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TFL Rail Weekend Works

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I notice from the 6 month look ahead on the TFL website that after Easter weekend there are no more closures on TFL Rail (Brentwood to Shenfield aside) until August Bank Holiday. So does this mean that after Easter the majority of the works will be complete? From what I have seen there still seems to be plenty of work to do!

Also, what is happening at Easter that needs a 4 day shutdown? Easter closures are pretty common but not usually for the full 4 days.
 
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iphone76

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They also have works on the May Day weekend. I did see a poster last week saying there would be no service on the bank holiday at the end of May, however, that may have changed as it doesn't appear on the 6 monthly planner now.
 

MatthewRead

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There will still be ongoing weekend works on the GEML throughout the rest of April, the whole of May and most of June!
 
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You seem to have answered your own question.

Well yes, but there seems to be a lot more work needs doing than they could get done in 4 days!

I was wondering if there was a big project or just lots of small ones along the whole line.
 

Mag_seven

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There will still be ongoing weekend works on the GEML throughout the rest of April, the whole of May and most of June!

The GEML seems to have been a no go area at weekends for the past couple of years now - those wishing to do Saturday day trips to London from Chelmsford, Colchester, Ipswich etc must be thoroughly sick of the situation.
 

MatthewRead

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The GEML seems to have been a no go area at weekends for the past couple of years now - those wishing to do Saturday day trips to London from Chelmsford, Colchester, Ipswich etc must be thoroughly sick of the situation.

Couldn't agree more!:-x
 

dave75

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The GEML seems to have been a no go area at weekends for the past couple of years now - those wishing to do Saturday day trips to London from Chelmsford, Colchester, Ipswich etc must be thoroughly sick of the situation.

It is an absolute joke the rail replacement in Essex. To add to our misery they lay on replacement buses that can't even make the speed limit on the A12.

No compensation for a season ticket which is purchased with the intention of using it most weekends. The crossrail benefit for GEML mainline passengers is pretty negligble.
 

Mag_seven

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It is an absolute joke the rail replacement in Essex. To add to our misery they lay on replacement buses that can't even make the speed limit on the A12.

No compensation for a season ticket which is purchased with the intention of using it most weekends. The crossrail benefit for GEML mainline passengers is pretty negligble.

Why can't the CrossRail works on the GEML involve "two track" railway rather than complete closure - they seem to manage the CrossRail works on the Great Western without too many complete closures.
 

PeterC

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As I don't live in Essex any more I haven't been following the works in detail but the Shenfield remodelling involves all lines and I believe that intermediate crossovers are being remodelled as well.

Having said that I don't recall closures taking out all four lines when I live over that way 20+ years ago although I remember that it was quite common to have one pair of lines out for work when travelling late at night.
 

JBuchananGB

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Greater Anglia have this to say about June 3rd:
As a result of major project and Crossrail work, some lines are closed between Liverpool Street and Shenfield all day Saturday 3 June.

Journey times between Liverpool Street and Shenfield will be extended with trains departing London earlier than normal, and arriving at Liverpool Street later than normal. Some trains will also call at additional stops between Chadwell Heath and Shenfield.

Ticket Acceptance will be offered for MTR passengers travelling between Shenfield and Liverpool Street.
https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/tra...ool-street-colchester-ipswich-norwich-and-268

I have to agree with others that the absence of trains to/from London since a very long time ago is a real nuisance. I sampled the delights of the RRB in February 2016, departing Billericay 8.15am arriving Euston at 9.59am, and have used it once or twice since then.

My daughter, who, living in Central London, does not need or own a car has used the following variety of techniques to get out here from time to time:
  • Rail Replacement Bus
  • Hired car
  • Travel via C2C to Laindon
  • Ask me to drive to East Ham to collect her

On her wedding day 1st October the entire wedding party in all their finery travelled in from Billericay to Stratford on an actual train, but my wife and I and the best man had to use the RRB to get back again!

The only compensation, if any, is that there is no-one interested in ticket inspections on the RRB, and Oyster cards work well at Newbury Park.
 
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Following on from my original post it seems that despite there being nothing in the 6 month look ahead, the line is closed completely for most of April and May, if the posters at stations are to be believed.
 

rebmcr

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As a result of major project and Crossrail work, some lines are will be closed between Liverpool Street and Shenfield all day Saturday 3 June.

Journey times between Liverpool Street and Shenfield will be extended with trains departing London Shenfield earlier than normal, and arriving at Liverpool Street later than normal. Some trains will also call at additional stops between Chadwell Heath and Shenfield.

Ticket Acceptance will be offered for MTR TfL Rail passengers travelling between Shenfield and Liverpool Street.

3/10 See me.
 

FartinLewis

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According to the GA website there will be two more weekends of works (Easter and 29/30 Apr / 1 May). Are you guys saying that it is likely that the weekend blockade will carry on into most of May and June? If so I will be very upset!

I like to travel to London from Colchester most weekends and it's been terrible since I moved to Colchester over a year ago. So bad in fact, that I intend to return to London as soon as my tenancy ends in August!
 

Ianno87

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Why can't the CrossRail works on the GEML involve "two track" railway rather than complete closure - they seem to manage the CrossRail works on the Great Western without too many complete closures.

GEML works seem to involve lots of work like re-stringing and strengthening the OLE that affects all lines.

GWML works are more to do with track alterations etc. that mainly affect the Relief Lines.
 

306024

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GEML works seem to involve lots of work like re-stringing and strengthening the OLE that affects all lines.

GWML works are more to do with track alterations etc. that mainly affect the Relief Lines.

Indeed. The 1949 OHL and all subsequent alterations have left a veritable cats cradle of knitting. All this OHL work is to simplify it so that in future less onerous possessions should be required.
 

iphone76

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I've just discovered that on Monday to Thursdays evenings from Monday 22nd May (after the weekend trains resume) until at least the first week of July, Southend Victoria trains are replaced by buses between Shenfield and Wickford after the 21:35 Liverpool Stret to Southend Vic.

Talk about giveth and taketh away. <very sad face>
 

Class 170101

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Why can't the CrossRail works on the GEML involve "two track" railway rather than complete closure - they seem to manage the CrossRail works on the Great Western without too many complete closures.

There is also insufficient distance between between the pairs of lines to allow OLE to be re-constructed safely. Sometimes coasting has been employed on one of the middle pairs of lines adjacent to the possession. However one cannot defy the forces of gravity and coast uphill like at Brentwood Bank on the Down Main so unfortunately currently its buses.
 

essexjohn

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Realtime Trains is today showing the Brentwood terminators continuing ECS to Shenfield Platforms 5 and 6 to reverse.
OpenTrainTimes map shows the new layout at Shenfield.
 

306024

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Realtime Trains is today showing the Brentwood terminators continuing ECS to Shenfield Platforms 5 and 6 to reverse.
OpenTrainTimes map shows the new layout at Shenfield.

Every other one and off peak only this week. All part of driver route learning, NR snagging etc prior to full service resuming with the May timetable change.
 

306024

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That will be the normal operation, with 5 and 6 for TfL Rail services. Down Southend services no longer have to mix with TfL Rail services to access the Southend diveunder. All platforms are now bi-directional so flexibility during engineering possessions is improved.
 

EssexGonzo

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That will be the normal operation, with 5 and 6 for TfL Rail services. Down Southend services no longer have to mix with TfL Rail services to access the Southend diveunder. All platforms are now bi-directional so flexibility during engineering possessions is improved.

That's good to know for the. Given the Southend services departing platform 3 were having to cross the London bound line delaying services from Chelmsford to platform 2, delays have been common. Giving them the dive under back should speed things up in the morning.
 

iphone76

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Quite a few Southend Victoria bound trains used P4 at Shenfield at lunchtime today. Not sure if it was for testing or due to some issues on the line.
 
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