"Bob" wrote in message
oups.com...

....... - Crossrail has unlike Thameslink not been designed
as an equivalent RER but merely a full gauge fast tube.- Hide quoted
text -

I'm not sure this view is correct. Surely the way Crossrail trains will be
sharing tracks on existing routes to Maidenhead, Shenfield and Abbey Wood,
is just like Thameslink; the only main difference is their central London
tunnel will be new, not secondhand...

By the way for those who don't feel they
are part of London the Government is to allow the Mayor and TfL to
increase or decrease service levels on trains outside the London
boundary. No doubt some contributor can draw the boundaries of this
influence - on Thameslink/FCC IIRC I think this will extend to Saint
Albans.

No need to guess, the boundaries of TfL's influence were published on the
DfT website, 'line by line', a couple of weeks ago; including the services
to St Albans as you mentioned.

They don't allow TfL to increase or decrease services unilaterally, though,
but as follows:

"The changes I have announced today will allow TfL to propose and pay for
improvements on some key commuter services that start or end just outside
the GLA boundary. At the same time the new arrangements make sure the
interests of passengers from just outside London are protected by their own
elected representatives."

http://tinyurl.com/2fen9r

I was looking at another forum last week where someone reckoned Ken had been
given the listed network as part of London Rail - amazing how people can
read too much into these announcements...

Paul S