HS2 Old Oak Common

[Tobberz]

I have the sad feeling that the chance to build a big transport hub linking the various lines through Willesden Junction and Old Oak will be passed, and will within a few years be bitterly regretted. Having an interchange linking the lines out of Paddington and Euston, the North and West London Lines and Crossrail, and maybe even the Acton Wells > Cricklewood line, and linking with local buses, a kind of super-Stratford in West London, would be expensive but very much worthwhile.

Indeed, it's unfortunate. I hope they somehow leave passive provision for the Chiltern connection, and think more rationally about joining up the various proposed Overground stations. However, it won't be as good as it could have been.

 

[Zomboid]

Indeed, it's unfortunate. I hope they somehow leave passive provision for the Chiltern connection, and think more rationally about joining up the various proposed Overground stations. However, it won't be as good as it could have been.

But unless infinite budgets and timelines are available then nothing ever can be.

 

[FMerrymon]

Indeed, it's unfortunate. I hope they somehow leave passive provision for the Chiltern connection, and think more rationally about joining up the various proposed Overground stations. However, it won't be as good as it could have been.

There's a few points in this presentation about passive provision for Chiltern. 1:11:15 expands on the point.

 

[bobjarred05]

First platforms for Britain’s new high speed railway installed at Old Oak Common

The first platforms that will be used by passengers travelling on HS2 are being built Each platform will be served by 400m trains New video and images available of the platforms being constructed

mediacentre.hs2.org.uk

First platforms installed in the old oak common box

 

[Tobberz]

First platforms for Britain’s new high speed railway installed at Old Oak Common

The first platforms that will be used by passengers travelling on HS2 are being built Each platform will be served by 400m trains New video and images available of the platforms being constructed

mediacentre.hs2.org.uk

First platforms installed in the old oak common box

I enjoy the mockup station sign. Might seem useless to some here, but helps in some way to convince the public that HS2 is making real progress.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

I enjoy the mockup station sign. Might seem useless to some here, but helps in some way to convince the public that HS2 is making real progress.

Indeed and it reinforces the suggestion that the project is not going to be ready until the mid 2030's as bizarre.

 

[Snow1964]

HS2 have released another video, manufacturer of Old Oak Common platform slabs at Worksop

About 1960 slabs for HS2 platforms and 405 slabs for ground level platforms

 

[Pete_uk]

Hope they keep the name

 

[bobjarred05]

interesting video not a whole lot about actual progress mostly a lot of corporate and pr lingo to do with the reset

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

interesting video not a whole lot about actual progress mostly a lot of corporate and pr lingo to do with the reset

You can see the progress platforms are making though and wouldn't be surprised that there finished by early next year. Mind you I find it a bit rich that HS2 was telling us how well things were going on their updates and now they are laying the foundations for this reset!

 

[Palmerston]

Why is the station name in capital letters? Is that the HS2 branding?

 

[swt_passenger]

Why is the station name in capital letters? Is that the HS2 branding?

It’s a temporary portable wooden sign someone’s knocked up. I wouldn’t expect it‘s more than that.

 

[Tobberz]

Interesting that in the above video, the ongoing issues/"reset" is directly addressed. Probably wise, but I don't think I've seen HS2 video media actually address it before to the public.

 

[Geogregor]

Interesting few lines in the latest TfL Commissioner's Report:

https://board.tfl.gov.uk/documents/s24055/board-20250611-item05b-Commissioner%20Report.pdf

Work continues on the next stages of development for the line using the 10 additional trains ordered last year. HS2 have also started design work for level boarding on the Elizabeth line platforms at Old Oak Common, which has now been approved by the DfT.

 

[Kilopylae]

Interesting few lines in the latest TfL Commissioner's Report:

https://board.tfl.gov.uk/documents/s24055/board-20250611-item05b-Commissioner%20Report.pdf

Does this mean humps or will the platforms be higher? "Design work" is a confusing phrase - how much design can it take to align the platform surface with the footplate?

 

[Zomboid]

Does this mean humps or will the platforms be higher? "Design work" is a confusing phrase - how much design can it take to align the platform surface with the footplate?

More than you'd imagine, I suspect.

 

[stuu]

Does this mean humps or will the platforms be higher? "Design work" is a confusing phrase - how much design can it take to align the platform surface with the footplate?

I imagine the track height is fixed because of the bridge over Old Oak Lane, so the platforms need to be raised. Which means the footbridge needs to be changed, and potentially even the clearance to the electrification means canopies need to be changed. As well as lots of other things

 

[zwk500]

Does this mean humps or will the platforms be higher? "Design work" is a confusing phrase - how much design can it take to align the platform surface with the footplate?

Quite a lot if they've got to also accomodate drainage, services, stairs, and a wide variety of other rolling stock that might use the lines. And even more so if that ends up being a different height to other platforms, which would affect subways/footbridges etc.

 

[SynthD]

What does that mean for GWR using the relief line?

 

[Geogregor]

I imagine the track height is fixed because of the bridge over Old Oak Lane, so the platforms need to be raised. Which means the footbridge needs to be changed, and potentially even the clearance to the electrification means canopies need to be changed. As well as lots of other things

I think there might be enough space between the Old Oak Lane and platforms for track to drop a bit. How much height difference are we talking about?

 

[stuving]

Looking back through the TfL Commissioner's reports for this topic, in June 2024 we find:

We also continue to actively engage with HS2 Ltd and Network Rail on the proposal to provide level boarding for Elizabeth line rolling stock at Old Oak Common.

I can't find any mention in those reports of the feasibility study in this from New Civil Engineer (but quoted here from LinkedIn):

An HS2 spokesperson said: “HS2 is constructing the platforms for the conventional rail lines through the station to Network Rail standards.

“This includes all platforms that will be served by GWR (Great Western Railway), Elizabeth Line and Heathrow Express services, which all have different floor heights.

“Our designers are progressing a feasibility study with Department for Transport and Network Rail that will assess options to achieve level boarding for Elizabeth Line services at Old Oak Common Station which, is influenced by many factors.”

And then the report before the June one quoted above was in March, with:

We continue to press the case for level boarding to be provided for Elizabeth line trains at Old Oak Common station and the matter has now been referred to the DfT for consideration after a preferred design solution was identified.

So this issue have been progressing out of our sight between DfT, HS2, TfL - and presumably NR as well. But towards which end result?

 

[stuu]

I think there might be enough space between the Old Oak Lane and platforms for track to drop a bit. How much height difference are we talking about?

Fair point, I checked the plan now, I thought the platforms started nearer, although they have already started laying the track there... I think the EL platforms are 1100mm, compared to 915mm for standard UK platforms. So quite a bit if the platforms have to be raised/redesigned

 

[kevin_roche]

For some time during construction, while the main line platforms are constructed, the tracks will be used for the diverted GWML relief and main lines so all the trains will have to go through the place where the EL platforms will eventually be. So whatever is planned must be done in a way to accommodate that.

 

[Benjwri]

For some time during construction, while the main line platforms are constructed, the tracks will be used for the diverted GWML relief and main lines so all the trains will have to go through the place where the EL platforms will eventually be. So whatever is planned must be done in a way to accommodate that.

There is no issue with that, as during construction trains will not be stopping.

The issue deal with will be when there is engineering concert has opened, and IETs have to stop at the relief platforms.

 

[Snow1964]

There is no issue with that, as during construction trains will not be stopping.

The issue deal with will be when there is engineering concert has opened, and IETs have to stop at the relief platforms.

The track plan that was published years ago (which might be out of date, if it has been updated) suggested the middle two islands of the 4 pairs could be reached from either main or relief lines.

It was more complicated than each of the four tracks just splitting into pairs either side of an island, and although I can't find plan now, think it also allowed reversal away from London on some platforms (so some trains didn't need to continue towards Paddington, if there was emergency, or in middle of night if Paddington was closed for work).

Hopefully someone can find link to proposed track plan, so can check if I remember correctly

 

[MPW]

Why can't the EL and GWR services just use different platforms with different heights? Would there really be that many terminating at OOC that EL needs lots of capacity for itself?

 

[Benjwri]

The track plan that was published years ago (which might be out of date, if it has been updated) suggested the middle two islands of the 4 pairs could be reached from either main or relief lines.

It was more complicated than each of the four tracks just splitting into pairs either side of an island, and although I can't find plan now, think it also allowed reversal away from London on some platforms (so some trains didn't need to continue towards Paddington, if there was emergency, or in middle of night if Paddington was closed for work).

Hopefully someone can find link to proposed track plan, so can check if I remember correctly

I don’t have it right now to post, but the one from 2023 had no real facility to cross from mains to relief at all (only a single TBC link which would be impractical to run any frequency over)

Why can't the EL and GWR services just use different platforms with different heights? Would there really be that many terminating at OOC that EL needs lots of capacity for itself?

This would be the case most of the time, but weekend engineering often forces them to share platforms

 

[stuu]

Why can't the EL and GWR services just use different platforms with different heights? Would there really be that many terminating at OOC that EL needs lots of capacity for itself?

I believe the plan is for all the existing trains which terminate at Paddington to extend to OOC, so it's up to 12 an hour

 

[swt_passenger]

I don’t have it right now to post, but the one from 2023 had no real facility to cross from mains to relief at all (only a single TBC link which would be impractical to run any frequency over)

I think you‘re describing the screen shot from the PWI Lecture attached in post #107?

 

[Horizon22]

I believe the plan is for all the existing trains which terminate at Paddington to extend to OOC, so it's up to 12 an hour

Still not sure how the GWML can handle 24tph without CBTC. And as far as I can see it, there’s no plans to extend CBTC yet onto NR infrastructure on the Western route.