Greenford Branch Future

[dcmbarton]

I've just been reading about the Crossrail plans, and it seems that when these services begin to run, Greenford Branch services will terminate at West Ealing rather than running through the Paddington.

To me, this begs the question of the future of the branch. Greenford is already on the Central Line; South Greenford is pretty close to Perivale, also on the Central Line; and Drayton Green is pretty close to West Ealing on the mainline. OK, Castle Bar Park is perhaps not so close to any of these, but I wonder how retaining a shuttle service on the line will be justified. Although trains are to be increased to 4tph, with no services running direct to Paddington, surely most people are likely to use Central Line services instead?

I see that suggestions have been made to entend services to Clapham Junction and West Ruislip; surely, in theory, the connections already exist - Central line north of Greenford, and the Central Line/West London Line interchange at Shepherd's Bush.

David

 

[anthony263]

I dont know if the branch is electrified and becomes a part of crossrail, which i think all of the branch lines between Reading & London Paddington should there may be more people willing to use it especially if it means quicker journeys times to central london than going on the central line.

 

[swt_passenger]

I dont know if the branch is electrified and becomes a part of crossrail, which i think all of the branch lines between Reading & London Paddington should there may be more people willing to use it especially if it means quicker journeys times to central london than going on the central line.

It won't happen - as the original poster said it will become a Greenford - West Ealing shuttle service running into a reopened west facing bay platform.

Operating any further would require flat crossing moves - and there won't be capacity for them without a flyover junction - which there won't be space for so close to West Ealing station, even if it was affordable.

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I see that suggestions have been made to entend services to Clapham Junction and West Ruislip...

Where did you find those ideas? I certainly can't think of a non-conflicting route to Clapham Jn in the post Crossrail situation...

I don't think Chiltern's plans will allow for any services reversing at West Ruislip either, under their latest timetable proposals.

 

[dcmbarton]

Where did you find those ideas? I certainly can't think of a non-conflicting route to Clapham Jn in the post Crossrail situation...

Apparently, this is what Ealing Council are lobbying for...

 

[Snapper]

The route is a very useful diversionary line, so it'll stay open even if the passenger service was cut (which I doubt).

 

[cle]

I think a 4tph shuttle is decent, provided it connects with 4tph at West Ealing well.

The current commuters of that line now currently change at Ealing Broadway or Paddington to access the West End/City/wherever - it's highly more likely that their destination will now be a direct ride on Crossrail from West Ealing, and so be better off.

Hopefully the other shuttles are improved too providing a strong network of feeders. For instance, Paddington's location probably puts off many Windsor & Eton travellers even though via Slough is much quicker than direct to Waterloo. It's another change onto the tube (to get to Oxford St, or Liverpool St, for example), so three segments!

But with Crossrail, I'm sure it'll be a no brainer, unless they're heading to Waterloo/CJ specifically.

 

[dcmbarton]

The route is a very useful diversionary line, so it'll stay open even if the passenger service was cut (which I doubt).

This is true - good point.

 

[swt_passenger]

Apparently, this is what Ealing Council are lobbying for...

Ah - a local council's 'rail planner'. They should give up now then...

 

[tbtc]

Although trains are to be increased to 4tph

I didn't know that - doubling the frequency sounds pretty significant...

Logical thing to do, if it's chopped at West Ealing, would be to give it to Chiltern, since they run 165s already and there's always the potential for South/West Ruislip at certain times of the day (probably not during the daytime, given the Chiltern expansion plans)

 

[Waddon]

I think it would be better to give it over to London Overground, as a 4 trains an hour shuttle service entirely within London seems much more their cup of tea (maybe even give the Ruislip to Marylebone stoppers over to LU too while we're at it). Let Chiltern and FGW concentrate on the longer distance services...

 

[Ivo]

I think it would be better to give it over to London Overground, as a 4 trains an hour shuttle service entirely within London seems much more their cup of tea (maybe even give the Ruislip to Marylebone stoppers over to LU too while we're at it). Let Chiltern and FGW concentrate on the longer distance services...

Maybe, but it has no link to any other LOROL service. Unless the Island Line counts, such a situation does not exist at all.

 

[The Planner]

Why have two TOCs on a stretch of line that Chiltern have spent a wedge on ?? can see Mr Shooter really going for that.