"Paul Corfield" wrote in message
...
On 24 Jun 2005 04:08:01 -0700, "Rupert Candy"
wrote:
Tim Roll-Pickering wrote:
How close to Moorgate are the DLR platforms? And don't the end pointing
to
the north already?

There's a single-track headshunt to the north-west (IIRC) of the Bank
DLR platforms which extends quite a long way towards Moorgate (I
suppose it's where the TBM ended up). But, as has been discussed before
when deciding what to do with the Moorgate Thameslink branch, how are
you going to get the trains up to sub-surface level between the end of
the headshunt and the platforms at Moorgate?

You are assuming that there will be connections at Moorgate. If
Crossrail is built I cannot see how on earth DLR could possibly
construct any sort of station in the Moorgate area. Given how easy the
Northern Line connection is at Bank from DLR I would not be at all
surprised that DLR simply bypassed Moorgate as it climbs to the surface
and that the DLR station at Farringdon would be double ended with
Barbican Tube Station.

If there is an extension to Charing Cross then I'd quite like to see a
link that ran via St Pauls, City Thameslink / Blackfriars, Aldwych and
Charing Cross. That would be a very useful link but it would be
phenomenally expensive to construct and I think even 3 car DLR trains
would struggle to cope with the potential flows of passengers if the bus
services over this corridor were reduced (as is normal practice).

It also raises the question about just how many East - West links London
needs between the West End, the City and Docklands. You'd end up with
the Central Line, Jubilee Line, Crossrail and DLR. Can 4 such high
capacity services really be justified in today's climate of no
government spending on rail or light transit investment? I appreciate
the Mayor has a few billion at his disposal but Crossrail would eat all
of that money and more.
--
Paul C


Admits to working for London Underground!

I agree that a DLR station at Moorgate seems a bit too much, considering
that it's an easy trip on the Northern from Bank and that Crossrail will
connect it to the Isle of Dogs. However, as the route is on it's way to
Farringdon then it may be useful simply to give more interchange to LU
services.

It is certainly a busy area in terms of rail services. But note that the
crossrail station is actually a few hundred yards away from Moorgate station
proper and is at Moorhouse. So maybe there is space to fit a DLR line
through it. Or maybe Moorhouse will has infact have the space for a DLR
line.
Also the WAGN services which are peak only at the moment (I think). There is
a possibility of them being wound down, in which case DLR could make use of
these platforms. I'm not too sure of the logistics of that one though.

The Charing Cross link looks the most interesting. As for cost. It's likely
to be high. And i agree that even with 3 car. The line is likely to be
stretched to capacity in the peak and maybe at other times.