A weekly round-up of London’s rail transport news…
London Underground
The threat of Christmas strike chaos on the Tube increased today as 1,600 ticket staff prepared to ballot for industrial action in protest over assaults by passengers. Standard
An innovative new technique will be used to reduce noise from the Tube between Woodford and South Woodford, the Mayor of London has stated. Illford Recorder
Man ‘threatened to stab Tube worker in the neck’ at Belsize Park underground station Standard
Minding the gap, blind. Traversing the London Underground guided by Bluetooth beacons. Ars Technica
Scotland Yard has launched a counter-terror investigation following the discovery of a “suspicious item” on a London underground tube. Telegraph
Investigations into South Kensington Tube staff assault continue as man rebailed Get West London
Crossrail / Elizabeth Line
Now that the tunnels are finished, Crossrail is into the fit-out phase Construction Index
Network Rail has revealed a first look at the new Crossrail station proposed for Ilford. New Civil Engineer
Crossrail lorry driver threatens to run down workers Construction Enquirer
How’s the Crossrail site looking at Shenfield station? Essex Live
Threat to Tooting Market from Crossrail 2 ventilation shaft plans SLP
Mainline/Overground
London mayor presents business case for devolution of suburban rail services to TfL from franchise owners such as Southern The Guardian
A pub landlord has been sleeping in his car for months after being made homeless by the High Speed 2 rail scheme. Camden New Journal
HS2 – Euston Express can save Government £4 bn and 10 years of construction. Lords of the Blog
Police are appealing for information to catch a man who set off a firework inside of Harlesden train station. Local Times
His bags packed by the door, war hero died fearing HS2 home eviction Camden New Journal
Londoners’ safety on Overground trains has improved. Customer satisfaction with the Overground has fallen, however, East London Lines
A rail union has suspended a strike date on Southern services after a request from the British Legion. Bognor
A small windswept train station in the middle of an industrial estate that sees hardly any trains stopping could soon become considerably busier thanks to a local development. IanVisits
DLR
Disabled woman slams ‘insulting’ lift closures on DLR Newham Recorder
Miscellaneous
A company which makes equipment for trains is celebrating the opening of a base in Edmonton. Enfield Gazette
The Guardian misled its readers by treating a “gonzo news release” about Jeremy Corbyn sitting on the floor of a train as a piece of journalism, Press Gazette
And finally, a look at the inconsistent use of next train indicators on the London Underground. Diamond Geezer
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The image above is from Sept 2011: A mysterious structure in the Vaults under London Bridge train station