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

[whole diary]

[Timmer]

Does anyone know if FGW^▸ (First Great Western) plan to produce timetable alterations booklets as has been done during past major works at Reading?

Answer...No. Quote from FGW Reading Easter works leaflet: Customer trends indicate that digital sources of detailed train times information is preferred, so we no longer re-issue timetables for periods when our service is temporarily amended.

In other words they can't be bothered to produce revised timetables anymore. 

[Gordon the Blue Engine]

I can accept that FGW^▸ (First Great Western) will no longer issue paper timetables, but why can they not produce .pdf timetables (ie digital documents which FGW claim that their customers prefer) to go on their website? 

The only information they have there now is an Easter Guide which, despite its 27 page length, prefers vague statements like ^two trains per hour^ (which is of limited use to anyone) to something helpful like train times.  They could probably produce a .pdf timetable for Easter in 27 pages which would be a lot more useful.

[ChrisB]

I've asked the question...

[ChrisB]

Success, I think.

I explained the reasons for wanting the TT in at least pdf format, and Andy McRae (Senior Publications Manager) responded -

OK Chris - noted. I'll chat to my team and work out the best way of tackling this.

Thanks again for your feedback.

[Gordon the Blue Engine]

Wow, thanks Chris, I'm impressed!

[Timmer]

Wow me too Chris. Hope it comes to fruition.

As much as I like an old fashioned paper timteable, I dont think its realistic to expect TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company) in this digital age to produce paper timetables for short term alterations. However, technology exists to produce an electronic version of revised timetables to be posted online. After all they must exist for back office and front line staff?

I will make an exception to what I've said about not producing paper timetables when it comes to the 6 weeks of work between Bath and Chippenham and the effect that will have on the area's services. There is a case for printed timetables on this occasion and would expect FGW^▸ (First Great Western) to produce them after all it would be Network Rail paying for them.

[Timmer]

Looking at how the complex work taking place at Swindon late May will have a major effect on services, I hope FGW^▸ (First Great Western) could make revised timetables available online for this work too:
https://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Swindon2015

[ChrisB]

I got the distinct impression from Andy McRae that he took the feedback on board for major projects going forward - so I'd hope to see them for both these.

Whether you get paper TTs for Bath/Chippenham, I doubt it....

[IndustryInsider]

As we've got a few forum members who know and like hearing about signalling alterations, here's a summary of what's happening at Easter between Reading and Paddington on the Crossrail route - Stage H of the project:

In layman's terms:
New and more flexible signalling at several locations between Maidenhead and Acton meaning (hopefully) more reliable signals and more signalling flexibility which will be useful when there are problems and are the start of the many projects providing the extra track, signals and routes that will be required to run the additional trains when Crossrail commences.

In more detail:
Acton area:
Acton Middle Junction is being removed (to allow the flyunder to be finished and brought into use by the end of the year) and the Down and Up Poplar lines will once again commence at Acton West with access to and from Acton Yard.

Ealing area:
A new turnback signal SN220 is being provided at Ealing Broadway on the Down Relief line

West Drayton to Iver:
New routings and new signals from the Down Relief to the Up Relief will mean trains can turnback at West Drayton's platform 4 when arriving from the London direction.  Iver goods loop is split into Iver Loop and West Drayton loop and becomes available for the use of passenger trains.  Eventually new crossovers mid way (hence the split) and bi-di working will apply, but for the time being it's still an up direction loop only.

Langley to Slough West:
Slough bay platform 6 is taken out of use.  Flashing yellow aspects are introduced on the Down and Up Main lines for both Dolphin and Slough West Junctions to speed movements up that currently rely on 'approach control' signalling.  Slough Down Relief platform has a new signal installed in the Up direction, and new routings at Slough West Junction will allow moves from both the Relief and Main lines to all platforms at Slough except the Windsor bay platform.  This means the only platform at Slough which is not fully bi-directional is Platform 3 (UM).  Speeds through the Relief line platforms increase to 75mph for trains classed as 'MU^▸ (Multiple Unit)' which is up from 55/60mph.  There are alterations to Slough Goods Loop as well with the eastern end being turned into two headshunts.  Finally the East Loop Line on the Windsor branch will be turned into a siding, known as 'Windsor Siding'.

Maidenhead area:
Two sets of flashing yellow aspects will be provided for movements over Maidenhead East from Down Main to Down Relief or Up Relief to Up Main.  The Engineers Siding, together with the Dock Siding will be taken out of use.

Slough Panel Box:
Closes with control passing to the TVSC^» (Thames Valley Signalling Centre - about) at Didcot with a new 'Slough Workstation' controlling signals from east of Ruscombe to east of Iver using Track Circuit Block with Axle Counters.

Hope some of you find that useful - feel free to ask for any more detail or clarification.

[Gordon the Blue Engine]

Thanks II.

Changes to Iver Goods Loop are interesting ^ is the reason to make provision for Crossrail trains to pass each other?  If so, that could be good news for Maidenhead and Twyford passengers who are looking for faster services into London.

[SandTEngineer]

Yes thanks for the update II.  I'm currently working on an area a lttle bit to the East of Acton Mainline but there isn't much to see yet as its currently a sea of mud and rubble

[IndustryInsider]

Changes to Iver Goods Loop are interesting ^ is the reason to make provision for Crossrail trains to pass each other?  If so, that could be good news for Maidenhead and Twyford passengers who are looking for faster services into London.

Yes, as far as I know the tack in the loop will eventually be extended, re-laid, bi-di signalling installed, the crossovers mid-way commisioned, and platforms at West Drayton and Iver rebuilt.  The end result will be a fifth running line from east of Langley to east of West Drayton.

[Electric train]

Slough Panel Box:
Closes with control passing to the TVSC^» (Thames Valley Signalling Centre - about) at Didcot with a new 'Slough Workstation' controlling signals from east of Ruscombe to east of Iver using Track Circuit Block with Axle Counters.

So Slough PSB^▸ (Power Signal Box) gets abolished over Easter

The flashing aspects for diverging routing at Maidenhead will certainly ease things in the evening for the UM when the fasts first stop Maidenhead from Padd cross to the DR

[ellendune]

When I went through on Thursday there was a lot going on on the old oak common flyover.  With IEP^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project.) maintenance going to the old North Pole depot I thought this would be less used.  Does anyone know what is happening and why?

[SandTEngineer]

FGW^▸ (First Great Western) will still have some stabling facilities at Old Oak Common squeezed between the new Crossrail depot and the existing Heathrow Express depot.  I assume these will be for overnight stabling only. Don't have the signalling plan to hand at the moment but from memory there will be about 5 or 6 sidings.  The flyover can also be used by Heathrow Express to access its depot to/from Paddington Platforms 5 and 6 via Line 1 or 2 to Ladbroke Grove and avoid conflict with the Relief Lines.