On 2016\01\13 00:22, Recliner wrote:
Basil Jet wrote:
On 2016\01\12 22:40, Recliner wrote:
Basil Jet wrote:

Another idea... the Greenford Branch is set to become a shuttle from
West Ealing in 2017. Although the frequency will go up from 2tph to
4tph, the curtailment could kill the line off.

With the demolition of parts of two light industrial premises and the
construction of a new curve by North Acton and another curve from
Willesden Junction High Level to Kensal Green, they could run 2tph from
West Ealing - DG - CBP - South Greenford - new platform at North Acton -
Willesden Junction High Level - KG - QP - KHR - SH - Euston. The other
2tph would run West Ealing - Greenford.


Well, that's certainly a creative way to link that orphan shuttle to LO,
where it probably does belong. But it would also be quite expensive,
involving two new chords, some redoubled track and electrification.

It could be a job for IPEMU. The single track section from North Acton
to the Piccadilly Line bridge is only a mile long and would be no
problem for a 2tph service, or even a 4tph one. The Greenford East Curve
is also single but is even shorter.

Would a
five car 378 fit in the Greenford and West Ealing bay platforms? And is
there much demand for a 2 tph service from the Greenford route to Euston?

There's demand from everywhere to Central London. There is a place for
shuttles, particularly where the mainline is full, but trains to Central
London are better if the track is there, and here it mostly is.

Wouldn't most potential pax prefer to change to the frequent Central line
at Greenford to get into town more quickly?

More quickly? From South Greenford to Oxford Circus is 14 stops with 1
change at Greenford, or 9 stops with 1 change at Euston.
From South Greenford to Liverpool Street is 20 stops with 1 change at
Greenford, or 12 stops with 1 change at Euston.

I shouldn't have picked a destination on Crossrail... South Greenford to
Liverpool Street is 10 stops with 1 change at West Ealing.


Yes, but the stops are further apart, and the distance greater, so run
times will be similar or longer. The Central line is a lot more frequent,
even if it isn't actually quicker, and the cross-platform interchange at
Greenford is incredibly convenient compared to Euston.


It does seem like another solution in search of a problem.

The Greenford branch being cut off from Paddington is the problem.
Connecting it to Euston is the solution.

Well, the connections at West Ealing and Greenford aren't all that bad,
though of course worse than having a direct, if infrequent, train. Most pax
will be better off with a 4 tph shuttle than 2 tph direct to Paddington.

You're overstating the indirect aspect. Look at
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/reque...ions%20Map.pdf
and use a string or earphone cable to draw a straight line from North
Acton to, say, Kings Cross.