49 replies to this topic

[hyposmurf]

Shame really.It wouldve been also really helpfull for people carrying cases,quite a struggle up the current stairs for most people.Yes I had a feeling it may have been a funding cut back.Even more annoying when you realise the fares are to rise 20%.Well at least they will one day complete the work,would be stupid to leave it permanently

[Bengley]

Coming back from work yesterday I heard what sounded like drilling with a jackhammer from behind the barricade on Platform 3. It may have been at street-level, but it certainly sounded loud.

[Matthew (Admin/MPJ)]

Coming back from work yesterday I heard what sounded like drilling with a jackhammer from behind the barricade on Platform 3. It may have been at street-level, but it certainly sounded loud.

This morning at around 9 there was the sound of work from behind the hoardings. Perhaps they are making good so the hoardings can be taken down.

[Matthew (Admin/MPJ)]

This morning at around 9 there was the sound of work from behind the hoardings. Perhaps they are making good so the hoardings can be taken down.

There is a sign at the station saying that owing to lack of funding work on the lifts will not be completed. They will be working to remove the hoardings over the next few months.

[David P]

There is a sign at the station saying that owing to lack of funding work on the lifts will not be completed. They will be working to remove the hoardings over the next few months.

the next few MONTHS???? They were only working on the bridge for less than two months. They stopped six weeks ago. So why on earth does it take another few months to reinstate the whole lot, let alone just take down a few hoardings?

[Bengley]

I hate boris johnson. I hope Ken runs and gets in next time.

[Fran]

The portacabins have been removed, though some of the barricades remain. I presume they too will go, so although we'll be without the lift, the forecourt will return to a more usable and less ugly area.

[Matthew (Admin/MPJ)]

The portacabins have been removed, though some of the barricades remain. I presume they too will go, so although we'll be without the lift, the forecourt will return to a more usable and less ugly area.

There is still rubbish to clear away, hopefully it won't be long.

So after this episode, we have some nice new smooth bits of platform, a few new seats and less covered platform as about 20 - 30 feet of roof has been removed. The cycle stand has moved back to its original place. Did that have a roof before? I don't think it does now, so cyclists will have soggy saddles if it rains

[Adrian]

Why not sell the station to Chiltern Railways if LUL can't manage it properly? It's a terrible old shed of a place.

[147]

Why not sell the station to Chiltern Railways if LUL can't manage it properly? It's a terrible old shed of a place.

Watch this space, the possibility of TFL not going beyond Moor Park on the fast road makes sense if the new S stock become ATO.

[Bengley]

Watch this space, the possibility of TFL not going beyond Moor Park on the fast road makes sense if the new S stock become ATO.

This won't happen. There's no turnaround space at Moor Park so where would the chilterns go?

[147]

Chiltern would continue to run as they do now, and TFl would pull out of running to Amersham.

[Bengley]

No, I mean there is no way for the chilterns to get past at Moor Park. There is no space to build a turnback siding, and even if they wanted to, Moor Park residents would certainly oppose it. The only way for the Mets to turn around is in the platforms and that would block the Chilterns from passing.

[147]

No, I mean there is no way for the chilterns to get past at Moor Park. There is no space to build a turnback siding, and even if they wanted to, Moor Park residents would certainly oppose it. The only way for the Mets to turn around is in the platforms and that would block the Chilterns from passing.

You are missing the point. It is quite possible that if the Croxly Link actually happens the Met would not run to Amersham. I can't see them running ATO from Harrow to Amersham alongside Chiltern Trains.

[Peter1]

You are missing the point. It is quite possible that if the Croxly Link actually happens the Met would not run to Amersham. I can't see them running ATO from Harrow to Amersham alongside Chiltern Trains.

Can I ask what an 'ATO' is. The only thing I can find on google talks about driverless trains - I'm sure TFL would not be allowed that job cut!

[Weezer]

Can I ask what an 'ATO' is. The only thing I can find on google talks about driverless trains - I'm sure TFL would not be allowed that job cut!

ATO stands for Automatic Train Operation, in essence, the trains run themselves with little intervention from a driver. This is how trains on the Central and Victoria lines run and how the Jubilee is being upgraded too, although using a slightly more 'advanced' system. All of the current signalling on the Met would need to be upgraded before this can happen on the Met, the recent works shutting the line for signalling upgrades were just to get the existing signalling to work with the new trains which will continue to be driven manually when they are introduced.

TfL had budgeted for enough S Stock trains to operate the Amersham service so I doubt that any changes to the current service pattern will take place, at least not in the short to mid term. If the proposal to 'go as far as Moor Park' went ahead, it would probably mean the Underground losing the Amersham line but keeping the Watford branch. Chiltern would therefore have exclusive use of the 'Main Lines' from Harrow to Amersham. Chiltern would need to (at least) double their frequency of trains between Marylebone and Amersham though, the current 2 trains an hour off peak would not suffice. Plus don't forget that they would also need to take ownership of the Chesham branch and run that service too.

Basically, I doubt that anything will change for a quite some time, if ever, especially as Chiltern have their eyes focussed on Evergreen 3 and given the current economic climate.

[Matthew (MPJ/Admin)]

TfL had budgeted for enough S Stock trains to operate the Amersham service so I doubt that any changes to the current service pattern will take place, at least not in the short to mid term. If the proposal to 'go as far as Moor Park' went ahead, it would probably mean the Underground losing the Amersham line but keeping the Watford branch. Chiltern would therefore have exclusive use of the 'Main Lines' from Harrow to Amersham. Chiltern would need to (at least) double their frequency of trains between Marylebone and Amersham though, the current 2 trains an hour off peak would not suffice. Plus don't forget that they would also need to take ownership of the Chesham branch and run that service too.

I suspect it would also need a lot of work to increase capacity at Marylebone. I doubt they would easily be able to accommodate the extra Aylesbury / Amersham trains especially with the proposed increases through Wycombe.

A solution would be a new station on the HS2 route at Amersham ....!!

[Weezer]

I suspect it would also need a lot of work to increase capacity at Marylebone. I doubt they would easily be able to accommodate the extra Aylesbury / Amersham trains especially with the proposed increases through Wycombe.

A solution would be a new station on the HS2 route at Amersham ....!!

A good point Matthew, I guess that's why the old GW/GC Joint made use of Paddington too for Wycombe line trains. Not as easy to do that anymore though given the increased traffic into Padd and the run down nature of the line from Old Oak to South Ruislip. Even less likely to achieve too if HS2 were to take over that route in due course!

[Adrian]

I suspect it would also need a lot of work to increase capacity at Marylebone. I doubt they would easily be able to accommodate the extra Aylesbury / Amersham trains especially with the proposed increases through Wycombe.

But Chiltern would be able to jack up prices for the Amersham, Chorleywood etc commuters and would therefore be much happier to service us than marginal services such as the Wrexham and Shropshire trains. He who pays the piper...

[echinosum]

Why not sell the station to Chiltern Railways if LUL can't manage it properly? It's a terrible old shed of a place.

Train operating companies don't generally own stations. Usually Network Rail owns the stations, such as Marylebone and Aylesbury, and the train operating company leases it and operates it (apart from major stations such as Euston and Birmingham New St which are operated by Network Rail). Improvements to stations can come from train operators or from Network Rail, but in the case of works with a long depreciation period some involvement from NR is essential, since the train operators only have short leases.

I have not come across a franchised train operator having such a batty idea as "there is a member of staff in the ticket office, perfectly capable of selling you a ticket, who is not allowed to sell you a ticket." That's because most franchised train operators have a much better idea of good business and customer service than LUL.