Crossrail - Construction updates and progress towards opening (now expected 24 May 2022)

[Ianno87]

The TfL finance committee papers are published, and it has various graphs, on page 4 is the Elizabeth line, and it seems the usage budget goes maximum in period 10 2021-22 (TfL use 13 periods of 4 weeks April-March, so is Christmas- Jan2022), for one period only

Not sure if this means a launch service has been budgeted for that date, otherwise cant see why it is so much higher than the other 4 week periods

https://board.tfl.gov.uk/documents/s16577/fc-20211006-item06b-finance-report-appx.pdf

My guess was when the budget was set (March ?) TfL Board assumed opening just before Christmas, even though now sounds like nearer May 2022

Christmas is generally a busy period on LU - it is traditionally when the record busiest days occur.

 

[rebmcr]

Anyone any suggestions what these issues with the trains are considering they’ve been in service for years now?

They've not yet been in service while using CBTC signalling, which is used in the central tunnels.

 

[hwl]

Anyone any suggestions what these issues with the trains are considering they’ve been in service for years now?

Headline written by a person who didn't write the article or read the underlying material (the board papers linked above) and just used the word "train".

3 stations yet to be handed over and plenty more signalling software drops to come (5 planned including some new functionality for the product e.g. CBTC to ETCS transitions when GWML inner area e.g. Paddington - Ealing ETCS goes live (at some point))...

 

[Horizon22]

Headline written by a person who didn't write the article or read the underlying material (the board papers linked above) and just used the word "train".

3 stations yet to be handed over and plenty more signalling software drops to come (5 planned including some new functionality for the product e.g. CBTC to ETCS transitions when GWML inner area e.g. Paddington - Ealing ETCS goes live (at some point))...

Yeah I'd agree that it's just a bit of lazy journalism. The Paddington - Ealing ETCS section is delayed to 2022 last I heard but isn't totally vital for the service to begin anyway.

 

[matt_world2004]

Yeah I'd agree that it's just a bit of lazy journalism. The Paddington - Ealing ETCS section is delayed to 2022 last I heard but isn't totally vital for the service to begin anyway.

Not as bad as the onlondon article I read a few weeks ago that claimed Crossrail was no longer running to Reading based on a paragraph in the Hayes and Harlington press release about the staggered opening.

 

[Horizon22]

Not as bad as the onlondon article I read a few weeks ago that claimed Crossrail was no longer running to Reading based on a paragraph in the Hayes and Harlington press release about the staggered opening.

Oh dear... Always makes me think how badly local journalists get into a state about other sectors considering how much they butcher facts about transport!

 

[AlbertBeale]

Oh dear... Always makes me think how badly local journalists get into a state about other sectors considering how much they butcher facts about transport!

One problem is that many local journalists have been sacked and/or merged into big central news operations. In areas of the country where the local papers are owned by one of the big chains (ie the vast majority of places now, unfortunately) then the stuff you read in the local paper has often been written by someone who doesn't really know anything about the area. The lack of serious and informed journalism is a big problem - and not only in terms of accurate reporting of local transport issues.

 

[Horizon22]

Sorry for not replying yesterday - I was out for the day.

I don't believe the testing went that well for various reasons. The next test will be 3rd October so let's hope it works then.

I did hear that they had employed land sheriffs to monitor the sidings but I wasn't working so not sure if that happened.

The process isn't as described as above. Before leaving Paddington, we acknowledge the auto- reverse icon, turn the master control switch to shutdown and remove our key. The train moves towards the sidings and we stay in the Westbound cab until the train comes to a stand in the sidings.

We then walk to the Eastbound cab during which time once the departure time arrives, the train will automatically head to Paddington. I would imagine most drivers would had reached the other end before it heads back to Paddington, but I guess in cases of late running it could set-off soon after it arrives.

My disclaimer is that's what we were issued with the other day.

I see the next tests are planned for Sunday, and then 6-8th inclusive outside of the peaks. I've read something that says it "may not have a driver in the leading cab" which I gather is dependent on when someone might be looking!

One problem is that many local journalists have been sacked and/or merged into big central news operations. In areas of the country where the local papers are owned by one of the big chains (ie the vast majority of places now, unfortunately) then the stuff you read in the local paper has often been written by someone who doesn't really know anything about the area. The lack of serious and informed journalism is a big problem - and not only in terms of accurate reporting of local transport issues.

Oh yes well aware - they tend to cover multiple boroughs in London and multiple sections so I'm not that surprised the stories aren't great, but making mistakes about something which is literally in a reference article is pretty poor.

 

[AlbertBeale]

Oh yes well aware - they tend to cover multiple boroughs in London and multiple sections so I'm not that surprised the stories aren't great, but making mistakes about something which is literally in a reference article is pretty poor.

I'm lucky enough to live in the borough of Camden, with a (rare) local paper that isn't in the hands of a big corporation. Result is a paper much-used by the locals, full of news (generally fairly accurate!) and debate, and it regularly wins awards. (Hence the currently common "business" model of squeezing stuff down to the minimum clearly isn't the only, or even most viable, model.) I'm always shocked if I see a local paper in another area, when I see how awful they are.

 

[Jpeg]

Abbey wood now handed over

https://twitter.com/crossrail/status/1443844589148909575?s=21

ABBEY WOOD: The station is now fully integrated into the #Elizabethline and ready to support Trial Operations later in the year. Canary Wharf will be the next, and penultimate station to be transferred from Crossrail to @TfL expected later in the autumn

When is the next construction blockade?

 

[rd749249]

10-17th October

 

[iphone76]

10-17th October

We were told 10th to 22nd inclusive for the next blockade. I really hope the next software updates manage to iron out some of the difficulties they still seem to be experiencing.

More auto reverse testing at Westbourne Park today. After a very rocky start, things seem to be settling down.

 

[rd749249]

Well, the plan I’m looking at from August has system and overnight testing from 18th for a few days, then 2 days of shutdown and trial running again from 27/10. The plan may have changed but I haven’t seen anything since.

Auto reverse worked well today. 60 odd reversals and not one problem, so I was told. It ran just the way it did in dynamic testing.

Things seem to be coming together (famous last words lol).

 

[matt_world2004]

Trial operations are happening in 7 weeks , then it's 12 weeks before it opens after that so 19 weeks.

I speculate that this means the service is aiming to launch on Sunday 13th February.

 

[ijmad]

I've read a lot of news about the opening potentially being Easter now, have things improved? Or is this still just an optimistic schedule assuming everything goes perfectly?

Abbey wood now handed over

https://twitter.com/crossrail/status/1443844589148909575?s=21

When is the next construction blockade?

Interesting that Abbey Wood's platforms are 3 & 4, even though they're A & B in the whole rest of the core, even at Custom House that also has a Platform 1 and 2 adjacent for the DLR

 

[matt_world2004]

I've read a lot of news about the opening potentially being Easter now, have things improved? Or is this still just an optimistic schedule assuming everything

I don't know. I know there can be slippage to the 7 week timetable. But I'm not sure if there can be slippage for the 12 week timetable whose purpose is employee training, familiarisation and developing service recovery strategies

 

[greyman42]

I was a Farringdon two days ago and noticed that passengers were using the escalators on the newer part of the station. I never had time to use them myself and am wondering where they lead to at the moment?

 

[dmncf]

I was a Farringdon two days ago and noticed that passengers were using the escalators on the newer part of the station. I never had time to use them myself and am wondering where they lead to at the moment?

If you enter the newish Thameslink-managed ticket hall on the south side of Cowcross Street, you can now turn right to descend new escalators. When alighting from these escalators into a newly-opened landing area you can turn right through 180 degrees to walk onto the northbound Thameslink platform (you'll find yourself near the rear of the train) or in future walk forward then turn left through 180 degrees to descend further escalators to the Crossrail platforms. There is currently a closed a concertina gate preventing you walking forward from the escalators. There is nice artwork in this landing area.

 

[FOH]

I was a Farringdon two days ago and noticed that passengers were using the escalators on the newer part of the station. I never had time to use them myself and am wondering where they lead to at the moment?

Went down that bit today. You can get a peek of the escalators down to the deep with their smooth ceiling. Absolutely fully labeled up as "Elizabeth line" on all signs.

 

[Acton1991]

Acton Main Line finally has roundels and signage. Looking good!

 

[ijmad]

Interesting line diagram as from what I gather there probably won't be direct services to Reading from Acton. I suppose it's no worse than many tube line diagrams like the District Line's or Northern Line's that are similarly deceptive...

 

[Ianno87]

Interesting line diagram as from what I gather there probably won't be direct services to Reading from Acton. I suppose it's no worse than many tube line diagrams like the District Line's or Northern Line's that are similarly deceptive...

I'm surprised it doesn't have a "where no direct train is shown, take first train and change" message. Presumably Ealing Broadway would be suitable for changing as everything would stop there.

 

[Horizon22]

Interesting line diagram as from what I gather there probably won't be direct services to Reading from Acton. I suppose it's no worse than many tube line diagrams like the District Line's or Northern Line's that are similarly deceptive...

That's pretty standard for TfL though. Although what might be good is to put something in smaller print - similar to something I think they have on the train diagrams - which is akin to "Not all services call at all stations. Please check departure screens before boarding"

I'm surprised it doesn't have a "where no direct train is shown, take first train and change" message. Presumably Ealing Broadway would be suitable for changing as everything would stop there.

And / or Paddington depending on when the next service is as it's only half-hourly at present.

 

[ijmad]

I'm surprised it doesn't have a "where no direct train is shown, take first train and change" message. Presumably Ealing Broadway would be suitable for changing as everything would stop there.

I suppose that's why the interchange symbol is shown at Hayes and Harlington.

 

[Acton1991]

Interesting line diagram as from what I gather there probably won't be direct services to Reading from Acton. I suppose it's no worse than many tube line diagrams like the District Line's or Northern Line's that are similarly deceptive...

Good point - it does seem strange. The signage looks like it has a foam overlay on top of the real sign, so potentially an update to come at some point?
I also think the spacing is strange with a lot of white space at the bottom...

 

[matt_world2004]

Good point - it does seem strange. The signage looks like it has a foam overlay on top of the real sign, so potentially an update to come at some point?
I also think the spacing is strange with a lot of white space at the bottom...

The signs have temporary overlays on the Paddington bound side because it shows the rest of the Elizabeth line don't know why on the westbound side but maybe for consistency.

At a guess they were going to produce the temporary overlays to only show the tfl Rail going to terminal 4 then covid happened and it was a committed spend.

 

[Acton1991]

The signs have temporary overlays on the Paddington bound side because it shows the rest of the Elizabeth line don't know why on the westbound side but maybe for consistency.

At a guess they were going to produce the temporary overlays to only show the tfl Rail going to terminal 4 then covid happened and it was a committed spend.

Good point. The Paddington bound sign looked very sparse that's for sure

The platform layout is also very strange - lots of benches and plant pots located on the newly constructed platform extension that is very far away from the steps to the entrance/exit, so they see limited use.

The new platform area also does not have signage, and they are missing a few 'Way out' signs on the Paddington bound platform, but I'm sure this will be sorted. It's certainly a darn sight better than before!

 

[matt_world2004]

Good point. The Paddington bound sign looked very sparse that's for sure

The platform layout is also very strange - lots of benches and plant pots located on the newly constructed platform extension that is very far away from the steps to the entrance/exit, so they see limited use.

The new platform area also does not have signage, and they are missing a few 'Way out' signs on the Paddington bound platform, but I'm sure this will be sorted. It's certainly a darn sight better than before!

I guess those benches are a nudge for people to move down the platform so there is no congregating at the stairwell


Acton.mainline seems better built than Hayes. Certainly the lighting seems better.

 

[Ianno87]

I guess those benches are a nudge for people to move down the platform so there is no congregating at the stairwell

And generally keeping the staircase area clear of obstructions - the peak loading on the stairs will be when a train tips out people in the evening peak.

 

[InOban]

The aboveground area of Bond Street has been handed over to the oversite developers
Since this area has the huge ventilation fans it must surely mean that they are completed.