expansion at cockfosters

[Tubeboy]

I remember reading somewhere a few years ago that lu want to increase the number of platforms at cockfosters. Does anyone know if its going to happen? will it wait until the resignalling is completed [2014].

[Tomcakes]

Another idea bandied about was using the siding at Oakwood for the EB platform and the current EB for a reversing siding. There might be problems at CF with the listing of the building, but they could probarbly be overcome.

[Deleted]

I think there were plans for a grade-seperated junction at Oakwood into either a new reversing platform and/or depot access. The former would have allowed an increase in reversing capacity, which is a problem at the NE end of the Piccadilly. Adding an extra platform at Cockfosters wouln't actually increase the reversing capacity unless it was accessed with a grade-seperated junction which was not in the plans. 3 platforms are the optimum for reversing in platforms termini. If more catch up time is needed, then maybe stepping back should be looked into.

[Deleted]

They definitely need to do something at the east end of the Picc line. There's no scope for improvement without some major investment of some kind.

The most simplest given the constraints would be based around Oakwood, given that there is a disused stretch of track there already

[Phil]

The track is still in situ for reversing westbound off the eastbound platform: rusty maybe, but could be reinstated surely.

[Deleted]

There was going to be a flyover and an additional platform but IIRC the local residents took umbrage at the idea.

[SE13]

I actually got the impression that the line was going to be extended, but to where I know not.

Can anyone confirm or deny this?

[Deleted]

Enfield, IIRC. Theres a little snippet about it in Rails Through The Clay. Capital Transport. £25. I'll try find the info and quote it here...

[Deleted]

The best way to fix the north end of the Piccadilly is to lengthen Wood Green siding IMHO. If it was doubled in length and a facing crossover added at the far end, you would be able to massively increase the speed at which the siding is entered. Combined with rapid tipping-out of reversers on the platform you could probably get a train into it quite rapidly.

Sure, it would be expensive, but it would also make the siding truly usable for reversing the northbound service...

[mandgc]

"The track is still insitu" ( Phil's Reply #4)

If you are referring to Oakwood - reversing over a trailing crossover is a time comsuming buisiness.
If there is room for a platform alongside the Headshunt this would seem a simple solution by making a Centre Reversing road. The overbridge would requires no alteration.

[Deleted]

theonekea said:

The best way to fix the north end of the Piccadilly is to lengthen Wood Green siding IMHO. If it was doubled in length and a facing crossover added at the far end, you would be able to massively increase the speed at which the siding is entered. Combined with rapid tipping-out of reversers on the platform you could probably get a train into it quite rapidly.

Sure, it would be expensive, but it would also make the siding truly usable for reversing the northbound service...

I would disagree, due to LUs tipping out speeds (1min+), it would be difficult for the line to operate more than the existing 24tph if trains were reversed at Wood Green. Signalling control improvements at Arnos Grove could add a few more tph, but I can't see this happening until the line is upgraded in approx 10years. Stepping back at Arnos Grove and Cockfosters may also allow for a few more tph/or more reliable service, but may cause problems when the line goes belly up.

The tph could be increased with more expense, by adding a third platform at Oakwood with trains using the centre road to reverse (is this possible at Oakwood?), or adding overruns at Cockfosters (a 2 track terminus with overruns can handle far more trains than a 3 track dead end terminus). Because, reversing capacity is the bottleneck of the Piccadilly Line, then when the line is upgraded, something will need to be done to increase reversing capacity if the line is to obtain 30tph+ frequencies.