Crossrail/Elizabeth Line. From construction to operation - ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[IndustryInsider]

Network Rail have announced that Aecom have landed the contract to modify the stations west of Paddington on the GWML^▸ (Great Western Main Line).  Work to start late next year.  The link below gives a summary of the works required at each station, which vary from hardly anything at Hanwell (due to it's protected status?), to quite major works at places like Hayes & Harlington including a new bay platform, all other platforms extended, the island platform widened, lifts, canopies and a new station building.  At Slough the west end bay platform for the Slough to Reading shuttle service is mentioned, which, along with alterations at Maidenhead, will hopefully be altered when (I say when because if they don't, then it's one of the most ridiculous decisions ever!) extention of Crossrail to Reading is announced.

http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2011/05/17/aecom-lands-design-job-for-13-crossrail-stations/

[eightf48544]

  At Slough the west end bay platform for the Slough to Reading shuttle service is mentioned, which, along with alterations at Maidenhead, will hopefully be altered when (I say when because if they don't, then it's one of the most ridiculous decisions ever!) extention of Crossrail to Reading is announced.

I agree with you 100% it would be a criminal waste of money to build the bay platform at Slough and the turnback sidings at Maidenhead.

Hopefully GWML^▸ (Great Western Main Line) electrification will just tie into Crossrail's contribution from Hayes to Maidenhead and the wires will be available to Reading before Crossrail tunnelling is finished.

As far as Taplow is concerned it's not Crossrail we want, but the wires. However it is very hard to convince people that you don't need Crosssrail but the wores as far West as possible.

So why not a Bristol to Norwich IEP^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project.), or is that too radical!

We are having an enviromental study by Crossrail of rare plants and animals around the Manor at Slough. Are rats a protected species?   

[bobm]

So why not a Bristol to Norwich IEP^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project.), or is that too radical

I remember when Anglia ran their Crossrail service from Basingstoke to Norwich. Very few wanted to travel end to end and the inevitable delays as it went via Stratford made it unattractive for short journeys. It's a sad fact that while through services can be attractive they are at the mercy of potential bigger delays. If there's a large market for end to end or nearly end to end journeys this can redress the balance but if not splitting the service into shorter sections can be more beneficial.

[eightf48544]

I agree the Norwich Basingstoke service was a flop with delays on the North London lines and having to use 170's because less than a mile of the route was not electrified.

But that's the beauty of Crossrail it's a through tunnel. Any train can pop into the tunnel (OK given compatible signalling which may be tricky and very expensive) at Padd stop all stations and pop out near Stratford and run onto the GE.

It gives some interesting shorter through journey possibilities Swindon to Chelmsford, Reading to Colchester etc. I am sure they would be atrractive to some people.

[paul7575]

It's an interesting discussion point, because AIUI^▸ (as I understand it) the 24 tph Crossrail won't necessarily run all day, just like Thameslink, and will reduce frequency slightly in the offpeak.  As long as such a service could keep up with Crossrail spec acceleration and station dwell times, then a couple per hour off peak would surely be feasible? 

Although on second thoughts with Crossrail having platform edge doors perhaps that should be identical stock or maybe the solution is to dedicate the service to long distance and be non - stop between say Stratford and Ealing Broadway. 

Paul

 

[IndustryInsider]

Weekends, when there's a lot less emphasis on people getting to and from 'the City', could also possibly open up some paths to some more radical thinking with longer distance trains.  I suspect though, initially at least, it'll be a standard clock-face timetable most of the day, a few extra trains in the peak, journey times from the extremities quite slow (but at least direct), with the major benefit being the massive, and badly needed, increase in capacity.

[Electric train]

I like the pipe dreaming on this site 

[paul7575]

I like the pipe dreaming on this site 

Tunnel dreaming surely?   

Paul

[Worcester_Passenger]

Pardon my ignorance - at Paddington, where are the taxis going to be moved to?

[dog box]

somewhere over by span 4

[ChrisB]

On the taxi deck, the old Parcels deck. Sometime fairly soon too, I hear.

[ChrisB]

It's an interesting discussion point, because AIUI^▸ (as I understand it) the 24 tph Crossrail won't necessarily run all day, just like Thameslink, and will reduce frequency slightly in the offpeak

18 / hour off-peak, isn't it?

[Tim]

I enjoy these pipe dreams too, but isn't one of the problems that crossrail will be within TfL^» (Transport for London - about) (Boris) control.  Will TFL^▸ (Transport for London) really be interested in running intercity trains?

[ChrisB]

Livingstone might be....

[Zoe]

18 / hour off-peak, isn't it?

Was 14 tph off peak last time I looked.  6 tph Shenfield to Paddington of which 2 tph continue to Maidenhead.  8 tph Abbey Wood to Paddington of which 4 tph continue to Heathrow.  The ORR^» (Office of Rail and Road formerly Office of Rail Regulation - about) refused the additional off peak paths requested.