Gospel Oak-Barking
LONDON Overground put a modified Class 378/2 into traffic on the Gospel Oak-Barking line on January 28, allaying fears that there would not be enough trains for the service ( RAIL 871).
However, Transport for London has warned that changes may still need to be made to services on the route from mid-March, when the last of the trains currently used on the route leave for the West Midlands.
Eight two-car Class 172/0 diesel multiple units have been used on the line since 2010. They were due to transfer to West Midlands Trains last year, and be replaced by fourcar Class 710/2 electric multiple units built by Bombardier.
However, almost a year after the first ‘710’ was due to enter traffic, none has been accepted yet, with the manufacturer unable to supply a date for their introduction.
A deal was subsequently agreed for the ‘172s’ to be sub-leased to TfL, but to meet contractual needs all must have left by mid-March for overhauls and to be fitted with toilets. So far, three have left LO.
To cover for the departed ‘172s’, LO is reforming three five-car Class 378/2s by removing a vehicle. LO uses Class 378s elsewhere on its network, and these will be used on a contingency basis. A refurbishment programme that started last year has been paused, to ensure LO has sufficient trains to deliver a service across the city.
Meanwhile, mileage accumulation and modifications to the Train Control Management System (TCMS) continue with the seven Class 710/2s so far delivered to London.
TfL, along with Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and Deputy Mayor Transport Heidi Alexander, is pushing Bombardier to deliver a train as soon as possible, according to a statement released on January 25.
Following talks with Bombardier, Khan has secured a month’s free travel for passengers once the ‘710s’ are in traffic, although more details have not been released.
The next two ‘378s’ will be delivered before mid-March, with TfL warning that if the ‘710s’ are not ready then only the ‘378s’ will be used.
“This could mean the frequency of services would reduce, but overall capacity will stay the same or slightly increase as a result of using the larger trains,” it said.
“This would be a short-term measure until the new electric trains enter service, and will be thoroughly communicated to customers in advance.”
Jon Fox, TfL Director of Rail and Sponsored Services, said: “We share our customers’ frustration, and continue to push Bombardier to do everything it can to allow us to bring the new trains into service as soon as possible.”
Bombardier spokesman Will Tanner said: “We are completing the last few crucial software tests on the new trains, to first enable driver training to commence and then, shortly after, passenger service on the Gospel Oak to Barking line.
“In the interim, our service teams are working closely with TfL and with Arriva to deliver an enhanced maintenance programme for the existing fleet of diesel trains, and in modifying another Bombardier fleet of high-capacity electric trains to enable them to also operate on the line. Combined, these measures will ensure maximum reliability during this interim period.”