Paul Scott wrote:
Just had a look at the website: http://www.ellp.co.uk/index.htm

It doesn't appear to have changed much in the last few months, has there
been any signs of real activity on the ground yet? Always seems to be a
vastly overpriced project to me, especially the phase 1 stuff.

Which NR TOC will be absorbing the line into its empire, has this been
formally decided yet?

Not decided, but a new franchise may be created, absorbing Silverlink's
Metro services (whether that includes Watford locals is uncertain). Such
a franchise would be under strict control of TfL, in a similar way to
Serco's DLR operations.

Are SWT's 458s confirmed as destined for this service - or is this just
rumoured?

Rumoured. No particularly stock is definitely destined for it yet.

There is a mention that extending towards Clapham Junction will help with a
'future orbital rail project', presumably this will mean reversal at CJ and
up via Kensington Olympia etc? Does the track layout at CJ allow for this
eventuality without huge changes?

As another poster said, the platforms would be adjacent; however,
whether services actually run through from Wandsworth Road - CJ -
Imperial Wharf (& v.v.) is debatable; for reliability's sake, an
Orbirail service may just operate CJ - Willesden - Dalston - Peckham -
CJ and return. The Circle line is an indicator that circular routes
crossing a variety of junctions perform poorly, as without a proper
terminus it is difficult for them to regain lost time.

--
Dave Arquati
Imperial College, SW7
www.alwaystouchout.com - Transport projects in London