Thameslink Services Through Brockley
This post is a follow up to Thameslink’s 24tph Introduction Held Over To 2019, which I wrote yesterday, after doing a little bit of digging anf buying the printed copy of Rail Magazine.
When the full 24 trains per hour (tph) timetable is fully implemented the routing of Thameslink services through South London could be as in the provisional timetable in Wikipedia.
- 1/2 – Bedford to Brighton – via London Bridge, East Croydon and Gatwick Airport
- 3/4 – Bedford to Gatwick Airport – via London Bridge and East Croydon
- 5/6 – Peterborough to Horsham – via London Bridge and East Croydon
- 7/8 – Cambridge to Brighton – via London Bridge, East Croydon and Gatwick Airport
- 9/10 – Cambridge to Maidstone East – via London Bridge, New Cross and Swanley
- 11/12 – Bedford to East Grinstead – via London Bridge and East Croydon
- 13/14 – Bedford to Littlehampton – via London Bridge, East Croydon and Gatwick Airport
- 15/16 – Luton to Rainham – via London Bridge, New Cross and Greenwich
- 17/20 – St. Albans to Sutton – Bia London Blackfriars and the Sutton Loop
- 21/22 – Luton or Kentish Town to Orpington – via London Blackfriars and Catford
- 23/24 – Welwyn Garden City to Sevenoaks – via London Blackfriars, Catford and Otford.
Looking at the routes of these trains shows.
- Twelve tph will run between London Bridge and East Croydon along the Brighton Main Line through stations between Brockley Norwood Junction.
- Ten tph serve Gatwick Airport.
- Ten tph serve Luton Airport.
This morning I stood on Brockley stations and counted trains on the two fast lines of the Brighton Main Line.
In half an hour, I counted less than eight trains in each direction of which one was Network Rail’s leaf cleaning train and another was the Thameslink service between London Bridge and Brighton.
This article in Rail Magazine is entitled Thameslink’s 24tph Introduction Held Over To 2019.
This is a paragraph.
However, GTR will start running some trains on routes earlier than planned. Speaking exclusively to RAIL on November 15, Chris Gibb, chairman of the Thameslink Programme Industry Readiness Board, said that as soon as drivers were trained, GTR services would be diverted via London Bridge from January instead of May, and via the Canal Tunnels from April.
From my observations this morning and my scrutiny of the proposed timetable, it would appear that the twelve tph between London Bridge and East Croydon can be accommodated on the fast lines of the Brighton Main Line, given the following conditions.
- The track and signalling between London Blackfriars and New Cross Gate via London Bridge is completed.
- The London Bridge to Brighton service is discontinued, as Thameslink will replace it.
Thameslink running through London Bridge from January, will surely mean the following.
- Faster and more reliable services between London and Gatwick Airport and the South Coast, using more direct route and the Brighton Main Line, North of East Croydon.
- Less congestion on the Blackfriars route for Thameslink, as it winds through South London.
At present only four tph run on Thameslink, that could use the new direct route.
So if these transfer in January to their own platforms in London Bridge, there will be improvements.
In the Rail Magazine article, Chris Gibb also stated that the Canal Tunnels will be in use by April.
So will we see services gradually added to the Thameslink service, as the route proves it is capable of handling the trains?
This is no Big Bang change, but a simple step-by-step process.
More Details In The Print Copy Of Rail Magazine
The full Rail Magazine article has now been published in print and I have a copy.
Chris Gibb describes the May 2018 timetable change as a Big Bang.
- Capacity increase of 35,000-40,000 into the core at Peak periods.
- New service between Cambridge and Brighton.
- New service between Horsham and Peterborough.
- New service between Luton and the Medway Towns.
- New service between Littlehampton and Bedford.
- New service between East Grinstead and Bedford.
There will be 18 tph through the core.
The article say this frequency will rise to 20 tph in December 2018 and 22 tph in May 2019.
A Possible Thirty Tph Through The Core
The Rail Magazine article also says this.
He (Chris Gibb) explained that 30 tph could run through the core, but that infrastructure either side of it, would not support this.
This increase must open up the possibility of new destinations to the North and South.
Everybody would have their favourites.
Mine could be.
- Ashford International for Eurostar.
- Old Oak Common via the Dudding Hill Line.
- Kettering and Corby
- Milton Keynes
It will be interesting to see what is proposed, let alone implemented.
Discount Railcard Extended For People Aged Up To 30
The title of this post is the same as this article on the BBC.
It is probably a good idea if you are younger than thirty.
But what about all those people aged between thirty and sixty, when they are eligible for a Senior Railcard?
And especially those, who always travel alone!
Thameslink’s 24tph Introduction Held Over To 2019
The title of this post is the sane as that of this article in Rail Magazine.
This is the first paragraph.
Govia Thameslink Railway will introduce the full 24 trains per hour through the central London ‘core’ between St Pancras International and Blackfriars, as part of the £6 billion Thameslink programme, in December 2019, and not December 2018 as planned.
The decision has apparently been taken after an independent review, and has been designed to reduce risk at a major timetable change in May 2018.
But is it not all bad news. This is another paragraph.
However, GTR will start running some trains on routes earlier than planned. Speaking exclusively to RAIL on November 15, Chris Gibb, chairman of the Thameslink Programme Industry Readiness Board, said that as soon as drivers were trained, GTR services would be diverted via London Bridge from January instead of May, and via the Canal Tunnels from April.
Looking at the timetables for January, there doesn’t appear to be any Thameslink trains through London Bridge in the January timetable.
Is The West Midlands Going To Get A Tram-Train Line?
This article on Global Rail News is entitled Midland Metro Extension Receives £200m Boost From UK Government.
This is the first paragraph.
West Midlands mayor Andy Street has confirmed that £200 million from the UK government’s new ‘Transporting Cities Fund’ will be used to extend the Midland Metro to Brierley Hill.
The Brierley Hill Extension would use the currently disused South Staffordshire Line. It would link Wednesbury to Stourbridge, via Dudley, Brierley Hill and the Merry Hill |Shopping Centre.
Wikipedia says that ten trains per hour would run South of Wednesbury and five services would go to each of Birmingham and Wolverhampton.
The Need For Tram-Trains
The South Staffordshire Line is also wanted by Network Rail for use as a freight line.
Tram-trains would be the solution for a line-share.
- The extension could be configured to suit Class 399 Tram-trains.
- Class 399 tram-trains seem to be working well in Sheffield as trams.
- In Rotherham the Class 399 tram-trains will co-exist with the heaviest of freight trains.
- Dual-voltage tram-trains would allow electrification of the South Staffordshire Line with 25 KVAC at a later date if required.
The biggest advantage would be the cost savings, as both the tram-trains and the freight trains could use the same standard of track.
But I also feel that all the design problems for the extension will have been explored in a practical way in the Sheffield-Rotherham trial.
Should the Tram-Trains Terminate At Stourbridge?
The Global Rail News article doesn’t mention Stourbridge, but Wikipedia indicates it could be the terminus of the tram route.
If tram-trains are used on the route, then to run them as trains to Stourbridge Junction station may be a good idea.
Conclusion
This extension of the Midland Metro has a lot of possibilities.
I think that like the Midland Metro’s proposed use of battery trams, it shows that the West Midland Combined Authority is not afraid to be innovative.
Why Has 319448 Not Been Repainted?
In the November 2017 Edition of Modern Railways, there is a picture of this Class 319 train passing behind the Ordsall Chord bridge on Page 49.
The train is on the right hand page and appears not to be in the usual Northern Electrics blue.
So why has it not been painted?
319448 Is A Class 319/4 Train
319448 is a Class 319/4 trains, which are probably the best variant of the Class 319 trains, as they have been refurbished a couple of times and have a First Class section, less 2+3 seating and a Universal Access Toilet.
These pictures which show a typical Class 319/4 train, were taken when the trains were being used on Thameslink.
So preparing 319448 for service in the North-West was probably a lot easier, than some of the other Class 319 trains.
Northern probably needed an extra Class 319 train urgently and bringing it into service in Thameslink condition was probably acceptable to customers and their cash-flow.
The exterior painting and the tidying up of the interiors can probably be done later, when there is less pressure on stock numbers.
319448 Is Going To Be Converted To A Class 769 Bi-Mode Train
In the Wikipedia entry for the Class 769 train, the serial numbers of the Class 319 trains to be converted are given.
769424, 769431, 769434, 769442, 769448, 769450, 769456, 769458, 769???, 769???, 769???
Note.
- The first three digits identify the train class and the last three digits the train number in that class.
- After conversion 319424 will become 769424
According to Issue 834 of Rail Magazine, 319456 and 319434 are in Loughborough for the conversion.
So it looks like 319448 will be converted to 769448.
Northern’s Need For Class 769 Trains
The Wikipedia entry for the Class 769 train, says this about Northern’s initial use of the trains.
Northern have indicated that the use of these trains would be of most benefit on routes that are part electrified, whereby they would be able to use the pantograph for the main part, while being able to operate using diesel power away from the overhead lines. The first route to be confirmed by Northern for the running of Class 769 units was the Windermere branch line between Oxenholme and Windermere in North West England.
Once the current electrification program between Manchester and Blackpool, Preston and Stalybridge is complete, there are several partially-electrified routes, where Class 769 trains might be used in North West England.
- Blackpool South to Colne
- Liverpool Lime Street to Chester via Runcorn and the Halton Curve.
- Manchester Piccadilly to Buxton
- Manchester Piccadilly to Liverpool Lime Street via Warrington
- Manchester Victoria to Blackburn via Todmodern and Burnley
- Manchester Victoria to Clitheroe via Bolton and Blackburn
- Manchester Victoria to Kirkby
- Manchester Victoria to Southport
- Preston to Barrow
- Preston to Ormskirk
If the trains are a success, then surely more trains will be deployed around the electrical networks in Leeds and Newcastle.
A Possible Conversion Plan
Could the conversion of a Class 319 train to a Class 769 train be something like this multi-stage process.
1. Pre-Service Changes
The Class 319/4 trains have for several years been running without serious problems on the Thameslink route,
However, due to different operational rules, I suspect that there will be some changes that have to be carried out before the trains can run in the North. 319448 has obviously had these changes.
2, Pre-Conversion Test Running
If I’ was going to spend a lot of money converting a train, I’d give it a thorough testing with experienced drivers and engineers to make sure there wasn’t an expensive fault.
Northern have a team of drivers with lots of experience of their current fleet of thirty-two Class 319 trains.
The train could even be used in passenger service, as it is an unmodified Class 319/4 train little different to the others in Northern’s fleet.
3, Conversion To Class 769 Train
The train can then be removed from service and converted to a Class 769 train.
4, Testing And Entry Into Service
The trains can be appropriately tested.
5. Interior Refurbushment And External Painting
Doing this last is probably a lot easier, given that the Class 319/4 trains are generally in a good state cosmetically.
A Production Line Would Be Possible
I believe if you do the Project Management professionally for the conversion of the eleven trains need by Northern and the extra five for Wales, it will be possible to fit together a very orderly and efficient production line.
I can envisage that production of units getting quicker as experience is gained.
Ordsall Chord Progress – 17th November 2017
The Ordsall Chord is now more or less complete.
I started my walk by the Museum of Science and Industry and walked in a circle finishing up in the car park of the Manchester Marriott Victoria and Albert Hotel.
Ticketing
One thing that needs to be sorted around the Ordsall Chord is the ticketing.
Suppose I arrive at Piccadilly from London and want to go to say Salford Crescent or Salford Central, which in my view are both stations in the centre of Manchester.
Will I have to buy a ticket or would a London to Manchester Stations ticket be OK?
If I was in charge of Manchester ticketing, all of the following stations would be considered Manchester stations.
- Deansgate
- Oxford Road
- Piccadilly
- Salford Central
- Salford Crescent
- Victoria
It’s going to get more complicated.
Suppose a train operator decided to run a service from London Euston to Huddersfield via the Ordsall Chord stopping at perhaps Piccadilly, Oxford Road, Deansgate, Salford Central and Victoria. Would a London to Manchester Stations ticket be available?
Such a ticket is available to Liverpool and I regularly use my ticket from London to go down to James Street station for the Pier Head.
Incidentally, I just tried to buy a day return to Manchester and the ticketing site didn’t offer me a Mancunian equivalent of a London Zone 6 Travelcard, that is valid on trains and trams. Does such a ticket exist?
Blackburn To Manchester Every Thirty Minutes
That’s what it says on this poster, I photographeds at Blackburn station on Saturday.
Full words on the poster are.
Blackburn To Manchester
Every 30 minutes
Starts December 10
Mon-Sat 9.30am – 17.30pm
Both Directions
Certainly one young guy I spoke to, said it would change his travelling for the better.
Looking at the online timetable gives a few clues.
- The current Manchester Victoria to Clitheroe service continues.
- The current Manchester Victoria to Blackburn service via Todmorden continues.
- The second service in each hour uses the Bay Platform 3 at Blackburn.
- Some services seem to be Stalybridge to Blackburn via Manchester Victoria.
As Stalybridge to Preston and Blackpool via Bolton will be electrified soon, could it be that Northern are gearing up to have an electrified core route with diesel branches, that would be ideal for Class 769 trains.
Consider.
- Four-car Class 769 trains could replace pairs of Class 150 and Class 156 trains.
- The trains have a respectable top speed in both electric and diesel mode.
- The pantograph can be raised and lowered as appropriate.
- The trains have a Universal Access Toilet and meet all the Persons of Restricted Mobility Access rules.
- If more electrification is added, the trains will take advantage.
Could we see the upgrade between Manchester and Blackburn on December 10th, implemented using Class 769 trains?
News on the Class 769 trains has been very sparse lately.
According to a technical specification that I’ve seen, four of the Class 769 trains are planned to be in service by December 2017.
So is everything going to plan or has it all gone pear-shaped?
What trains turn up on December the 10th will be useful information!
The Finest Low-Alcohol Gluten-Free Beer In The World
In some ways this is an open letter to Archie Norman and Jonathan Adnams, who are respectively chairman of Marks and Spencer and Adnams Brewery.
Adnams brew Southwold Pale Ale 0.5% for Marks and Spencer.
I have three medical conditions.
- I am coeliac, which means I must avoid gluten.
- I’ve had a stroke and am on Warfarin, which means I can’t drink too much alcohol.
- I have a need to drink lots of fluids and I find beer is best.
So I need a low-alcohol and gluten-free beer, that has all the thirst-quenching properties of beer.
I should say that my grandfather had the same need to drink a lot and he eventually turned into a serious alcoholic and died at the age of just forty.
I am now seventy and started drinking halves of Adnams at fourteen in Felixstowe Conservative Club, whilst playing snooker with my father. Since a stroke seven years ago, I’ve probably never drunk more than ten units of alcohol in a week.
The Southwold Pale Ale 0.5% satisfies my need for a low-alcohol beer and it has a quality taste, that I very much like.
When I was diagnosed as a coeliac twenty years ago, one of the problems was finding a decent gluten-free beer. So I had a discussion with a brewer at Adnams and he said that their beers could be gluten-free.
But I never tried one!
However, after testing a few bottles of Southwold Pale Ale 0.5% , I was convinced that the beer was low enough in gluten not to have any ill-effects on my body.
But then surely, a low-alcohol beer must be made with less barley to create the low-alcohol level!
I think Southwold Pale Ale 0.5% is a superb beer.
Don’t just take my word for it!
In the reviews on the Marks and Spencer web site, these are some of the titles.
- Favourite Low Alcohol Option
- Best Low Alc Beer I’ve Tried Yet
- Excellent Low Alcohol Pale Ale
Two other reviewers complain about the availability of the product.
Research shows that as many as one-in-fifty of the population of the UK could be coeliac.
Conclusion
Improving the availability of this product could be good for all concerned.
Then
Increasing Capacity Across The Pennines
I’m not sure, if this is what Northern said they would do to increase the capacity across the Pennines.
The Class 168 train is towing a Pacer to nearly double capacity.
I saw this approach three times between Todmorden and Leeds.
This gallery shows the Class 150 train pulling a Pacer, I used between Todmodern and Halifax.
Do you get a discount for travelling in inferior accommodation?
A Pit Stop At Todmorden
On my trip across the Pennines, I had to change trains at Todmorden station.
I was able to buy a reasonable hot chocolate in the Queen Hotel and I would think about using the hotel for a bed for a night, if I were in the area.
It was certainly warmer in the hotel, than on the platform.
The Anonymous Widower 