London Crosslink was a short-lived rail service between Basingstoke and Stratford (extending to GEML destinations such as Witham, Colchester and Ipswich) between 2000 and 2002 operated by Anglia Railways using Class 170 DMUs. It wasn't much of a success due to the limited advertising of the service alongside capacity constraints on the North London Line. Interestingly, despite running on electric lines for the majority of the route, only the South Acton - Brentford section is unelectrified, thus requiring a diesel locomotive/multiple unit to operate London Crosslink. Supposing if that line was electrified (likely 3rd rail; and also assuming nobody had the thought of an additional passenger service on that section), I wouldn't be wrong in assuming that the rolling stock allocations would be very different. I might even say that the Crosslink could've been run by a different operator.
Without a doubt, the course of the route, involving the North London line, would've required a dual-voltage rolling stock and an additional stop at Acton Central for the changeover. If assuming that Anglia Railways were awarded the service anyway, I might think that a small number of Class 357-esque multiple units would've been ordered, with the capability of dual-voltage running, to match the mechanical framework with their 170s. Looking at different operators at the time, it would've been interesting what orders would be made to operate the Crosslink. Silverlink springs as the most logical in geographical terms - even Silverlink rhymes with Crosslink. However, they would've been stretched for rolling stocks at the time, the 313s aren't comfortably suited for long-distance semi-fast journeys, and the 321s didn't have the possibility for 3rd rail retrofits. Perhaps some cascaded 319s would've done the trick? South West Trains could be another operator that would have a crack at the London Crosslink, perhaps fitting some 450s with pantographs.
Without a doubt, the course of the route, involving the North London line, would've required a dual-voltage rolling stock and an additional stop at Acton Central for the changeover. If assuming that Anglia Railways were awarded the service anyway, I might think that a small number of Class 357-esque multiple units would've been ordered, with the capability of dual-voltage running, to match the mechanical framework with their 170s. Looking at different operators at the time, it would've been interesting what orders would be made to operate the Crosslink. Silverlink springs as the most logical in geographical terms - even Silverlink rhymes with Crosslink. However, they would've been stretched for rolling stocks at the time, the 313s aren't comfortably suited for long-distance semi-fast journeys, and the 321s didn't have the possibility for 3rd rail retrofits. Perhaps some cascaded 319s would've done the trick? South West Trains could be another operator that would have a crack at the London Crosslink, perhaps fitting some 450s with pantographs.
