"Jonn Elledge" wrote in message ...
More useful, is it possible to send CrossRail through the CTRL link
from Stratford to Ebbsfleet?


Why? The point of the Ebbsfleet branch is surely not to link Ebbsfleet to
Crossrail, but to connect the Isle of Dogs, Royal Docks and other more
populated parts of North Kent.

Thinking about this, I now agree - forget running CrossRail trains
through the CTRL. But what domestic services should be run through the
CTRL from 2007? After all, operators should start to order rolling
stock about now.

CTRL capacity is 16 tph. CTRL say there'll be capacity for 8 Eurostar
tph, but at present they can't fill three, so I reckon there could be
8 to 12 domestic trains per hour running each way from St Pancras to
Ebbsfleet. These could in theory be 16 cars long. Where should they
go?

Here's my thoughts. Assuming dual voltage trains that can run off
overhead or third rail:

1. 4 tph from Ebbsfleet to Chatham via Strood, where the train would
divide, with half going to Dover Priory and the other half to
Ramsgate. This would require a link to Dartford - Chatham line at
Ebbsfleet, and I suspect a lengthening of platforms at Chatham.
Without the link, I'd run the regional services as far as Dartford,
and accept (a) lots of changing at Swanscombe / Ebbsfleet, and (b)
running lots of half empty trains to Ashford.

2. 4 tph using the CTRL phase 1 to Ashford. There the train would
divide into three, with sections going to Hastins via Rye; to Margate
via Dover Priory; to Ramsgate via Rye.

3. 2 tph going to Tonbridge via Strood, Maidstone West and Paddock
Wood. (Tonbridge to London would still be faster via Sevenoaks)

4. A few Intercity Services, such as Ashford, Ebbsfleet, Stratford,
Watford Junction, Milton Keynes and beyond.

This would provide faster, more comfortable and reliable services into
London for most of East Kent. Once CrossRail comes on stream, many
commuters would change to CrossRail at Ebbsfleet or Stratford. Until
then, this would put extra strain on Stratford to London services
(overground and underground) - though perhaps improved bus links from
Stratford could help.

Services from East Kent (beyond Ashford and Chatham) to London Bridge
would be curtailed (there would still be stopping services from
Ashford and Ebbsfleet), and the capacity freed up would be improve the
Hastings via Tunbridge Wells service, as well as local SE London
services.

Any thoughts?