Electrification - Gospel Oak to Barking

[whole diary]

[grahame]

The Barking to Gospel Oak line partially closes a week on Saturday, and completely in September, for electrification.  See the Epping Forest Guardian

With little time remaining before an Overground line closes a rail user group is urging passengers to make the most of it.

Half of the Barking to Gospel Oak Overground line closes for electrification on Saturday (June 4) with the remaining half closing on September 24.

It will not reopen until February 2017 and passengers will have to wait until June 2017 before weekend services are restored.

Barking ^ Gospel Oak Rail User Group (BGORUG) is urging people to make the most of it this Saturday (May 28) as it will be the "last chance to use the line for a family day out".

Some nice looking diesel trains will be going spare then?   Please may we have one ... and perhaps a friend to keep it company.  

[John R]

Unfortunately the likelihood is that these will go to Chiltern, in terms of commonality of rolling stock.  Although that could release a couple of Turbos, so it's not impossible that GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) will benefit in due course. Although I don't believe the line will actually be operated by electric stock until the end of 2017 at the earliest, so if you were looking for a stop gap measure prior to GW^▸ (Great Western) electrification coming on stream then you may be disappointed.  Unfortunately....

[eightf48544]

GOB units are 172s so would make sense to go to Chiltern who already have similar units.

Chiltern could then perhaps release some 165/0 but these are 75 mph units so  could be used on TV branches releasing 165/1s for strengthening existing and extra trains on TV mainline.

Probably won't happen even if it appears logical.

[ChrisB]

End of 2017 earliest? Elrctrification on TV mains would mean the 165/1 release would send them West?

[Noggin]

IIRC^▸ (if I recall/remember/read correctly) they get their shiny new class 710s (Aventras, similar to Crossrail) running in early 2018, they keep their 172's until then.

Don't think that a home for the 172's has been announced, TfL^» (Transport for London - about) might think of something to do with them, otherwise Chiltern probably.

I wouldn't worry too much though, by that point GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) will have lots and lots of shiny new green 387's and hopefully enough overhead wires for them to do something useful. The 165's will go west and someone will get Bristol's cast-offs.

Incidentally, the rumour is that some of the 387's might be a battery-electric variant for the Thames Valley branches and possibly even Gatwick, but I wouldn't hold your breath. 

[ellendune]

Incidentally, the rumour is that some of the 387's might be a battery-electric variant for the Thames Valley branches and possibly even Gatwick, but I wouldn't hold your breath. 

To do that efficiently they would have to run on through services under the wires so that they could recharge their batteries.  How would that fit with capacity and the proposed timetable?