TfL Finally Launches Line Names For The London Overground Services To Make Wayfinding Easier!

Map of the Overground with line names

This has been long overdue, and it has finally been unveiled to make wayfinding easier for people navigating the public transport system in London. This is a follow up to my previous article, published in May 2022.

TfL Press release:

London’s Overground lines to be given new names and colours in historic change to capital’s transport network

• For the first time ever, each of London’s six Overground lines will be represented by a new name and line colour
• The new names have been chosen through engagement with customers, stakeholders, historians, industry experts and local communities
• New names, line colours and maps will make it easier for customers to navigate the London Overground and further build ridership, while celebrating London’s diverse communities and histories

In a historic re-imagining of London’s public transport network, each of London’s six overground lines will for the first time ever be given a unique name and line colour. This significant change, which will include a major update to London’s world-famous Tube map, will make it easier for customers to navigate London’s transport network while also celebrating the city’s diverse culture and history.

UK Government to End Railway Franchising – Unique Identities For London Overground Services

It’s been a while since I’ve posted something railway related on my website. This recent news regarding railways in Britain is huge because the UK Government have drafted plans to end railway franchising and to simplify ticketing, although the operations will remain privatised.

Excerpt from Department for Transport

• Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail to reform Britain’s railways and launch a new era for passengers
• biggest change in 25 years sees creation of new public body Great British Railways – a single, familiar brand with united, accountable leadership
• simpler, modern fares delivered, starting with new flexible season tickets on sale from 21 June and a new Great British Railways website for all tickets and clearer compensation
• reforms support delivery of a financially sustainable railway as country recovers from coronavirus (COVID-19), with new contracts focused on punctuality and improved efficiency, making it easier and cheaper to plan maintenance, renewal and upgrades

TfL takes over the Heathrow Connect services

TfL has taken over the Heathrow Connect services as part of launching the new Crossrail Elizabeth Line over the coming months.

From TfL press release

From Sunday 20 May TfL will take over the Heathrow Connect services between Paddington and Heathrow terminals 2/3 and 4 in another major milestone in the creation of the Elizabeth line.

Heathrow Express to continue service till 2028

Heathrow Express will continue to operate the express service from Heathrow Airport to London Paddington until 2028.

From Heathrow Express

Heathrow Express rail service has been preserved to at least 2028 under a new agreement announced today.

· New agreement confirms Heathrow Express for at least a decade

· Will improve rail service connections, resilience and reliability for Heathrow passengers

· Rail services to Heathrow to rise from 18 trains per hour to at least 22 trains per hour from December 2019

· Confirms Government support for developing western and southern rail links to Heathrow

Track installation for Crossrail Elizabeth Line is complete!

As the Crossrail project moves ever forward, the works for the track layout is now officially completed.

From Crossrail

A significant milestone has been marked today with the official completion of the permanent track for the Elizabeth line – London’s newest railway.

My review of the new Crossrail Class 345

This is a follow up to my previous article.

At last! I got to ride on the new Bombardier Aventra Class 345 for the upcoming Elizabeth Line which is known as Crossrail.

I caught this train by chance at Romford Station because it was running four minutes late.

As I entered the train, it felt like boarding a London Overground train because they have longitudinal seating while most of the middle carriages have transverse seating, similar to the S8 stock train which is used on the London Underground Metropolitan Line.

TfL orders more Class 345 trains for Crossrail Elizabeth Line

TfL orders more trains for the Crossrail Elizabeth Line for when it becomes operational in December 2019.

From TfL press release

Services on the Elizabeth line are set to be even more extensive and frequent than originally planned when the line becomes fully operational in December 2019, Transport for London (TfL) announced today.

Crossrail Elizabeth Line to serve Heathrow Terminal 5

Heathrow Terminal 5 will be served with Elizabeth Line services once Crossrail fully opens by December 2019.

From Heathrow Media Centre

• Heathrow agrees new plan with TfL and DfT to boost rail services to the airport
• Elizabeth line services to serve Terminal 5
• From 2019 at least 22 trains per hour connecting Central London and Heathrow – up from 18 today
• Thousands of rail passengers to benefit from the convenience of Oyster and contactless ticketing – including on the Heathrow Express
• New services will increase choice of routes in and out of airport, strengthening rail network resilience for future generations

Class 345 Crossrail train finally launches on TfL Rail line!

News update: After a long wait, the Class 345 was finally launched on the TfL rail service on 22^nd June 2017.

From TfL press release

Shenfield Station to serve TfL rail service again

After completing works between Brentwood and Shenfield, a full TfL service is set to return on Monday 22^nd May 2017.

From TfL news

Upgrade work has been completed to prepare for Elizabeth line services between Liverpool Street and Shenfield in December 2018.

Timetable and maps for London National Rail services

Looking at TfL’s website - they don’t feature timetables for National Rail services, only timetables for their own services such as London Buses, London Underground, Docklands Light Railway, Tramlink, London Overground and TFL Rail.

TfL do have a map though which shows the railway services in London as they are part of the Oyster Pay-As-You-Go fare system. TFL also provide “National Rail journeys,” on their Journey Planner.

Why are National Rail trains delayed?

I would like to give you all a quick report regarding the delays I’ve seen recently.

It's late in the morning on 30th March 2016 and I'm looking at Real Time Trains and Open Train Times (diagram map) of the 0953 service from Romford to London Liverpool Street station. The service is a fast train which runs alongside the Shenfield Metro which is branded as TFL Rail. I should point out that TFL Rail is operated by MTR Crossrail.

The service I'm monitoring is 2K43, operated by Abellio Greater Anglia. I was expecting the 0953 service to London Liverpool Street [LST] from Romford Station [RMF], but instead a freight train (Duty code 488V) went past Romford Station at 0952¼ which is three minutes behind their schedule. Then shortly afterwards the expected 0953 train arrives at 0954¾ and departed at 0955¾ making it two minutes late.

First bodyshell of Crossrail train revealed

Bombardier Aventra who are currently constructing the Class 345 have unveiled their bodyshell for TFL to report on.

TFL reports on their press release:

The production of the new Crossrail trains, which will help meet the needs of the rapidly growing population of London and the South East, has reached an important milestone with the completion of a test carriage at Bombardier's train manufacturing plant in Derby.

This first body shell is being used to refine the design and the manufacturing techniques needed for the full production of the 594 carriages needed for the 66 Crossrail trains.

Video: TfL Rail Class 315 at Stratford Station

Class 315
TFL Rail
Operated by MTR under contract to Transport for London
Filmed on 12th June 2015 at Stratford

Video: TfL Rail Class 315 from Chadwell Heath to Romford

TfL Rail
Shenfield Branch
Part of National Rail
Chadwell Heath to Romford
Class 315
Recorded on 3rd June 2015 using a pen camera.
The operator of TfL Rail is MTR.

Network Rail to Strike in June 2015

UPDATE: The strike has been called off due to talks over new pay for workers.

Members of the RMT Union that work for Network Rail have announced that they are striking over pay.

The dates and times that the strikes will occur on:

·         Thursday 4th June: 24 hours from 17:00 until 16:59 on Friday 5th June

·         Tuesday 9th June: 48 hours from 17:00 until 16:59 on Thursday 11th June

·         Saturday 6th June from 00:01 until 23:59 on Friday 12th June. RMT members will not work any overtime

TFL Rail is ready to take over Abellio Greater Anglia Shenfield Branch service

This is good news for those of you who use the Shenfield Branch which is operated by Abellio Greater Anglia. The media claims that Abellio Greater Anglia is the ‘most hated’ operator, however, users will pleased to hear that TFL is taking over the Shenfield Branch and also the Romford to Upminster service.

This is a follow up to my previous article published on 15^th February 2015 in which I first made the readers aware of the planned takeover by TFL of  Abellio Greater Anglia.