London Reconnections

Old Oak Common: A Vision and Challenge For Crossrail (Part 1)

On 9 July 2013 By Lemmo In HS2, National Rail, Network Rail, Overground, RUS

As “Phyllis” and “Ada” make their stately progress east from the portals at Park Royal, plans are evolving for the Crossrail route west, and an absorbing story it is to tell. The Mayor has now …

TfL Settlement: GOBLIN To Be Electrified, West Anglia Franchise Devolved

On 26 June 2013 By John Bull In Electrification, GOBLIN, London Underground, Overground, TfL

TfL have released a press release officially confirming a number of elements of their latest settlement and the spending review statement by the Chancellor today. This is a rare press release that is worth quoting …

TfL Announce Crossrail Concession Shortlist

On 26 June 2013 By John Bull In Crossrail

TfL have announced that four firms have been shortlisted for the Crossrail Concession. The shortlisted firms are: Arriva Crossrail Limited Keolis/Go Ahead MTR Corporation (Crossrail) Limited National Express Group PLC FirstGroup, RATP and Stagecoach were …

Thameslink and the NAO: part 3: All’s well that ends well?

On 20 June 2013 By Pedantic of Purley In DfT, Financial reports, Thameslink

This article, following on from part 1 and part 2 of articles on the report from the National Audit Office (NAO), was intended to be very short and mainly deal with the limited NAO comments …

West London Line cocooned by Earls Court development

On 13 June 2013 By Lemmo In District line, London Underground, Overground, WLL

The massive redevelopment at Earls Court took a step closer to fruition in November 2012 when the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea gave its outline planning approval. The London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham …

Thameslink and the NAO: Part 2 – Wherefore Art Thou Siemens Rolling Stock?

On 10 June 2013 By Pedantic of Purley In DfT, Financial reports, Rolling stock, Thameslink

In part one we looked at the verdict of the National Audit Office report on Thameslink and more specifically on the infrastructure work done so far. In part two we look in detail at the …

Thameslink and the National Audit Office: Part 1

On 7 June 2013 By Pedantic of Purley In Construction projects, DfT, Financial reports, Network Rail, Thameslink

It is the same old story. We were planning on giving articles about Thameslink a break and then something else comes along. This time it is a report from the National Audit Office (NAO). This …

Crossrail 2: Doing Nothing Is Not An Option

On 4 June 2013 By John Bull In Crossrail 2

Because of an article being planned analysing the October 2015 Crossrail 2 consultation, this thread is now locked and it is no longer possible to add comments. “The ultimate false economy would be to delay …

In Pictures: Refurbishing the 95 Stock

On 29 May 2013 By John Bull In In Pictures, London Underground, Northern line, Rolling stock

Whilst debate continues over Deep Tube and the S-Stock rollout pushes forward, other rolling stock changes are still happening quietly elsewhere. Below are thus several pictures of the newly refurbished 95 stock on the Northern …

Catching Up With The Committee: Part 2

On 23 May 2013 By The Walthamstow Writer In Cycles, London Bridge, Overground, Rail devolution

Rail devolution is something that remains high on both the Assembly and TfL radars, and so it was no surprise when it reared its head at the April Transport Committee meeting. Joanne McCartney opened this …

Catching Up With The Committee: Part 1

On 21 May 2013 By The Walthamstow Writer In London Underground, Northern line, Overground, Rolling stock, TfL

A month is a short time in Transport Politics. Whilst today’s Transport Committee is set to look at Crossrail 2 (a topic to which John Bull will be turning his eye shortly), last month’s meeting …

The Life, Death and Rebirth of Lea Bridge Station

On 20 May 2013 By John Bull In DfT, History, Network Rail

Somewhat buried amongst a number of railway-related announcements from the DfT this month was final confirmation of something that Waltham Forest council have been pushing for some time – the reopening of Lea Bridge Station. …

Over and Under: Thameslink, Crossrail and Woolwich Questions

On 19 May 2013 By Mwmbwls In Crossrail, Thames crossings, Thameslink

Images bring to life many London Reconnections pieces. We are lucky to have a band of chums willing to brave frostbite, heat stroke and going rusty to capture stuff on our behalf. Therefore our thanks …

Northern Line Postscript: Deep In The Heart Of Camden

On 14 May 2013 By Pedantic of Purley In London Underground, Northern line

Our recent article on future Northern Line upgrades was not really meant to be about one particular aspect but how the pieces as a whole fitted together. It was acknowledged in the title that the …

We Need To Talk About Camden: The Future of the Northern Line

On 6 May 2013 By Pedantic of Purley In London Underground, Northern line, Rolling stock

A very strange thing has happened in the past year or so regarding London Underground and the Northern Line – senior managers have actually wanted to talk about it. This comes as quite a surprise. …