London Reconnections

Boxing Day Reads – 26 December 2022

On 26 December 2022 By Long Branch Mike In Accessibility, Friday Reads, Logistics, Sleeper Trains, Technology

• Biggest UK government intervention ever to keep rail fares low (RailUK) • The Caledonian Sleeper experience: video (GLovesTrains) • Too much fine dust in Brussels – 50kmh speed limit & STIB free on Saturdays …

Friday Reads – 23 December 2022

On 23 December 2022 By Long Branch Mike In Friday Reads, Logistics, Maps, New York, Roads

• More rail strikes announced for just after Christmas (IanVisits) • London’s fix for air pollution: making drivers pay (CityLab) • Where it’s at! A two track turntable and a railway station (EuroGunzel) • NYC …

Monday’s Friday Reads – 19 December 2022

On 19 December 2022 By Long Branch Mike In Crossrail, Friday Reads, Sleeper Trains, TfL, Trams/Streetcars/LRT

• Lessons learnt from Crossrail’s development (NewCivilEng) • Scotland according to ScotRail’s automated station announcements (JonnElledge) • TfL’s 4 categories of Underground stations – not what you think: video (JagoHazzard) • Experiencing the Caledonian Sleeper: …

Friday Reads – 16 December 2022

On 16 December 2022 By Long Branch Mike In Friday Reads, Roads, Technology, Tunnels

• Rail industry mourns the death of Adrian Shooter CBE (RailNews) • How to analyse Marey time-distance, or stringline, route service charts (HomeSignal) • Enormous scale of new Germany-Denmark immersed mega-tunnel: video (B1M) • Five …

Monday’s Friday Reads – 12 December 2022

On 12 December 2022 By Long Branch Mike In Bridges, East West Rail, Friday Reads, London Overground, Technology

• A look at London’s recent railway upgrades (IanVisits) • The strategic case for the West London Orbital (TfL) • Progress & delay for East West Rail (RailEngineer) • Mumbai metro project plans for depot …

Friday Reads – 9 December 2022

On 9 December 2022 By Long Branch Mike In Accessibility, Crossrail, Friday Reads, Maps, Trams/Streetcars/LRT

• London Underground’s accessibility priorities (MetroReport) • Princes Street, Edinburgh’s lost railway terminus: video (JagoHazzard) • Is Crossrail enough to make London’s public transport better than Paris? (CentreForCities) • Tyne & Wear Metro extension to …

London Reconnections 2022 Christmas Quiz

On 6 December 2022 By Pedantic of Purley In Christmas Quiz, Long reads

2022 sees a shorter quiz than usual primarily because your quizmaster has infrequently visited central London. Thank goodness for the opening of the Elizabeth line which has helped provide some of the questions. We hope …

Monday’s Friday Reads – 5 December 2022

On 5 December 2022 By Long Branch Mike In Accessibility, Crossrail 2, Cycles, Friday Reads, Trolleybuses

• TfL vows to develop plans for Crossrail 2 & Bakerloo, DLR extensions (NewCivilEng) • London Paramedic Cycle Response Unit arrives faster than ambulances (LondonAmbulanceNHS) • GTR admits to breaching Equality Act on access for …

Friday Reads – 2 December 2022

On 2 December 2022 By Long Branch Mike In Accessibility, Arts, Electric Vehicles (EVs), Friday Reads, History

• TfL to slash another £600m from its annual budget by 2026 (IanVisits) • London Underground seeks passenger feedback on gap bridging device (MetroReport) • Thames-side murals, sculptures, & art (TidalThames) • A short history …

Monday’s Friday Reads – 28 November 2022

On 28 November 2022 By Long Branch Mike In Congestion Charge, Design, Friday Reads, Trams/Streetcars/LRT, Trolleybuses

• ULEZ charge to drive polluting cars expanded to London’s M25 (IanVisits) • TPE uses loophole so services cancelled a day ahead do not appear in stats (Guardian) • Paris targeting converting parking garages, other …

Friday Reads – 25 November 2022

On 24 November 2022 By Long Branch Mike In Bakerloo Line, Bridges, Friday Reads, Technology, Trams/Streetcars/LRT

• London bus cuts are themselves cut back as funding found (IanVisits) • London councils unite efforts to finally deliver Diamond Jubilee ped & cycle bridge (ArchitectsJ) • Bakerloo north segment, Watford DC Overground to …

In Pictures: Blackpool’s Historic Trams

On 22 November 2022 By John Bull In In Pictures, Long reads, Trams/Streetcars/LRT

We take a look at the hidden history of Blackpool’s tram network, lurking in the sheds at Blackpool Transport.

Monday’s Friday Reads – 21 November 2022

On 21 November 2022 By Long Branch Mike In Accessibility, Electric Vehicles (EVs), Friday Reads

• TfL publishes step-free access consultation results, trials new gap ramp (RailUK) • UK electric car owners to pay road tax from 2025: Autumn Statement (Guardian) • Germany’s €49/ public transport ticket FAQ (JonWorthEuroBlog) • …

Friday Reads – 18 November 2022

On 18 November 2022 By Long Branch Mike In Design, Friday Reads, Sleeper Trains, Trams/Streetcars/LRT

• TfL to renew bid to build affordable homes on Cockfosters station car park (OnLondon) • TfL planning new Overground station in Barking (IanVisits) • The great inter-war Art Streamline oceanliner race (OceanlinerDesigns) • Trams …

Monday’s Friday Reads – 14 November 2022

On 14 November 2022 By Long Branch Mike In Buses, Crossrail, Friday Reads, Trams/Streetcars/LRT, Uber

• Crossrail’s lessons for future major infrastructure projects: video (NewCivilEng) • Istanbul’s million passenger a day MetroBus BRT line: video (BBCforUITP) • Istanbul’s million passenger a day MetroBus BRT line: video download (4 across, 3 …