Successful tests for the new London Underground Sub Surface Lines signalling system

TfL has announced that testing the new signalling system to upgrade the Sub Surface Lines has been successful.

From TfL Press release

Transport for London (TfL) this weekend expanded testing of the new, modern Tube signalling system, which is set to transform the Circle, District, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines, to its largest area yet. The new system was successfully tested from Hammersmith through to Euston Square and Paddington, with the work involving the complex Baker Street junction - the first such junction to be tested with the state-of-the-art Thales communications-based train control (CBTC) system.

Tunnelling for the Northern Line Extension is completed

Tunnelling work for the Northern Line Extension had been completed!

I really can’t believe how quickly the tunnelling work has been done.

From TfL press release

Tunnelling work completed as boring machines break through at Kennington.

Improvements are coming for the London Underground Sub-Surface Lines

The sub-surface Circle, District, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines are set to have a new signalling system in order to improve reliability and services.

From TfL press release

Reliability and customer information on sections of Circle and Hammersmith & City lines to improve from next year.

· New system will mean quicker, more frequent services on sub-surface lines from 2021

· 40% of Tube to benefit from huge improvements by 2023

· The transformation of London Underground's sub-surface lines has taken a significant step forward, with multiple test trains running on the brand new signalling system for the first time in London.

Two Rail Adhesion Trains for Piccadilly Line

To reduce delays and disruptions on the Piccadilly Line, TfL has converted two 1973 stock trains to Rail Adhesion Trains (RATs) to tackle wheel flats.

From TfL press release

New traction motors for the Central Line trains

TfL has awarded Bombardier the contract to supply new motors and traction control equipment for the 1992 rolling stock trains for the London Underground Central Line.

From Bombardier

Tunnelling starts for the Northern Line extension to Battersea

News from the London Underground, the tunnelling for the Northern Line extension to Battersea begins!

From TfL press release

First Tube Strike of 2017

Another year, another strike, another quick update - this one came as a surprise as one of the world’s largest metro systems - the London Underground is facing strikes!

From TFL press release

Transport for London (TfL) is advising customers that there will be a severely reduced service across the network on Sunday evening and all day on Monday should strike action currently planned by the RMT and TSSA unions go ahead.

Station staff who are members of the unions are currently planning to strike from 18.00 on Sunday 8 January for 24 hours. This would mean severely reduced services on Monday. TfL will try to run as many services as possible, but customers are advised to complete their journeys by 18.00 on Sunday, and that most Zone 1 stations are likely to be closed throughout the action.

New Escalator etiquette at Holborn Station

Escalators in Holborn Station

So we can see that London Underground is trialling new etiquette rules for the escalator going up at Holborn station.

From TFL Press Release

LONDON UNDERGROUND TO PILOT NEW ESCALATOR ARRANGEMENT AT HOLBORN TUBE STATION

One of four escalators will be 'standing only' at all times for six months with another standing only at some times of day.

Customers at Holborn station will be asked to stand on both sides of two 'up' escalators, in plans announced today to reduce congestion at the station.

From 18 April the new arrangements will be in place for around six months, with a range of signage and customer information encouraging people to fill up the escalators by standing on both sides. The other 'up' escalator will still be available for people who want to walk.

Upgrades for Piccadilly and Metropolitan Lines

Recently, London Underground announced that engineering works are to take place on the Piccadilly Line on the 5th and 6th March and the Metropolitan Line on the 16th May 2016.

From TFL Press Release

TfL today advised customers planning to use the Piccadilly line this weekend to expect longer journeys, due to planned upgrade work.

To improve the reliability of the Piccadilly and District lines London Underground (LU) is carrying out essential planned work this weekend to replace 700m of track at Turnham Green and renew a set of signalling points at Acton Town.

London Underground Wins Train Operator of the Year!

TFL announced in their press release that they won major recognition at the Rail Business Awards on Thursday 25th February where they won Train Operator of the Year award.

From TFL Press release

LONDON UNDERGROUND NAMED TRAIN OPERATOR OF THE YEAR

Are driverless Tube trains possible?

A few weeks ago I noticed public support growing for driverless trains for the London Underground system because people have claimed that driverless trains reduce strikes…

The Docklands Light Railway is the only driverless system in London and has been in service since 1987.

Website Review: Live Tube Map

This is the continuation from the LiveLondon Bus Map which the developer Matthew Somerville made.

Before he made the bus map, he created a Live Tube Map which shows the London Underground trains

Jubilee Line Extension for OpenBVE

link to video

The Jubilee Line extension opened in stages from the summer to Christmas in year 1999. The Jubilee Line Extension started the extension from Green Park to Stratford via South London.

Interior of Tube Train in London Underground Simulator

This is a follow up from my previous article.

Link to video

You be amazed with the realism of the interior of the 1992 Tube Stock that you feel you're actually in the Tube Train.

Victoria Line for OpenBVE

link to video on YouTube

Train Simulator: OpenBVE London Underground Tube Line: Victoria Line between Walthamstow Central to Vauxhall

Jubilee Line for OpenBVE

Link to video

This portion of the line used to be part of the Bakerloo Line before the Jubilee Line opened in 1979.

You can download this route for OpenBVE on this link. 

Hammersmith & City Line for OpenBVE

Link to video

The London Underground's Hammersmith and City Line is one of the Sub Surface lines on the Tube Network. It used to be operated with the C Stock but it's now operated by S7 Stock. 

Central Line for OpenBVE

Link to video

This is one of the most accurate and detailed route I have come across for a freeware train