 4:12:28 GMT
When you live in West Ealing, you get used to being overlooked  I guess with Ealing Broadway just next door it is no surprise you have to go there to get a Heathrow train. Conversely, a short walk and E2 bus gets you to Northfields for trains to the Airport  |
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Post by snoggle on Aug 17, 2016 10:47:12 GMT
When you live in West Ealing, you get used to being overlooked I guess with Ealing Broadway just next door it is no surprise you have to go there to get a Heathrow train. Conversely, a short walk and E2 bus gets you to Northfields for trains to the Airport True enough but given the relative "hype" about Crossrail and "metro" type services I think the loss of a stopping service locally along the GWML will come as a shock. Obviously Crossrail overall will be more frequent than now but I can see locals moaning about the apparent complexity. I know the issue is insufficient track capacity to cater for Crossrail, residual FGW services and the high volume of heavy freight traffic but even so. |
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Post by snowman on Aug 19, 2016 18:35:47 GMT
Crossrail will this weekend open a new platform at Abbey Wood for the North Kent line, thus allowing Crossrail to use the new platforms on north side
The dedicated platforms will form part of the specialised infrastructure
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Post by snoggle on Oct 25, 2016 20:28:54 GMT
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Post by snowman on Oct 26, 2016 6:54:55 GMT
This is a lot of regulatory stuff regarding track access. Follows the earlier application for specific service usage Effectively is trying to block open access so someone doesn't take their freight train along the line as the shortest route From what I have heard, there is a worry that the phased introduction might cause problems with crowding, it was obviously done for operational ease, but will the public really understand that once Elizabeth line opens, will initially only have a third of its trains. Then two thirds from May 2019. Unless they have a temporary timetable it will be uneven gaps on Central section, as the trains to each route and destinations are supposed to alternate. The late 2019 service cannot be started in May 2019 as it requires all the trains, and the 7 coach ones on the Liverpool Street service from May 2017 need to be lengthened and rebranded (TfL rail to Elizabeth line) which was going to happen during this 6 month delay (although might be better to introduce full service Sept 2019 after quieter school holidays ). I do wonder if extra trains will be ordered as happened on Jubilee line extension. I believe upto 6 extra trains per hour can be added under signalling system being installed. Wasn't Paddington supposed to open early with some local trains diverted to the new platforms from main station. On another note the GW signalling is being altered over Christmas to commission both the Acton Dive under and the new section of Stockley flyover (Heathrow junction) so new sections can be used by existing trains from January. |
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Post by snoggle on Oct 26, 2016 12:31:21 GMT
This is a lot of regulatory stuff regarding track access. Follows the earlier application for specific service usage Effectively is trying to block open access so someone doesn't take their freight train along the line as the shortest route From what I have heard, there is a worry that the phased introduction might cause problems with crowding, it was obviously done for operational ease, but will the public really understand that once Elizabeth line opens, will initially only have a third of its trains. Then two thirds from May 2019. Unless they have a temporary timetable it will be uneven gaps on Central section, as the trains to each route and destinations are supposed to alternate. The late 2019 service cannot be started in May 2019 as it requires all the trains, and the 7 coach ones on the Liverpool Street service from May 2017 need to be lengthened and rebranded (TfL rail to Elizabeth line) which was going to happen during this 6 month delay (although might be better to introduce full service Sept 2019 after quieter school holidays ). I do wonder if extra trains will be ordered as happened on Jubilee line extension. I believe up to 6 extra trains per hour can be added under signalling system being installed. Wasn't Paddington supposed to open early with some local trains diverted to the new platforms from main station. On another note the GW signalling is being altered over Christmas to commission both the Acton Dive under and the new section of Stockley flyover (Heathrow junction) so new sections can be used by existing trains from January. Of course it is regulatory stuff - TfL are not exempt from the law. They are required to establish all of this as they, via a subsidiary, will control regulated infrastructure. It is hardly a shock that TfL is seeking to ensure paths are available for Crossrail trains. If it doesn't do this then the entire project could be undermined at the point of entry to service. TfL's ability to pay back some of the borrowing would also be undermined. I don't think that is really acceptable. As for the phased entry then that was forced on Crossrail by the government which required the spending profile to be "flattened". However given the problems with new signalling on the GWML Crossrail are probably delighted to have an extra year to try to cope with the fall out from those delays. I agree there are all sorts of issues with the phased introduction of Crossrail services but we are stuck with it and TfL will have to work very hard to ensure people understand what is going to happen at each stage. To be fair to them every press release related to the build up of services (for example new trains being tested) includes the phasing for the introduction of services so the information has been put "out there" multiple times and will no doubt continue to be. I think financial constraints in TfL's budget will limit the procurement of extra trains. I also think there will be a dilemma about "did we get it wrong" if new trains and extra sidings have to be ordered within a short time of the project completing. I can see TfL would not want Crossrail's reputation to be tarnished by the perception of some people thinking "bit daft isn't it? Shouldn't they have bought enough trains? Who got their sums wrong?". Obviously there is a counter argument to this but it is how you present it and time it. TfL got away with it on the Overground where extra carriages and trains were ordered before any of the new trains even entered service. That, however, was in an era of far more generous funding than TfL enjoys now. Paddington gains "TfL Rail" services from May 2018 when MTR Crossrail take over the Heathrow Connect service. That will be run with 9 car trains out of OOC. These will run into the high level platforms, not downstairs. I don't see that TfL can bring in any elements of the "through service" on to NR metals earlier than planned. They are tied to the NR timetable change dates in respect of passenger services. On another blog someone suggested there might be a "preview" service on the core section but I think that could be problematic to manage. |
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Post by snoggle on Nov 24, 2016 23:07:50 GMT
Confirmation in new papers to the new Programmes and Investment Panel meeting as to how Crossrail services will build up and "transition". There is also confirmation that TfL are talking to the DfT about increased off peak services, more trains to Reading and running to Terminal 5. There is also a statement that overnight services at weekends are being considered but would need agreement with Network Rail. content.tfl.gov.uk/pic-161130-09-crossrail-services-and-transition.pdf |
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Post by snowman on Dec 8, 2016 10:31:14 GMT
One interesting feature of the latest TfL Board minutes is a section on Crossrail services, section 4.6 and 4.7 suggest the Paddington to Heathrow services will continue to operate separately during phases 3 and 4 (Phase 2 is 4 trains an hour Paddington - Heathrow replacing the 2 trains per hour Heathrow Connect). Previously had been assumed that the Heathrow services would operate to Abbey Wood in phase 3 Transition link |
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Post by snoggle on Dec 8, 2016 13:28:12 GMT
One interesting feature of the latest TfL Board minutes is a section on Crossrail services, section 4.6 and 4.7 suggest the Paddington to Heathrow services will continue to operate separately during phases 3 and 4 (Phase 2 is 4 trains an hour Paddington - Heathrow replacing the 2 trains per hour Heathrow Connect). Previously had been assumed that the Heathrow services would operate to Abbey Wood in phase 3 Transition linkDon't think there has ever been an official assumption that through services across Paddington Low Level would run earlier than Dec 2019. Always been a split service for approximately 18 months - May 2018 to Dec 2019. I've not seen any change in this phasing and service build up for many years. |
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Post by snowman on Dec 8, 2016 14:10:37 GMT
One interesting feature of the latest TfL Board minutes is a section on Crossrail services, section 4.6 and 4.7 suggest the Paddington to Heathrow services will continue to operate separately during phases 3 and 4 (Phase 2 is 4 trains an hour Paddington - Heathrow replacing the 2 trains per hour Heathrow Connect). Previously had been assumed that the Heathrow services would operate to Abbey Wood in phase 3 Transition linkDon't think there has ever been an official assumption that through services across Paddington Low Level would run earlier than Dec 2019. Always been a split service for approximately 18 months - May 2018 to Dec 2019. I've not seen any change in this phasing and service build up for many years. As worded it lists Paddington - Abbey wood in phase 3 and says Heathrow - Paddington will be separate. Both services using Paddington (Crossrail) platforms. I had assumed the Heathrow trains would be a through service (effectively 4 trains running beyond), rather than a separate service (as stated). Maybe it has been worded wrongly and intention isn't to use the new station as terminal from both directions for 18 months. |
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Post by snoggle on Dec 8, 2016 16:36:11 GMT
Don't think there has ever been an official assumption that through services across Paddington Low Level would run earlier than Dec 2019. Always been a split service for approximately 18 months - May 2018 to Dec 2019. I've not seen any change in this phasing and service build up for many years. As worded it lists Paddington - Abbey wood in phase 3 and says Heathrow - Paddington will be separate. Both services using Paddington (Crossrail) platforms. I had assumed the Heathrow trains would be a through service (effectively 4 trains running beyond), rather than a separate service (as stated). Maybe it has been worded wrongly and intention isn't to use the new station as terminal from both directions for 18 months. It's very simple. The diagrams in the presentation distinguish between High and Low Level termini very clearly. Padd (Surface) - Heathrow T4 - TfL Rail service starts in May 2018 and replaces Heathrow Connect. The document says "using existing tracks" which explicitly rules out using the low level platforms and new approach tracks via the Westbourne Park portal. Abbey Wood - Paddington (Low Level) - Lizzie Line service starts in Dec 2018. The Liv St (Surface) - Shenfield and Padd (Surface) - Heathrow T4 services rebranded as Lizzie Line from TfL Rail in Dec 2018. The paper says clearly "no change" to these services - therefore the Heathrow service continues to run from Paddington (surface) platforms. The Shenfield route is joined to the Tunnel Section in May 2019. A small number of peak time trains run to (AM) or from (PM) Liv St (Surface) to supplement the main service running via the Central London tunnels as far as Paddington (Low Level). In Dec 2019 the Crossrail service at Paddington (Low Level) is extended westwards. It absorbs the service that had run into Paddington (Surface) as well as adding more trains to Maidenhead / Reading. The peak direction only trains into Liv St (Surface) will be extended to 9 car length around this time following works at Liv St to remove 1 platform and lengthen others for the full length Class 345 trains that will then form the entire Crossrail fleet (sorry can only bare to use Lizzie Line in small quantities). It's bloomin' Crossrail!!! |
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Post by snoggle on Apr 4, 2017 11:30:09 GMT
TfL have initiated a further round of consultation on regulatory documents needed for the operation of Crossrail's central section. consultations.tfl.gov.uk/rail/ccos-access/This includes timetable planning rules, access rules, systems etc. As ever a lot of this stuff is quite technical but the timetable planning rules give the first glimpse on how long it will take for trains to run along along the section. |
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I guess with Ealing Broadway just next door it is no surprise you have to go there to get a Heathrow train. Conversely, a short walk and E2 bus gets you to Northfields for trains to the Airport 
