London Bridge reconstruction works

[greatkingrat]

If down Charing Cross trains are using platform 4 then is there any reason why they can't stop there?

I realise there probably wouldn't be capacity in the peak, but could some down trains stop at London Bridge at quiet times (eg late night services)?

 

[TheJRB]

If down Charing Cross trains are using platform 4 then is there any reason why they can't stop there?

I realise there probably wouldn't be capacity in the peak, but could some down trains stop at London Bridge at quiet times (eg late night services)?

I have considered the same thing but I suppose it comes down to a few things. Firstly it's no doubt difficult enough squeezing all the down services through one platform without having them hang about for any length of time; secondly, as mentioned earlier, down Charing Cross trains will revert to passing platform 5 when enough of it has been demolished and lastly you'd create crowding by enabling people who want to get to London Bridge to double back via Waterloo East. I think the current policy of having none of them call at London Bridge (neither calling down services at platform 4 nor diverting via Cannon Street) suits the situation as it reinforces the idea that you can't get to London Bridge on a train to or from Charing Cross (unless you're travelling last thing at night on those handful of trains via Cannon Street of course!).

 

[zoneking]

Signal problems at London Bridge again last night and today. What is the cause of repeated problems?

 

[Tangent]

This probably says something about the way in which changes were announced, which did seem to be in a fairly railway-knowledgeable prose. I believe the substantial numbers who commuted into Waterloo Main Line and then went on from Waterloo Eastern to London Bridge, then walking to their offices on both sides of the river, were particularly surprised at the changes; the posters never seemed to use the word Waterloo at all, only Charing Cross. Of course, WE all know ...

Some people simply don't taken in what they have been told, sadly. A year ago, when passing through London Bridge when the publicity programme really got going and leaflets explaining the changes were doled, I predicted to myself that, despite the best efforts of TOCs and NR, "No one told us!" would still be heard when the changes came into operation.

 

[tsr]

Signal problems at London Bridge again last night and today. What is the cause of repeated problems?

Points failure (occurred twice today, I believe). I am informed this was just North of New Cross Gate, but I am unsure at exactly which of the several junctions in the area.

 

[tsr]

Train describer outputs apparently briefly gave up in the area of Three Bridges signalling control.

 

[Bald Rick]

Points failure (occurred twice today, I believe). I am informed this was just North of New Cross Gate, but I am unsure at exactly which of the several junctions in the area.

TL8010 points. When they fail no reverse, it means no trains can run London Bridge to New Cross Gate. Happened twice today, once yesterday. A lot of people out tonight to give them a good going over.

 

[physics34]

TL8010 points. When they fail no reverse, it means no trains can run London Bridge to New Cross Gate. Happened twice today, once yesterday. A lot of people out tonight to give them a good going over.

mentioned this to others at our london bridge drivers brief. To have just one set of points used for ALL movements in the up direction in that location is asking for trouble.

 

[Bald Rick]

mentioned this to others at our london bridge drivers brief. To have just one set of points used for ALL movements in the up direction in that location is asking for trouble.

Or even the down direction.

But it is a relatively common thing - all up direction services to Charing Cross for the last 40 years have relied on one set of points at Borough Market, and another single set at Met Jn. Ditto Cannon St either side of London Bridge. Ditto Marylebone. Ditto Thameslink core.

 

[Bijgc]

I'm sure the reconstruction will be worth it and am very much looking forward to seeing the station develop. However, given the huge disruption experienced by passengers recently, wouldn't it be nice if some of the tannoy announcements alerted passengers to their ability to claim compensation via delay repay? I (and thousands of others) have been significantly inconvenienced most mornings and evenings and have heard so many announcements about unattended items and the automated insincere apologies for disruption to services, but not one on-train or in-station announcement (nor gateline distribution of claim forms, as some have suggested should happen) about how passengers can claim back monies they are due. Is it just me? I presume the TOCs are making claims from Network Rail for infrastructure-related delays - were they not under some obligation to be more proactive about publicising this scheme?

 

[hwl]

TL8010 points. When they fail no reverse, it means no trains can run London Bridge to New Cross Gate. Happened twice today, once yesterday. A lot of people out tonight to give them a good going over.

Surely TL8010 (last part of the route from Sussex Reversible to Down Sussex fast at Bricklayers Arms just by the SELCHP?) would not need to be operated* until after TL services start using the NEW P4&5 at LBG! and could just be clamped in reverse direction till then??? (and even not much then unless the down under the dive under is closed?)
(*excluding engineering trains etc?)

Or is its movement paired with 8009 for interlocking purposes for the long term?
And as 8009 does, does therefore 8010 need to move at the moment???

And would a temporary set of points just down from 8002 and linked directly to the Down Sussex Fast help reliability across the 2 track section till the new Sussex Down Slow through the dive under opens in 2017???

 

[Taunton]

Not yet, still working...

Good for you. You may have seen, on the other thread .....

... discovered that the 1659 wasn't fully "cancelled" but was starting from there. However, very helpfully, we weren't told that at London Bridge! Hopped on and sat in the front 1st section, and was joined there by Charles Horton (MD of the TOC), with whom I worked briefly years ago. Decided not to say anything!

Now if the MD is, during the current shambles, off home on the 1659, I think that says it all.

Also interesting to see that the First Class section on commuter trains still provides, as ever, something of a Club atmosphere for the senior execs, instead of having to stand back with the poor fare-paying punters.

 

[physics34]

Or even the down direction.

But it is a relatively common thing - all up direction services to Charing Cross for the last 40 years have relied on one set of points at Borough Market, and another single set at Met Jn. Ditto Cannon St either side of London Bridge. Ditto Marylebone. Ditto Thameslink core.

yeh sorry the down. Yeh fair enough, and the points need to be reliable, but with no alternative route, it is sort of..... asking for trouble.

 

[GodAtum]

Now if the MD is, during the current shambles, off home on the 1659, I think that says it all.

Also interesting to see that the First Class section on commuter trains still provides, as ever, something of a Club atmosphere for the senior execs, instead of having to stand back with the poor fare-paying punters.

Lol, the manners of peopel travelling 1st class to London bridge are much better then those going to Victoria.

 

[Deepgreen]

Good for you. You may have seen, on the other thread .....


Now if the MD is, during the current shambles, off home on the 1659, I think that says it all.

Also interesting to see that the First Class section on commuter trains still provides, as ever, something of a Club atmosphere for the senior execs, instead of having to stand back with the poor fare-paying punters.

To be fair, he may not have been off home, or, if so, he may have worked all night, etc. I don't know, but he did look shattered!

 

[Taunton]

To be fair, he may not have been off home, or, if so, he may have worked all night, etc. I don't know, but he did look shattered!

There's actually not a lot the MD at the top can do through the night. They need to be working round the other top guys at Network Rail, the DfT, and such like, ensuring everything is all pulled together, as well as out on the ground at the key points, morning and evening peaks, seeing what is really happening out there rather than relying on massaged reports and spreadsheets from those reporting to them.

 

[yorkie]

Just a reminder that this thread is to discuss the progress of the actual infrastructure works.

To discuss the temporary timetable (or the cancellations/alterations to it), and your (probably negative) experiences of it, please use London Bridge - new timetable during reconstruction works commencing 5th January instead.

Thanks

 

[ChiefPlanner]

Apart from the intensive day work - senior NR / TOC + DfT persons are not only doing "homework" like evening tele-conferences at home , but also putting in some considerable work over the weekends.

Not often realised , but at senior level the day does not (and never did) end at 5pm - a lot of these folks are getting very fatigued. (and spare a thought for the NR technicians out in the freezing cold doing adjustments and checks on infrastructure. 0330 for restoring a set of points at Bermondsey noted in one of the logs this week.

 

[Daz28]

I see that platforms 1-6 are closed again this Sunday, with no services to Charing Cross or Cannon Street. Anybody know what is planned?

 

[samuelmorris]

First time I noticed the missing end of the footbridge at London Bridge this afternoon - it really does look like a giant has grabbed hold of it and very roughly snapped the end off! A right mess, unless my eyes deceived me. Any ideas how much longer it's going to look like that?

 

[ChiefPlanner]

First time I noticed the missing end of the footbridge at London Bridge this afternoon - it really does look like a giant has grabbed hold of it and very roughly snapped the end off! A right mess, unless my eyes deceived me. Any ideas how much longer it's going to look like that?

A while ...it may be turned into a "temporary" waiting area "upstairs" .....find out on Monday...

 

[DynamicSpirit]

Prior to the London Bridge rebuilding work, several platforms along the Woolwich line were extended to allow 12 cars. I had the impression that SouthEastern were intending to run 12-car trains to compensate for fewer trains during the London Bridge rebuilding work, but it didn't happen. Does anyone know what the problem was that prevented them doing that?

(Apologies if that's already been explained before, but if it has, I can't find the explanation).

 

[Minstral25]

Apart from the intensive day work - senior NR / TOC + DfT persons are not only doing "homework" like evening tele-conferences at home , but also putting in some considerable work over the weekends.

Not often realised , but at senior level the day does not (and never did) end at 5pm - a lot of these folks are getting very fatigued. (and spare a thought for the NR technicians out in the freezing cold doing adjustments and checks on infrastructure. 0330 for restoring a set of points at Bermondsey noted in one of the logs this week.

Fully Understood and as we have been getting responses from Senior managers at odd time like 6am, which I appreciate is because they are working very hard to resolve. Must be a lot worse for technicians in this weather too.

But don't forget this is affecting the passengers as well. Because of the changes my 1 hour commute is now taking more like 1.5 to 2 hours each way. That's adding an average of 1.5 hours a day to my commute because of these problems. As an accountant I am extremely busy at work taking in very long hours so this extra on the commute is both unwelcome and very very tiring too.

Plus I rarely get a seat now if I can get on the trains and I don't go to London Bridge but am affected by knock on as commuters there relocate to Victoria.

 

[Bald Rick]

Prior to the London Bridge rebuilding work, several platforms along the Woolwich line were extended to allow 12 cars. I had the impression that SouthEastern were intending to run 12-car trains to compensate for fewer trains during the London Bridge rebuilding work, but it didn't happen. Does anyone know what the problem was that prevented them doing that?

(Apologies if that's already been explained before, but if it has, I can't find the explanation).

No spare trains. Every unit is out in the peaks' except for those under maintenance. So to provide 12s on the woolwich line (assuming SDO could be sorted, or Woolwich Dockyard was skipped by 12s), would mean taking stock off other routes.

 

[theageofthetra]

Does anybody know when the link bridge to the old South Eastern offices in Tooley st will go? I saw some workmen giving it a thorough look the other morning so suspect it hasn't long to go. I understand the whole building is going to be demolished too?

 

[Bald Rick]

Does anybody know when the link bridge to the old South Eastern offices in Tooley st will go? I saw some workmen giving it a thorough look the other morning so suspect it hasn't long to go. I understand the whole building is going to be demolished too?

Next year. Everyone in there has to be relocated to new offices 'back of house' in the new station first. And it's not built yet.

 

[theageofthetra]

Who actually is based in the building now? The crew PNB room went some time ago- is it just used as a site/contractors sign on point and office?

 

[Chris125]

Prior to the London Bridge rebuilding work, several platforms along the Woolwich line were extended to allow 12 cars. I had the impression that SouthEastern were intending to run 12-car trains to compensate for fewer trains during the London Bridge rebuilding work, but it didn't happen. Does anyone know what the problem was that prevented them doing that?

I think this might be what your referring to?


465197 - Southeastern - St John's - 120115 by Martin Clitheroe, on Flickr

Everyone was saying they weren't going to happen but it seems some 12-car Networkers have indeed been in operation, and unless they've changed the workings are as follows:

42/643/644
2D03 - 0456 Gravesend to Cannon Street (SID)
2S05 - 0609 Cannon Street to Sevenoaks
2F13 - 0717 Sevenoaks to Cannon Street
2S17 - 0819 Cannon Street to Orpington

653/654/655
2D17 - 0728 Gravesend to Cannon Street (SID)
2O25 - 0844 Cannon Street to Cannon Street (GNW, SID)
2N55 - 1721 Cannon Street to Gravesend (SID)
2D66 - 1832 Gravesend to Cannon Street (SID)

660/661/662
2P90 - 0543 Hither Green to Charing Cross
2S08 - 0636 Charing Cross to Sevenoaks
2F15 - 0737 Sevenoaks to Cannon Street
2E37 - 0836 Cannon Street to Barnehurst (GNW)
2C25 - 0938 Barnehurst to Cannon Street (BXH)

Chris

 

[ScotGG]

There must have been hope more could be run than that? Only three in the morning peak into London terminals and one in the evening?

All that effort on extending platforms and power upgrades just for that? Better than nothing but still...

 

[Bald Rick]

Who actually is based in the building now? The crew PNB room went some time ago- is it just used as a site/contractors sign on point and office?

Hundreds of people, including the station management team. Not used for the works contractors at all.