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Post by chapelwood on Mar 13, 2009 10:21:27 GMT
Wasn't the Thameslink project supposed to give more stock not less? From 23 March the terminal platforms at Blackfriars are being closed for the Thameslink Project, and all trains will run through to Kentish Town or further. Networkers can't be used for this, as they are not equipped to take electricity from the overhead cable beyond Farringdon, so First Capital Connect is supposed to be getting new stock to run their trains through to Southeastern destinations. There have been delays in delivering the new stock, because some component suppliers have gone out of business, so a reshuffle of trains among several operating companies, including Southern and London Midland, is taking place. Southeastern are contributing a bit to this - a couple of the trains that should run through London are being temporarily cut back to City Thameslink, and will reverse in the Smithfield Sidings there, and are being operated for the time being by Southeastern Networkers.
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Post by Shortformed on Mar 13, 2009 13:31:53 GMT
Yes can anyone explain what this (extr. from the BBC website) means? Where does Paddock Wood fit into this?
"....Network Rail said some trains would have extra carriages, with a new siding planned near Tunbridge Wells, in Kent, so they can be added to trains. Currently, trains formed of 12 carriages from London have to terminate at either Tonbridge or Paddock Wood. Work is expected to be completed on the site between Grove Hill and Strawberry Hill tunnels by December....."
SF
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Post by chapelwood on Mar 13, 2009 18:17:32 GMT
Yes can anyone explain what this (extr. from the BBC website) means? Where does Paddock Wood fit into this? The BBC report was taken from this Network Rail press release: www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=4204&NewsAreaID=2&SearchCategoryID=8When the Hastings line was electrified cost cutting meant that the power supply is only sufficient for 8 coach trains south of Tunbridge Wells, and the restricted platform length between the tunnels means that it is not possible to turn a 12 coach train back there (though it is possible to detach a 4 coach portion, with the remaining 8 coaches running on to Hastings). The references to Tonbridge and Paddock Wood confuse the issue, as Southeastern don't in fact terminate 12 coach trains at either of those stations.
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Post by heofgreatwisdom on Mar 13, 2009 21:03:02 GMT
Now that work is almost complete on replacing the old power cables on the line from Tonbridge to Hastings, can we assume that there will now be enough supply to allow 12-car trains south of Tunbridge Wells?
HOGW
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Post by chapelwood on Mar 13, 2009 21:22:29 GMT
Now that work is almost complete on replacing the old power cables on the line from Tonbridge to Hastings, can we assume that there will now be enough supply to allow 12-car trains south of Tunbridge Wells? I doubt it. I think the restriction is down to the number of substations - it applied when the electrification was new, and the 4VEPs, 4CIGs, and 4CEPs needed less power than the 375s.
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Post by trainplanner on Mar 27, 2009 18:05:15 GMT
Gene Genie and He of Great wisdom, thankyou for your recent postings.
As for the reduction on certain services, we now know that this is due to issues regarding train fleets not being delivered, and not anything else. Can anyone advise if any other trains have been unduely shortened or have mysterisouly been lengthened??
As for the issues regarding train lengths at tunbridge wells, i believe the increase is to permit the turning round of thameslink stock, which will eventually come in 240m fixed sets, which will not be possible in the existing platform under existing rules. It also gives flexibility to run longer trains now than before and could permit the odd 4 car unit being shunted into the siding permitting an 8 car to continue onwards.
Yes joined up thinking is rare and so is future proofing the railway, but sometimes it isn't quite what it seems.
Hoep this answers the questions!
Regards
TP
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