Latest News From Barking - Gospel Oak Overground Line

Actually nothing but the usual continuing delays to electrification and the new trains! We expect the PIXC-buster trains will continue beyond 20 May until the new trains are in service, but we have yet to receive any confirmation from TfL.

Latest News 10 May 2018
 
ELECTRIFICATION PROJECT APPROACHING COMPLETION
Bridge 14 at Crouch Hill station was successfully raised by 30cms over the weekend of 7 & 8 April. This was the last major job that was part of the Network Rail electrification project. There remain a number of snagging jobs to carry out, so the overhead wires are now expected to become available for electric trains to use by August. A list of the known forthcoming line closures for engineering works appears below.
 
NEW TRAINS DELAYED
The introduction of the new 4-car electric trains is running about four months late. This is due to delays both in starting and carrying out ‘type testing’ to gain authorisation to operate on Network Rail infrastructure. Until the tests can be successfully completed, the new trains cannot run. Type testing is taking place with 710256 at Network Rail’s Asfordby test centre in Leicestershire while 710258 is at the CEF test centre at Valenciennes, near Lille, in France for braking and wheel slip/slide protection tests.
 
On 28 February, Bombardier had completed 16 Class 710 4-car units, all 14 of the original order for dual voltage units for Barking – Gospel Oak and Euston – Watford lines and the first two of 31 AC only units for Cheshunt (via Seven Sisters)/Chingford/Enfield Town services. Apart from the two units being tested, all these are stored at Bombardier’s Derby works. It is now very unlikely that any Class 710 units will be in passenger service before September, five months later than planned.
 
London Overground has published the new 20 May 2018 timetables for all its lines except for Barking – Gospel Oak. Currently, the 20 May national timetable shows all the additional Monday – Friday only peak trains withdrawn apart from the 06:06 Barking – Gospel Oak, BGORUG has appealed to Transport for London to reinstate these trains, at least until the new electric units are all in service.
 
BGORUG are seeking meetings with both Network Rail and Transport for London for updates on the commissioning of the overhead wires and the new trains respectively.
 
The eight 2-car Bombardier diesel trains that currently operate Barking – Gospel Oak services will operate the Coventry – Nuneaton service from the start of the UK winter timetable in December.
 
ENGINEERING CLOSURES
Barking – Gospel Oak route closures currently programmed are:
Sunday 10 June                      Barking – Gospel Oak all day
Sunday 24 June                      Barking – South Tottenham all day
Sunday 29 July                       Barking – South Tottenham until 12:30
Saturday 18 August                Barking – South Tottenham
Sunday 19 August                  Barking – South Tottenham all day
Saturday 25 August –
Monday 27 August                 Barking – South Tottenham all 3 days
Sunday 2 September               Barking – South Tottenham all day
 
REFUND OF ADDITIONAL FARES PAID BY PASSENGERS DURING THE THREE LONG TERM LINE CLOSURES IN 2016 & 2017
If you wish to claim back additional fares paid while the train service was withdrawn during June 2016 – February 2017, September 2017 – October 2017 & November 2017 – January 2018, complete the online complaints form at www.tfl.gov.uk or write to:
                TfL Customer Service, 4th Floor, 14 Pier Walk, London SE10 0ES
 
If TfL are unable to resolve the matter to your satisfaction, you can appeal to London TravelWatch by completing the online complaints form at www.londontravelwatch.org.uk or write to:
                London TravelWatch, 169 Union Street, London, SE1 0LL
 
See our links page for links to Transport for London and London TravelWatch.

Glenn Wallis
Secretary
Barking - Gospel Oak Rail User Group
barking-gospeloak.org.uk
@RidingtheGoblin