The Anonymous Widower

Are Transport for London Reorganising Train Deliveries?

In the May 5th Newsletter of the Barking – Gospel Oak Rail Users Group, this is said.

It is now looking increasingly likely that the first of our new 4-carriage electric trains will arrive around the turn of the year and be diverted to another London Overground service because Barking – Gospel Oak is still without energised overhead wires.

The first 14 of the new trains (Class 710/2) were due to be shared between the Barking – Gospel Oak and Euston – Watford Junction services, the remainder (Class 710/1) going to Romford – Upminster and Liverpool Street – Cheshunt/Chingford/Enfield Town services.

It has been said in a couple of places, that to get electrified freight trains through North London, whilst the hiatus at Hackney Wick station was taking place, needed to get the wires on the Gospel Oak to Barking Line (GOBlin) switched on as soon as possible. Now it appears that the electrification won’t be available this year.

I think that Transport for London may be rescheduling how the trains are delivered.

I would perhaps introduce the new Class 710 trains like this.

Note that there are two types of Class 710 Trains.

• 31 x 710/1 for Cheshunt, Chingford and Romford to Upminster Line – 25 KVAC only – stabled at Ilford
• 14 x 710/2 for Watford DC Line and  GOBlin – Dual Voltage – stabled at Willesden.

Could this be TfL’s strategy?

1. Put a 710/1 on Romford to Upminster Line for initial testing and driver training.
2. Replace trains on Cheshunt and Chingford services to bed in the new Class 710/1  trains.
3. Replace Watford DC Line trains with new Class 710/2 trains.
4. Cascade the current Watford DC Line  Class 378 trains to the North and East London Lines as planned to boost services.
5. Check out all Class 710/2 trains for the GOBlin by running on the Watford DC Line.
6. Finish the electrification on the GOBlin, whilst running services with the current Class 172 trains.
7. When the GOBlin electrification tests successfully, introduce the Class 710/2 trains.
8. Cascade the Class 172 trains.

I think this strategy is low-risk and has the following advantages.

• Romford/Upminster with its need for just a single train would surely be an ideal line for initial testing and driver testing.
• Cheshunt, Chingford and Watford DC services, shouldn’t be particularly difficult lines on which to replace one electric train with another.
• The Class 378 trains from the Watford DC services would be available to boost Stratford to Gospel Oak services before electric trains run between Barking and Gospel Oak.
• The dual-voltage Class 7810/2 trains will be fully tested on the Watford DC Line before any deplayment on the Goblin.
• The Class 172 trains would only be cascaded, when TfL have accepted the GOBlin and its new Class 710/2 trains.

But provided the track of the Gospel Oak to Barking Line is usable, the Class 172 trains and diesel-hauled freight will always get through.

May 10, 2017 - Posted by AnonW | Transport/Travel | Class 710 Train, GOBlin Electrification, Gospel Oak And Barking Line, London Overground