A weekly round-up of London’s rail transport news…
London Underground
Five new retail units will open in Canary Wharf station next spring Wharf
The greengrocer who runs the fruit stand at Kentish Town Tube station is celebrating after talks with TfL saved her business from closure. Camden New Journal
Croxley Rail Link: London Underground could take over construction of £230m project Watford Observer
Man seriously injured after fall from Canary Wharf Tube escalator Wharf
Underground bosses have admitted London’s new 24-hour tube will run at a loss for almost 20 years, according to union leaders. ITV
Crossrail
Bombardier has launched its new ‘Iron Bird’ integration test facility for the 65 new Aventra trains it is manufacturing for London’s Crossrail network. Global Rail News
Costain’s successful joint venture with Skanska is set to take the job to build a £50m passenger tunnel link at Paddington Station. Construction Enquirer
Mainline/Overground
Plans drawn up to rename East Croydon station as Croydon Central Local Guardian
A £10 million South Norwood bridge was inched into place over railway tracks as trains continued to run, in a Network Rail first last week Croydon Advertiser
First trip for Wrekin Giant as Shrewsbury’s rail link to London begins Shropshire Star
Miscellaneous
Erasure fan prompts London Underground singalong BBC News
TfL fails to find sponsor for free New Year’s Eve travel scheme Evening Standard
TfL is really proud of its new device: a stick Independent
A London banker has been banned from working in the financial services industry after he was caught dodging rail fares. AP
Pacers could be replaced by old London Underground trains, union claims Northern Echo
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The image above is from Feb 2014: New tube station for Regent Street
“Council bosses believe the new name [of Croydon Central], alongside existing plans to install two new platforms, could help position Croydon as the economic capital of south-east England.”
Riiight.