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

Oysters & First Capital Connect

Oysters take over!
Originally uploaded by MackenzieBlu

As we all hope that Oyster is put on all National Rail stations in zones 1-6 (well techinally 1-9) at some pont this year a few TOC (Train Operating Companies) have quietly got on with installing Oyster readers at their station. It now seem FCC is busy behind the scenes installing the equipment in all their station within the travelcard area. I have recently seen Oyster touch in machines at Tooting and Wimbledon Chase. FCC have commited themselves to installing Oyster card readers by the end of March 2009. Thats two months time. After this time they will be a period of testing making sure that all machines work correctly before the public can use them some time in "late 2009".

Stations that FCC are installing Oyster readers on are

Zone Two
Loughborough Junction

Zone Three
Cricklewood, Hendon*
Harringay, Hornsey, Alexandra Palace, Bowes Park*
Tooting, Haydons Road, Wimbledon Chase

(* Zones 3/4 boundary stations)

Zone Four
Mill Hill Broadway
New Southgate, Oakleigh Park, Palmers Green, Winchmore Hill
South Merton, Morden South, St, Helier, Sutton Common

Zone Five
New Barnet, Grange Park, Enfield Chase, Gordon Hill
West Sutton

Zone Six
Elstree & Borehamwood
Hadley Wood, Crews Hill

Other station served by FCC in the travelcard zones (1-6) where Pyster PAYG doesn't work include

SWT - Wimbledon*
Southern - Sutton, Carshalton, Hackbridge, Mitcham Junction, Mitcham Eastfields, Streatham, Tulse Hill, Norwood Junction, East Croydon
SouthEastern - Herne Hill

(* Already Oyster installed barrier equipment for the District Line)

2009 Transport Events

London Overground 378 Derby
Originally uploaded by kpmarek

Well as we start 2009 I though it would be good to look at the transport events we will see during the year.

January
*The first one will be the DLR's Woolwich Arsenal extension which open on the 10th
*The first 377/5 for FCC will be deliveried and tested

Febuary
*The first 377/5 begins passanger runs late this month

March
*Blackfriars Tube station closes for 35 months for complete rebuilding
*All things being well the Moorgate branch of Thameslink along with the bay platforms at Blackfriars will close to allow rebuilding at Farringdon and Blackfriars on the 22nd

April
*DLR re-open Tower Gateway

December
*SouthEastern begin services using the 395's on HS1 speeding up services from Kent into central London

Other events without dates
*New Overground platforms are finished and opened
*378 fleet for the Overground comes into service
* First 09TS on the Victoria Line comes into passenger service
*PAYG Oyster on all rail services before the years end

There are also alot of things that could seriously affect our travelling lifes during 2009. The Thameslink programme along with the Tube upgrade are making weekend travel more difficult in the short term as is works around Stratford for the Olmypics. The next few years see large part of the networks affect but once we get through to late 2011 we will have six months of things being quiet before the chaos that being the focus of the world will bring before we start down the major works road. If everything hold to course then come 2018 (mostly expect the Bakerloo Line) we will see serious improvements in travelling around London with the Tube upgrade finished and new trains on most of the lines (Circle, District, Met, Hammersmith & City and Piccadilly), Completed London Overground works with longer trains, finished Thameslink with much improved links across the South East and a new fleet of trains, Crossrail open, High Speed travels to Kent and many open access operators to North France and finally another DLR extension opened. Its a long road of basically a decade but when they're finished London will be transformed. Just in time for HS2, Crossrail 2 and many other planned rail links to start?

DLR goes advanced. Again!

Deptford Bridge (DLR)
Originally uploaded by MackenzieBlu

Just a note that the newly extended platforms at Deptford Bridge have a new look map. But whats interesting is the interchanges at Stratford and Shadwell. The new maps show Stratford being a place to interchange for the Stratford International line and Shadwell now is shown as a interchange for the Overground. This will be the truth in 18 months time in July 2010.

As for the DLR, its just 9 days until the new station at Woolwich Arsenal opening. Least the DLR managed to bring out good news where as London Overground had to cancel its move from Stratford Low Level to the main station. This could impact the time scale for the DLR's Stratford International line construction but time will tell.

Thameslink Programme liveried 319

Thameslink Programme liveried 319
Originally uploaded by MackenzieBlu

Here's a picture of the newly liveried 319 365 to draw customer attension to the Thameslink Programme website. Hopefully it will get their attension and not make them switch off!

Currently the unit is tending to be one of the Wimbledon/Sutton loop to St Albans or Luton services.

For a look at FCC/DfT Thameslink Programme site go to www.thameslinkprogramme.co.uk

Problems with the Thameslink 377s

377501
Originally uploaded by MackenzieBlu

Its come to light that there is problems with the delivery of the 337/5's. Basically the economical downturn has affected Bombardier suppliers meaning that they can't supply all 23 units by March. Bombardier has announced today that it "aimed to supply" 15 units ready for the March 2009 deadline for the Moorgate TL branch and Blackfriars bay platform closures. First Capital Connect is in talks with the DfT to work out how to keep to the Thameslink Programme (TLP) timetable without this extra stock. This could impact the entire TLP futher delaying the start of major works. The original deadline for KO0 (Key Output Zero) was this month but had to be put back already. Hopefully FCC and DfT can work out some contingency plans to allow the TLP to start on time and finally deliver some much need relief for the long suffering passangers.

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!

Thameslink Programme (TLP) starts

Sorry for the delay folks, been busy working (and gathering information) in my new job hence the lack of posts.

Now back to business and the first physical signs of Thameslink Programme (TLP) have begun with the curtailing of services through the core. All southbound services will call into St Pancras International (high level) as of around 2230.

Last services through the core as follows

2154 to Bedford (semi fast)
2206 to Bedford - all stations

After this trains terimiate at London Bridge

As for northbound trains here are the last services from Blackfrairs.

2112 Blackfriars to Sevenoaks

Later services now run from Victoria every night until early morning.

2204 to Brighton via London Bridge
2216 to Sutton via Wimbledon

So basically from 2200 (10pm) until around 0430am you have to use Underground or rail replacement service. All FCC service tickets are vaild on the Underground but SouthEastern tickets aren't.

This all came around the same time as the december timetable change requiring re-timing of most services in the area (generally eariler). As work begins on the station building with the two new entrances at Blackfriars begun, the bridge works at Farringdon under way the Thameslink 2000 Programme is finally here!

London Overground New Trains

London Overground sign
Originally uploaded by bowroaduk

This image is the latest from TfL and announcing the arrival of the new trains. These are due to be introduced during early 2009 with the whole network using the new 378s by the end of summer. This will be the latest sign yet to commuters yet that TfL is pouring money into improving services. also along with the new train ads the date of the 2nd January 2009 for the new Overground platforms to come into use at Stratford. These are to the north of the current station along the lines to Tottenham Hale. The current platforms will be boarded off for work to convert them into DLR platforms for re-opening in July 2010 as the new Stratford International extension.