The Elizabeth Line
Discussion
Why is it so bad?
I've used it 4 times in total. Every time it has severe signaling issues that despite being ongoing are not mentioned on the status signs or when one board the train, maybe that's unique to CW. I have used it from CW into the City and central London only. i know this is a trifling sample, but friends and colleagues report similar issues and to rely on it to get to Heathrow is a massive gamble. And why in this day and age do drivers still say they cannot contact the signalers/control/no response - i assume that's just a line from their excuse playbook and not really the truth?
Last night i lost my table at a Soho cocktail lounge because of its crappiness and lack of warning of delays.
Given its should be brand spanking new with innovative high tech systems how can it be so bad.
Or is that the issue - its too advanced and gremlins never been use tested?
edit for spelling
I've used it 4 times in total. Every time it has severe signaling issues that despite being ongoing are not mentioned on the status signs or when one board the train, maybe that's unique to CW. I have used it from CW into the City and central London only. i know this is a trifling sample, but friends and colleagues report similar issues and to rely on it to get to Heathrow is a massive gamble. And why in this day and age do drivers still say they cannot contact the signalers/control/no response - i assume that's just a line from their excuse playbook and not really the truth?
Last night i lost my table at a Soho cocktail lounge because of its crappiness and lack of warning of delays.
Given its should be brand spanking new with innovative high tech systems how can it be so bad.
Or is that the issue - its too advanced and gremlins never been use tested?
edit for spelling
Edited by theplayingmantis on Friday 19th September 14:07
I have used it from Paddington to TCR or Bank and back dozens of times. Never had an issue and it sure beats Bakerloo/Central (my route) before it existed.
It can get really busy in the mornings at Padd, trains that have run in from the west can be full by time they arrive, but every third or fourth one must have just been turned around (so to speak) as it will be empty so just a case of waiting a few mins
It can get really busy in the mornings at Padd, trains that have run in from the west can be full by time they arrive, but every third or fourth one must have just been turned around (so to speak) as it will be empty so just a case of waiting a few mins
Can't immediately see the overall report but I recall it was ranked bottom in London for reliability recently. Just in relation to the rolling stock, built by Alstom, Derby:
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/elizabet...
The Elizabeth line’s £1billion fleet of trains is well below average in terms of reliability, a detailed analysis of UK rolling stock has revealed.
The 70 nine-carriage trains were ranked 26th best out of 38 different types of trains in use across the country, with an average of 5,732 miles between developing faults.
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/elizabet...
The Elizabeth line’s £1billion fleet of trains is well below average in terms of reliability, a detailed analysis of UK rolling stock has revealed.
The 70 nine-carriage trains were ranked 26th best out of 38 different types of trains in use across the country, with an average of 5,732 miles between developing faults.
Never had an issue, handy and has always worked well for me. Has made getting into and across town from Paddington so much easier. I happened to need to use it on the day it opened to the public and thought it was amazing. It had only been open an hour and there were purple tabard-wearing guides everywhere.
Simpo Two said:
theplayingmantis said:
Given its should be brand spanking new with innovative high tech systems how can it be so bad.
Or is that the issue - its too advanced and gremlins never been use tested?
Bingo. What we need is some Victorians and some coal. That worked.Or is that the issue - its too advanced and gremlins never been use tested?
I ca't get the link upthread to open but I think the EL suffers from being expected to act like an London Underground service but being measured as a Heavy Rail service (which is what it is)
In another report I found it was the worst for cancellations (9%) and XC was next at 7%. The impact of an XC train being cancelled is massive, been there done that (wait an hour for another one, no chance of a seat when it gets to you). EL, wait 10 mins in most cases. I think it's possible they just cancel a service, rather than have multiple trains running late instead as due to the frequency, there is no way to catch up. On the underground, in the main if a service doesn't run, 15 mins later it's forgotten about.
In another report I found it was the worst for cancellations (9%) and XC was next at 7%. The impact of an XC train being cancelled is massive, been there done that (wait an hour for another one, no chance of a seat when it gets to you). EL, wait 10 mins in most cases. I think it's possible they just cancel a service, rather than have multiple trains running late instead as due to the frequency, there is no way to catch up. On the underground, in the main if a service doesn't run, 15 mins later it's forgotten about.
I use it a couple of times a month either from West end to the City or West End to Paddington and it’s usually fairly reliable.
If there are signalling issues then drivers will have issues speaking to the signaller. There are a lot more drivers of trains out on the network than signallers. If it’s all gone wrong lots of drivers will be trying to contact the signaller at the same time.
If there are signalling issues then drivers will have issues speaking to the signaller. There are a lot more drivers of trains out on the network than signallers. If it’s all gone wrong lots of drivers will be trying to contact the signaller at the same time.
LastPoster said:
I have used it from Paddington to TCR or Bank and back dozens of times. Never had an issue and it sure beats Bakerloo/Central (my route) before it existed.
It can get really busy in the mornings at Padd, trains that have run in from the west can be full by time they arrive, but every third or fourth one must have just been turned around (so to speak) as it will be empty so just a case of waiting a few mins
I think Central runs better than the suburbs and run when there is problems further out, It can get really busy in the mornings at Padd, trains that have run in from the west can be full by time they arrive, but every third or fourth one must have just been turned around (so to speak) as it will be empty so just a case of waiting a few mins
Ever wondered why London City Airport did not get a station? It was planned, but LCY were strong opponents of it, backed by the council, so they scrapped it, begging for it now though.
The thinking was Heathrow being easier to get to would take passengers away, it is now lol.
Because it’s only brand spanking new in the central core. From Shenfield to Stratford and Paddington to Reading it’s all on aging existing infrastructure with a legacy signalling system which then has to migrate to an ATO system once it gets on the new bit and then back again once it gets to the other end.
The trains are 345s which are a generally proven stock but *I think* this is the first time they’ve been used in an semi-automated environment within the central core so I guess a few teething issues will continue to rear their heads from time to time.
Good thing is is that it will continue to improve as time goes by as these kinks continue to be worked out.
The trains are 345s which are a generally proven stock but *I think* this is the first time they’ve been used in an semi-automated environment within the central core so I guess a few teething issues will continue to rear their heads from time to time.
Good thing is is that it will continue to improve as time goes by as these kinks continue to be worked out.
wiggy001 said:
Maybe one for the "things that annoy you beyond reason" thread, but why on all the maps and signage is it "Elizabeth Line"? No other line has the word "Line" in it's name which leads me to call it the "Elizabeth Line Line".
Or "Lizzie Line" like everyone else
The new Overground lines are signed as "Weaver Line" for example. Like the EL they are rail lines not underground linesOr "Lizzie Line" like everyone else
wiggy001 said:
Maybe one for the "things that annoy you beyond reason" thread, but why on all the maps and signage is it "Elizabeth Line"? No other line has the word "Line" in it's name which leads me to call it the "Elizabeth Line Line".
Or "Lizzie Line" like everyone else
It's a tautology, and another good example is on the new northern line extension at "Battersea Power Station" station.Or "Lizzie Line" like everyone else
Mandat said:
wiggy001 said:
Maybe one for the "things that annoy you beyond reason" thread, but why on all the maps and signage is it "Elizabeth Line"? No other line has the word "Line" in it's name which leads me to call it the "Elizabeth Line Line".
Or "Lizzie Line" like everyone else
It's a tautology, and another good example is on the new northern line extension at "Battersea Power Station" station.Or "Lizzie Line" like everyone else
'Elizabeth Line' makes sense to me as it's all mixed up with the underground like Central Line, Northern Line, Victoria Line etc etc. You don't have to call it 'Elizabeth Line line'.
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