Crossrail opening delayed (opening date not yet known)

[duncanp]

Anyone want to take a bet over whether Crossrail will be open before or after we leave the EU?

 

[kevin_roche]

Anyone want to take a bet over whether Crossrail will be open before or after we leave the EU?

Before.

[Hums the tune to the Eagles "Hotel California"]

 

[Richard Wood]

Some might say that the government themselves are part accountable for the Crossrail over run and over spend.
The public sector IR35 reforms of 2017 likely denied Crossrail access to the talent pool and expertise within the freelance market, making it difficult to fill roles with their chosen personnel.

Seems that Crossrail weren't the only public sector organisation that was hit by the enforcement of IR35... The following is a rumour that HRMC exempted themselves from the requirement due to recruitment issues.

https://www.contractorweekly.com/co...il&utm_term=0_b17da52d19-b079d8453a-231429253

Of course, this is strongly denied by HMRC

 

[rockinon]

Anyone want to take a bet over whether Crossrail will be open before or after we leave the EU?

So, you believe we will be leaving the EU? That's interesting.

 

[rockinon]

Seems that Crossrail weren't the only public sector organisation that was hit by the enforcement of IR35... The following is a rumour that HRMC exempted themselves from the requirement due to recruitment issues.

It would be logical that HMRC themselves would experience difficulty with the IR35 issues, and therefore, they will know full well the negative impact it has had and continues to have on major infrastructure projects that have a much higher reliance and requirement from the flexible work force.

 

[duncanp]

So, you believe we will be leaving the EU? That's interesting.

That's just the point, just like Crossrail, the date keeps slipping, and the whole process is taking longer than anticipated.

Perhaps Elvis will be found alive living on the moon with Lord Lucan before either Crossrail opens or Brexit happens.

 

[The Ham]

I joked at work "what's the odds that will still be in the EU on the 1st November?"

According to here:
https://www.oddschecker.com/politics/brexit

It's 13/18 for not before 2020 and 1/1 this year.

Either way the bookies are aren't confident either way.

 

[rockinon]

That's just the point, just like Crossrail, the date keeps slipping, and the whole process is taking longer than anticipated

Yes, but my point was Crossrail WILL happen.

 

[kevin_roche]

An update, The Monthly report letter for April 2019 from Mark Wild CEO of Crossrail to Caroline Pidgeon Chair, London Assembly Transport Committee:

We remain committed to being able to provide an opening window -the Earliest Opening Programme ... in April.

Central Section Progress - We have achieved 16 of 22 Tier One Substantial Decommissioning (TOSD) milestones–and achievement at Whitechapel (London Overground and Underground areas)at the end of March under review.

Main DynamicTesting - 29 out of 222 test cases have been passed. However, this is a lengthy process and not always straightforward. While testing progress appears positive there are some signalling tests that cannot be performed due to a combination of insufficient software maturity, train maturity and incomplete interfacing systems.Due to a safety critical failure we did not startclose-headway testing -that is to say testing the trains close together -on 18 March as planned.

Operations progressThe plans to deliver Stage 5a –a TfL Rail service between Paddington (main line station) and Reading are progressing for commencement in December 2019.

http://content.tfl.gov.uk/caroline-pidgeon-monthly-update-apr-19.pdf

 

[rockinon]

An update: http://content.tfl.gov.uk/caroline-pidgeon-monthly-update-apr-19.pdf

On Crossrail not the other thing.

An interesting read, thanks for that. I have extracted the following words....

"as well as constraints in the technical capabilities both within the supply chain and Crossrail. A major deployment of additional technical resource is currently underway to remedy this".

Now there is a delay on it's own. Good luck to them in finding the resource they are clearly very much in need of. A serious issue not of their making.

 

[Chester1]

An update: http://content.tfl.gov.uk/caroline-pidgeon-monthly-update-apr-19.pdf

On Crossrail not the other thing.

Its good to see confirmation that Crossrail and NR are working towards Paddington-Reading TfL Rail services for December 2019. Any indication when 345s will run to Heathrow?

 

[kevin_roche]

A letter from the Crossrail Chairman has been published by Simon Dudley the Leader of The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council.

It confirms that the plan is to start the Paddington to Reading service, using the Elizabeth line’s Class 345 trains in December 2019, running to the Paddington mainline platforms.

It says:

'We are working with Network Rail and the Train Operating Companies to introduce TfL Rail services between Reading and Paddington'.

https://twitter.com/MrSimonDudley/status/1115577654923747329

 

[Mikey C]

Running 345s between Paddington and Reading is hardly something to get too excited about, any more than seeing them running from Liverpool St high level to Shenfield on the other side...

 

[Chester1]

A letter from the Crossrail Chairman has been published by Simon Dudley the Leader of The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council.

It confirms that the plan is to start the Paddington to Reading service, using the Elizabeth line’s Class 345 trains in December 2019, running to the Paddington mainline platforms.

It says:

https://twitter.com/MrSimonDudley/status/1115577654923747329

I am surprised this has not got into the news. It would be a noticeable step forward and hopefully will happen. Assumably the service would replace the GWR stopper and extend the Hayes terminating service to provide Reading with 4tph.

Running 345s between Paddington and Reading is hardly something to get too excited about, any more than seeing them running from Liverpool St high level to Shenfield on the other side...

It will increase capacity and free up GWR units. Once all TfL Rail services are run by 345s and run to Reading and eventually Heathrow it will set things up as best as possible for opening the tunneled section. That might be quite a while yet so the nee stock and extra capacity should helpful for passengers in the meantime.

 

[samuelmorris]

I am surprised this has not got into the news. It would be a noticeable step forward and hopefully will happen. Assumably the service would replace the GWR stopper and extend the Hayes terminating service to provide Reading with 4tph.

I was under the impression it was strictly a replacement for the existing GWR service and not to offer any additional capacity?

 

[Chester1]

I was under the impression it was strictly a replacement for the existing GWR service and not to offer any additional capacity?

If the Hayes service is not extended it would still be an increase in capacity if 9 coach sets are used to replace the GWR stopper. It also gives GWR fleet more flexibility.

 

[USBT]

Assumably the service would replace the GWR stopper and extend the Hayes terminating service to provide Reading with 4tph.

The Hayes terminator will go to Heathrow once the HEX replacement 387s are running on ETCS and the 345s can coexist in the Heathrow tunnels. It will form part of the 4tph to T4 that should have started in May 2018.

 

[700007]

The Hayes terminators would be joined up to the Heathrow ITT paths to provide one through train to terminal 4. The new TfL Rail service will be a direct replacement of the xx:12 and xx:42 services from London Paddington to Reading.

There are expected to be minor tweaks such as the train calling at Southall both ways (currently only calls it towards Reading) and GWR dropping the Southall call completely if I have it right.

I do also believe that there will be some Maidenhead terminators during the peak in a similar manner to Shenfield / Gidea Park but it is still being worked out on whether these are direct replacements of the current GWR services, amendments to the GWR service or whether these are entirely new trains.

 

[hwl]

I am surprised this has not got into the news. It would be a noticeable step forward and hopefully will happen. Assumably the service would replace the GWR stopper and extend the Hayes terminating service to provide Reading with 4tph.



It will increase capacity and free up GWR units. Once all TfL Rail services are run by 345s and run to Reading and eventually Heathrow it will set things up as best as possible for opening the tunneled section. That might be quite a while yet so the nee stock and extra capacity should helpful for passengers in the meantime.

That is because it isn't news. TfL have always been going to take over some GWR services this Decemeber and that plan hasn't changed, they just won't be able to run more extra trains as well.

 

[swt_passenger]

That is because it isn't news. TfL have always been going to take over some GWR services this Decemeber and that plan hasn't changed, they just won't be able to run more extra trains as well.

As you say, and it’s been discussed in this very thread for over 6 months now. I’m quite surprised people are seeing it as news.

 

[MarlowDonkey]

If the Hayes service is not extended it would still be an increase in capacity if 9 coach sets are used to replace the GWR stopper.

The local services have been 4, 8 or 12 car 387s for some while now.

Passengers on the longer runs to Slough, Maidenhead and Twyford may well view the 345s as a downgrade from the 387s with longitudinal seating and no toilets. That's particularly if they stop at every station.

 

[Chester1]

As you say, and it’s been discussed in this very thread for over 6 months now. I’m quite surprised people are seeing it as news.

I meant news for the general public. A Crossrail service of any kind starting this year is news for the average person.

The local services have been 4, 8 or 12 car 387s for some while now.

Passengers on the longer runs to Slough, Maidenhead and Twyford may well view the 345s as a downgrade from the 387s with longitudinal seating and no toilets. That's particularly if they stop at every station.

Yes there will be winners and losers but its still progress for Crossrail as a whole. When are 387s being sent for upgrade for Heathrow Express services? Do GWR need all of them until December or will some leave before then?

 

[JN114]

Yes there will be winners and losers but its still progress for Crossrail as a whole. When are 387s being sent for upgrade for Heathrow Express services? Do GWR need all of them until December or will some leave before then?

2 (387130 and 387140) are at Ilford already for mods. Currently 39 units out of 45 are needed for peak service, but some of the diagramming is quite inefficient - you can get down to the low 30s with some fiddling of how units and drivers work at Padd.

 

[Roger100]

Crossrail promised 'up to' 4 trains per hour, so even zero meets that promise. Currently outside peaks there are 2 trains per hour from some stations, but you can't go from Iver/Langley to Burnham/Taplow without changing at Slough. If you want to go (from anywhere west) to West Ealing or Acton Main Line (both Crossrail stations) it means going into Paddington and back out again.

So if TfL/Crossrail trains start running after December 2019, will there be any differences to the present situation? And will there be if/when Crossrail is fully open? Will Iver and Taplow get a service on Sundays (none at the present)?

Still lots of questions.

 

[cactustwirly]

I am surprised this has not got into the news. It would be a noticeable step forward and hopefully will happen. Assumably the service would replace the GWR stopper and extend the Hayes terminating service to provide Reading with 4tph.



It will increase capacity and free up GWR units. Once all TfL Rail services are run by 345s and run to Reading and eventually Heathrow it will set things up as best as possible for opening the tunneled section. That might be quite a while yet so the nee stock and extra capacity should helpful for passengers in the meantime.

No it won't, it'll be a significant downgrade in capacity and comfort, which will not go down well at all!

 

[Busaholic]

Anyone want to take a bet over whether Crossrail will be open before or after we leave the EU?

I think the Schleswig-Holstein Question will be resolved before Crossrail opens

 

[duncanp]

I think the Schleswig-Holstein Question will be resolved before Crossrail opens

I wonder what other unlikely events will happen before Crossrail opens, such as:-

• Scotland qualifying for the World Cup Finals
• Donald Trump winning the Nobel Peace Prize
• Nigel Farage being elected the next president of the European Commission

......

 

[JN114]

The stopping patterns will change from December -

The Crossrail 2tph Reading service will call Ealing Broadway, Southall and then all stations to Reading. The GWR Didcots will be Ealing, Hayes, West Drayton, Slough, Maidenhead and then all stations to Didcot.

The only GWR calls at Acton/Hanwell/Southall/Iver/Langley/Burnham/Taplow will be the very late night / early morning services.

 

[Roger100]

The stopping patterns will change from December -

The Crossrail 2tph Reading service will call Ealing Broadway, Southall and then all stations to Reading. The GWR Didcots will be Ealing, Hayes, West Drayton, Slough, Maidenhead and then all stations to Didcot.

The only GWR calls at Acton/Hanwell/Southall/Iver/Langley/Burnham/Taplow will be the very late night / early morning services.

Well, I suppose that's some sort of improvement if we will be able to catch a 2tph service between, say, Taplow and Iver.

 

[cactustwirly]

Well, I suppose that's some sort of improvement if we will be able to catch a 2tph service between, say, Taplow and Iver.

But not an improvement if you live in Twyford or Maidenhead, going from 4 useable tph with similar journey times into London, to only 2 tph with a reasonable level of comfort and journey times, with the other 2tph on really slow tube stock