Crossrail/Elizabeth Line. From construction to operation - ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[Richard Fairhurst]

Myself and Mrs FT, N (Vivienne or Viv to those who know her) were at St Andrews, Halberton, last night. The pews were fine.

Pews? Luxury! I 'ave to sit on the rock 'ard organ bench throughout the whole service... [contd. p94]

[grahame]

Someone has c*cked up a press release ... at 00:06 this morning, on the news feeds an old article from 31st August 2018.   Oops!

http://www.crossrail.co.uk/news/articles/elizabeth-line-services-through-central-london-to-start-in-2019

Welcome to 2020, a whole decade prepared for new bloopers!

[eightonedee]

Credit where credit is due Grahame.

They did remember to update the year on the copyright date at the foot of the page
!



Happy New Year all!

[CyclingSid]

Crossrail have been quoted in the media today as saying it will finish on time and on budget. It isn't April 1st is it? (Sorry should be the season of goodwill)

[Marlburian]

Elizabeth Line to Reading: Do you need a different ticket for TfL^» (Transport for London - about) or GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) trains to London?

I'd assumed not, but some media coverage has caused me to wonder.

Not so helpful: "Children under the age of 11 can travel for free on the TfL network between Reading and London Paddington with a fare-paying adult, making day trips to the capital even more affordable. Under TfL rules, all children under the age of five can travel for free with a fare-paying adult."

Not that I have any children, but the contradiction puzzles me.

Marlburian

[Reading General]

The article also suggests there best way to tell you are getting the right train back with your kids is to make sure it stops at all stations. How do people unfamiliar with the tell if it’s doing all stations. Surely the best way tell would be to get on the one which is purple and white in colour with TFL^▸ (Transport for London) written on the side

[grahame]

No contradiction. One statement is a subset of the other. 

[stuving]

Not so helpful: "Children under the age of 11 can travel for free on the TfL^» (Transport for London - about) network between Reading and London Paddington with a fare-paying adult, making day trips to the capital even more affordable. Under TfL rules, all children under the age of five can travel for free with a fare-paying adult."

Not that I have any children, but the contradiction puzzles me.

Marlburian

I think for an explanation you have to look up TfL's rules for 5-10 Zip Oyster^▸ (Smartcard system used by passengers on Transport for London services) photocards:

Children aged 5-10 get free travel on all our transport services with a Zip Oyster photocard.

Benefits
    Free travel on Tube, DLR^▸ (Docklands Light Railway), London Overground and TfL Rail
    Free travel on most National Rail services that accept pay as you go
    50% off adult rate tickets on the Thames Clippers River Bus services
    Pay as you go at a child rate on the Emirates Air Line

Who is it for?
    Children aged 5-10 can use a 5-10 Zip Oyster photocard.

Your child doesn't need a photocard to:
    Travel free on buses and trams
    Buy child-rate paper tickets (unless they look older than 10)
    Travel accompanied by an adult on Tube, DLR, London Overground, TfL Rail and some National Rail services

How to apply
    A parent or guardian must apply for a 5-10 Zip Oyster photocard.

Under-5s always travel free, and "accompanied" is left unsaid.

You'll note the less than helpful "some National Rail services" there. In fact, having read that, I'm still not clear what free travel with no card is based on.

[eightf48544]

 I've got 10 months to test the under 11 rule with my grandson from Taplow. Will try and ley you know how it goes.

[sanfrandragon]

Any idea why the middle doors on each carriage don't open when the train arrives in Paddington?

[stuving]

Any idea why the middle doors on each carriage don't open when the train arrives in Paddington?

There was an explanation - with pictures - from diamond geezer, ending with this:

Answer, sourced from TfL^» (Transport for London - about) internal comms: Due to the curve of some Paddington high level platforms, the middle door ends up being a long way from the edge. The train's GPS isn't quite up to telling which platform the train is at (8ft makes a difference between the middle door being nearest the edge and furthest away) so all middle doors are locked out.

[Gordon the Blue Engine]

I think that perhaps this is only an issue on P12, and possibly also on P10.

[stuving]

I think that perhaps this is only an issue on P12.

Indeed - having thought about this a bit, and noting the article was dated July 2018, I don't entirely believe it. The train must "know" which way round it is, and which platfrom it's at, to open the doors on the right side. But it may not have had this added bit of software sorted out then - does it now? I mean does it only leave those centre doors closed on the inner curves, or even only on the worst ones?

[TonyK]

The train must "know" which way round it is, and which platfrom it's at, to open the doors on the right side.

Having recently returned from Paddington on a IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) heading for Exeter, but with Newquay showing on the internal display, causing the TM^‡(resolve) to have to make his own announcement after each stop, I find your faith in technology touching. 

[NickB]

Note to self: do not lean against the doors as we approach Paddington.