Major parts of Thameslink project nearing completion

[Nawdic]

Now, with the full reopening of Blackfriars due over this coming weekend, this marks the reinstatement of cross-london FCC seervices on weekends, and the re-extending of some SouthEastern services to the new terminus platforms at Blackfriars.
All that needs to be done now, is minor little things such as the intallation of track on the two new viaducts by London Brodge, and the completion of the London Bridge regeneration.


Your thoughts.

[Geo Ghost]

First thought - Ah, Thameslink is finally open through London at weekends.
Second thought - hmm, that's just sunk it. YEES!! Finally!

Been waiting for that to happen for a while. There's been the odd weekend where it's been running but glad it's running every weekend now.
However, I'm just looking forward to the link from the GN to the TL now. The idea of going straight from Stevenage direct into Central London or through to Gatwick is one I am very keen on and look forward to.
Plus it works on my favour as I'm very passionate about pursing a career in the railways, ideally as a driver.

[JGR]

Having used Blackfriars station on Saturday, "full re-opening" is a bit of a misnomer, the place is still very much a building site.
It's certainly very useful though, and I shall be keeping my eye on its progress.

[Ameecher]

It will still be quite some time before the project is fully finished by 2018 (same time as Crossrail), after over 25 years!

Cheers mate.

[Geo Ghost]

Having used Blackfriars station on Saturday, "full re-opening" is a bit of a misnomer, the place is still very much a building site.
It's certainly very useful though, and I shall be keeping my eye on its progress.

It'll look fab when polished up, but it is indeed still a building site. The design of it looks incredible at least!
Seems quite a lot of London Stations are slowly coming together now. St Pancras, Kings Cross, now Blackfriars almost. Waterloo I believe is next to be worked on.
Very excited to see how the Thameslink project goes. Though I can't begin to imagine what will happen if a unit breaks down going through London. Especially if the TL and GN join together, lordie. That wouldn't be pretty!
Still, it'll open up so many new routes which is fantastic.

[Dave]

Though I can't begin to imagine what will happen if a unit breaks down going through London. Especially if the TL and GN join together, lordie. That wouldn't be pretty!

That report I posted yesterday is exactly what would happen haha

[Geo Ghost]

Oh indeed Dave! But if that happened in the future around the point where the GN joins up with the TL... It doesn't bare thinking about. Then we'd end up with two mainlines being back-logged rather than one
Though I guess they'll be a contingency in place by that time encase of such happening... maybe? Just let me live in hope and not fear!
Who was it that scared the map and such of the future plan? I'd like to take a look at that again. Seems appropriate for it to be brought in here anyway.

[Ameecher]

Oh indeed Dave! But if that happened in the future around the point where the GN joins up with the TL... It doesn't bare thinking about. Then we'd end up with two mainlines being back-logged rather than one
Though I guess they'll be a contingency in place by that time encase of such happening... maybe? Just let me live in hope and not fear!
Who was it that scared the map and such of the future plan? I'd like to take a look at that again. Seems appropriate for it to be brought in here anyway.

Would they be diverted to King's Cross + St. Pancras?

Not exactly enough capacity to run 24 trains an hour extra to those stations, more likely a load of cancellations and turn backs at West Hampstead/Blackfriars etc.

[Ameecher]

Would they be diverted to King's Cross + St. Pancras?

Not exactly enough capacity to run 24 trains an hour extra to those stations, more likely a load of cancellations and turn backs at West Hampstead/Blackfriars etc.

Without a doubt that is correct

So why ask stupid questions!?

[Geo Ghost]

Just don't even go there Ameecher. It's not worth it mate.

[GurraJG]

So why ask stupid questions!?

Because it's Alan Fry.

[Geo Ghost]

Found the link I mentioned.
Can't remember who originally posted it though.

http://www.eastmidlandstrains.co.uk/Sit ... iagram.pdf

I'll still be mighty impressed if they really do squeeze that much through London without any problems for at least one day.

[Dave]

Found the link I mentioned.
Can't remember who originally posted it though.

http://www.eastmidlandstrains.co.uk/Sit ... iagram.pdf

I'll still be mighty impressed if they really do squeeze that much through London without any problems for at least one day.

Peterborough to Horsham is almost as bizarre as Norwich-Heathrow

[Ameecher]

Found the link I mentioned.
Can't remember who originally posted it though.

http://www.eastmidlandstrains.co.uk/Sit ... iagram.pdf

I'll still be mighty impressed if they really do squeeze that much through London without any problems for at least one day.

Peterborough to Horsham is almost as bizarre as Norwich-Heathrow

Thameslink isn't about the end to end journeys though, it's end to middle, just for operational convenience they run through, more efficient use of rolling stock if it doesn't have to turn round and easier to balance fleets in peaks.

[Geo Ghost]

It's strange. As much as I knock FCC, I cannot deny that this is a fantastic project and they are putting a lot of investment and such into it.
But to me, they seem to neglect other areas in favour for the TL Programme. Is it just me feeling that way, or is it noticeable?

[61653]

I imagine that at times of inevitable disruption, there'll be the option of running SOME of the former GN services into the Suburban platforms at KX, at least initially. One advantage of sending the GN services through the TL Core section will be the release of capacity at Kings Cross for more ECML services. Of course, the suburban platforms are too short for EC services anyway, but shifting FHT and GC there will free up platforms in the main shed I imagine.

[Geo Ghost]

FCC usually have trains going in and out of the main part of Kings Cross too. depending on the time of day. Typically, 9-11 are used for the 313s mostly unless it's the last train of the night.
You'll get the 317s, 321s, and 365s in there too but you'll see them just as easily on any other platform.
At a guess, I'd say the Kings-Lyn services will terminate at Kings Cross and the majority of the calling-all-stations services from up North and Welwyn will too. Then the faster services can run through London. Can't be certain, but that's the best bet.

FHT and GC probably won't use the suburban platforms as there's no easy cross-over from/to the fast lines till you get to around Finsbury Park.

We'll see though

[Dave]

FHT and GC probably won't use the suburban platforms as there's no easy cross-over from/to the fast lines till you get to around Finsbury Park.

We'll see though

I bet you they will haha

[61653]

FCC usually have trains going in and out of the main part of Kings Cross too. depending on the time of day. Typically, 9-11 are used for the 313s mostly unless it's the last train of the night.
You'll get the 317s, 321s, and 365s in there too but you'll see them just as easily on any other platform.
At a guess, I'd say the Kings-Lyn services will terminate at Kings Cross and the majority of the calling-all-stations services from up North and Welwyn will too. Then the faster services can run through London. Can't be certain, but that's the best bet.

FHT and GC probably won't use the suburban platforms as there's no easy cross-over from/to the fast lines till you get to around Finsbury Park.

We'll see though

You're quite right, it's been a while since I was at KX. But either way, less services running into KX should at least in theory release capacity for terminating services. NR may need to restructure the station throat to make the most of this extra capacity, but isn't KX due for resignalling in the next few years anyway? If so, there's the opportunity to do it then if they can do it in a cost-effective way.

[Nawdic]

Also can some of the 319s be used to replace the 313s on the Moorgate - Letchworth Garden City/Hertford North/Welwyn Garden City services, the North of England can have 365s insted

319s can't run down to Moorgate as the tunnels are too small, the 365s can't run down it for the same reason