To find out what rail upgrades Transport for London (TfL) has carried out recently, a summary can be compiled from the latest reports from the Programs and Investments Committee.
The reports will be discussed at their meeting on Wednesday 26 June, but here is a summary of recent rail upgrades within TfL. This report covers the 4th quarter, which runs from December 10, 2023 to March 31, 2024.
Asset infographic (c) TfL
Lines
Central line
During the closure of the eastern end of the line in March, new signaling equipment was tested and commissioned to replace the aging signal room assets at Debden, Epping and Theydon Bois.
TfL is continuing work to stabilize the cut between Grange Hill and Chigwell stations, including strengthening the N31 footbridge and drainage works. The project is due to be completed on site by the end of June 2024.
DLR
Thirty of the planned 54 new DLR trains have been completed by the manufacturer in Spain.
However, the target date for the first of the new trains in service was delayed due to a problem encountered during integration testing. This does not affect the deadline for completing the fleet renewal.
Morgan Sindall has taken over work at Beckton depot following the collapse of the previous contractor and is building the new sidings needed for the extra trains.
Feasibility design and initial value engineering work for the new station at Thames Wharf has been completed and discussions are ongoing with the property developer.
Work on the remote public address system is now complete and migration is underway to bring the new system online
Elizabeth line
There has been some progress on the provision of level boarding at the future Old Oak Common, with the DfT supporting work on the HS2 Feasibility Study to explore track reductions.
Jubilee series
A grant from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Program will support heating upgrades at Neasden depot.
Since the beginning of the program, the refurbishment of the train wheels has experienced several problems, including inaccurate material estimates, staff shortages and quality problems.
The contract to repair cracks in the train’s undercarriage was awarded in March.
TfL is also progressing on schedule with work to upgrade outdated tunnel ventilation control panels and refurbish fans on the Southwark to Canning Town stair pressurization system and intermediate shafts. The overall ventilation program is due to be completed in September 2026.
Northern line
A grant from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme will support heating upgrades at Finchley Central’s signal depot.
London Overground
Work to strengthen the power supply on the Clapham Junction branch (which is managed by Network Rail) is due to be completed by the end of June 2024.
2,300 insulated rail feet are being replaced in the Thames Tunnel, with the first phase of work to be carried out over Christmas and March. Completion of the work is expected in March 2025
The final Class 710 train (Train 54) entered passenger service on 22 March 2024.
Piccadilly line
TfL remains on track to receive the first new train in late summer 2024 and to begin system integration testing on the Piccadilly line shortly after its arrival. The first passenger train will remain on the track for 2025.
New platform stop signs are being installed at all stations on the Piccadilly line for the new trains, while work continues to upgrade the high voltage power supply at Northfields and Cockfosters to support the increased power load at the train maintenance depots.
The three new turnouts at Northfields are substantially complete, while at Cockfosters depot site preparation and permitting work is underway for a new wheel turning facility and a building contract has been awarded.
The first of two new cabin simulators is being commissioned to begin operator training and installation arrangements are being finalised.
In January, 288 meters of gravel tracks (BTR) were restored across the Sudbury Town westbound platform.
Subsurface lines
On 26 December 2023, a train overshot the platform at Shepherd’s Bush Market by approximately 30 metres. The four line upgrade program and associated engineering team are supporting the ongoing investigation and liaising with Thales.
The signaling upgrade on the Finchley Road to Preston Road section of the Metropolitan line was tested over the weekend of 13-14 April 2024, with further testing planned for July 2024. This section is expected to be operational in early 2025 and the final section signaling (Rayners Lane to Uxbridge) to start in 2026.
The signal upgrade between Stepney Green and Upminster, which is now live, should improve average journey times by 5-10% after the timetable changes next year.
In March 2024, 195 meters of track was resurfaced between Kings Cross St Pancras and Farringdon and 189 meters between Gloucester Road and South Kensington.
Station
Battersea Power Station
Work on the installation of escalators at the west entrance should begin by August 2024.
Cutty Sark
Three escalators were renovated and returned to service.
East Ham Station
The wall on the north side of the station will be rebuilt later this year once party wall agreements are signed with the 28 properties that back onto the station.
The elephant and the castle
The contract for the tunnels between the new station box and the existing Northern Line platforms should be awarded in July.
The developer plans to hand over the station box by Q1 2025/26 as agreed – after which it will be fitted out by TfL.
North Acton Station
Funding has been secured to cover the cost of conceptual designs for step-free access to the station.
Kentish Town Station
The contractors completed the accessibility works and installed both new escalators, allowing the electrical installation work to begin. Renovation work has begun on the tiling of the platforms and the ceiling and floor of the tickets. The station is now due to reopen to the public in September 2024.
Knightsbridge
There are power capacity issues to meet the secondary power requirement for the new lifts and further work is required to remove heat from the tunnels. These delay the provision of free access to the station.
Manor Park
Work on the installation of tactile paving has been completed.
Marylebone Station
The final work on the Bostwick Gate and cladding as part of the escalator replacement works is due to be completed in July 2024.
Northolt station
Funding to provide seamless access to Northolt station in 2026 has been approved.
Paddington Station
Installation of cabling, services and finishes continues for the new Bakerloo line ticket hall and step-free access areas, ahead of opening in late summer 2024
South Kensington
Design work is underway for stepless access to the subsurface lines, which is provided within the superstructure. They are also exploring the possibility of including the Piccadilly line in stepless access.
Stratford
The new entrance next to the Jubilee line platforms, due to open in March, is now forecast to open in late June 2024. The delay was caused by unforeseen ground conditions and water intrusion.
A separate project is also being worked on with Network Rail to deliver a new customer lift connecting the Jubilee line concourse to the Western Tube.
Surrey Quays
For the modernization of the station, pilot works on platform two have now been completed and the drainage and platform are being installed. They will then commission Platform 1’s temporary secondary means of escape in August 2024 to support the installation of a bridging bridge connecting the two platforms.
West Ham
Work on the station’s new entrance, linking it to the housing development, has been suspended due to design and supply issues, but is expected to resume later this year.
West Hampstead
Funding has been secured to cover the cost of conceptual designs for step-free access to the station.
Recently upgraded and much brighter LED lighting at Leicester Square station (c) ianVisits