London Reconnections

In Pictures: The Waterloo Mezzanine

On 30 July 2012 By John Bull In In Pictures, Network Rail

With talk of improvements to both track layout and platforms as a result of the HLOS 2 statement, it is easy to forget that Waterloo has actually already seen some work recently. It may not …

HLOS Highlights Part 2: Final Points

On 25 July 2012 By John Bull In National Rail

Given the extensive discussion of the HLOS that has already now developed elsewhere in the comments on this site, there is perhaps little left to add to the topic here – instead,those looking for a …

HLOS Highlights Part 1: The Orange Elephant in the Room

On 17 July 2012 By John Bull In And finally, DfT, GOBLIN, Overground, TfL

Yesterday saw final confirmation of the contents of the High Level Output Specification (HLOS) 2012, the DfT’s outline of work to be carried out on the railways between April 2014 and March 2019 (Control Period …

An Olympic Travel Roundup

On 13 July 2012 By George Moore In Buses, DLR, London Underground, National Rail, Olympics

With just two weeks to go until the start of the Olympics, London’s transport system is gearing up for what could be one of its most challenging six weeks: ferrying an extra one million passengers …

In Pictures: The S7 Stock In Passenger Service

On 9 July 2012 By John Bull In London Underground, Rolling stock

Last week saw the 7-car S-Stock (S7) run in passenger service for the first time. As much a PR event as a test exercise (not least because the S7s are not yet cleared to run beyond Liverpool Street), it nonetheless represented a major milestone in the rollout of the new stock. Some pictures of the train in service can be found below.

A Look Under Kingsway

On 8 July 2012 By John Bull In Light Rail

Our previous excursion into the disused City Widened Lines beneath Smithfield prompted a certain amount of thought. The opportunity arose thanks to the need to carry out compensation grouting ahead of the passage of the Crossrail TBMs below, leading to the Line’s being temporarily occupied by Crossrail themselves as a worksite. Given the length and route of the Crossrail tunnels therefore, and the likely need for grouting elsewhere, what other sites within the City might this present a rare chance to take a closer look at? It was Crossrail themselves who swiftly spotted a similar opportunity and helpfully arranged access – the Kingsway Tram Tunnel.

London Terminals: Fighting Over Farringdon (Part 2)

On 2 July 2012 By Lemmo In Farringdon, London Underground, Network Rail

In Part 1 of our journey below Smithfield we followed in the footsteps of John Bull’s underground wander down the Widened Lines from Barbican. Here in Part 2 we leave him fumbling in the dark and emerge blinking into the light at Farringdon. We will not linger on the surface for long though because, as we have already discovered, the hidden delights lie underground. Scratch the surface, or dive beneath it, and you discover there is much more to the Smithfield area than meets the eye.

Cable Car Opens

On 29 June 2012 By John Bull In Cable Car

Following on from last week’s post confirming the opening details, the new Cable Car is now officially open. Staying true to our general intention to not write about things that have already been covered rather …

ELLX2 Testing Begins on the Overground

On 26 June 2012 By John Bull In ELL, Overground

Train testing on the East London Line Extension (Phase 2) between Surrey Quays and Clapham Junction has now begun. The route was fully electrified at the weekend, and the first 378 ran on Sunday. Driver training will begin shortly, and further testing will now take place, ahead of the extension’s official opening in December.

London Terminals: Fulsome Farringdon

On 25 June 2012 By Lemmo In Crossrail, DLR, Farringdon, London Terminals, London Underground, Our Favourites

Initially, we’d planned just a single post looking at Farringdon as part of our (increasingly badly titled) London Terminals series, but John Bull’s recent wander through the old ‘Widened Lines’ tunnels east of Farringdon gave a brief glimpse of an unexpectedly cavernous subterranean world. This prompted us to ask: just how much more is down there?

In Video: Second TBM Moved Forward at Royal Oak

On 21 June 2012 By John Bull In Crossrail

With the first TBM now gradually heading underground at Royal Oak, the second TBM has now been moved forward into position. Ada will not begin the second bore yet, as it’ll be a little while …

The Secret Life of Seven Sisters

On 20 June 2012 By Pedantic of Purley In London Underground, Victoria line

One of the notable things about the Victoria line is just how busy it is. Unlike other lines there are just no quiet stretches. It is quite surprising, therefore, that if you know where to look you can find a platform on the Victoria line that has an eerie silence and an almost sinister lack of people waiting for the next train – for most of the time, at least.

TfL Confirm Cable Car Launch Details

On 18 June 2012 By John Bull In Cable Car, Uncategorized

TfL have confirmed the launch details for the new Cable Car linking Greenwich and the Royal Docks. We have written about the Cable Car throughout its slightly troubled gestation, and will be returning to the …

Offsite: Diamond Geezer on 100 Years of the 38

On 18 June 2012 By John Bull In Buses

It appears that the weekend just passed was the 100th anniversary of London Bus Route 38 – an anniversary we’re embarrassed to admit we hadn’t spotted was imminent. Luckily Diamond Geezer didn’t, and thus those …

In Pictures: Work at Finsbury Park

On 7 June 2012 By John Bull In National Rail

We’ll look in more detail at the work being undertaken to bring the old island platform at Finsbury Park back into service at a later date. In the meantime, however, some photos of the current state of affairs can be found below. Interestingly, it appears that the work has uncovered some of the original platform arches.