A weekly round-up of London’s rail transport news…
London Underground
VIP-Polymers has manufactured a ground-breaking new low smoke and low toxicity natural rubber matting system for use on the London Underground. British Plastics
How many tube stations are there? Diamond Geezer
London Underground engineers have completed their biggest test to date of brand new signalling that will see more trains able to run closer together in the future. IanVisits
Horrible Holborn: When Postponement Is Not An Option London Reconnections
Crossrail / Elizabeth line
More than 1,000 apprenticeships have now been created since the start of the Crossrail programme in 2009. Crossrail
A joint venture has been awarded a £20m contract to design and build a new workshop for London Underground’s train modification unit at its Acton Works depot. Construction Index
A few weeks ago a new document appeared on the TfL website, announcing the design rules that will apply to the new Elizabeth line signage. IanVisits
Mainline / Overground
The first of two tower cranes will be arriving at Twickenham Station on Christmas Day. Local Guardian
South Western Railway is to introduce longer trains from 11th December. Neigbournet
Rail passengers travelling to or from London Euston faced major disruption for hours on Sunday. BBC News
A train station near a famous art gallery has gained its own art display, courtesy of the local school. IanVisits
Plans to scrap quiet carriages on some London commuter lines have sparked fierce debate among passengers. Evening Standard
Man dies after being hit by a train at East Croydon ITV
Rail passengers were evacuated “very close to” live rails on a London Overground train BBC News
Sadiq Khan’s failure to guarantee a Boxing Day London Overground service branded “bitterly disappointing” Mayor Watch
Miscellaneous
Kew Gardens ticket office closure inspires sad poem: Farewell O’window Local Times
London railway upgrades – a progress report IanVisits
Two 16-year-olds have been arrested after a teenager was made to apologise for being gay during a London Underground attack. Sky News
And finally, settle in for perhaps the greatest transport ghost story of them all: Charles Dickens’ The Signalman. The Beauty of Transport
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Image above is from April 2013: In praise of Euston Railway Station
There was also a study called riding sunbeams, published on wednesday by Imperial College and the charity 10:10 showing that 15% of Southern Region Trains and 6% of London Underground Trains can be powered by community owned solar farms connected directly to the third rail. https://1010uk.org/articles/solar-freaking-railways-could-be-coming-to-a-station-near-you