Interesting summary of the discussion on Crossrail issues at the recent TfL Board.
https://rosslydall.wordpress.com/20...n-and-as-new-trains-suffer-software-problems/
Partial quote below.
Crossrail chiefs have issued a major alert that the £14.8bn line may not open on time and is at risk of blowing its budget.
See the video of the TfL board meeting above. Discussion of Crossrail begins at 2 hours 35 minutes: https://www.london.gov.uk/transport-london-board-2018-01-30
Problems with software on new trains and an electrical explosion in east London, which occurred when engineers tried to switch on the high-voltage power, have caused “real, serious challenges”, Mayor Sadiq Khan was told.
Some headlines from the Board discussion.
In essence construction is running late at places like Whitechapel and Bond St. At long last someone has confirmed my very long held suspicion that Whitechapel's construction and fit out is way behind where it should be.
The East End power connection at Pudding Mill Lane exploded when they switched it on. This has caused a 3 month delay. The electrical equipment was apparently designed incorrectly. This has delayed the start of train testing. They were planning to switch the power on the day of the Board meeting (yesterday) but whether it has happened was still slightly in doubt. A similar installation for the Western power connection is yet to be switched on and has been subject to extensive review to avoid a repeat. Although the guilty supplier was not mentioned the words used by Terry Morgan (who I know of old) suggested he has beyond furious as to what had happened and that a "robust discussion" had been held with the supplier.
Software immaturity / unreliability with the class 345s is causing problems with integrated the multiple signalling system interfaces.
Back up plan in place to use class 360s into Heathrow from May as class 345's ECTS interface is unlikely to be reliable enough although it does work functionally. Apparently a train has run into Heathrow on 12 and 19 January.
The CBTC equipped train is being tested at Old Dalby and is due in London on 16 Feb. It is then expected to run under its own power into the Eastern tunnel section (Abbey Wood - Canary Wharf section) by the end of Feb.
Seems the entire programme is now becoming compressed and is having to be managed day to day because some physical works have to be curtailed if train testing is happening. There are also cost pressures emerging - not a surprise because "chuck money at the problem" is often the answer at this late stage of things.
Mark Wild (LU MD) and Terry Morgan (Crossrail Chairman) both said there will be an operational railway open in Dec 2018. I do wonder just how "finished" it will be in some places. So lots of "fun" for the Crossrail and TfL teams as the days tick by to December 2018.