Romford - Upminster

[klewer]

Seeing as the rest of the GE Metro service is moving across to Crossrail, does anyone know if the Romford - Upminster shuttle will be doing the same?

 

[duncanp]

I suspect that it might be transferred to C2C, as it doesn't really fit in with the main Crossrail line.

 

[greatkingrat]

That seems unlikely, as there is no physical connection at Upminster to the rest of the c2c network.

The branch line is connected to the fast lines at Romford, so I imagine it will stay with what is left of Greater Anglia.

 

[321446]

Could it be added to the District Line? Wasn't there talk of a through line from c2c and the resultant updrades to it and a crossover at Upminster for freight workings a few years back? Will probably remain as a pleasant little diversion on the Ilford roster. I know it's one of their more popular ways to pass a quiet morning/afternoon...

 

[Prairie_5542]

I wonder if a Parry People Mover will eventually be put on this line!?

 

[D365]

I wonder if a Parry People Mover will eventually be put on this line!?

If that was ever planned for those sorts of branch lines, why are the GW/Thames Valley branches being electrified (apart from Greenford which is going to Chiltern) as well as Cardiff Bay (apart from the proposed extended services).

Seems that 'Rominster' will stay with the GA franchise.

 

[Prairie_5542]

If that was ever planned for those sorts of branch lines, why are the GW/Thames Valley branches being electrified (apart from Greenford which is going to Chiltern) as well as Cardiff Bay (apart from the proposed extended services).

Seems that 'Rominster' will stay with the GA franchise.

Nice! I like the way you have combined the two end stations of the line! Bit like Bakerloo!! lol! Does the line really warrant a 321 with 4 carriages, which could be sued on busier lines elsewhere?

 

[OxtedL]

Does the line really warrant a 321 with 4 carriages, which could be sued on busier lines elsewhere?

On the very busiest services, yes. Sometimes even with people standing - quite a lot of main line trains connect with each shuttle.

I can't help but feel there are some parallels between this line and the Abbey line. At busy times a more frequent shuttle would be great.

Maybe one day it will end up something like the T4 in Paris (not perfect article on wiki), with something like tram-trains and perhaps a couple of handy extra stops.

 

[Essexman]

Part of the crossover is in place at Upminster but plans changed and it wasn't completed. It would need an overhead post to be moved.

Four coaches are more than needed. I've never seen the train full. DMUs used to be 2 or 3 coaches, but are there any suitable 3 coach EMUs?

Over the years there has been talk of extension to Cranham or one or two extra stations, but now it's timetabled at 9 minutes not 8, there's probably less chance of that unless line speed is increased from 30MPH - whcih it should be - it is ridiculously slow and DMUs used to be quicker.

 

[W-on-Sea]

Far, far, too busy on certain peak journeys for a Parry People Carrier! As well as commuter traffic (and substantial shopping traffic on Saturdays), the line carries substantial numbers of schoolchildren to/from Upminster.

 

[mr_jrt]

I think the line would do well if a diveunder was built. Operating a service as Romford to Grays would be more useful than a forced change at Upminster, and might justify some passing loops on the two single-track lines, although my proposal as shown enables Upminster to act as a passing loop.

 

[Essexman]

I think the line would do well if a diveunder was built. Operating a service as Romford to Grays would be more useful than a forced change at Upminster, and might justify some passing loops on the two single-track lines, although my proposal as shown enables Upminster to act as a passing loop.

That would be very useful - a lot of people travel from Romford to Chafford Hundred for Lakeside, but I can't see the cost ever being justified.

Originally the line was through from Grays to Romford but the two branches were split, I assume when the District Line reached Upminster and blocked the way across.

 

[W-on-Sea]

I agree the diveunder and a through service to Grays might be useful, but as far as I know finding somewhere to build a passing place between Romford and Grays (other than the existing one at Ockendon station) might prove problematic (I know c2c have said then when asked previously, anyway...) .

More importantly, I also suspect that nowadays (since the extensive residential developments around Chafford Hundred, and the substantial number of commuters to London who live there), the direct service to London from the Ockendon branch is rather more appreciated than a direct one to Romford (as I think operated before the LTS was electrified) would be.....and, as such, increasing the frequency of the London service would be valued more rather more than adding one to Romford (which is easily accessible by car or by bus from much of the catchment area of Chafford Hundred and Ockendon stations) would be...

 

[cjohnson]

If that was ever planned for those sorts of branch lines, why are the GW/Thames Valley branches being electrified (apart from Greenford which is going to Chiltern) as well as Cardiff Bay (apart from the proposed extended services).

Seems that 'Rominster' will stay with the GA franchise.

Off-topic; but has it been confirmed that Chiltern are getting the Greenford - West Ealing shuttle?

 

[Bishopstone]

Over the years there has been talk of extension to Cranham or one or two extra stations, but now it's timetabled at 9 minutes not 8, there's probably less chance of that unless line speed is increased from 30MPH - whcih it should be - it is ridiculously slow and DMUs used to be quicker.

When I grew up and went to school in the area (1980s), the 'push-pull' (as we called it in DMU days) had a bad reputation for kids leaving objects on the line, and pelting trains with stones from one of the several foot crossings.

I recall the evening service was curtailed because of this anti-social behaviour at one point. I might have mis-remembered, but I'm certain either BR or one of the unions made that threat.

I think the line speed was reduced around that time (late 1980s) after several nasty incidents on the foot crossings. Later (1990s) a friend of a friend was killed at Emerson Park, messing about on the station roof.

At one point, there were proposals for a new halt at Wingletye Lane, which would have served the new 6th Form College. It came to nothing.

I re-visited the line a couple of years ago, to travel 'first class' in a 317. One of the driving coaches - furthest from the exits at both Upminster and Romford - was being used as a mobile youth club by local kids. Clearly, not much has changed in my absence!

 

[Essexman]

'Push-pull' dates from steam days, but the name is still used for the line locally.