In article
,
(Andy) wrote:

On Feb 15, 9:22*pm, Martin Petrov
wrote:
Is it possible that the improved timetable from later this month was
reliant on having some of the extra units in place. The fleet will
be growing from 6 x 2 car class 150s to 8 x 2 car class 172s. Even
simple replacement of class 150s with class 172s may give an
increase in capacity due to the longer vehicles (although there will
be less seating due to the 2+2 arrangement). Running more than a
twenty minute frequency looks difficult with the existing fleet
size.

I don't think it did need more trains overall. The 15 minute
interval was only at the height of the peak. I think either the user
group or London Travelwatch showed a while back that you could
create such a timetable with adequate turnaround time to cater for
the worst of the peak with the existing fleet. I remember reading a
document that set out the scheduling and pathing issues.

Out of interest, what is it that's restricting the GOBLIN to 2 car
operation?

I live in Leyton and get the train every so often between here and
Crouch Hill (and would have used it much more often since moving
here, but for the weekend closures....) and most if not all of the
intermediate stations could easily deal with longer trains?

I think the only short platform is the eastbound at South Tottenham,
so other than that, I think it is just unit availability. There may be
a couple of other locations which would need work for a 4 car class
172 train to fit due to the longer vehicles.

I thought there was no way to lengthen the South Tottenham platform due to
junctions close by?

--
Colin Rosenstiel

In message ,
writes

I thought there was no way to lengthen the South Tottenham platform due to
junctions close by?

Although tight, it should be possible - it was only about 15 years ago
that the platforms were shortened to two-car length (because of
subsidence). The following gives an idea of the original platform
lengths:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/10793813@N07/2038047821/

The section of the far platform with the inset fence (where the two kids
are standing) was entirely removed, and I think it was also shortened at
the other end as well.

It seems quite incredible that a short-sighted decision to reduce the
platforms at S. Tottenham in relatively recent times is now almost the
only reason why LO can't run the much-needed 3-car sets on the GOBLIN.
--
Paul Terry

Paul Terry wrote:

It seems quite incredible that a short-sighted decision to reduce the
platforms at S. Tottenham in relatively recent times is now almost the
only reason why LO can't run the much-needed 3-car sets on the GOBLIN.

Don't some of the other station platforms need work to reactivate the full
length? The unused section at Wanstead Park is rather decayed.