Could another TOC use the East London Line?

[bicbasher]

As the section of track between New Cross Gate and Dalston Junction is owned by TfL but also part of the NR network, could a franchisee (i.e Southern) in the future request to use the track to operate a rival service from Caterham to Highbury and Islington for example alongside the London Overground services?

 

[MCR247]

I don't think so, as it like you said the line is owned by TfL, so they would have the final decision, like how the Heathrow branch is owned by BAA

 

[mrcheek]

It would be like asking for a date with a girl who is way out of your league. You can ask if you want. But the answer will be no.

Of course, on the subject of hot women, Boris Johnson is rather partial to them. So if you were to set up a company that wanted to run such services, get some hot woman to run it, and get her to do the asking. Couldnt hurt.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

lol, on a more serious note, with trains every 6 mins is it off-peak, are there actually paths if anyone wished too?

 

[Lee_Again]

How about running some FCC Inner Subs from Welwyn GC/Hertford through the tunnel south of Finsbury Park and on to South East London?

 

[MidnightFlyer]

How about running some FCC Inner Subs from Welwyn GC/Hertford through the tunnel south of Finsbury Park and on to South East London?

Good idea mate, just one problem, that magic word: paths

 

[swt_passenger]

Good idea mate, just one problem, that magic word: paths

To elaborate slightly, there's no physical connection - the NLL and ELL are completely independent along there, until the single track dual voltage connection immediately west of Highbury.

I'm sure it was under siscussion years ago, but all the conflicting flat crossings that would be needed were very quickly found to be impossible to operate.

 

[Lee_Again]

I know about the paths, and the lack of suitable connections, not to mention the tunnel being single bore; just day-dreaming. However, when you consider how much money was spent on the NLL and other similar projects it wouldn't cost that much to make good the physical constraints.

I think that route would offer commuters and leisure travellers an excellent new route. Brings the Docklands within easier reach!!

Adding a west facing juction would open up West London, too. A far cheaper alternative to the Hackney > Chelsea tunnel. Clapham Jn to Finsbury Park has much to offer. I thought about suggesting Guildford > Cambridge but just remembered those awful Ipswich > Basingstoke services. About 1 hour to run 10 miles round London.

 

[bicbasher]

In any case, the paths will be full once the South London Line services to Clapham Junction launch in 2012 which will be 4tph. Currently 12tph operate between Dalston Junction and Surrey Quays with a 5 min gap between services.

Incidentally, do TfL own the new northern extension to Highbury and Islington seeing as it's DC instead of AC used on the NLL?