Does The Elizabeth Line Need More Frequent Trains In The Central Section?
Currently, the Off Peak service on the Elizabeth Line is at follows.
- Reading and Abbey Wood – 2 tph
- Maidenhead and Abbey Wood – 2 tph
- Heathrow Terminal 4 and Abbey Wood – 4 tph
- Heathrow Terminal 5 and Shenfield – 2 tph
- Paddington and Shenfield – 6 tph
Note.
- tph is trains per hour.
- There are eight tph to Abbey Wood and Shenfield.
- There are six tph to Heathrow Airport.
But there are only 16 tph through the Central Tunnel between Paddington and Whitechapel stations.
These are typical Off Peak frequencies on other Underground and rail services across London.
- Bakerloo Line – 16 tph – Queen’s Park and Elephant & Castle – 20 tph in the Peak.
- Central Line – 24 tph – White City and Leytonstone – 35 tph in the Peak.
- Jubilee Line – 24 tph – Stratford and West Hampstead.
- Northern Line – 16-20 tph – All routes except Kennington and Battersea Power Station.
- Piccadilly Line – 21 tph – Arnos Grove and Acton Town.
- Thameslink – 16 tph – St. Pancras and Blackfriars.
- Victoria Line – 33 tph – Seven Sisters and Brixton – 36 tph in the Peak.
From these figures, it appears that the Elizabeth Line’s 16 tph is on the low side, when compared to the Central, Jubilee and Victoria Line.
This morning about 11:00, I went between Moorgate and West Ealing stations.
- I went to see FirstGroup’s fast-charge system for battery-electric trains.
- The trains were full both ways.
- There was only the odd seat available.
I know it’s Half Term, but I do think that more services need to run on the Elizabeth Line.
Tregoss Passing Loop On The Atlantic Coast Line
To increase the frequency of trains on the Atlantic Coast Line between Par and Newquay stations, from two-hourly to hourly, Network Rail are proposing to add a passing loop at Tregoss Moor.
This OpenRailwayMap shows the railway as it runs across the moor.
Note.
- Roche station in the North-East corner of the map.
- The red and blue crosses indicating level crossings on the route.
- The map seems to indicate a number of power cables.
I took these pictures from the train, as I came down to Par station.
Note.
- I was sitting on the right-hand-side of the train, looking West.
- In addition to the cables, there are about half a dozen wind turbines.
- Roche station is typical of the intermediate stations on the line – Small, functional and tidy, with a few car parking spaces.
On past form, I suspect that Network Rail could squeeze in a passing loop, that wouldn’t stir up too many antis.
I have one thought,
The St. Austell Link Road
This Google Map shows where the A30 to St. Austell Link Road is being built.
Note.
- The station at the top of the map by the area called Victoria and to the West of Higher Town is Roche station.
- The station at the right edge of the map about halfway down is Bugle station.
- The South of the map is covered by white china clay workings.
- Running diagonally across the map is the A30 to St. Austell Link Road.
This page on the Cornwall web site, says this about the road.
The St Austell to A30 link road will connect the old A30 near Victoria to the north and the A391 at Stenalees roundabout to the south. It will be a new 3.9 mile single carriageway road. It is a vital link to bring opportunities to the area.
This Google Map shows the area, where the Link Road will connect to the A30.
Note.
- The A30 running across the top of the map.
- The Victoria area and Roche station in the North-East corner of the map.
- In the South-West corner of the map their is the site office of the Link Road.
- The current end of the construction scar of the Link Road can be seen at the edge of the map.
- I would assume that the new road joins the roundabout to the North-East of the Construction Office.
- Traffic could be routes North-East from here along the B3274 to join the A30 at Cornwall Services.
- The railway sneaks between the A30 and the construction site.
I hope there’s been a bit of joined up thinking here and the road and the railway have been given the best joint design possible.
Par Station – 10th February 2024
Par station will see changes because of the Mid-Cornwall Metro.
I took these pictures as I passed through.
Note.
- The level crossing was busy with cars every time I crossed it.
- The semaphore signalling.
- The arriving GWR Castle in the last picture.
This Google Map shows Par station.
Note.
- There three platforms. Platform 1 is in the East, with Platforms 2 and 3 forming an island platform.
- There is a footbridge connect the platforms together.
- The Atlantic Coast Line leaves the map in the South West Corner.
As one of the modifications for the Mid-Cornwall Metro, the footbridge will be replaced with one that is step-free.
I have a few thoughts.
Will The Mid-Cornwall Metro Reverse At Par Station?
This OpenRailwayMap shows the track layout at Par station.
Note.
- The tracks shown in orange form the Cornish Main Line.
- The tracks shown in yellow that curve away to the West are the Atlantic Coast Line.
- The busy level crossing is shown in the South-West corner of the map.
- The Atlantic Coast Line connects to Platform 3 on the West side of the station.
- The track layout allows trains to access Platform 3 from both directions on the Cornish Main Line.
It does look like, Mid-Cornwall Metro trains will have to reverse every time, they call at Par station.
Could The Cornish Main Line Be Electrified At Par Station?
At some point in time, it will be desirable to run zero-carbon trains both on the Mid-Cornwall Metro and the Cornish Main Line.
- Plymouth and Par is a distance of 34.7 miles.
- Truro and Par is a distance of 19 miles.
- Newquay and Par is a distance of 20.8 miles.
- All of these distances would be in range of a typical battery-electric train.
- In The Data Sheet For Hitachi Battery Electric Trains, I said that a Hitachi express train with a battery range of 43.5 miles.
To my untrained eye, it looks like Par station wouldn’t be the most difficult place to electrify.
I believe there are possibilities to put an island of electrification at Par to give the trains a quick Splash-and-Dash before continuing.
How Many Direct Trains Should There Be Between London Paddington And Newquay?
The Mid-Cornwall Metro will see the following improvements on the Atlantic Coast Line between Newquay and Par stations.
- A second platform built at Newquay station.
- There will be a passing loop across Treegoss Moor.
- There will be a step-free bridge at Par station.
This will allow the current service on the line to be increased from two-hourly to hourly.
FirstGroup’s services in the UK, include several services, where a service is extended to a terminus away from the main line.
- Avanti West Coast – two trains per day (tpd) to Blackpool
- Great Western Railway – six tpd to Carmarthen
- Hull Trains – five tpd to Hull.
- Hull Trains – two tpd to Beverley.
- Hull Trains (proposed) – two tpd to Worksop and Sheffield.
Given that there will only be an hourly local service on the Atlantic Coast Line, I suspect that FirstGroup will be able to run up to six tpd to Newquay to satisfy the traffic needs of the London and Newquay service.
How Will Great Western Railway Run A Service To Newquay?
Last weekend, when I went to Ebbw Vale, I wrote My Train To Wales Today Divided At Swansea.
My train, that day was a ten-car train formed of a pair of Class 800 trains.
- The front train was signed as going to Swansea.
- The rear train was signed as going to Carmarthen.
- At Swansea the trains split into two.
- The front train finished its journey.
- The rear train reversed out and continued to Carmarthen.
Returning to London Paddington, trains join at Swansea.
Will Great Western Railway use a similar operation with Newquay services.
The train would be a ten-car train formed of a pair of Class 802 trains.
- One train would be going to Plymouth and the other train to Newquay.
- At Plymouth the trains split into two.
- One train finishes its journey at Plymouth.
- The other train continues to Newquay.
As Bodmin General station, has a second platform, that was recently built with financial help from Great Western Railway, could this be another destination served by splitting a train at Plymouth?
I discuss the implications of the second platform at Bodmin General station in Beeching Reversal – Increased Service Provision Bodmin General-Bodmin Parkway
How Long Would A Round Trip Take Between Plymouth And Newquay?
Current timings are as follows.
- Plymouth to Par – 34.7 miles – 50 minutes
- Par to Newquay – 20.8 miles – 51 minutes
- Turnround at Newquay – 5 minutes
- Newquay to Par – 20.8 miles – 51 minutes
- Par to Plymouth – 34.7 miles – 50 minutes
Note.
- Times are from Class 802 trains between Par to Plymouth.
- Times are for Class 150 trains between Par and Newquay.
Total time is 207 minutes or three hours and twenty-seven minutes.
Mid-Cornwall Metro Presentation – 9th February 2024
On Friday, I went to the Mid-Cornwall Metro presentation in the Victoria Hotel in Newquay.
These pictures give a flavour of the excellent presentation.
One thing that is difficult to put on paper is the overall enthusiasm for the project shown by representatives of Cornwall Council, Great Western Railway and Network Rail.
I believe that if this enthusiasm can be translated into action in the next couple of years, them this project can be delivered on time and on budget.
This link will show all my Mid-Cornwall Metro posts.
Hull Trains Open Access Model Drives £185m-380m Economic Boost To Region, New Report Reveals
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on Rail Technology Magazine.
This is the first paragraph.
Open Access rail operator Hull Trains has announced the launch of a report by Arup, highlighting the significant economic, social, and environmental benefits its services have brought to the Hull and Humberside region.
The key findings of the report are as follows.
- Economic benefits: Since it launched in 2000, Hull Trains estimates that it has delivered between £185m-380m since launch. It also projects those benefits will reach an estimated £325m-700m by 2032.
- Increased connectivity: Frequency between Hull and London has grown to seven trains per day (tpd) from just a single train.
- Enhanced capacity: 10-car trains and additional Sunday services doubled seating capacity compared to 2000.
- Sustainability: Modal shift from road to rail has reduced carbon emissions and air pollution.
- Employment: £35m-£70m (2023 prices) generated in direct employment since launch.
As the report is by respected consultancy Arup, I would put a high level of confidence in the findings.
I have a few thoughts.
Did Hull’s Rail Service Help Hull Become UK City Of Culture In 2017?
In the shortlist, the cities were Dundee, Hull, Leicester and Swansea Bay.
If Hull had had just a single tpd from London, would it have been chosen?
Do Hull Trains Make It More Likely That Companies from Outside Will Develop There?
Hull and Humberside in general has GWs of wind energy, several gas-fired power stations and uniquely plenty of storage for natural gas and/or hydrogen.
So if your company uses a lot of energy, Hull would probably be on your short list.
A good well-respected train service to London could help with your choice.
Hullensians Seem Proud Of Their Train Company
In First Class Gluten-Free Food, I described some good service of a gluten-free meal on Hull Trains.
I praised the steward and her mother-in-law said thanks.
Perhaps Other Independent Cities Need Their Own Open-Access Operator?
Hull Trains seems to have been a success and according to the Arup report, Hull has benefitted.
LNER Are Developing Services To Bradford, Cleethorpes/Grimsby Harrogate, Lincoln And Middlesbrough.
Will LNER run services that are tied to the destination, as if they were an open access operator?
Conclusion
Pairing an independent city with its own train company seems a good business practice.
Perhaps it should be done more often?
Safety On The London Underground
This post has been inspired by this article on The Times, which is entitled Woman Who Lost Limbs In Tube Accident Seeks Sadiq Khan Meeting.
This is the sub-heading.
Sarah de Lagarde has launched legal action against Transport for London, which she says has not accepted responsibility and needs a comprehensive safety review.
These two paragraphs add a few details to the story.
A public relations executive who lost her right arm and leg after being hit by two Tube trains has called on Sadiq Khan, the London mayor, to meet her to discuss Transport for London’s “outdated” attitude to safety.
Sarah de Lagarde, 46, slipped on a wet and uneven platform at High Barnet station in north London in September 2022 and fell down the gap between the train and the platform. No one heard her cries for help after she broke her nose and two teeth in the fall. After being hit by two trains she was rushed to hospital, where her limbs were amputated.
These are my thoughts.
The Brave Paramedic
My late wife was a family barrister and one of her clients had been one of the brave specially-trained paramedics, who go under London Underground trains to rescue those who’ve tried to commit suicide or have just fallen, as this lady had.
He said that many don’t succeed in committing suicide, but lose a number of limbs and/or end up in a wheelchair for the rest of their lives. So professionally, he told my wife, he would never recommend it as a method to commit suicide.
Suicide Pits
It should also be noted, that large numbers of Underground stations have suicide pits, where if you fall you may avoid injury or survive. Wikipedia says that a pit halves the number of deaths.
These galleries show the lines at various platforms on the Northern Line.
Angel – Southbound
These pictures show the Southbound track at Angel station.
It should be noted that Angel station does not have platform edge doors.
The suicide pit was installed or rebuilt, when the station was rebuilt in 1992.
Bank – Northbound
These pictures show the Northbound track at Bank station.
It should be noted that Bank station does not have platform edge doors.
The track was rebuilt in the last three years.
Bank -Southbound
These pictures show the Northbound track at Bank station.
It should be noted that Bank station does not have platform edge doors.
The track was built in the last three years.
High Barnet
These pictures show the tracks at High Barnet station.
It should be noted that High Barnet station does not have suicide pits or platform edge doors.
Woodside Park
These pictures show the tracks at Woodside Park station.
It should be noted that Woodside Park station does not have suicide pits or platform edge doors.
These are a few final thoughts.
I don’t like being on the platform, when a train goes past or comes in. Would platforms be safer, if there were shelters or recesses, where passengers could stand back and hold on away from the platform edge?
As an instrument engineer, I wouldn’t be surprised that a specialist camera system couldn’t be developed that could detect bodies on the track.
I have a feeling that some judges might say that London Underground were not doing enough to stop injuries to those falling onto the tracks.
East West Rail: Bedford Mayor Unveils Eight Alternative Routes
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on the BBC.
This is the sub-heading.
The Mayor of Bedford has unveiled other potential routes for the East West Rail (EWR) project through the borough.
These four paragraphs outline the current plans and the result of the Mayor’s study.
EWR has already announced its preferred route, linking Oxford and Cambridge via a new track running through Bedford to the north.
Conservative Tom Wootton has defended spending £40,000 to commission consultants to explore alternative routes to the south.
Their report concluded that all options would boost the Bedford economy.
The mayor reflected: “While there is no definitive winner among the proposed routes, the economic potential of the project for Bedford is significant.”
This map from the article shows the current planned route.
Note.
- Bedford St. Johns station will be rebuilt.
- Trains will go straight through Bedford station.
- Tempsford station will connect the East West Railway to the East Coast Main Line.
- The East West Railway will unlock the building of much-needed housing and commercial developments at Cambourne.
- Trains will go through Cambridge South, Cambridge and Cambridge North stations, and thus serve all important areas of the UK’s Eastern Powerhouse.
As there is no definitive winner among the proposed routes and the economic potential of the project for Bedford is significant, perhaps we should just get on and build the East West Railway’s preferred route.
Heart Raises A Further $107 Million For ES-30 Hybrid-Electric Airliner
The title of this post is the same as that of this article on Future Flight.
Nine companies and funds participated in the funding.
BAe Systems are helping to develop the battery system, as reported in this article on Future Flight.
These two paragraphs describe progress and range respectively.
Heart said that its main engineering goal this year is to complete the development of the ES-30’s powertrain. The company has begun type certification under EASA’s Part 25 rules for commercial aircraft and aims to complete this process in 2028, after achieving a first flight with a prototype in 2026.
The ES-30 will be powered mainly by four battery-driven electric motors, now bolstered by a pair of turbo generators to meet reserve energy requirements “without cannibalizing range.” The new model is expected to offer carriers an all-electric range of 200 kilometers (125 miles), with an extended full-payload range of twice that distance and the potential for longer hybrid-powered flights to 800 kilometers (500 miles) with 25 passengers, taking account of standard airline fuel reserves.
Things seem to be going well for the ES-30.
Improvements To Brimsdown Station
This post on IanVisits is entitled Enfield Council Outlines Possible Rail Station Upgrades.
By reading Enfield Council documents, Ian has found possible station improvements that might happen.
Ian says this about Brimsdown station.
A modest development on the Brimsdown sports ground could contribute towards improvements to access and facilities at the nearby station, supported by some additional housing in clusters around the area.
This Google Map shows the station and the sports ground.
Note.
- The West Anglia Main Line runs North-South at the Eastern edge of the map.
- Brimsdown station is in the South-East corner of the map.
- Brimsdown sports ground is the green space to the North-West of the station.
- From zooming in, it looks like the main sport on the sports ground is fly tipping.
These pictures show the station.
Note.
- I feel today, was probably the first time, I’d caught a train either to or from the station.
- But I must of cycled over the level crossing scores of times going to work at Enfield Rolling Mills.
- After I got my driving licence, I also used to deliver my father’s stationery and other printed goods to the same firm.
Sadly, the firm, where I got my first real taste of industry, that taught me so much is long gone.
The Anonymous Widower 