Crossrail - Construction updates and progress towards opening (now expected 24 May 2022)

[Taunton]

When is trial running going to start. The last six reports to London Assembly Transport Committee have been saying Trial Running will start as soon as possible in 2021 but with each report the same statement gets repeated

The statement will get changed later this year, to Trial Running will start as soon as possible in 2022.

 

[Snow1964]

When is trial running going to start. The last six reports to London Assembly Transport Committee have been saying Trial Running will start as soon as possible in 2021 but with each report the same statement gets repeated and the hapless members of the committee just seem accepting that there isn't even some ranging dates by now.

Officially trial running is when a normal service (but without passengers) is operated (a shadow service). The current use of trains in tunnel are tests.

However need to be careful as terminology is used more loosely by some, and of course some of the trials involve loads of people acting as passengers getting on and off trains and moving around stations.

Of course, to some extent start date of trial is not that important, but the end date of the trial is important. In theory the minute the trial is fully passed and last box ticked, line can be opened. But it is impossible to know when and publicise this in advance.

You don’t need to be a genius to work out if you are operating a shadow service, then just unlocking the ticket barriers and having a soft opening is possible. Therefore could open late in 2021 (but it all depends on how quickly the trial is passed). Much easier to bring opening date forward at short notice than announce another delay.

 

[Ianno87]

Officially trial running is when a normal service (but without passengers) is operated (a shadow service). The current use of trains in tunnel are tests.

However need to be careful as terminology is used more loosely by some, and of course some of the trials involve loads of people acting as passengers getting on and off trains and moving around stations.

Of course, to some extent start date of trial is not that important, but the end date of the trial is important. In theory the minute the trial is fully passed and last box ticked, line can be opened. But it is impossible to know when and publicise this in advance.

The formal definition of trial running is basically running the normal timetable, just without any passengers involved.

You don’t need to be a genius to work out if you are operating a shadow service, then just unlocking the ticket barriers and having a soft opening is possible. Therefore could open late in 2021 (but it all depends on how quickly the trial is passed). Much easier to bring opening date forward at short notice than announce another delay.

IIRC, that's how the East London Line opened in 2010. Just quietly opened the ticket barriers one afternoon.

 

[iphone76]

When is trial running going to start. The last six reports to London Assembly Transport Committee have been saying Trial Running will start as soon as possible in 2021 but with each report the same statement gets repeated and the hapless members of the committee just seem accepting that there isn't even some ranging dates by now.

We've been told they are working towards the 29th March, however, the rumour mill is saying this may be pushed back 2 to 3 weeks.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

We've been told they are working towards the 29th March, however, the rumour mill is saying this may be pushed back 2 to 3 weeks.

Well potentially positive news but I don't get why there is so much secrecy here - they were supposed to be open and transparent but have fallen back into the old Crossrail ways of just publishing good news stories. Furtehrmore LA Transport Committee Members questioning of them is pretty mediocre and again they should get advice from people to ask the right awkward questions. Mind you I do wonder that now TfL have full responsibility they want to keep a low profile.

 

[kevin_roche]

When is trial running going to start. The last six reports to London Assembly Transport Committee have been saying Trial Running will start as soon as possible in 2021 but with each report the same statement gets repeated and the hapless members of the committee just seem accepting that there isn't even some ranging dates by now.

The last actual date I saw was ages ago. (I think it was on one of these forum posts) It was either May 2021 or Q2 2021. There continue to be (over) optimistic hints that it might happen earlier.

 

[absolutelymilk]

Crossrail have released their quarterly newsletter, detailing progress at each station.
crossrail.co.uk/news/completing-the-elizabeth-line-digital-newsletter

The biggest worry still seems to be Bond Street, although it is apparently ready to support Trial Running:

The most recent milestone to be achieved at Bond Street was the station receiving its SC1 certification, which means it is certified as ready to support Trial Running. Bond Street joined the rest of the central section stations in achieving this milestone towards the end of 2020.

 

[hwl]

The biggest worry still seems to be Bond Street, although it is apparently ready to support Trial Running:

There would have to be some epic problems elsewhere to eclipse Bond Street!

 

[Dstock7080]

We've been told they are working towards the 29th March, however, the rumour mill is saying this may be pushed back 2 to 3 weeks.

email to staff today confirming 29 March as date again.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

This months Tfl board meeting gives nothing away other than saying trial running due to start in Spring 21 and our target window of opening remains first half 2022.

This comment under 9/02/21 didn't fill with confidence though

The Committee also agreed the Terms of Reference for an Independent Investment Programme Advisory Group subgroup, which would provide third-line assurance for the project.

What they paying Jacobs for still then?

Also reported in Standard yesterday that TfL won't have funds to finish Crossrail if govt don't cough up more support by 31st March. Unlikely I know but Shapps likes to run into the wire and then ensure Sean Bailey can get some mileage out of having to bail them out again.

On a positive note Northern Line Extension should open in 2021 - must be a lesson in there somewhere for TfL.

 

[iphone76]

We've been told now that although 29th March is the date it will be handed over, there will be a period of 4 weeks with no trial running so effectively end of April / beginning of May now.

 

[itfcfan]

We've been told now that although 29th March is the date it will be handed over, there will be a period of 4 weeks with no trial running so effectively end of April / beginning of May now.

Thanks for sharing this update. It's a shame to hear trial running can't start sooner, but it's good to have an idea of the current status.

 

[hwl]

We've been told now that although 29th March is the date it will be handed over, there will be a period of 4 weeks with no trial running so effectively end of April / beginning of May now.

Liverpool Street changes & 9 car on the Eastern side are a big logistical challenge so focusing on that being successful might be more important in the short term given both testing and the Eastern side will both require large numbers of 9 car units. Hence much easier to uplift testing after the Eastern side 7 car units can be converted.

 

[Acton1991]

Acton Main Line's new station entrance opened today. Looks very snazzy.
https://www.ianvisits.co.uk/blog/20...tation-goes-step-free-with-new-ticket-office/

 

[ijmad]

Now that Farringdon has been handed over, wondering if TfL will see fit to move the hoardings to the top of the Crossrail escalators so the main stairs to the Northbound Thameslink platform can be brought back into use.

Although I suppose passenger loadings at the moment don't really need it, they might later in the year.

 

[Snow1964]

Liverpool Street changes & 9 car on the Eastern side are a big logistical challenge so focusing on that being successful might be more important in the short term given both testing and the Eastern side will both require large numbers of 9 car units. Hence much easier to uplift testing after the Eastern side 7 car units can be converted.

Not sure how many trains remain at 7car (is it about 23?)
So ought to be about 47 full length units (if fleet is 70units) and no reason why they can’t all have had software updates by May

By the time of the changeover would there be any difference in tunnel test sets and a standard 9 car set. I mean could they be used interchangeably by that date

Whilst the changeover might be a temporary logistical challenge (physically moving them to/from Ilford) not sure it will be a big problem, presumably in the few days preceding the number of 7car units can be slightly cut (as wont need to keep reserve units).

Presumably would only take hours to split a set, shunt in the extra 2 cars, and recouple it. However would then need the 9 car software loaded and commissioned and train tested which would take some time before use. I’m guessing checking the train is working properly as a newly lengthened 9car set might be a testing distraction for a while. But does the Eastern and Western service plus a few units for central testing require more than the 47? 9car units

What I am trying to query is how much testing capacity might be lost whilst lengthening goes on, as I suspect not many days when 50+ units have been out of the sidings at same time

 

[kevin_roche]

A bunch of new updates appeared yesterday on the You Tube website.

Mark Wild:

Integration of signalling:

Trial Running:

Acton Update:

Hanwell Update:

 

[matt_world2004]

Does anyone know of Hanwell is getting a gate line iirc there was originally going to be one on the glass building by the station entrance on station approach. It seems s bit impractical with the lifts now.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

A bunch of new updates appeared yesterday on the You Tube website.

Mark Wild:

Integration of signalling:

Trial Running:

Acton Update:

Hanwell Update:

Not really telling us anything we didn't know but nice to see a few stations A bit more an overview of what there doing for the next 9-15 months would be more useful but they don't like to give much away. Tfl also now seem to fail to see how late and over budget they are and its fortunate that Covid has given them air cover.

 

[swt_passenger]

Does anyone know of Hanwell is getting a gate line iirc there was originally going to be one on the glass building by the station entrance on station approach. It seems s bit impractical with the lifts now.

Also, I was wondering where they’ve hidden the lift on the island platform, the other one is quite a prominent brick shaft. They’ve done well if it’s completely disguised as a wooden “part of the furniture” on the island...

 

[Dstock7080]

Also, I was wondering where they’ve hidden the lift on the island platform, the other one is quite a prominent brick shaft. They’ve done well if it’s completely disguised as a wooden “part of the furniture” on the island...

Hanwell station_341149

Hanwell station

flic.kr

 

[swt_passenger]

Hanwell station_341149

Hanwell station

flic.kr

Thanks for finding that. Very difficult to tell from the recent video, which should be seen as a success really given the Grade 2 listing.

 

[HS2isgood]

If Bond Street is not ready for opening, can't trains just skip it until it is finished? Is it really important enough to delay the line's opening?

 

[SynthD]

Yes, for passenger evacuation. The line was designed to only be fire safety passed with Bond Street as an escape to outdoors.

 

[ijmad]

Yes, for passenger evacuation. The line was designed to only be fire safety passed with Bond Street as an escape to outdoors.

Any prospect of it getting signed off as an evacuation route even if the fit-out hasn't finished?

 

[matt_world2004]

Bond Street isn't going to delay the opening anymore. By the time trial running and operations have passed the fit out would be significantly complete enough to allow bond Street to open

 

[kevin_roche]

Any prospect of it getting signed off as an evacuation route even if the fit-out hasn't finished?

I think it has already reached the stage where it could be signed off as suitable for evacuation.

 

[Snow1964]

Yes, for passenger evacuation. The line was designed to only be fire safety passed with Bond Street as an escape to outdoors.

Bond Street has 2 ticket halls, one each end, so almost certainly going to be a way out if required.

The evacuation is probably based on a train every 2 - 2.5 minutes, if the initial service has a lower frequency then possibly don’t need full evacuation capacity, as going to have lower numbers of passengers. Might even be only one train on each track between Paddington and Tottenham Court Road (excluding trains fully in platforms at these).

 

[SynthD]

That does make sense, but only if the entire route from platform to the selected exit is finished and big enough. Last year it repeatedly sounded like the platform wasn’t finished.

 

[Snow1964]

Recently updated is the webpage relating to Railway Safety Case ahead of trial running

Trial Running marks the point at which the Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems (Safety) Regulations 2006 (ROGS) apply for the first time in the Central Operating Section. This means Crossrail moves from following the construction regulations to following Rail regulations.

Welcome to Crossrail

Crossrail Ltd has delivered the Elizabeth line - a new railway for London and the South East, running from Reading and Heathrow in the west, through 42km of new tunnels under London to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east. The Elizabeth line has 41 accessible stations including 10 major new...

www.crossrail.co.uk

It now appears various other documents are now public, such as the line diagrams with speed profiles etc, Series of 6 starting from Westbourne Park and heading eastwards. I hadn't realised there is a third turnback siding at Westbourne Park which is actually a loop (which presumably allows trains to be overtaken if required)

https://content.tfl.gov.uk/ccos-signalling-notice-plan-1-of-6.pdf

https://content.tfl.gov.uk/ccos-signalling-notice-plan-2-of-6.pdf

https://content.tfl.gov.uk/ccos-signalling-notice-plan-3-of-6.pdf

https://content.tfl.gov.uk/ccos-signalling-notice-plan-4-of-6.pdf

https://content.tfl.gov.uk/ccos-signalling-notice-plan-5-of-6.pdf

https://content.tfl.gov.uk/ccos-signalling-notice-plan-6-of-6.pdf