A weekly round-up of London’s rail transport news…
London Underground
Andrew Hunter is replacing London Underground’s antiquated systems with new technology that controls driverless trains. Guardian
Passengers were stranded on a tube for more than an hour after fire broke out on rail tracks. Wimbledon Guardian
A fashion consultant has returned to Hampstead to thank tube staff who rescued 20 passengers from a lift which has repeatedly broken down in recent weeks. London24
More trains per hour on the Central Line and longer opening hours on the Waterloo & City Press Release
Some archive photos of the London Underground being constructed. ITN
Crossrail
A village is expected to experience a housing boom when a new rail service opens. Bucks Examiner
A total of 43 major and ‘lost time’ injuries have so far been sustained on Crossrail construction sites since work began in 2009, with almost half of those occurring in 2012. Construction News
Mainline/Overground
Rail operator on Braford to London line asks for views on renewal of its contract. Telegraph & Argus
Siemens has awarded VolkerFitzpatrick a contract to design, build and commission two depots to maintain Thameslink train carriages. Railway Gazette
All five of the disused former Eurostar platforms at Waterloo Station could be used by domestic trains by 2019, under plans revealed this week. SE1
Contractor appointed to prepare London Overground network for longer trains Press Release
Guards on London Overgrond have voted to strike – in a row over plans to cut the post. LBC
SouthWestTrains wants to charge £189 for a weekly season ticket — but their mobile ticket machines cannot process sales above £100. Blog Rant
DLR
More DLR trains to run between Canary Wharf and Stratford by next spring Wharf
Miscellaneous
Crime on Britain’s railways continued its long term downward trend with a two per cent fall in notifiable offences in 2012/13. However, this year has seen a significant rise in theft of passenger property, up 16%, largely driven by rises in and around London. Press Release
The London Hyperloop: An Announcement from the Mayor of London’s Office Satire (Not entirely safe for work)
All 268 Tube ticket offices could be closed under “secret” London Underground plans, the TSSA transport union and Labour Party have warned. BBC News
Tube bosses have told thousands of staff that change is on the way and money must be saved “through smarter ways of working.” Evening Standard
The London Tube Map as Shared Public Diagram. History Spot
Iain Sinclair has a new book — following the 35-mile circumference of the London Overground railway, evoking his tour of the M25 motorway. The Bookseller
Ten UK designers and studios have created limited edition Oyster Card holders to celebrate this year’s London Design Festival and the Underground’s 150th birthday. Creative Review
Photo
The image above is from: Google celebrates the London Underground with a Doodle
“London Overground Guards Vote For Strike”
And what happens if TfL just carry on running the trains anyway? I’m sure nothing would be affected, since I don’t believe they’re currently involved with the running the trains anyway (i.e. shutting the doors as guards on many trains do). They could just tell them never to come back from the strike!
I thought that as well. Your bosses want to end your job so they don’t have to pay you, so your way of objecting is to stop doing your job thereby meaning you don’t get paid.