On May 30, 10:37*am, "
wrote:
On 30/05/2011 03:24, TheOneKEA wrote:

I have read in these newsgroups that the only two things holding up
the electrification of the GOBLIN and the implementation of 378s on
this route are the short platforms at South Tottenham station
(necessitated by the junctions at either end) and the inability to
find funding for the electrification. Are both of these problems still
without solutions, or are there solutions available awaiting the
necessary funding (which won't arrive until 2016 at the earliest
IMHO)?

Also, are the 172s any good? I've not sampled them yet so I'm
interested to know if the GOBLIN has had a mini-sparks effect thanks
to the newer trains.


They seem OK, a bit of annoying rattling when stationary on the unit I
was in yesterday (172 001). The services seem much busier than they
used to be off-peak.

I didn't think that there were plans to electrify the GOBLin, especially
considering that they relatively recently received new rolling stock.

There are plans (and have been for some time), the problem is the
funding and who pays (TfL or DfT or both). More of the route will be
electrified as part of the Thameslink program, to provide access to
Hornsey from the Midland Mainline.


If they do electrify, then will it be overhead or 3rd rail?

Overhead, as this is already used at both ends (and through South
Tottenham station). 3rd rail probably wouldn't be allowed as all the
3rd rail in the area has been removed, so it would be a new isolated
section.

Will they also use 378s?

Probably

Are there enough available for such a service?

They would have to order some more units, but that wouldn't be a
problem in the short term. The Class 172 would be leased to another
TOC if this were the case and my understanding is that was why they
have the internal layout that they do. It was also one of the reasons
that they were directly leased from Angel Trains, rather than the more
complex ownership history of the class 378s (originally ordered by TfL
directly).