On 23/09/2011 18:59, Paul Scott wrote:
"Robin9" wrote in message
...

I had always assumed that the reason for the slow movement and the loud
screeching was that the line had originally been built cheaply and that
there was no scope for re-aligning the track. Does anyone know how much
work has been done on the section between Farringdon and St. Pancras
International and if further improvements are planned?

There have been closures most weekends for about two years, ample time for
them to completely refit the track, and I think one of the current items of
work is full resignalling with shorter block lengths and four aspects -
this is being done in discreet sections, but if they've covered the bit in
question it may have made journeys less 'stop start', IYSWIM.

A lot of the closures have been for work at Farringdon, including
ferrying of materials, and men, thereto from Kentish Town. I don't
think any track realignment is possible without serious tunnelling and
moving St Pancras's main arches! Southbound trains are probably quieter
because they are now starting from the platform at SPI and so not going
so fast round the S-bend there. Northbound trains still drown their own
announcements as they enter the platform!

I agree that resignalling has been happening in stages but doubt whether
it has yet affected speeds.

Peter Lawrence