On Oct 26, 8:07*am, "Peter Masson" wrote:
It could be done, but sounds disruptive and/or expensive. But what's the
point? There's no need for passenger trains to be able to overtake each
other on the WLL. There is occasionally a need to recess a freight to match
a path on the next stage of its journey. In many cases this can be done at
Willesden/Wembley, or between Culvert Road and Latchmere Junctions (even
when ELLX gets to Clapham Junction). The existing through line at Kensington
Olympia can be used in both directions.

True, but keep in mind that the narrow platforms at Shepherd's Bush
will eventually become a problem if the Westfield development
eventually reaches full utilization. IMHO there will eventually be a
need to substantially increase the local service on the WLL to better
serve Shepherd's Bush, and the restoration of the up loop at Kenny O
will make it substantially easier to path a frequent local passenger
service. Also keep in mind the clientele at Imperial Wharf station -
the people living near that station are likely to have an interest in
the higher-end shops at Westfield, and that will add a lot of local
traffic too.

There is also the fact that the WLL is still a good cross-London link
between the former Southern Region and the former Western and London
Midland (:P) Regions. Just because there's no XC link right now
doesn't mean that a new service, serving Shepherd's Bush, won't be
eventually restored.

If more flexibility is needed the pointwork at each end of Kensington Olympia
could be relaid to reduce conflicts between up and down train (at present a
southbound train using the through line conflicts with a northbound train at,
IIRC, both ends of the station). Or a new goods loop could be provided south
of the station.

You would need to add two additional crossovers on the inside of the
platform loop turnouts to accomplish that, and IMHO that would be
almost as good as restoring the up loop.