Could more trains call at Acton Mainline?

[flashgordon]

There appears to be a lack of trains stopping at Acton Mainline now.

I gather the locals who use the service are asking for more trains to call there.

It is odd that the only trains (at the moment ) that call the Reading trains and not the Shenfied trains. Does anyone know why?

One in three trains call. The operator has promised more, especially at peak times.

 

[JonathanH]

What is odd the only trains ( t the moment ) thta stop there are the Reading trains and not the Shenfiled trains does anyone know why ???

Is this the short term changes because of the power issues?

Paddington-Reading blocked due to OLE isolation and lineside fire (5/9)

Will they be pan up anywhere? Or is it just simpler to cancel electric working route wide. Reading

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[mickey]

Is this the short term changes because of the power issues?

Yes. The service has been heavily slashed so alternative stopping patterns are in place, prioritising peak direction flows. Other stations have also had heavy reductions in service this afternoon, including ones with typically heavier flows, so it’s far from just AML that’s suffering.

The usual service pattern for AML is 4tph (evenly spaced), plus extras during the peaks. The latter were added specifically because peak-time usage was quite a bit higher than originally forecast but came at the cost of slowing down the semi-fasts that were mainly designed for Burnham, Slough and West Drayton, so as always it’s a trade-off.

 

[Horizon22]

there appears to be a lack of trains stopping at this station now. I gather the locals who use the service are asking for more stop trains there. What is odd the only trains ( t the moment ) thta stop there are the Reading trains and not the Shenfiled trains does anyone know why ??? One in three strains stop there they operator has promised more especially at peak times

Shenfield trains have never stopped at Acton Main Line as they are semi-fast.

The standard service is 4tph (all stops to Abbey Wood / Heathrow Terminal 4) with a few additonal peak extras. This week has been disrupted as a result of the aformentioned OLE power supply issues. You are incorrect in that only Reading trains stops there as the majority do not.

The passenger numbers at Acton Main Line have absolutely skyrocketed (+500% I think in last few years) as a combination of a) huge housing growth in the area and b) the Elizabeth line through-running ton Central London in 2023 meaning people are moving away from the Central Line at nearby North / West Acton.

There are indeed clamours to stop more trains, but the same issue occurs at West Ealing and Southall and frankly there is only so much capacity on both the track and trains. It may change in 2027, but not guaranteed. Also this all needs to be put in perspective; in the not too distant past there was no Sunday service and the daily M-F pattern was I think 2tph formed of GWR turbos!

 

[Taunton]

The passenger numbers at Acton Main Line have absolutely skyrocketed (+500% I think in last few years) as a combination of a) huge housing growth in the area and b) the Elizabeth line through-running ton Central London in 2023 meaning people are moving away from the Central Line at nearby North / West Acton.

There are indeed clamours to stop more trains, but the same issue occurs at West Ealing and Southall and frankly there is only so much capacity on both the track and trains. It may change in 2027, but not guaranteed. Also this all needs to be put in perspective; in the not too distant past there was no Sunday service and the daily M-F pattern was I think 2tph formed of GWR turbos!

One wonders what is to be done with the 10 additional Liz Line trains now being delivered if, at the pinch points, there is no scope for additional service.

 

[sh24]

One wonders what is to be done with the 10 additional Liz Line trains now being delivered if, at the pinch points, there is no scope for additional service.

Aren't the extra 10 intended for the extension of Paddington reversers to Old Oak Common (whenever that opens...).

 

[Horizon22]

One wonders what is to be done with the 10 additional Liz Line trains now being delivered if, at the pinch points, there is no scope for additional service.

Not on the GWML right now. But there will be additional Abbey Wood to Paddington services. And also extension to Old Oak Common when it opens which is a couple more diagrams. Off-topic but I do worry about how that works without the CBTC extension...

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Is Acton Main Line station more-or-less only served by Elizabeth Line trains, running mostly to Heathrow Terminal 4 and to Abbey Wood? (With a small handful running to Heathrow Terminal 5 or to Hayes & Harlington or to London Paddington or to Shenfield)?

 

[TFN]

Is Acton Main Line station more-or-less only served by Elizabeth Line trains, running mostly to Heathrow Terminal 4 and to Abbey Wood? (With a small handful running to Heathrow Terminal 5 or to Hayes & Harlington or to London Paddington or to Shenfield)?

Yes it’s a regular Abbey Wood - Heathrow T4 service all day, with the AM peak receiving additional calls from some T5 - Shenfield and Reading - Abbey Wood services.

 

[cle]

No current Hayes terminators, that I recall. There is the bay, and it was planned way back, but not currently. Veruy curious to see Acton ML in future ORR figures as the amount of development continues massively, especially north of the station and around the A40.

 

[zwk500]

Not on the GWML right now. But there will be additional Abbey Wood to Paddington services. And also extension to Old Oak Common when it opens which is a couple more diagrams. Off-topic but I do worry about how that works without the CBTC extension...

My understanding was that CBTC was never planned to go beyond Westbourne park onto the GWML, it was always meant to transition to ETCS.

There was a NR slide deck available showing the transition arrangement on the connecting lines with a google search at one point but it appears to have dropped off (or I've not searched for quite the same phrase).

ETCS was not fitted between Acton ML and Paddington due to the need to redo it all (multiple time) while OOC was rebuilt, even though lots of the approvals were given.

I presume it is intended to fit ETCS to the remaining section into Paddington once OOC is complete.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

No current Hayes terminators, that I recall.

Just the one, late evening, at 2342 (SuX)?

 

[800002]

Aren't the extra 10 intended for the extension of Paddington reversers to Old Oak Common (whenever that opens...).

For more services through the core, terminating from the east at Paddington / Old Oak, when operational (long term picture).

Short term theyll cover for the refurb and heavy maintenance.

My understanding was that CBTC was never planned to go beyond Westbourne park onto the GWML, it was always meant to transition to ETCS.

Yes, accurate. The limit of usable CBTC is the self contained core (including the Westbourne park turn back facilities).

 

[JonathanH]

Was there discussion of the potential for some extra West Drayton terminators to deal with the growth on the west side using some of the extra units?

 

[800002]

Was there discussion of the potential for some extra West Drayton terminators to deal with the growth on the west side using some of the extra units?

Possibly doable as peak only or substituting a Heathrow to divert to West Drayton.

The paths west of Paddington simply do not provide for any more services at a regular interval.

 

[mickey]

Just the one, late evening, at 2342 (SuX)?

Plus many, many examples of turnbacks during disruption, which is where the major benefit of the Hayes bay kicks in. That was probably its main original aim tbh. The fifth platform at WD (effectively on the freight line) is similarly also used for alternative turnbacks when the Heathrow tunnel is closed.

 

[Horizon22]

My understanding was that CBTC was never planned to go beyond Westbourne park onto the GWML, it was always meant to transition to ETCS. There was a NR slide deck available showing the transition arrangement on the connecting lines with a google search at one point but it appears to have dropped off (or I've not searched for quite the same phrase). ETCS was not fitted between Acton ML and Paddington due to the need to redo it all (multiple time) while OOC was rebuilt, even though lots of the approvals were given. I presume it is intended to fit ETCS to the remaining section into Paddington once OOC is complete.

Yes it will be ETCS - already an overlay from Ealing towards Heathrow. But there appears to be no timeframe on that last stretch as you say.

Was there discussion of the potential for some extra West Drayton terminators to deal with the growth on the west side using some of the extra units?

All possible from a terminus point of view - although West Drayton P5 does have a not unsubstantial freight usage to/from Colnbrook - and that is not the problem. The issue is the Paddington - Hayes section being completely at capacity on the relief lines.

 

[flashgordon]

Not on the GWML right now. But there will be additional Abbey Wood to Paddington services. And also extension to Old Oak Common when it opens which is a couple more diagrams. Off-topic but I do worry about how that works without the CBTC extension...

They are a long way away from finishing the Old Oak Common will not be finished until 2028 . This adds another problem. there is only a certain amount of lines to use , unless they use the 2 Freight lines at Acton Mainline, this will affect the Freight during the day time (non stopping traffic only )

 

[Benjwri]

They are a long way away from finishing the Old Oak Common will not be finished until 2028 . This adds another problem. there is only a certain amount of lines to use , unless they use the 2 Freight lines at Acton Mainline, this will affect the Freight during the day time (non stopping traffic only )

Old Oak Common won’t be finished until the late 2030s. I don’t see why freight lines come into it?

 

[flashgordon]

Agree many more passengers using Acton Mainline. There are a couple problems to over come first. 1 the increase of freight traffic through Acton mainline . The increase of freight trains means there are delays at certain times ie 1100 to 1500 hrs Monday to Friday . This means a bottle neck appears on the Elizabeth line at certain times of day 2. The Old Oak common works . The lines are already being put down ( soon for deliveries of sand cement in the near future ) . 3 Then we have to ask ,when Old Oak Common station opens How does all that extra traffic on the Elizabeth line use the few lines that carry the trains . Remembering that GWR have use of the outer lines (note no GWR train stops there. 4 The increase order of Elizabeth trains ,now being delivered . 5. Will any trains stop at Acton Mainline ,when Old Oak station opens in 2030 onwards ? My view is that they will not be able to stop there ,except at certain times of day . There is simply not enough space on those lines . Its like putting a quart in a pint pot ,it simply does not work !

 

[Benjwri]

Agree many more passengers using Acton Mainline. There are a couple problems to over come first. 1 the increase of freight traffic through Acton mainline . The increase of freight trains means there are delays at certain times ie 1100 to 1500 hrs Monday to Friday . This means a bottle neck appears on the Elizabeth line at certain times of day 2. The Old Oak common works . The lines are already being put down ( soon for deliveries of sand cement in the near future ) . 3 Then we have to ask ,when Old Oak Common station opens How does all that extra traffic on the Elizabeth line use the few lines that carry the trains . Remembering that GWR have use of the outer lines (note no GWR train stops there. 4 The increase order of Elizabeth trains ,now being delivered . 5. Will any trains stop at Acton Mainline ,when Old Oak station opens in 2030 onwards ? My view is that they will not be able to stop there ,except at certain times of day . There is simply not enough space on those lines . Its like putting a quart in a pint pot ,it simply does not work !

Do you have a source for GWR not stopping? That is a huge change from what was the plan a few years ago.

Why would OOC stop trains stopping at Acton? Politically such a change would be almost impossible, and OOC in itself will not result in more traffic past it.

 

[JonathanH]

Do you have a source for GWR not stopping? That is a huge change from what was the plan a few years ago.

The previous poster is, I think, referring to Acton Main Line, not Old Oak Common.

 

[SWT_USER]

Shenfield trains have never stopped at Acton Main Line as they are semi-fast.

The standard service is 4tph (all stops to Abbey Wood / Heathrow Terminal 4) with a few additonal peak extras. This week has been disrupted as a result of the aformentioned OLE power supply issues. You are incorrect in that only Reading trains stops there as the majority do not.

The passenger numbers at Acton Main Line have absolutely skyrocketed (+500% I think in last few years) as a combination of a) huge housing growth in the area and b) the Elizabeth line through-running ton Central London in 2023 meaning people are moving away from the Central Line at nearby North / West Acton.

There are indeed clamours to stop more trains, but the same issue occurs at West Ealing and Southall and frankly there is only so much capacity on both the track and trains. It may change in 2027, but not guaranteed. Also this all needs to be put in perspective; in the not too distant past there was no Sunday service and the daily M-F pattern was I think 2tph formed of GWR turbos!

Good post. It is easy to forget how poor the service was under NSE and first group.

I understand there are similar complaints at Hanwell with services already full of airport passengers on arrival. This resulted in a couple of extra calls in the morning peak.

There's no easy solution though, other than pricing people off the trains..

 

[Tetchytyke]

There's no easy solution though, other than pricing people off the trains..

They could start by pricing Heathrow Express in such a way that the airport passengers would use that instead of Elizabeth Line. But what would the HAL shareholders say.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

They could start by pricing Heathrow Express in such a way that the airport passengers would use that instead of Elizabeth Line. But what would the HAL shareholders say.

That does seem a good idea. Airport passengers use the Hex.

 

[SWT_USER]

They could start by pricing Heathrow Express in such a way that the airport passengers would use that instead of Elizabeth Line. But what would the HAL shareholders say.

That would help for stations west of Paddington, but you'd then have even more of an issue at Paddington with hundreds waiting for an inadequate number of lifts

 

[Horizon22]

That would help for stations west of Paddington, but you'd then have even more of an issue at Paddington with hundreds waiting for an inadequate number of lifts

And transport planning evidence shows that most people prefer a through service and consider interchanging a significant penalty. I doubt a journey that people don't want to take now but is only marginally cheaper would have much impact tbh.

 

[Tetchytyke]

That would help for stations west of Paddington, but you'd then have even more of an issue at Paddington with hundreds waiting for an inadequate number of lifts

Only those continuing on Elizabeth Line. IME plenty switch from Elizabeth Line to the Tube at Paddington, so get them off the commuter trains and on to the dedicated airport Express.

 

[Mgameing123]

Is Acton Main Line station more-or-less only served by Elizabeth Line trains, running mostly to Heathrow Terminal 4 and to Abbey Wood? (With a small handful running to Heathrow Terminal 5 or to Hayes & Harlington or to London Paddington or to Shenfield)?

Correct. It’s only Terminal 4 trains all day with morning peak in the London direction extras from Reading (the semi fast ones that between Slough and Paddington only call at West Drayton, Ealing Broadway and Acton Mainline).

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: Today at 05:40 ==

Shenfield trains have never stopped at Acton Main Line as they are semi-fast.

The standard service is 4tph (all stops to Abbey Wood / Heathrow Terminal 4) with a few additonal peak extras. This week has been disrupted as a result of the aformentioned OLE power supply issues. You are incorrect in that only Reading trains stops there as the majority do not.

The passenger numbers at Acton Main Line have absolutely skyrocketed (+500% I think in last few years) as a combination of a) huge housing growth in the area and b) the Elizabeth line through-running ton Central London in 2023 meaning people are moving away from the Central Line at nearby North / West Acton.

There are indeed clamours to stop more trains, but the same issue occurs at West Ealing and Southall and frankly there is only so much capacity on both the track and trains. It may change in 2027, but not guaranteed. Also this all needs to be put in perspective; in the not too distant past there was no Sunday service and the daily M-F pattern was I think 2tph formed of GWR turbos!

I disagree with the motion of stopping additional trains. Why should passengers west of Hayes & Harrington receive such a penalty? The journey time is already long as it is now and doesn’t help that Slough no longer has its semi fast GWR in the peak.