Stevenage Platform Extensions in June 2012

[Aictos]

As there's the above work being carried out in June 2012 along with track renewals, East Coast are running a revised timetable between 2200 Saturday and 1530 Sunday with trains diverted via Cambridge and thus onwards via the Slow lines.

As Stevenage already takes 12 car trains, is this in connection with the IEP programme?

 

[MCR247]

Cambridge?!

 

[Aictos]

Cambridge?!

Yes until 1100 Sunday, East Coast are running a revised timetable via Cambridge due to the above works.

Thing is though I don't know why the work is being done as the platforms already take 12 car trains or a complete East Cosst set unless East Coast will be running 11 coach trains.....

 

[stut]

Bizarre. It's not exactly a tight squeeze for EC or for the FCC 12-cars.

Also, I don't quite get why a diversion via Cambridge would help - surely this only avoids Arlesey - Huntingdon?

 

[A0]

Bizarre. It's not exactly a tight squeeze for EC or for the FCC 12-cars.

Also, I don't quite get why a diversion via Cambridge would help - surely this only avoids Arlesey - Huntingdon?

Correct, it does - so I'd assume there are also works taking place along that stretch at the same time. Even if they were pathed on the slows from Stevenage to Hitchin, there's at least one opportunity to put them back on the fasts before Cambridge Junction.

Could it be to do with the Hitchin flyover work?

 

[MCR247]

Yes until 1100 Sunday, East Coast are running a revised timetable via Cambridge due to the above works.

Thing is though I don't know why the work is being done as the platforms already take 12 car trains or a complete East Cosst set unless East Coast will be running 11 coach trains.....

Can you explain to me why platform extensions at Stevenage will require a diversion via Cambridge?!

So no, I doubt it is to do with 'the above works'

 

[Class377/5]

As there's the above work being carried out in June 2012 along with track renewals, East Coast are running a revised timetable between 2200 Saturday and 1530 Sunday with trains diverted via Cambridge and thus onwards via the Slow lines.

As Stevenage already takes 12 car trains, is this in connection with the IEP programme?

Platform lengthing is being done on the GN under the TLP. Can't remember the list of stations being done but o remember they are starting in 2012, or rather were planned too.

Isn't Stevenage due to get an additional platform as well?

 

[YorkshireRider]

Platform lengthing is being done on the GN under the TLP. Can't remember the list of stations being done but o remember they are starting in 2012, or rather were planned too.

Isn't Stevenage due to get an additional platform as well?

Indeed work starts the first weekend in March at Arlesey, Biggleswade and Sandy and also initial work on the flyover at Hitchin. Sunday morning trains will be diverted. The line is suppose to re open by 1200 but i wonder how many times it might overrun

 

[Aictos]

Platform lengthing is being done on the GN under the TLP. Can't remember the list of stations being done but o remember they are starting in 2012, or rather were planned too.

Isn't Stevenage due to get an additional platform as well?

If I recall correctly the following stations are being extended to allow 8 or 12 car operation;

Extended to 8 cars:

Hornsey*
Harringay*
Foxton
Shepreth
Meldreth

*Hornsey and Harringay were in line to be extended to 12 cars but there was a question mark of if it should be reduced to being extended to take 8 cars instead.

Extended to 12 cars:

Finsbury Park
Alexandra Palace
Arlesey
Biggleswade
Sandy

I'm not aware of a new platform at Stevenage, however a new platform on the Down would mean all Hertfords could arrive/depart from that platform instead of Platform 4 as it currently is.

Equally if new track was laid from Langley Junction to the new platform at Stevenage then in theory the entire Hertford service would be able to run on it's own tracks between Finsbury Park and Stevenage without affecting other services by this I mean having the Hertfords miss out Hornsey and Harringay by using the existing Goods lines upgraded to Passenger status then call all stations to Stevenage allowing better connections with East Coast and other FCC trains.

Letchworth still has it's peak terminators and Cambridges while Hornsey and Harringay has it's Welwyns.

 

[philjo]

FCC mentioned in a reply to a question posted on their webforum a couple of weeks ago that Meldreth, Shepreth & Foxton were no longer scheduled to have the platfroms extended - it was now planned to use SDO on the new thameslink rolling stock instead.

Obviously would need the doors on the rear 4 coaches to open northbound at Foxton with the front section beyond the platform otherwise the rest of the train would block the A10 level crossing!

Q

What are the plans for Meldreth, Foxton and Shepreth stations in relation to the Thameslink upgrade? Are any station upgrades planned, as in the earlier stages of the project it was proposed that these stations would be extended? Also do you know what the service pattern would be from Thameslink in Central London to Cambridge?
A

Earlier plans identified Meldreth, Foxton and Shepreth as stations to be extended, these have now been revised as the new trains will be fitted with a selective door opening system allowing longer trains to stop at shorter platforms. In regards to the service pattern for the Thameslink services in the future the details are still under development.

(Question 86)

http://www.firstcapitalconnect.co.uk/customer-care/talk-to-us/meet-the-directors/16-dec-2011/?number=&text=&asked_by=&category=&x=6&y=5

 

[Aictos]

FCC mentioned in a reply to a question posted on their webforum a couple of weeks ago that Meldreth, Shepreth & Foxton were no longer scheduled to have the platfroms extended - it was now planned to use SDO on the new thameslink rolling stock instead.

Obviously would need the doors on the rear 4 coaches to open northbound at Foxton with the front section beyond the platform otherwise the rest of the train would block the A10 level crossing!



(Question 86)

http://www.firstcapitalconnect.co.u...11/?number=&text=&asked_by=&category=&x=6&y=5

I didn't actually know that, if that's the case then I can see the following stations being revised to have SDO in operation instead of longer platforms:

Harringay
Hornsey
Potters Bar
Hatfield
Welwyn Garden City
Welwyn North
Knebworth
Baldock
Ashwell & Morden
Shepreth
Meldreth
Foxton
Arlesey
Sandy
Kings Lynn
Watlington
Waterbeach

That in short meaning certain 8 car stations could take 12 car trains while certain 4 car stations can take 8 car trains.

Finsbury Park
Alexandra Palace
Biggeswade
Bowes Park

should all be extended to 12 cars where possible - I've included Bowes Park as both the Platforms and the Reversing Siding ought to be used for ECS's.

 

[philjo]

Yes, it would solve cases such as WGC where it would not be possible to easily extend the platforms (especially 3/4).
I think Arlesey, Biggleswade & Sandy are scheduled to be done this year as the peak services will need to be 12 car to take the peak hour load on the Peterborough line sooner rather than later before the new rolling stock arrives.

 

[swt_passenger]

I'm not aware of a new platform at Stevenage, however a new platform on the Down would mean all Hertfords could arrive/depart from that platform instead of Platform 4 as it currently is.

Equally if new track was laid from Langley Junction to the new platform at Stevenage then in theory the entire Hertford service would be able to run on it's own tracks between Finsbury Park and Stevenage without affecting other services...

Both the above have only recently appeared as CP5 enhancement proposals, and they seem new to that document, as neither are mentioned in the existing CP4 details.

Page 70 of: http://www.networkrail.co.uk/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=30064778689 'Stevenage and Gordon Hill turnbacks'

 

[Skimble19]

Sorry for digging up an old thread, but I thought I'd provide an update.

Barhale have recently moved in at both Arlesey and Biggleswade and begun removing the existing platform ramps in preparation to extend the platforms. Work has also begun on the Hitchin Flyover - a lot of ground is currently being shifted around and ballast being laid in various places.

New shelters seem to be being installed at various stations as well (Biggleswade, Hitchin and Stevenage notably) - a lot of them further down the platforms.

 

[tsr]

Sorry for digging up an old thread, but I thought I'd provide an update.

Barhale have recently moved in at both Arlesey and Biggleswade and begun removing the existing platform ramps in preparation to extend the platforms. Work has also begun on the Hitchin Flyover - a lot of ground is currently being shifted around and ballast being laid in various places.

New shelters seem to be being installed at various stations as well (Biggleswade, Hitchin and Stevenage notably) - a lot of them further down the platforms.

I'm not sure if there are any photos (if you are not familiar) but would these shelters be similar to the nice new one installed on Platforms 1/2 at Redhill, which is also in line for extra Thameslink services in a few years time (although Redhill has had 12-car services in the peaks for some time)?

 

[ntg]

I didn't actually know that, if that's the case then I can see the following stations being revised to have SDO in operation instead of longer platforms:

Harringay
Hornsey
Potters Bar
Hatfield
Welwyn Garden City
Welwyn North
Knebworth
Baldock
Ashwell & Morden
Shepreth
Meldreth
Foxton
Arlesey
Sandy
Kings Lynn
Watlington
Waterbeach

That in short meaning certain 8 car stations could take 12 car trains while certain 4 car stations can take 8 car trains.

Finsbury Park
Alexandra Palace
Biggeswade
Bowes Park

should all be extended to 12 cars where possible - I've included Bowes Park as both the Platforms and the Reversing Siding ought to be used for ECS's.

Except I don't think the plan is to have 12 car trains stopping at the 8 car stations at all, SDO will only be put into use on 6/4 car platforms for 8 car trains as far as I am aware. Stopping service to Welwyn from South London for example will only be 8 car, which means stations like Potters Bar are fine, with 12 car services exclusive calling at the stations where platform lengthening is still schedules, e.g. Stevenage and Finsbury Park, and it's therefore only relevant to the 8 car stopping services at places like Harringay.

http://www.eastmidlandstrains.co.uk/SiteCollectionDocuments/TLP Route Diagram.pdf

Nothing stopping this in future of course...

 

[jopsuk]

Aye, if that diagram is to be belived it is a modication of the "semi fast" Cambridge service that'll go Thameslink with the "slow" services staying to Kings Cross (with the Fast). Though it would be a doubling in frequency of the "semi fast".

With some of the short stations between Hitchin and Cambridge, SDO stops would mean blocking the road crossing for longer- the trains would be stopped blocking the road.

 

[cle]

I thought both pairs of Peterborough and Cambridge services would go to Thameslink (2tph slow/semi) giving 4 total?

With the Cambridge Cruisers staying at Kings Cross.

 

[Class377/5]

Except I don't think the plan is to have 12 car trains stopping at the 8 car stations at all, SDO will only be put into use on 6/4 car platforms for 8 car trains as far as I am aware. Stopping service to Welwyn from South London for example will only be 8 car, which means stations like Potters Bar are fine, with 12 car services exclusive calling at the stations where platform lengthening is still schedules, e.g. Stevenage and Finsbury Park, and it's therefore only relevant to the 8 car stopping services at places like Harringay.

http://www.eastmidlandstrains.co.uk/SiteCollectionDocuments/TLP Route Diagram.pdf

Nothing stopping this in future of course...

Not sure I read your comments correctly but SDO will be implemented at all stations from Kings Cross to Peterborough/Cambridge. Every station will be required to have working SDO prior to the introduction of new Thameslink rolling stock.

SDO will be used on 12 car platforms just as much as 4 car platforms to ensure that newer SDO compatable rolling stock is able to call and do a train evacuation in an emergency if required. For example a 4 car 377 uses SDO every station as the train will not allow doors to be open in the normal procedure even if it's stopped in the middle of a 12 car platform.

 

[jon0844]

I can't see why Hatfield can't be modified for 12 car trains anyway, with fairly minimal track work. Platform 1 is dead easy (although there would be a slight curve, but is CCTV monitored anyway) and platform 2/3 seems to have plenty of room - if the new bridge (with lifts) going in 2013/2014 is positioned appropriately. There's room for the platform island to extend south a long way with the gap that's already there - and I'm sure going north would require little work either.

Given the station is going to be virtually rebuilt, I'd hope they'd at least have provisional plans for 12-car conversion at some point in the future. It's a pretty busy station, at least in the peaks.

 

[ntg]

Not sure I read your comments correctly but SDO will be implemented at all stations from Kings Cross to Peterborough/Cambridge. Every station will be required to have working SDO prior to the introduction of new Thameslink rolling stock.

SDO will be used on 12 car platforms just as much as 4 car platforms to ensure that newer SDO compatable rolling stock is able to call and do a train evacuation in an emergency if required. For example a 4 car 377 uses SDO every station as the train will not allow doors to be open in the normal procedure even if it's stopped in the middle of a 12 car platform.

No it was me misreading yours actually, apologies, you're quite right!

I can't see why Hatfield can't be modified for 12 car trains anyway, with fairly minimal track work. Platform 1 is dead easy (although there would be a slight curve, but is CCTV monitored anyway) and platform 2/3 seems to have plenty of room - if the new bridge (with lifts) going in 2013/2014 is positioned appropriately. There's room for the platform island to extend south a long way with the gap that's already there - and I'm sure going north would require little work either.

Given the station is going to be virtually rebuilt, I'd hope they'd at least have provisional plans for 12-car conversion at some point in the future. It's a pretty busy station, at least in the peaks.

I agree, although I wonder how long it be before Hatfield's anomalous platform configuration will lead to complications. Potters Bar would be even easier to extend.

 

[philjo]

I think the problem is WGC that has the crossovers at both ends of the platforms - especially 3/4 with the flyover at one end & the sidings enatrance at the other. So anything using Hatfield & potters Bar are still restricted by WGC being only 8 coaches. especilaly if looped into platform 4 it will still block the crossover behind it.
Though if Hatfield is being rebuilt anyway the platforms should be extended as part of the work.

I think Baldock is planned to use SDO if a 12 coach train needs to call there.

At Foxton it will have to be the rear 4 coaches that stop adjacent to the platform going towards Cambridge otherwise it will block the A10 level crossing!

 

[jon0844]

I agree, although I wonder how long it be before Hatfield's anomalous platform configuration will lead to complications. Potters Bar would be even easier to extend.

I am not sure yet what the plans are for the station when it is rebuilt, but I hope they've made some plans for future expansion even if it won't be done straight away.

There are longer term plans for the whole area, including the main road (Great North Road) and Old Hatfield. It will have retail, a new car park etc.

At this point, the staggered platform design should change as it was only for historic reasons (it may be an urban myth, however), namely people on platform 1 not being able to see ladies alighting on platform 3 when visiting Hatfield House.

Potters Bar should also be done as it's another station where the semi-fast trains call currently, before Finsbury Park and KGX or beyond, via STP.