London Reconnections

Crossrail – the May 2023 ‘final’ timetable

On 17 May 2023 By Pedantic of Purley In Crossrail, Long reads, Night

Much has already been written about the Elizabeth line 2023 timetable – the so called ‘final’ timetable signifying the completion of the Crossrail scheme with all the proposed services implemented and 24tph (trains per hour) …

Monday’s Friday Reads – 15 May 2023

On 15 May 2023 By Long Branch Mike In Cycles, Data, Friday Reads, Micromobility, Waterways

• Can nationalisation by stealth save Britain’s railways? (NewStatesman) • 10 year perspective on what has been achieved with London’s cycling (OnLondon) • Modern fare dodgers leave a trail of digital breadcrumbs says Digital Fraud …

Friday Reads – 12 May 2023

On 12 May 2023 By Long Branch Mike In Accessibility, Friday Reads, Pedestrians, Stations, Tunnels

• TransPennine Express to be brought under government control (RailUK) • Meet the Tube moquette designer: Video (GeoffMarshall) • Improving accessibility of public transport for people with sight loss (RNIB) • Brunel’s Thames Tunnel south …

Rail Ticketing in a post-Covid World

On 8 May 2023 By Pedantic of Purley In COVID, Long reads, Railways, Technology

The Covid pandemic has had a lasting impact on Britain’s railways. Undoubtedly the most significant impact has been on changing travel patterns in general and, in particular, a reduction in commuting and other business travel …

Monday’s Friday Reads – 8 May 2023

On 8 May 2023 By Long Branch Mike In Friday Reads, New York, Safety, Trams/Streetcars/LRT

• How London is trying to make public transport safer for women (CitiesToday) • Timepiece design competition launched for Britain’s railways (DesignWeek) • The glory of trams in Geneva & Armenia (LAReviewOfBooks) • US Feds …

Friday Reads – 5 May 2023

On 5 May 2023 By Long Branch Mike In Bakerloo Line, Buses, Friday Reads, Micromobility, Nudges

• British infrastructure agency running out of money says leaked report (RailFreight) • The twenty-six (26!) attempts to extend the Bakerloo line: Video (JagoHazzard) • Deep inside South Kentish Town ghost Tube station: Video (HiddenLondonHangouts) …

Monday’s Friday Reads – 1 May 2023

On 1 May 2023 By Long Branch Mike In Accessibility, Design, Electric Vehicles (EVs), Friday Reads

• Kentish Town Tube station to close 26 June for a year for essential improvements (RailAdvent) • Active travel is more than bikes, it include accessibility devices, wheelchairs &c (AccessibleLink) • Absurd 200 foot railway …

Friday Reads – 28 April 2023

On 28 April 2023 By Long Branch Mike In Friday Reads, HS2, Sleeper Trains, Technology, Trams/Streetcars/LRT

• Euston, we have a problem (RailwayNews) • Île de France new tramway accomplishments & developments (FabriqueDeParis) • The incredible 1950s flywheel powered Gyrobus: Video (Megaprojects) • The Transit Tour Guide of Boston (TrainsBusesPeople) • …

Superloop: Analysis, hopefully not paralysis

On 27 April 2023 By Martha Lauren In Buses, Long reads, TfL

Someone at City Hall found the box of crayons. On the 28th of March, Transport for London unveiled a map of a new transport proposal. It featured a colour scheme to rival the New Jersey …

Monday’s Friday Reads – 24 April 2023

On 24 April 2023 By Long Branch Mike In Design, Friday Reads, Safety, Stations

• UK Orient Express dropped due to border hassles (RailTech) • ScotRail removing peak rail fares for six month trial (RailTechnology) • Rotterdam opens last extension of Line B, to the beach! (RailwayPro) • The …

Friday Reads – 21 April 2023

On 21 April 2023 By Long Branch Mike In Design, DLR, Friday Reads, Roads, Tunnels

• HS2 confirms Euston tunnels construction has been put hold (RailTechnology) • UK’s not so Smart Motorways have been cancelled (Roads) • TfL is pushing on with the DLR extension to Thamesmead (IanVisits) • The …

The Great Western Main Line to Reading in the era of Crossrail

On 17 April 2023 By Pedantic of Purley In Crossrail, GWR, Long reads

Much has been written about the Crossrail project and the benefits of the Elizabeth line. Nearly everything written about its benefits looks at the benefits to users of the Elizabeth line. But often transport projects …

Monday’s Friday Reads – 17 April 2023

On 17 April 2023 By Long Branch Mike In Electric Vehicles (EVs), Friday Reads, Pedestrians, Technology

• Closing Nuneham Viaduct the right decision says Network Rail boss (NewCivilEng) • History of women in London’s transport (LTMuseum) • Repurposed Thurgoland railway tunnel has otherworldly acoustic characteristics (AtlasObscura) • If only we saw …

Friday Reads – 14 April 2023

On 14 April 2023 By Long Branch Mike In Arts, Friday Reads, Overground, Pollution, Stations

• Aviation industry awarded £18Bn in public finance since the Paris Agreement (DeSmog) • West London Orbital Overground line likely to get approval (IanVisits) • East Lancs Railway faces accusations in sacking of 10 year …

Monday’s Friday Reads – 10 April 2023

On 10 April 2023 By Long Branch Mike In Bridges, Cycles, Design, Friday Reads, Tunnels

• Blackfriars (road) Bridge repairs & history (BBC) • Southern Region Kent Electrification scheme 1958 film: Video (BennetBrookRy) • A spiral of motorway road signs at Somerset House (IanVisits) • New Yorkers are fed up …