A weekly round-up of London’s rail transport news…
London Underground
Digital twin startup Spinview to map London Underground for tube faults UKTN
RMT confirms new wave of strike action by Tube drivers over imposition of rosters Morning Star
Green Park tube station renamed Green Planet for a BBC TV promo ianVisits
Let’s investigate three more maps released by TfL in advance of the imminent closure of the Bank branch of the Northern line. Diamond Geezer
Elizabeth line / Crossrail
The cost of closing down Crossrail construction sites during the first Covid-enforced lockdown in Spring 2020 amounted to £13M, it has emerged. NCE (£)
The Elizabeth line could gain an additional station near Twyford in Berkshire, if a large housing development next to the railway gets approval to be built. ianVisits
Crossrail wage bill shrinks as bosses forgo lofty bonuses NCE (£)
The Crossrail project is pushing hard to open the new Elizabeth line by the end of March, although there is a warning that this could delay some of the later phases of completing the line. ianVisits
Mainline / Overground
Passengers experienced severe delays on Southeastern Railway and Thameslink services [on Thursday] morning after the derailment of a freight train at Hoo Junction. Independent
Freight train derails between Gravesend and Strood causing delays to high-speed St Pancras route KentLive
Rail cuts extend across Britain as train passenger numbers slump Independent
Confusion over future of Beam Park station in East London ianVisits
Greater Anglia train times: Operator introduces a Sunday-style timetable to weekdays Cambridge News
The rail industry can ill-afford a spiral of decline thanks to Covid Independent (£)
GWR train services cancelled amid increase in Covid cases BBC News
Miscellaneous
A priest who caused massive disruption by climbing on top of a train to highlight climate crisis told a court: “We’ve tried everything else”. Independent
A Tube passenger accused of assaulting a commuter was unable to attend court because he is living in France. Courtnews (£)
An alleged graffiti vandal linked with more than £500,000 worth of damage to trains and railway stations has been arrested. Bexhill Observer
Snakes on a plane? Tarantula found on a train at London Bridge station CityAM
Face masks: 1,552 people fined for not wearing coverings on London public transport since rules reintroduced iNews
Meet Tom Sargent: The Cardiff Uni student and ‘voice of the trains’ on TikTok The Tab
Manhunt launched following homophobic attack on train in East Croydon Standard
TfL finance chief quits post amid financial turmoil for the London transport body CityAM
And finally: A look inside an abandoned tube station has been revealed and it’s yours to hire out for £3000 an hour. The Mirror
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The image above is from Jan 2012: Photos from behind the hoardings at Blackfriars Station