Thoughts on Boris and opening of Woolwich Arsenal

Woolwich Arsenal Opens
Originally uploaded by MackenzieBlu

As promised here some more detailed writings on what went on yesterday.

Monday was the latest opening of an DLR extension. once again ahead of its planned opening and quietly transforming the local area. I managed to view the station a few months back while its was under going final touches to become the station fit for the public. One thing I was surpised was the feeling of airyness at the high two levels from the skylight (you can see the affect it has on the image above with some of the skylight just on the right hand side of the image). The basic island layout of the station reminds me of North Greenwich (grey rather than blue) but thats hardly a bad thing.

Now back to the opening. Boris managed to get himself caught up in a major delay and turned up 40mins late and then managed to struggle to get the barriers open with his Oyster (seriously). One thing if hes coming from London bridge, shouldn't he have had a paper ticket? Especially as he used a SouthEastern service to get to Woolwich Arsenal. Once Boris got there he was mobbed by locals and went straight into shaking hands.

Boris speech to the gathered pressed seemed more about giving a commanding prescense than actually saying much. He seemed to like the word regeneration alot as he used it repeatedly. He actually did a joke that TfL should take over SouthEastern as soon as possible to keep the train serve running to time! Seems Mayors have a taste for TOCs with Ken wanting Southern!

The invited guests were taken around a short tour around the station before being taken down to platform level and Boris spoke to reporters. This is where I got to speak to Ian Brown of TfL Rail and managed to get some important questions answered.

I managed to get a train back with Boris and Ian Bown onboard.It was clear once we got to City Airport that Boris had never been this way before. As the local area was described for him it made me think, after all he had gone on about regeneration but didnt seem to know what was actually happening in the Royal Docks at all.

All in all another success for the DLR is now hard at work supporting people in East London. I would like to thank my contacts at the DLR for my invite for the day and hopefully see you again for the next opening.

To see my images from the day go to my flickr set

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mackenzieblu/sets/72157612477279631/

Boris Opens Woolwich Arsenal

Boris Opens Woolwich Arsenal (DLR)
Originally uploaded by MackenzieBlu

Today was the offical opening of the latest DLR extension to Woolwich Arsenal. I got a press invite to the show and will be releasing my images tomorrow (sadly other commitments mean I can do them today). Oh and the extension opened SEVEN weeks early.

While I was there I got to speak with London Rail's MD Ian Brown. London Rail is basically incharge of the DLR and Overground as well as supporting TOC in the London area.

I asked him what happened with the new Overground platforms at Stratford over christmas and when were they going to be opened?

Basically it seems that Network Rail didnt have the signalling testing to complete the work there and at the moment TfL is awaiting a new possesion to try again and commission the link.

On the subject of the new 378 fleet for the Overground I was told that the first is expected in service by March this year so a little wait longer.

As for the Oyster on National Rail within zones 1-6, ATOC is meeting this week and this will be discussed and hopefully sorted for a deadline!

Now for The East London Line (ELLX) Phase Two to Clapham Junction. It seems the DfT have made an offer for this and TfL have responded with a counter offer thats currently with the DfT. Lets hope they don't wait too long. Ian also told me he was very keen to see this progress quickly as he feels its extremely important to have this up and running as soon as possible. And with Thameslink Programme affecting the stations this will serve Im not surprised.

Thats it for the exciting news. Tomorrow I will be adding images taken from day including Boris failing to open the gates with his Oyster and explaining why he said the sooner TfL take over SouthEastern the better. All will be revealed.

Woolwich Arsenal is open for business

DSCF5394
Originally uploaded by MackenzieBlu

After 3 years of work the latest DLR extension is open to the people of East and South London. The 2.5km extension is the final stage of the South Eastern Leg of the DLR via City Airport from Canning Town. This route came about after a study in 1997 in to future extensions. It is hoped that this extension will help regenerate Woolwich giving them easiler access to City Airport, Canary Wharf and North East London. Come 2010 the service will be double with the currently under construction Stratford International extension meaning that the locals will have access to SouthEastern's High Speed line as well as Eurostar services from Stratford International (or travel to Ebbsfleet on SouthEastern's service and change there).

Come 2017 the DLR will have a walkable interchange with Crossrail transforming Woolwich's transport links. But thats a story for another day.

Woolwich Arsenal Services

Times from Woolwich Arsenal using the DLR

Bank - 28mins
Canary Wharf - 19mins
City Airport - 6mins
Stratford - 19mins

Monday - Friday trains

First train to Bank 05.26
Last train to Bank 01.01

First train from Bank to Woolwich Arsenal 05.32
Last train to Woolwich 00.35

Saturday

First train to Bank 05.21
Last train to Bank 00.11

First train from Bank to Woolwich Arsenal 05.35
Last train to Woolwich 00.35

Sunday

First train to Bank 06.51
Last train to Bank 23.11

First train from Bank to Woolwich Arsenal 07.05
Last train to Woolwich 23.35

DLR Woolwich Arsenal Update

DSCF5394
Originally uploaded by MackenzieBlu

Its been confirmed that the Woolwich Arsenal extension of the DLR is to open on the 10th January. It also seems this will be followed up on the 12th by the offical opening. More details when I get them.

Just to note that this is another completed DLR extension thats finished ahead of time and on budget! Success for the DLR once again!

3 Car Testing between King George V to Woolwich Arsenal

3 Car Testing between King George V to Woolwich Arsenal
Originally uploaded by MackenzieBlu

On sunday 2nd Feburary 2008 the DLR begain testing of two 3 car trains running between King George V and Woolwich Arsenal to test headway and jounery times. The test was done with 2 three car P stock (old trains) and ran for most of the day. This video is of a train departing King George V and heading into the tunnel for Woolwich Arsenal. To watch the video click on the image.

3 Car Testing between King George V to Woolwich Arsenal

3 Car Testing between King George V to Woolwich Arsenal
Originally uploaded by MackenzieBlu

On sunday 2nd Feburary 2008 the DLR begain testing of two 3 car trains running between King George V and Woolwich Arsenal to test headway and jounery times. The test was done with 2 three car P stock (old trains) and ran for most of the day. This video is of a train arriving from Woolwich Arsenal before it goes to the crossover beyond the station and reverses. To watch the video click on the image.

DLR Woolwich Arsenal

DSCF5475
Originally uploaded by MackenzieBlu

With only a few months to go the DLR/TfL held a press event at Woolwich Arsenal today. This consisted of a tour of the station and then a walk into the tunnels. Ive managed to upload the images Ive taken from my visit at the following address.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mackenzieblu/sets/72157608455386357/

The new £180m 2.km from King George V to Woolwich Arsenal station is the DLR's second Thames crossing. It will be the first DLR station with a control room as well as a gateline. When it opens on the 2nd of February 2009 it will be the DLR 40th station and the end to the 5th extension.

Oh and currently hand over to operation is running early with full testing expected to start in December.

Woolwich Arsenal gets closer

Woolwich Arsenal gets closer
Originally uploaded by MackenzieBlu

The DLR is now testing trains in the tunnels between King George V and Woolwich Arsenal. I managed to get a picture of the train behind the barrier brief when I was getting on the train. Hopefully this is a good sign!

The extension isn't due to open till feb 2009. This means that if things are going well, we will soon see empty trains heading south from here.