Stratford International - Testing yet?

[North End]

Sept 23, 2010 23:45:52 GMT @theonekea said:

I am curious as to why this is the only major DLR project to have been delayed by any substantial amount. Most (if not all) of the other DLR extensions opened early or bang on time, so why is this one being held up so badly?

I suspect it may be to do with the late completion of the new Overground platforms at Stratford, which in turn delayed the handover of the line through Stratford Low Level.

As well as the civils works, I suspect this also delayed work on the power supply system, firstly decommissioning the Network Rail 3rd rail system, and then converting the system for the DLR. The power supply system for the Stratford International extension re-uses certain items from the original Dalston - North Woolwich BR electrification.

I should add the above is all an educated guess, so I could be wide of the mark.

[Deleted]

I'll be curious to see what the passenger figures between Stratford and Stratford International are prior to the Olympic Games when DLRX eventually opens. I'll also be curious to see what they're like after the Games finish.

[Deleted]

Looking at Stratford station today there is still no TBTC loop in the 4-foot, so testing / commissioning must still be some way off yet.

[Deleted]

The latest from recent railway press suggests "testing from October" and possible opening in January 2011. We wait and see. All station furniture that I could see between Stratford (Regional) and Canning Town was well wrapped up and that was a week ago. No test trains - or any (engineers) trains - seen.

[21146]

New signs in ticket hall upper level reflect the forthcoming opening:

www.flickr.com/photos/24772733@N05/5117965926/

Referance to the new branch currently blanked-off.

[Chris M]

I walked along the route of the new line about a fortnight ago now. When I get time I'll sort and upload my photographs.

[21146]

Oct 27, 2010 0:44:34 GMT Chris M said:

I walked along the route of the new line about a fortnight ago now. When I get time I'll sort and upload my photographs.

[Deleted]

Sept 24, 2010 18:22:24 GMT North End said:

Sept 23, 2010 23:45:52 GMT @theonekea said:

I am curious as to why this is the only major DLR project to have been delayed by any substantial amount. Most (if not all) of the other DLR extensions opened early or bang on time, so why is this one being held up so badly?

I suspect it may be to do with the late completion of the new Overground platforms at Stratford, which in turn delayed the handover of the line through Stratford Low Level.

As well as the civils works, I suspect this also delayed work on the power supply system, firstly decommissioning the Network Rail 3rd rail system, and then converting the system for the DLR. The power supply system for the Stratford International extension re-uses certain items from the original Dalston - North Woolwich BR electrification.

I should add the above is all an educated guess, so I could be wide of the mark.

What parts of the new DLR Stratford extension have been reused from the original NLL line

[Deleted]

Oct 27, 2010 17:44:19 GMT @jimar53 said:

What parts of the new DLR Stratford extension have been reused from the original NLL line

Canning Town to Stratford uses the same alignment although the DLR have added a few more stations in between to the old NLL.

[Deleted]

Oct 27, 2010 18:34:22 GMT @whistlekiller said:

Oct 27, 2010 17:44:19 GMT @jimar53 said:

What parts of the new DLR Stratford extension have been reused from the original NLL line

Canning Town to Stratford uses the same alignment although the DLR have added a few more stations in between to the old NLL.

And north of Stratford most of the alignment is also on the old NLL, covered over, with only the last 250 yards and Stratford International station being new alignment. NLL trains into the new platforms at Stratford take a different route from around a quarter of a mile out leaving the old alignment clear for the DLR.

[Deleted]

Sept 23, 2010 23:45:52 GMT @theonekea said:

I am curious as to why this is the only major DLR project to have been delayed by any substantial amount. Most (if not all) of the other DLR extensions opened early or bang on time, so why is this one being held up so badly?

I'm sure the Beckton extension opened rather later than planned, and when it did it was limited to a shuttle service to Poplar for a considerable time. ISTR that it was the new signalling that was the problem in that case.

[Deleted]

Oct 27, 2010 20:59:45 GMT @a60k said:

Sept 23, 2010 23:45:52 GMT @theonekea said:

I am curious as to why this is the only major DLR project to have been delayed by any substantial amount. Most (if not all) of the other DLR extensions opened early or bang on time, so why is this one being held up so badly?

I'm sure the Beckton extension opened rather later than planned, and when it did it was limited to a shuttle service to Poplar for a considerable time. ISTR that it was the new signalling that was the problem in that case.

Funny enough, the same system causing issues on the Jubilee upgrade!

[Deleted]

It would be a good idea if Stratford 'International' was to become an 'International' station .... !

[Deleted]

Oct 28, 2010 19:22:10 GMT @rhubarbrhubarb said:

It would be a good idea if Stratford 'International' was to become an 'International' station .... !

It's on the High Speed One, it is.

[Deleted]

Trouble is, no 'international' trains call there. The station appears to be ready to accommodate international passengers - separate platforms, access routes, ticket hall, etc., area - though no fences separating the 'international' platform tracks from the 'domestic' ones.

[fleetline]

Sept 23, 2010 23:45:52 GMT @theonekea said:

I am curious as to why this is the only major DLR project to have been delayed by any substantial amount. Most (if not all) of the other DLR extensions opened early or bang on time, so why is this one being held up so badly?

It hasn't been delayed. The original contract said it would be finished for handover in December 2010. Therefore its actually on time. (bare in mind hand over doesn't mean ready for passengers).

[fleetline]

Oct 28, 2010 21:28:46 GMT @rhubarbrhubarb said:

Trouble is, no 'international' trains call there. The station appears to be ready to accommodate international passengers - separate platforms, access routes, ticket hall, etc., area - though no fences separating the 'international' platform tracks from the 'domestic' ones.

I can't remember the full reason but basically Startford International wasn't built to handle international passengers. I know complete madness but its the same thing as St Pancras International where the Thameslink station was built too short for 12 car trains. (Yes a 12 car station was built without 12 car platforms, especially the south side).

[andypurk]

Oct 31, 2010 16:52:47 GMT fleetline said:

I can't remember the full reason but basically Startford International wasn't built to handle international passengers. I know complete madness but its the same thing as St Pancras International where the Thameslink station was built too short for 12 car trains. (Yes a 12 car station was built without 12 car platforms, especially the south side).

This is complete rubbish; at St. Pancras International, the low level platforms are long enough for 12 cars and were built that way. There might be some minor fitting out needed at the end of the platforms. Similarly at Stratford International, the station has been designed for international traffic, but it is pointless to separate and fit out the international areas unless the trains are actually going to call.

[Deleted]

Designing for international traffic would have been unnecessary if we were part of Schengen.

[fleetline]

Oct 31, 2010 19:33:46 GMT andypurk said:

This is complete rubbish; at St. Pancras International, the low level platforms are long enough for 12 cars and were built that way. There might be some minor fitting out needed at the end of the platforms. Similarly at Stratford International, the station has been designed for international traffic, but it is pointless to separate and fit out the international areas unless the trains are actually going to call.

Sorry but your wrong about St Pancras. The fix isn't some minor issue but they know how to fix it. You don't have to believe me but I'm not saying this a someone outside the industry here.

[edwin]

Who told you this? Even a bystander can see that the platforms at St Pancras Thameslink are long enough for 12 car trains.

[andypurk]

Nov 4, 2010 0:46:12 GMT fleetline said:

Oct 31, 2010 19:33:46 GMT andypurk said:

This is complete rubbish; at St. Pancras International, the low level platforms are long enough for 12 cars and were built that way. There might be some minor fitting out needed at the end of the platforms. Similarly at Stratford International, the station has been designed for international traffic, but it is pointless to separate and fit out the international areas unless the trains are actually going to call.

Sorry but your wrong about St Pancras. The fix isn't some minor issue but they know how to fix it. You don't have to believe me but I'm not saying this a someone outside the industry here.

So what exactly is the problem then?

The platforms at St. Pancras are clearly long enough for twelve car train. Other central London stations have needed lengthening (City Thameslink needed an extra 15-20 meters added, for example, with Farringdon and Blackfriars having a complete rebuilt). Nowhere is there any mention of work being needed at St. Pancras, other than when the junction for the connection to the East Coast mainline is installed.

[North End]

Oct 27, 2010 17:44:19 GMT @jimar53 said:

Sept 24, 2010 18:22:24 GMT North End said:

I suspect it may be to do with the late completion of the new Overground platforms at Stratford, which in turn delayed the handover of the line through Stratford Low Level.

As well as the civils works, I suspect this also delayed work on the power supply system, firstly decommissioning the Network Rail 3rd rail system, and then converting the system for the DLR. The power supply system for the Stratford International extension re-uses certain items from the original Dalston - North Woolwich BR electrification.

I should add the above is all an educated guess, so I could be wide of the mark.

What parts of the new DLR Stratford extension have been reused from the original NLL line

From memory, the power supply system re-uses Stratford Market Substation and Stephenson Street Switching Station, part of the high-tension system, and a considerable amount of cabling.

(New substations have been added at Star Lane and Stratford International, plus a new TP Hut at Stratford Regional which also ties in with the Poplar-Stratford DLR line.)

In addition, I believe all the track from Canning Town to Stratford has been retained and reconditioned.

[fleetline]

Nov 4, 2010 10:10:52 GMT andypurk said:

So what exactly is the problem then?

The platforms at St. Pancras are clearly long enough for twelve car train. Other central London stations have needed lengthening (City Thameslink needed an extra 15-20 meters added, for example, with Farringdon and Blackfriars having a complete rebuilt). Nowhere is there any mention of work being needed at St. Pancras, other than when the junction for the connection to the East Coast mainline is installed.

Not everything can be said in an open forum. City didn't have anything extra added as it it was designed for 12 car. It just needed somre resurfuring and new lighting.

You won't see any mention of St Pancras as it was only found out properly a few months ago.

[andypurk]

Nov 6, 2010 0:38:30 GMT fleetline said:

Nov 4, 2010 10:10:52 GMT andypurk said:

So what exactly is the problem then?

The platforms at St. Pancras are clearly long enough for twelve car train. Other central London stations have needed lengthening (City Thameslink needed an extra 15-20 meters added, for example, with Farringdon and Blackfriars having a complete rebuilt). Nowhere is there any mention of work being needed at St. Pancras, other than when the junction for the connection to the East Coast mainline is installed.

Not everything can be said in an open forum. City didn't have anything extra added as it it was designed for 12 car. It just needed somre resurfuring and new lighting.

You won't see any mention of St Pancras as it was only found out properly a few months ago.

And exactly how different is the work at City Thameslink from that you claim is needed at St. Pancras? Both have sites where there station itself was designed for for 12 cars and the platform length is sufficient, City Thameslink needed some work to bring the full length of the platform upto standard, but apparently St. Pancras needs some secret extra work.

Remember, your original point was that St. Pancras was built too short for 12 car trains. Physically the station is clearly not too short, but as it is currently only in use for 8 car trains, if the platform ends are not fully ready, what is the problem?

[Chris M]

And none of this has any bearing on the DLR to Stratford International, unless the secret work is related to the building of a DLR extension from Bank to St Pancras?

[Deleted]

Nov 6, 2010 23:43:20 GMT Chris M said:

And none of this has any bearing on the DLR to Stratford International, unless the secret work is related to the building of a DLR extension from Bank to St Pancras?

Back of the net Chris, although an extension from Bank to St. Pancras would herald several pages of interesting argument!

[fleetline]

Nov 7, 2010 13:59:56 GMT @whistlekiller said:

Nov 6, 2010 23:43:20 GMT Chris M said:

And none of this has any bearing on the DLR to Stratford International, unless the secret work is related to the building of a DLR extension from Bank to St Pancras?

Back of the net Chris, although an extension from Bank to St. Pancras would herald several pages of interesting argument!

Maybe the Bank - Kings Cross extension is getting a small extension! After all as the DLR horizon study stated there isn't great connections from there to Bank.

Last words I say on the matter is I can't say. Not everything can be said in an open forum. I know what's up, but its not for public knowledge. End of.

[Deleted]

While waiting a few days ago at Cutty Sark station I noticed the DLR map posted on the platform showed the new Stratford line, saying "opening Autumn 2010". Now either I haven't been paying enough attention or this public declaration of when it is opening, on the official DLR map, has passed me by.

It's geting very cold outside for "Autumn".

[Deleted]

Nov 19, 2010 1:14:58 GMT fleetline said:

Last words I say on the matter is I can't say. Not everything can be said in an open forum. I know what's up, but its not for public knowledge. End of.

"Last words I say on the matter is I can't say." Look, I'm sure a lot of us know stuff that's not for public knowledge as well. Which is why most don't mention it (or indeed allude to it in the first place) on a public forum. If you've been told by your boss or whoever it is to keep it a secret, then do as you're told and keep it a secret. What's the point of a public statement you can't back up or justify because of its secrecy? I don't get it.