A weekly round-up of London’s rail transport news…
London Underground
All Tube staff are to be balloted for strike action in an escalating row over the sacking of a ticket barrier worker following a fracas with an alleged fare dodger. Standard
TfL has announced an agreement to license its Tube logo and map for use on clothing, toys and homeware, amid pressure to find new sources of revenue. Bloomberg
According to the New York Times using London Underground is like “being dropped into an alternate universe where people actually like their subway”. NYTimes
Crossrail / Elizabeth Line
Crossrail 2 must be fast-tracked after the election for the sake of London’s future growth, business leaders said today. Standard
Transport for London contribute £1.1 million to the Abbey Wood Station works Local Times
Crossrail Trains Are Now Making Regular Appearances Ahead Of Schedule Gizmodo
The DfT is planning to set up a company to market the expertise in London’s east-west Crossrail project to an international audience. TransportXtra (£)
Take a look: Elizabeth Line platforms and tracks are complete at Abbey Wood station Local Times
Mainline/Overground
Transport campaigners are protesting to Southeastern about its failure to reinstate services to the frequency enjoyed before the Thameslink work at London Bridge began. Deptford Dame
Southern Rail strike: Commuter belt towns hit by walkouts see fall in house prices Standard
A “business case” for reopening Camberwell’s old railway station, produced by Transport for London, is due to be published in June. Southwark News
HS2 train seats will need to be larger to accommodate obese passengers, the network’s managing director has said. Telegraph
Miscellaneous
Damon Smith: Teenager who made bombs ‘because he was bored’ found guilty over Tube explosive Independent
A new study conducted by Deutsche Bank has revealed that Londoners pay £135 for a monthly travelcard which is the most expensive in the world. LLB
The stories of Croydon’s abandoned and forgotten train stations Croydon Advertiser
How many London stations aren’t served by bus? Diamond Geezer
And finally, Spoof version of John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’ pokes fun at Southern ITV
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The image above is from March 2009: The last Thameslink train from Moorgate
I hope Camberwell Station does get the go ahead to reopen. It would also be good to reinstate the station on the Old Kent Road. These two stations would greatly reduce the traffic volume in these localities. Brixton would complete the trio, but let’s not reach for the moon.