Transport for London has released an update on the Gospel Oak to Barking train upgrade, which has been delayed recently.
Unfortunately, the new Class 710 trains are still not yet ready for passenger service as software development continues but initial driver familiarisation has begun
However, from Monday 18 March, services on the London Overground Gospel Oak to Barking line will operate at 30 minute intervals with three four-car electric trains.
This is because the new trains are not yet ready, and the last diesel trains being used on the line need to be released for use elsewhere in the country.
The new trains were due to be in service last year, however, Bombardier, the train manufacturer, are continuing to solve software issues and complete mileage testing before they can be certified and handed over for passenger use.
Currently, the service is being provided by two car diesel trains and four car electric trains that usually run on other London Overground lines.
TfL has twice extended the lease on the diesel trains since last summer but they now need to be released. This means only three four-car trains will be available for use and a reduced frequency will temporarily be in place.
Trains will service stations at regular 30 minute intervals and by using the four-car electric trains, overall capacity on the line will remain the same as at the beginning of the year.
What did the officials say?
Jon Fox, TfL's Director of Rail and Sponsored Services, said:
‘We are very sorry for the continuing delay to the introduction of the new fleet of electric trains on the Gospel Oak to Barking line and share our customers' frustration.
‘The manufacturer continue to solve software issues and we hope that driver training will start in earnest soon, which will bring us an important step closer to introducing the new trains.
‘Regrettably, despite our efforts, we need to release the last three diesel trains currently being used on the line. So from Monday 18 March we will need to temporarily reduce the weekday service to a half-hourly service.
‘Despite the reduction in frequency, by continuing to use the modified four-car trains overall capacity will remain the same.
‘We strongly advise customers to check before they travel and re-time their journeys where possible to avoid disruption.
‘We are providing detailed station-by-station travel advice on our website and station staff will have up-to-the-minute information to help customers plan their journeys.'
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Surly London Overground should of transfer some of their Class 317 trains to be used on the Gospel Oak-Barking Line as hired stop gap units for short while that could boost the service on the GOBLIN Line and to improve the struggling line with these trains. Before the Class 710 trains are due to start service in late Spring or summer. Or fall this year depending on if the problems with the trains software has been fixed and some of the Class 710 trains have already arrived at Willesden TMD and are on test runs on the GOBLIN Line and on the Lea Valley lines. Which might give a indication of London Overground might start introducing their new Class 710 units in passenger service from April or May or in Summer (June, July or August).
TfL, Bombardier and London Overground have caused such misery since Bombardier who are continuing building the new trains that London wants. Perhaps keeping the older trains and cascade them next year once the new trains are in service. I have to say this problem will keep on going until Bombardier does sort the problems out. But Bombardier are still continuing to manufacture new Aventra EMU trains including Class 720 Greater Anglia, Class 711 c2c, Class 701 South Western Railway and Class 730 West Midlands Trains. And Bi-mode Aventra trains for East Midlands Trains.
If TfL didn’t ask Bombardier to build the Class 710. Perhaps Siemens, Stadler, CAF or Alstom to build new trains for London Overground and Bombardier to continue building the Class 345 trains for Crossrail. And new trains for other rail operators that have ordered Bombardier to manufacture the new trains.
What the fuck is your problem TfL?! I am now going to start crying for the brand new 710 trains to enter service because it’s never going to happen in a million years and the old and smelly 315 / 317s have got to go forever!!!! 😭😭😭🤧🤧🤧🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️
Why don’t they just borrow some older stock from other operators, like TfL Rail? The rolling stock destined for the scrapyard should be given another lease of life as a stopgap in this shortfall. Where’s common sense in this world?!