Would Third-Rail Tram-Trains Affect The Design Of The Proposed Streatham Interchange Station?
Transport for London’s proposal for the Bakerloo Line Extension comes with a very nice map of the various projects that will be carried out to improve rail services in South London.
It is all good stuff and most is easily explained.
There is a little yellow box, which has a title of Streatham Common and contains the words.
Potential new interchange hub.
This map from carto.metro.free.fr shows the rail lines around Streatham and Streatham Common stations.
Streatham Interchange station has been proposed and could be at the major junction to the North of Streatham Common station.
Trains on the following routes could call.
- Thameslink services on the Sutton Loop Line, through Wimbledon and Sutton.
- Various Southern services between London Bridge and Victoria in the North and Caterham, Croydon, Epsom and Sutton in the South.
- Fast services between Victoria and the Brighton Main Line pass through.
I have also seen speculation on respected web sites, that the Overground will be extended to the new Streatham Common Interchange.
I suspect Transport for London’s plans will improve the lot of many travellers.
Third-Rail Tram-Trains To Streatham
If Streatham Interchange is going to be an important hub, then surely, it should be served by the Tramlink.
Third-Rail tram-trains would be able to run from any of these power sources.
- Overhead electrification on tramways.
- Third-rail electrification on rail tracks.
- Batteries on any tracks, including those without any electrification.
Most power changeovers would take place at tram-stops or stations. Although, I suspect that changing bertween battery and third-rail power would be automatic.
Third-rail tram-trains could run into Streatham Interchange on any standard third-rail track and could use any platform, be it a through platform or a bay one, that is used by standard trains.
These are the two obvious routes.
Use The Sutton Loop Line From Mitcham Junction Station
This map from carto.metro.free.fr shows the track layout at Mitcham Junction station and Tramlink between Mitcham and Beddington Lane tram stops.
Note that the black tracks are the Sutton Loop Line with Mitcham Eastfields station to the North and Hackbridge station to the South.
I think it would be possible, from what I have seen on other tram-train systems, to link the Sutton Loop Line to Tramlink, so that tram-trains could go between Bedddington Lane and a proposed Streatham Interchange.
A tram-train going between Croydon and Streatham Interchange would do the following.
- Stop in Beddington Lane tram stop.
- Drop the pantograph and change to battery power.
- Proceed to Mitcham Junction station.
- Connect to third-rail electrification.
- Run as a train to Streatham Interchange.
In the opposite direction, the sequence would be reversed.
Use The Sutton Loop Line From Wimbledon Station
This map from carto.metro.free.fr shows the track layout at Wimbledon station.
Haydons Road station is on the Sutton Loop Line going towards the proposed Streatham Interchange.
This picture shows a Thameslink train in Platform 9 and a tram in Platform 10b at Wimbledon station.
I think it could be possible to make Platform 10b into a bi-directional Tramlink platform to connect to Streatham Interchange.
Currently, twelve trams per hour turn at Wimbledon and I suspect that this needs two terminating platforms.
Conclusion
Connecting tram-trains at Wimbledon to the Sutton Loop Line may be tricky, but it should be easier at Mitcham Junction.
However, so long as Streatham Interchange has enough capacity for Tramlink services, there shouldn’t be a problem.
Clean Drivers To Sport Green Numberplates
The title of this post is the same as that as an article on page 11 of today’s Sunday Times.
The first paragraph gives a few more details.
Electric and hydrogen-powered cars, vans and taxis may be awarded green numberplates in a public display of virtue.Chris Grayling, the transport secretary, said giving clean vehicles a “green badge of honour” was a “brilliant way of helping increase awareness” ans “might just encourage people to think about” getting one themselves.
I think it’s a good idea and apparently Norway, Canada and China have green plates.
I like it as it would be easier to spot a battery taxi, which are so much nicer than the older models.
Jesse Norman, a junior Government minister is also thinking about tax breaks for e-Bikes and for ecargobikes for “last mile” deliveries.
I Don’t Like The Colour
Lamborghinis should be in a stand-out colour.
I remember a friend had a car in a similar colour and it was always getting damaged, as other drivers didn’t see it.
