And precludes the single best improvement that could happen to the
line (through-running to London).

If that was a winner, do you think the present plan would have surfaced? I
have a gut feeling that if a local campaign for through running was
activated and gained traction (as they say), the likely outcome would be a
service through to either or both Stratford and Clapham Junction - not
Euston. Comments on the loadings on the WLL might indeed support the latter.



There has been a campaign to run the Abbey Flyer into Euston in the
past, but it always ran into the problem that Virgin needed the train
paths, whereas St Albans already has a direct route into London
(albeit very overloaded)


IMO the whole idea is completely pointless without street-running
extensions.

And such extensions would be on the agenda no doubt *.... *as funds can be
allocated.


I like the idea of street extensions, but hard to see where these
would go. If you turn right up the steep Hollywell Hill you could
provide a very useful Park and Ride service to the Town Centre.
However I think the overhead cables would drive the Civic Socity into
a frenzy.

You could go straight on across the park with a stop at Verulanium
Museum then run up to Bluehouse Hill and then up to Town via Folly
Lane - and incur the wrath of Friends of Verulanium Park

You could reverse at St Albans Abbey, then take a steep turn up onto
Cotton Mill Lane run up as far as London Road then either a left into
town or a right to City Station. These roads get heavily congested
during school run time, traffic that a tram from Watford probably wont
clear.

You could run back along the old railway line to Hatfield. This has
been looked at before but dropped as the route has become a well used
cycle path.

I would have thought there is no chance of any of this in current
funding climate. However some additional stops on the existing line
might be useful - one serving Abbots Avenue in St Albans, Asda in
Garson and the Trident Centre in Watford spring to mind

Rob Smith

On Tue, 3 Nov 2009 05:01:01 -0800 (PST), Rob
wrote:

There has been a campaign to run the Abbey Flyer into Euston in the
past, but it always ran into the problem that Virgin needed the train
paths, whereas St Albans already has a direct route into London
(albeit very overloaded)


Very overcrowded now, perhaps, but the Thameslink route is the subject
of a hugely ambitious and expensive upgrade which will provide a very
large increase in capacity.

big snip

However some additional stops on the existing line
might be useful - one serving Abbots Avenue in St Albans, Asda in
Garson and the Trident Centre in Watford spring to mind


An excellent idea. There has been a lot of development in recent
years and the present line completely fails to serve it.

I would have thought there is no chance of any of this in current
funding climate. However some additional stops on the existing line
might be useful - one serving Abbots Avenue in St Albans, Asda in
Garson and the Trident Centre in Watford spring to mind

The BRE at Garston as well!

On Tue, 3 Nov 2009 05:01:01 -0800 (PST), Rob
wrote:

There has been a campaign to run the Abbey Flyer into Euston in the
past, but it always ran into the problem that Virgin needed the train
paths, whereas St Albans already has a direct route into London
(albeit very overloaded)

There has to be room on the slow lines, as LM are increasing the
service in December with some Watford shuttles that could easily run
through from St Albans if the infrastructure was sorted.

Neil

--
Neil Williams
Put my first name before the at to reply.

On Nov 3, 1:07*pm, (Neil Williams)
wrote:
On Tue, 3 Nov 2009 05:01:01 -0800 (PST), Rob
wrote:

There has been a campaign to run the Abbey Flyer into Euston in the
past, but it always ran into the problem that Virgin needed the train
paths, whereas St Albans already has a direct route into London
(albeit very overloaded)

There has to be room on the slow lines, as LM are increasing the
service in December with some Watford shuttles that could easily run
through from St Albans if the infrastructure was sorted.

Where will this tram be maintained? How will it reach that location?
If it is to reach Bletchley, it will have to be 25 kV Ac, or pulled by
another motive power unit.

My best guess is that these issues have been considered.

E27002 wrote:

Where will this tram be maintained? How will it reach that location?
If it is to reach Bletchley, it will have to be 25 kV Ac, or pulled by
another motive power unit.

My best guess is that these issues have been considered.

http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/s...announced.html
says "Network Rail land for a depot has been identified at St Albans Abbey."

--
Arthur Figgis Surrey, UK

On Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:29:49 -0800, E27002 wrote:

Where will this tram be maintained? How will it reach that location? If
it is to reach Bletchley, it will have to be 25 kV Ac, or pulled by
another motive power unit.

My best guess is that these issues have been considered.

Siemens has already built a batch of 'Avanto' 'tram-trains' that are
equipped for 25kAC/750vDC operation and are even fitted with appropriate
train protection equipment for the area they operate in.

All you need to do is borrow one Avanto from RAPT (Paris T4) for a while
to try out.

On Nov 4, 9:15*am, Matthew Geier
wrote:
On Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:29:49 -0800, E27002 wrote:
Where will this tram be maintained? *How will it reach that location? If
it is to reach Bletchley, it will have to be 25 kV Ac, or pulled by
another motive power unit.

My best guess is that these issues have been considered.

*Siemens has already built a batch of 'Avanto' 'tram-trains' that are
equipped for 25kAC/750vDC operation and are even fitted with appropriate
train protection equipment for the area they operate in.

*All you need to do is borrow one Avanto from RAPT (Paris T4) for a while
to try out.

Perhaps they could re-import ex-DLR cars that were exported 2nd hand
to Essen (but were imported new anyway.

The 11 P86 sets would be about the right fleet size x5 2-set trains
and one spare unit )

Even have grandfather rights ?

Not that I am aware Essen are selling them .

--
Nick

On Nov 4, 9:15*am, Matthew Geier
wrote:


*Siemens has already built a batch of 'Avanto' 'tram-trains' that are
equipped for 25kAC/750vDC operation and are even fitted with appropriate
train protection equipment for the area they operate in.


I've already posted Avantos exist way back upthread.

It is about the 42nd time I've mentioned Avanto in various thread in
this forum over recent years, yet every new thread about tram/trains
trots out the same uninformed drivel about perceived 25 kV / 750 V
trams not exisitng, need to re-wire 25 kV to 750 V etc, when they do
exist and are well proven. There are even electro-diesel options
although not sure if any of those have actually been built yet.

--
Nick

On 4 Nov, 09:15, Matthew Geier
wrote:

*All you need to do is borrow one Avanto from RAPT (Paris T4) for a while
to try out.

High floor? (Or is there room near the existing stations for a
temporary low-floor platform?)

Neil