Train Chat

Thought I'd create a thread to discuss all things trains.

And start out by mentioning an update for the potential Croxley Rail link. I saw that the council is running another consultancy exercise, to find ways to revive the link https://www.theplanner.co.uk/news/team-appointed-to-explore-reopening-watford-to-croxley-link with results available in early 2023.

I imagine the council have realised that with the latest TFL funding restrictions, and the fact that Watford cannot vote in mayoral elections, means that they'll be getting no TFL money for some time (if ever) and will essentially need to fund nearly everything themselves. And the consultants will be hard at work, trying to avoid building the expensive viaduct.

 

Good idea for a thread, will observe with interest.

 

I hope this can be ressurected. The potential benefits to Watford increasing footfall to the city and making it easier to use as an alternate travel hub rather than going into central London to pick up overground services are vast.

It was nixed by Sadiq Khant, despite the huge amount already spent on it and grants secured.

IIRC he didn't see the financial or logistical benefits and wrongly assumed it would only offer an advantage to people living outside his voting area. I'm not sure that the extra government grants provided to build it were ever paid back either? His track record of financial management of TFL has been somewhat lacking and this was before the issues caused by the pandemic. I see another bailout has just been neogtiated.

To be honest I won't hold my breath as I think we have more important issues to spend capital on at the moment.

 

One of the major issues with the Croxley rail link is that Watford tube station will become redundant and disused. This means the Cassiobury estate houses lose value as they then don't have a (very) local tube station anymore.

Never
Going
To
Happen

 

I think there was a proposal to keep it as a branch operating a limited service and also utilise as a siding to keep them happy? But thre was a lot of negative opinions from those near to Watford Met which let's face it is really in the middle of nowhere. Not having the met line terminate in the Town is silly.

 

Not been on a train for a long time. I used to regularly do Warrington to Euston and that was a horrible grind. Even upgrading to a 1st class ticket on a sunday evening was no guarantee I could ever get into my coach let alone occupy my seat which invariably was covered in filth and spilt Irn Bru as it started it's journey in Scotchland.

I eventually gave up as it became cheaper and more comfortable to drive and given the faff getting back out from Euston was actually quicker all in.

Whatever that say about the merits of HS2 there were serious capaticty issues on that line.

 

I'd like to think the number of people and businesses who would benefit from it, will outweigh the political clout of an additional 5 minute walk for those on the Cassiobury estate.

You'd end up vastly extending the number of people who would visit the town from Pinner - Amersham (and maybe further out), which would be a massive boost to businesses (including our club).

You'd also greatly increase access to the hospital/ health campus, and reduce ringroad/ hospital traffic/parking, which will meet a whole load of govt metrics/ priorities. I'd say it's inevitable, as long as funding doesn't rely on TFL.

 

The 17:17 to London Euston.
Phwaorrrr

 

Rail strike announced for 8th October (Blackpool away).

 

I'm a huge fan of HS2, but skimping around the edges (and trying to appease northern Tory MPs) is going to hugely limit its use.

Without creating high speed rail all the way to Scotland, you're not going to significantly reduce flights. And building over, rather than under, Manchester, is probably going to massively stunt their cities future growth.

 

I once found myself alone in the waiting room at Warrington Bank Quay station with a transvestite with a prosthetic hand.

 

We could do with a direct train from Watford to Yorkshire!

Currently it's train in to St Pancras, short hop to Euston and back up again or out to Birmingham and in to Watford but those Brum to Watford trains never seem to come up on national rail enquiries.

Both methods are still 2 and a half to 3 hours with waits for connecting trains.

Direct train would be under 2 hours! Sort it out Watford!

Annoyingly there is a direct train to them filthy lot up the road.

 

That was you?

 

During the lockdowns I became strangely addicted to these two bits of train phobia stuff…

http://railcam.uk/

https://youtube.com/channel/UC8LH7xMAyCSqpClAvTHwJRw

 

FFS, there goes my morning!

 

Worlds longest passenger train rolls through Alps: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-europe-63442530

At 1.2 miles long that's a hell of a trip to the buffet car.

 

How did you find out?

 

It created a static charge after being vigorously rubbed against Lloyd’s trousers.

 

At least it was static, I suppose.

 

So after the disaster that was the EMR delays both ways on the way to last Saturday's game, I now see there are planned strikes this weekend so more rubbish having to find alternative routes and ways to get to the game.

State of the railway companies in this country man.

 

You could use the Snorbens Flyer to start your journey.

 

The station platforms have signs that say “Warrington Bank Quay”

 

I thought this would be about Ray.

 

Some interesting information about the Ruislip ghost train bit late for Halloween soz.

https://www.ruislip.co.uk/ruislip-ghost-train

 

I see. So the transvestite used his prosthetic hand to point them out?

 

We will always have Warrington .