The Overground Advantage
I think that the London Overground has a tremendous advantage over other rail lines that are being developed. Look at this picture of the new extended platform on Willesden Junction station.
An Extended Platform At Willesden Junction
The platform has been extended for the new five car trains which will start to run later this year. It would appear it has been a simple job, as there was nothing in the way of the extra platform.
Most of the developments in progress on the Overground, like the lengthening of platforms and the addition of shelters and small shops for coffee etc., seem to not require too much work, as most of the stations seem to have been built fairly well, with longer platforms, than are currently used. So some of the lost space is just being regained.
But also remember that many of these stations had been neglected for decades before they were incorporated into the Overground.
So they have the great advantage that any money spent shows a tremendous improvement.
It’s a bit like buying a wreck of a house, which looks so much better after you’ve cleaned out the previous owner’s junk and painted the front door.
So perhaps other lines in London and the wider UK could benefit from the sort of procedures that are being applied to the London Overground. In truth, I’ve come across quite a few stations across the UK, like Middlesbrough, Huyton, Bexhill, Wigan and Hartlepool, that have been made much more attractive for passengers without breaking the bank.
After all, if you have clean stations with good facilities and the trains have comfortable seats and they are clean and on time, you will probably go some way to increasing the number of passengers.
My worry about this lengthening of London Overground trains from four to five cars, together with longer and better stations, is going to be far too successful, in getting others to use the route.
At least though, the Class 378 trains can probably be lengthened again to six-car trains, by the simple process of sticking another carriage in the middle.
From Upminster To Romford
When I heard this morning, that the Romford to Upminster line was to get a new train, I thought it was something I should visit. So I took the District line to Upminster, used the branch to get to Romford and came back to Liverpool Street on the first train. These pictures tell the story.
Both trains two and three were Class 315. The train to Romford was surprisingly busy for about twelve o’clock. They both sounded to be in reasonable mechanical condition and the only problem with the trains, is the awful pink colour around the doors.
It looks like these trains will be sent to Wales after refurbishment. So perhaps the Welsh can choose another colour scheme.
New Train For Romford To Upminster
Until this morning, I didn’t know there was a train line from Romford to Upminster. But there is and it has a comprehensive Wikipedia page, which says it generally has a half hour service run by an elderly Class 315.
Today though, one of my trawls picked by the news that Transport for London has asked for tenders for new trains for the West Anglia and Gospel Oak to Barking services. The story is on Global Rail News. This the last paragraph.
Thirty of the new trains will replace the current West Anglia stock, which will undergo a deep clean and rebranding. Eight more will go the newly-electrified Gospel Oak to Barking route, with the remaining unit going into service on the Romford to Upminster line.
So the Romford to Upminster line gets the 39th train.
This section is on Wikipedia about the future uses of Class 315.
As most duties of the 315s will be taken over by new Class 345 Aventra trains once Crossrail is built, it has been suggested that the 315s could be cascaded to the Wales and Borders passenger franchise to be used on Valley Lines services in the Cardiff area following electrification.
If most of the class do go to Wales, it will be a long way to move the single train on the Romford to Upminster line for servicing.
I can only see one reason why the order will not go to Bombardier to deliver some more of the excellent Class 378 and that would be because the company didn’t feel it wanted to bid.
Some Transport Related April Fools
This year was particularly good for April Fools in the papers and around the Internet. The Times today even has a discussion on the Letters Page today, about which of their stories yesterday were real.
There were three transport-related stories, that I found.
1. Wombles fan plays April Fool’s Day joke in Kensal Green
2. Councils at loggerheads over Croxley Rail Link viaduct colour scheme
3. Like A Bat Out Of Crossrail
It is good to see that gentle humour isn’t dead yet!
The Shard Mucks Up My Journey Home
I had lunch today in Carluccio’s at Canary Wharf and afterwards went to the excellent Waitrose there to get some shopping that is difficult to find closer to home.
As the DLR wasn’t running due to engineering works, I decided to get the Jubilee line home. I can either change to the Overground at Canada Water station or go to London Bridge station and get a 141 bus home.
But on windy days like this, only a large person would go via London Bridge, as the wind around the Shard makes the bus station a rather unpleasant place.
So I used the Overground!
An Historic Station On The Overground
Wapping station on the Overground is more or less unique. It is built into the access shaft that was used to build the Thames Tunnel, so must in some ways be the railway station in the world, with the oldest structure or building. It certainly has lots of brickwork and other interesting structures.
It’s also a good place to go to see trains going through the Thames Tunnel.
I sometimes wonder, what the well-known resident of Wapping, Alf Garnett would have thought of the Overground. Compared to the 1960s, the journey that Alf would take from Wapping to Upton Park to see West Ham United, is the same, but he would probably be complaining about the new trains on both lines, where you can walk from one end to the other.
The Immaculate Lady On The Train
This morning I took the Overground to Stratford to catch the high-speed train to Margate, so I could have a look sat the town and its attractions and hopefully get some fresh air in the sun by the sea.
Opposite me, was a Chinese girl of about twenty, and a white lady of about my age. The Chinese girl appeared to be sketching something, so I stood up and asked her, saying that in all my years no-one had ever made a drawing of me. I also exchanged a few words with the other lady, who from her accent was English, or had lived here all her life.
As the girl wasn’t drawing me, I returned to my seat and carried on with my sudoku.
I then looked at the English lady, who was immaculate dressed from top to toe, in the style of someone twenty years younger, with a just-above-the-knee black skirt, black tights, a beige cashmere roll-neck jumper and short boots in a harlequin design. She’d let her hair go grey and it was held back with a clip. I can’t remember what her coat was like, but as C always did, she was wearing expensive leather gloves.
We both left the train at Stratford and exchanged a few words. I did at least compliment her on her style, before we went off in different directions.
Why is it, I can’t find myself a girlfriend like that?
Tidying Up Dalston Kingsland Station
They would appear to be getting to grips with the vegetation at Dalston Kingsland station.
As the Dalston Eastern Curve Garden is under threat from the expansion of the shopping centre, why don’t they ask that team to improve the station?
One surprising thing, is that you rarely see a vandalised garden in Hackney. This doesn’t fit the stereotype.
The Overground Features In The United States
This story from the Telegraph is priceless!
The Americans needed some meaningful footage for an advertising campaign and chose some stock footage taken on the London Overground.
I should think all those concerned with London’s superb new railway, from management to drivers and passengers, are pleased, as it is rather flattering and in a way says, it must be one of the most photogenic railways in the world.
The Overground Wins The Passengers’ Votes
I like the London Overground and believe that it has helped to improve the part of London where I live. I’ve heard stories of people getting their first job because it enables them to get reliably to a job out of the area they live.
But don’t just believe me, read this report. Here’s an extract.
The London Overground has trounced the competition in a survey of passenger satisfaction.
Overall, users had an 89 per cent satisfaction rate with the service, a survey conducted by independent rail watchdog Passenger Focus showed.
This compares with 82 per cent for all operators in London and the south east and 83 per cent across the national network.
Let’s hope the Overground works its magic on Tottenham, Walthamstow and Enfield, as it expands next year.
The Anonymous Widower 