Goblin/Suffragette Line to Ealing Broadway.

[Mgameing123]

Hi all. I just had an idea come to mind which I don’t even know is even realistic. Is it possible to perhaps extend the Goblin from Gospel Oak to Ealing Broadway via the Acton Wells Curve and with perhaps a new platform 3B built at the very end of platform 3 as the turn around facility?

It would be incredibly useful having the Overground to Ealing.

 

[swt_passenger]

[Disregard my error - I was thinking of via Camden Town].

If you mean via the NLL as far as Willesden Jn, then which existing services are you going to divert via Acton? Then you find there’s no capacity on the GW reliefs anyway.

 

[Mgameing123]

When you say ‘from Gospel Oak’ if you mean via Primrose Hill and the WCML slow lines, I‘d say absolutely no chance.

If you mean via the NLL as far as Willesden Jn, then which existing services are you going to divert via Acton? Then you find there’s no capacity on the GW reliefs anyway.

I was thinking extending the Gospel Oak to Barking line to Ealing Broadway. And from what I remember between Ealing Broadway and Acton Wells aren’t there 3 tracks on the relief that trains can use?

 

[SynthD]

You can look on satellite maps, traksy, carto metro and more to see that the third track ends a little west of the dive under. No, not really viable. To make it possible it would be necessary to add the third line you were imagining, shifting the central line north, possibly redoing the North Circular bridge, and then finding space at Ealing Broadway. This may take the form of rebuilding the district line platforms a bit further north, then the central line platforms too, to make room for a single bay.

What is the benefit you’re thinking of? How would this compare to the Elizabeth line-Overground interchanges at Old Oak Common?

 

[Mgameing123]

You can look on satellite maps, traksy, carto metro and more to see that the third track ends a little west of the dive under. No, not really viable. To make it possible it would be necessary to add the third line you were imagining, shifting the central line north, possibly redoing the North Circular bridge, and then finding space at Ealing Broadway. This may take the form of rebuilding the district line platforms a bit further north, then the central line platforms too, to make room for a single bay.

What is the benefit you’re thinking of? How would this compare to the Elizabeth line-Overground interchanges at Old Oak Common?

I was thinking at the very end of Platform 3 you could fit a Platform 3B or 2B by laying a track right next to the Elizabeth Line track (red is track and blue is platform)

The benefit would be that it would be a more seamless interchange as a cross platform transfer or just heading over a footbridge and would free up passenger capacity on the Elizabeth Line and tube when the time comes that the Elizabeth Line is out of capacity as more cross London trips would be able to be done avoiding zone 1.

Is there any official news on Old Oak Common Lane and Hythe Road so far because from what I remember it's not come to the planning stage yet.

 

[SynthD]

That space is too narrow for a platform, let alone one to relieve the Elizabeth line (or next to a 125mph main line). It also means crossing the relief line, which may mean it causes more capacity issues than it could solve.

I don’t know about the progress of those two, but they are the preferred and better option.

 

[Mgameing123]

That space is too narrow for a platform, let alone one to relieve the Elizabeth line (or next to a 125mph main line). It also means crossing the relief line, which may mean it causes more capacity issues than it could solve.

I don’t know about the progress of those two, but they are the preferred and better option.

I agree. I was just wondering if it even was possible because it would be a useful service to have. Alternatively if you want to save money on the platforms then you could perhaps extend the services onto the Greenford branch?

 

[swt_passenger]

I agree. I was just wondering if it even was possible because it would be a useful service to have. Alternatively if you want to save money on the platforms then you could perhaps extend the services onto the Greenford branch?

The reason there are no longer through services onto the Greenford branch was to remove the down direction crossing conflicts affecting the Crossrail service.

 

[zwk500]

Hi all. I just had an idea come to mind which I don’t even know is even realistic. Is it possible to perhaps extend the Goblin from Gospel Oak to Ealing Broadway via the Acton Wells Curve and with perhaps a new platform 3B built at the very end of platform 3 as the turn around facility?

It would be incredibly useful having the Overground to Ealing.

The very short answer is no, because Acton Wells Junction is completely full, and would become even more full if West London Orbital happens. And that's before we look at Gospel Oak - Willesden Jn (also rather full), and the performance risks to the Mildmay line (and consequent knock-on to freight and the WLL).

From a demand perspective, I'm struggling to see any new connections opened up given the alternatives via Central London, or the double change at Gospel Oak and Shepherd's Bush/Acton area. The end-to-end route would be very long and the intermediate stops don't have massive travel demand to/from Ealing.

About the only thing going for this proposal is that the route is at least now fully electrified.

 

[Bald Rick]

It would be possible, but only if you remove other passenger trains on the North London Line and Elizabeth Line to make the space. Which would be a) unlopular, and b) make London considerably worse off.

 

[Harpo]

Connecting Old Oak Common with Willesden Junction was the GWML’s (missed) golden opportunity to connect with London’s orbital railways.

 

[cle]

Connecting Old Oak Common with Willesden Junction was the GWML’s (missed) golden opportunity to connect with London’s orbital railways.

It's very far. A four platform station for NLL / WLO at Old Oak Common Lane would be ideal - although trains would be very full. You'd probably see 'Kew Gardens - Liverpool St / Canary Wharf' type journeys in the mix, not just OOC originating (HS2 etc) ones.

The WLL would be ideal too. Would disperse inbound NLL traffic at OOC, and of course, have the major connection to the South/South West networks at Clapham Junction. Build for 3-4 platforms to enable turning / overtaking and space for crowds. One day hopefully.

 

[Harpo]

The WLL would be ideal too. Would disperse inbound NLL traffic at OOC, and of course, have the major connection to the South/South West networks at Clapham Junction.

Exactly. A 20 minutes transit from HS2 to Clapham Junction would probably save another 20-30 minutes journey time.