First ‘As New’ Refurbished Avanti West Coast Pendolino Takes To The Tracks
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on Rail Advent.
The article gives these improvements to the Class 390 trains.
- 25,000 new Standard Class seats
- Conversion of one First Class carriage to provide 2,000 extra standard class seats.
- New onboard shop
- New lighting and carpets
- Passenger information screens (PIS)
- Additional luggage space in standard class
- Power points at every seat
- Refurbished toilets
- New First and Standard Premium seats
The only refurbished train in service is 390125, which operated the following services on the 25th April 2022.
- 0505 Manchester to Euston – Stops at Stockport, Crewe and Stafford
- 0807 Euston to Liverpool – Stops at Milton Keynes Central, Stafford and Runcorn
- 1047 Liverpool to Euston – Stops at Runcorn, Crewe and Stafford
- 1857 Euston to Manchester – Stops at Rugby, Stoke-on-Trent, Macclesfield and Stockport
It will be joined by a second refurbished train early next month.
HyPoint And GTL Ultra-Light Liquid Hydrogen Tanks Could Be A Jet Fuel Game Changer
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on Hydrogen Fuel News.
This is a sentence from the article.
HyPoint and GTL have been developing a groundbreaking liquid hydrogen cryotank design that could turn the entire aircraft industry on its head.
It is claimed that these ultra-light tanks could give a four times increase in range for jet-fuelled aircraft.
The article also claims that HyPoint has developed a new ctype of fuel-cell that could make conventional jet fuel obsolete.
Occasionally, ideas come along, that are literally too good to be true! Usually, they are!
But this one could be the one in a hundred, that isn’t!
Visit the HyPoint web site and see what you think!
I also think, that the technology may have other applications, in addition to aviation.
New Trains Could Be Operating Through Flintshire From May But No Green Light For Two An Hour Service
The title of this post is the same as that of this article on Deeside.com.
These are the first two paragraphs.
Transport for Wales (TfW) is aiming to bring a number of its new Class 230 trains into service on the Wrexham – Shotton – Bidston line next month, three years later than first planned.
However a two train per hour service promised by TfW from December 2021 is yet to be approved by the rail regulator due to an ongoing conflict with a freight operator.
The lateness of the new trains is down to the Covids.
This Google Map illustrates the ongoing conflict with the freight operator.
Note.
- The Borderlands Line running up the Eastern side of the map.
- Buckley station is at the North of the map.
- Pennyffordd station is at the South of the map.
- The Padeswood cement works is on a siding to the West of the line.
The problem is that when a cement train leaves the works, it blocks the railway line for an hour.
Improvements are obviously needed, if the two operators are to share this line.
The article suggests various ideas including Park-and-Ride facilities.
Moorgate Station – 26th April 2022
In July 2021, I wrote Down Into The Depths At Moorgate Station and I included this picture of the lift that connects the Northern and Elizabeth Lines.
For much of the last few months, this lift lobby has been full of builders junk piled along the right hand side.
But today, everything looked finished.
The yellow bars are the barrier to stop passengers taking a closer look.
When Will Crossrail Open?
Between Angel and London Bridge stations, there are four projects underway on the Northern Line.
The Rebuilding Of Old Street Station
This page on the Transport for London web site, describes the rebuilding of the station.
This is an extract.
In summer 2022 we will:
- Create an interim exit route through the main station entrance stairs while works continue on the above-ground part of the new entrance
- Complete final changes to the traffic layout and close Subway 3 over the weekend of 10, 11 and 12 June 2022.
Transport for London’s journey planner also indicates that up to the end of June, there will be no closures of Old Street station or the Northern Line through the station.
It would appear that this project is totally independent of the trains and access to the platforms.
The Bank Station Upgrade
As far as Angel, Old Street, Moorgate and London Bridge stations are concerned, these stations are generally not affected by the work at Bank, as one line between Moorgate and London Bridge stations is being replaced by another.
- The signalling will have to be thoroughly checked.
- Drivers will have to be trained.
- Station staff will have to be trained in the procedures in the new platform at Bank.
I have checked the closed sections of the Northern Line on Transport for London’s journey planner and found this.
- May 1st to May 19th – Northern Line closed between Moorgate and Kennington. As now!
- May 20th – Northern Line fully open
- May 21st to May 22nd – Northern Line closed between Archway and High Barnet
- May 23rd to May 31st – Northern Line fully open
Note.
- I haven’t checked June yet!
- Archway has a turnback siding to allow the High Barnet branch to be closed.
- All dates are 2022.
It does look that the new Southbound tunnel through Bank station could open on May 20th, which is a Friday.
Crossrail Opening
Transport for London’s journey planner provides some interesting information about TfL Rail services.
- May 1st – Slightly reduced service
- May 2nd to May 6th – Normal service
- May 7th to 8th – Slightly reduced service
- May 9th to May 19th – Normal service
- May 21st to 22nd – Slightly reduced service
- May 23rd to May 31st – Normal service
Note.
- The slightly reduced service has a few less early morning services and a possible reduced frequency. It only applies at weekends.
- Normal service is just that, although trains might not be stopping at all stations.
I wouldn’t be surprised to find, that Crossrail can open on any day, where normal service is running.
With the new Southbound tunnel of the Northern Line possibly opening on the 20th May, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Crossrail opening a few days before, so as to give the very busy part of the London Underground in the City of London, a good test.
The Crossrail Pedestrian Route Between Liverpool Street And Moorgate
I described this pedestrian route in London’s First Underground Roller Coaster and as it is part of the Crossrail pedestrian routes, I suspect it will open with Crossrail.
This picture shows a cross-section of the massive Liverpool Street Crossrail station, which will connect Moorgate and Liverpool Street stations when it opens in December 2018.
Note.
- Moorgate station is on the left.
- Liverpool Street station is on the right.
- In the middle looking like a giant juicer is the ventilation shaft in Finsbury Circus.
- The Crossrail tunnels, which consist of two running tunnels and a pedestrian walkway between them are at the deepest level.
- There are escalators and lifts all over the place.
The route will become an ideal walking route between Liverpool Street and Moorgate stations in heavy rain, for those who don’t want to get wet.
But it could open earlier, as it would test the pedestrian tunnels.
A Planned Trip To Belfast
I’m thinking about going over to Belfast for a couple of days to have a look at the transport systems in the city and the wider Northern Ireland.
I have several things, I would like to do.
- Ride in the latest Wrightbus hydrogen and battery-electric buses.
- Ride in a Glider. I also intend to go to Pau to ride in a hydrogen-powered version of these Van Hool Equicity articulated buses, but Belfast is nearer.
- Perhaps, if I have enough time, I’ll visit a few touristy bits.
- Do a bit of research into offshore wind farms in Northern Ireland.
Has anybody got any advice?
Knightsbridge Station – 25th April 2022
I wrote Development Of Knightsbridge Station on November 27th 2017.
It is now a few days short of four years and five months later and the station looks a bit different.
Note.
- The original station entrance on the corner of Sloane Street and Knightsbridge is now a new retail unit for Burberry.
- The original entrance in front of Harvey Nicholls is still open.
- The entrance opened in 2017 on the North side of Knightsbridge is still open.
- The new step-free entrance with lifts, is behind the black hoarding to the right of the new Burberry.
- The pavements are wider around the frontage of Burberry, than they were, when it was the station entrance.
The station is intended to fully open with lifts to the Piccadilly Line by Summer 2022.
Conclusion
This Google Map shows the site of the original Sloane Street entrance.
Note.
- Knightsbridge running East-West across the top of the map.
- Brompton Road running towards the South-West and past Harrods.
- Sloane Street running North-South towards the right of the map.
- The London Underground roundel indication the old entrance.
- Thee large size of the development site.
Is this going to be the world’s most expensive step-free rebuild of a Metro station?
The development is being carried out by the owners of the site; the Knightsbridge Estate, who are ultimately owned by one of Saudi Arabia’s richest families.
On the Development page of the web site, this is said about improving the public realm.
Significant improvements are being made to the public realm. The pavements on Brompton Road and Sloane Street have been widened to ease the pedestrian flow, Hooper’s Court, which links Brompton Road and Basil Street, is being completely remodelled and the Knightsbridge underground station is being substantially upgraded. A brand new tube entrance is being created further west along Brompton Road, a step-free access via two 17-person lifts located on Hooper’s Court will be introduced as well as on-platform cooling systems.
How many other tube stations are there in London with air-cooled platforms?
But then those, who buy the multi-million pound flats in this development, will expect a constant atmosphere between flat and platform. Remember too, that the New Tubes for London being built by Siemens for the Piccadilly Line will be air-conditioned.
London Underground Tests Trains In New Northern Line Tunnel
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on the International Railway Journal.
This is the first paragraph.
Testing of new tunnels at Bank on the London Underground (LU) system reached a major milestone on April 16 when two trains travelled through the new structures.
It looks like the project is going to plan.
From the picture, it looks like the interior decorators haven’t finished.
Eviation Says Cape Air Will Take 75 Alice Aircraft
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on Flight Global.
Orders in the Wikipedia entry for the Eviation Alice says this.
The first buyer for the Alice was Cape Air, a regional airline serving the Northeastern United States as well as the Caribbean. In August 2021, Deutsche Post announced that it had ordered 12 aircraft for use by DHL to transport cargo, with delivery planned from 2024. In April 2022, Eviation stated that Cape Air ordered 75 planes.
It does look like this innovative aircraft could be ready for more than just a first flight.
Applicability To The UK
I have a feeling, that we’ll see a lot of five-to-nine electric aircraft in the UK, as we have lots of islands and quite a lot of small airports.
The Alice has a range of around 500 miles, which is useful, but the take-off run of 800 metres could be a limitation on some islands.
Conclusion
I can’t wait to fly in an Alice.
List Of 34 New Train Stations And Wish List Schemes Leading The UK Railway Upgrade
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on Business Live.
On the list are.
- Liverpool Baltic – In Planning
- Headbolt Lane – Under Construction
- Cheadle – In Planning
- Ashington – In Planning
- Bedlington – In Planning
- Blyth Bebside – In Planning
- Newsham – In Planning
- Seaton Delaval – In Planning
- Northumberland Park – In Planning
- Aldridge – In Planning
- Darlaston – In Planning
- Willenhall – In Planning
- Hazelwell – In Planning
- Kings Heath – In Planning
- Moseley – Under Construction
- Birmingham Moor Street – Upgrade
- Birmingham Snow Hill – Upgrade
- University of Birmingham – Upgrade
- Cardiff Parkway – In Planning
- Deeside Parkway – In Planning
- Edginswell – In Planning
- Portway Park and Ride – Under Construction
- Winslow – Under Construction
- Bletchley – Upgrade
This is a fairly comprehensive list.
London Underground Gets Approval For Walthamstow Central Tube Station Upgrade
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on Ian Visits.
It is from over a year ago and I’m only including it, as it includes a cutaway of the upgrade.
I go regularly to Walthamstow Central station and hopefully, this will make my journeys easier in busy times.
This paragraph from Wikipedia describes some of cost-cutting design features of the current station.
The underground station, like many stations on the Victoria line, was built to a low budget. White ceiling panels were never fixed to the ceilings above the platforms; instead the steel tunnel segments were painted black and used to support the fixtures and fittings, cutting lighting levels. A concrete stairway sits between two escalators instead of a third; this economy caused a disruptive station closure for several weeks in 2004 when both escalators went out of service.
Hopefully, these short comings will be addressed in the upgrade.
But it doesn’t appear there will be step-free interchange between Underground and Overground.
The Anonymous Widower 