Does anyone know if lorol has plans to go automatic in the near future? Im interested in th qualified drivers job at new cross but am aware tht boris wants all tfl trains 'driverless' i.e tube currently undergoin the changes, and crossrail will have the capabilities from th start. Just wonderin if lorol is in the same situation? Cheers ppl
To try and give an answer to your question (and not get involved in the other OT debate), just consider the nature of the LO routes:
The core LO route, i.e. the NLL from Stratford to Willesden, is part of a trunk route for freight between the Thames and East Anglian docks and the WCML.
The Goblin for Barking to Gospel Oak is similarly shared.
The southern loop from Peckham to Clapham Junction is a key link in the south London metro routes.
The Croydon extension from New Cross Gate to Crystal Palace and West Croydon runs over the Brighton Mail Line.
The West London Line from Willesden to Clapham Junction is a major freight and diversionary route for all sorts of services.
So considering the above lines highly unlikely unless there is a very expensive programme to automate about half of the trains that pass through London, the following parts of the Overground network are left:
The Euston to Watford line, - could be automated if the Bakerloo was to become ATO but I've never heard anything about that, (apart from Boris's exhortations).
Similarly, the section from Gunnersbury to Richmond could be ATO, but that would require the whole of the District Line stock to be upgraded for just a short section, (or the whole of the LU SSL stock on the District, Circle, Metropolitan and Hammersmith & City) for any real benefit, which would be a commitment of Yerkesian proportions.
The East London Line from Highbury & Islington to New Cross, - that would be possible but ATO would stop at the link to Peckham and at New Cross Gate.
So in summary, as 455driver said, "if you are aged under 3 you should be okay to retirement without any problems".
