Rob_Morel

This page contains a timeline ,more dates will be added as I get the time.

November 1976 Midland Suburban Electrification (MSE) announced,£153 Million, Bedford to St Pancras & Moorgate.

19 June 1978 Harper Lane aggregate depot opens at Radlett 5 coach special headed by 47 529 runs St Pancras-Loughborough-Radlett

12 Jan 1981 - Bedford to Luton Hoo overhead line energised.

March 1981 - Class 315 units used for driver training Bedford to Luton (315 807 from Ilford)

21 April 1982 - 45 138 works combined LHCS/Cartic special from Luton Crescent Road - Bathgate

May 1982 - New timetable with electric services due to start but trade union opposition to single manning prevents this.

48 x 4 car class 317 electric units under construction at BREL York (Trailer cars at BREL Derby Litchurch Lane) 317 301 - 317 348

October 1982 - 13 loco hauled services converted to High Speed Train operation

18 April 1983 start of electric services Bedford to St Pancras, 3 up and 4 down services, first is 07:45 from Bedford 317 301 and 335

28 May 1983 47 535 working ecs Cricklewood to Luton rear ends 06:05 St Pancras to Bedford DMU at Luton down slow platform.

24 June 1983 - 86229 named 'Sir John Betjeman' at St Pancras then works under own power with LHCS to/from Bedford.

11 July 1983 Bedford to Moorgate ready for electrics

September 1983, cracks found on crossbeams supporting transformers on 23 of the 48 units motor coaches.

September 1983 8 x 313 3car units (313 004-007,009,010,012 and 013 from HE Hornsey and 313 034,035,038 from CC Clacton

sent to cover in addition to class 127 DMU and loco hauled coaching stock.

XX 1983 driving car 77048 from 317 301(yet to operate in public use) badly damaged in shunting collision at CW.

29/30 October 1983 317 335 towed to Ayr,Scotland for display.

03 March 1986- Luton flyer rail /bus link Luton central-Luton Airport starts,Leyland Nationals in dedicated livery.

16 June 1986 - 775 metres of double track to be laid in snow hill tunnel (1866 London Chatham and Dover Railway extension from Herne Hill to Farringdon) to restore cross London service closed with last freight train operating in 1969 and track lifted in 1971.

02 September 1987 - 319 002 formally accepted in ceremony at BREL York Works

22 October 1987 - on test 319 001 runs into Snow Hill Tunnel from the sou th.

10 May 1987 - CW Cricklewood TMD closes for diesel maintenance

01 Dec 1987 319 005 works 1st revenue trip St Pancras - Luton extra PM Peak service

16 May 1988 - cross London service ready for use through Snow Hill tunnel

28 May 1988- 309 618 'clacton' emu runs between St Pancras & Bedford in connection with Bedford River Festival link

28 June 1988 - Forders Siding to Cricklewood empty "Binliner" container waste train suffers major wagon failure at St Albans up slow

In collison with 20:32 Three Bridges to Bedford electric unit.

28 October 1988 - 31 202 and 31 226 run away driverless at Cricklewood depot crashing onto North Circular Road at Staples Corner

October 1988 - Yorkshire TPO runs St Pancras-Newcastle via Derby connecting with Bristol-Newcastle service

April 1989 -Railfreight exhibition at former Cricklewood depot.

21 May 1989 -Intercity Diesel Day based on St Pancras to Leicester route.

22 January 1991 85 101 works engineers service Belsize Tunnel area following withdrawl from WCML role, AC loco requested as Tunnel environment unsuitable for diesel fumes

3 Febuary 1989 45 106 catches fire on 1C15 07:12 Derby-St Pancras LHCS,in the Hendon area,withdrawn on Feb 20th. Assisted by97 472 ex W'boro

25 February 1991 terrorist Incident- bomb explodes on Down Fast at Napsbury Lane St Albans,No Injuries but several sleepers and rail destroyed

20 August 1991 - 47 594 and stock arrive at St Pancras to Launch new Rail Express Systems, new name for parcels sector.

12 October 1991 - WCML services diverted Nuneaton-Wigston -Bedford dragged by Diesels,then electics pan up to/from St Pancras.

14 June 1992 Class 50 D400 & 50 007 work a diverted charter into St Pancras

Christmas 1992/1993 - Burning car tyre thrown onto roof of Kentish Town signal interlocking building-hand signalling introduced whilst repaired

19 February 1994, DMU visits Harper Lane stone loop & St Albans centre siding on BLS Railtour "TheRadlett Roundabout"

26 May 1995 Last run of Yorkshire TPO St Pancras-Newcastle.

22 September 1995 47 849 works final loco hauled (1C05) 06:25 Derby-St Pancras and (1E62) 17:20 return.

17/18 November 1995 47 501 cover various Nottingham-St Pancras diagrams due to shortage of HSTs.

29 April 1996 73 205 & 73 210 top&tail a 5 car Gatwick Express set into St Pancras for launch event

07 May 1996 Cricklewood recess sidings closed (see 2016)

20 July 1997 engineers train derails at Cricklewood link here

17 September 1997 - 47 627 works exhibition train into St Pancras loco and stock in 'Celebrations'livery

25 November 1999 - Luton Airport Parkway station opens - but still a bus link to Airport (see 03 March 1986).

Summer 2002- 47 703 & 47 709 work daily Nottingham-St Pancras - Sheffield LHCS service, 47 712 & 47 488 also feature

11 October 2002- last LHCS (1F48) St Pancras - Sheffield (47 703)

08 April 2004 45 112 runs 10:37 St Pancras - Leicester & 13:22 return to mark closure of St Pancras for redevelopment

01 April 2006 First Group operate combined Thameslink (& Great Northern) Franchise (eventually given up Sept 14 2014- just over 8 years)

19 July 2007 - freight train 'runaway' at Camden Road tunnel - link here

09 December 2007 King's Cross Thameslink closes

20 March 2009 Moorgate & Barbican Close

11 September 2010- 319 derails on trap point at St Albans centre siding whilst reversing south to north.

15 May 2011- steam loco 34067 'Tangmere' works a London St Pancras (plat 2) to Canterbury West Charter (via Cricklewood),37 516 brings the ecs

26 May 2011 (Thursday pm peak) 8 Car 377 (1W95) stalls in the tunnels on down Moorgate whilst full & standing.

26 September 2011 - bi directional signalling introduced Dock Junction- Clerkenwell Tunnels (phase 1).

07 November 2011 - bi directional signalling introduced Clerkenwell Tunnels-City Thameslink (phase 2).

11 November 2011 - afternoon signal system failure Cricklewood-Radlett affects all lines

14 November 2011 - new footbridge opens at West Hampstead with new entrance

12 December 2011 - introduction of 12 car class 377s between Bedford & Brighton, 3 x 377/2 on loan from Southern help out - (207/211/212)

these three units make a 12 car with FCCvinyls replacing Southern green livery -but these can not operate with 377/5 due to software issues

23 December 2011 northbound 8 car looses pantograph between Farringdon & Kings Cross Thameslink (closed) causing evening delays

16 January 2012 power failure to signalling supply between Farringdon & Kentish Town during evening peak

05 February 2012 377 522 derails on hand points entering Bedford Carr Sidings during "heavy" snow

08 March 2012 lunchtime - tree falls on fast lines at St Albans North from external property

27 March 2012 early morning power failure to signalling supply at Flitwick affects morning peak.

10 April 2012 (Tuesday) PoSa Signalling commisioned between Dock Junction North & Farringdon

April > June 2012 Leagrave Junction to be renewed, new pointwork with concrete bearers over a series of weekend/bank holiday possessions.but several delays causes project to fall behind

23 May 2012 almost a year since the incident , RAIB publish report on 26 May 2011 incident with train 1W95

report here> http://www.raib.gov.uk/latest_news/120523_pn_kentish_town.cfm

25 May 2012 Overhead Lines down between Harpenden & St Albans affecting slow lines through evening peak.

08 June 2012 up service hits fallen tree on approach to Kentish Town, unit stalled 40 customers evacuated onto rescue train

17 June 2012 single line working Flitwick Jcn -Luton North Junction, up trains over down fast, buses replace down trains St Albans -Bedford whilst new switches & crossings installed at Leagrave junction where 3 of 4 lines shut.

01 July 2012 5 car EMT meridian works 125mph test train Sharnbrook to Flitwick as part of line speed improvement scheme

16 July 2012 £500 Million Electrification plan North from Bedford announced (to Sheffield via Derby, stubs to Nottingham and Corby)

24 July 2012 70 015 becomes 1st class 70 suth of Bedford working 6L87/6M90

24/25 July 2012 overnight cable theft at Elstow disables Bedford signal Interlocking

27 July -12 August 2012 combined maintenance/operations teams stand-by at ALL junctions to ensure fast response to any incident affecting Olympic flow

31 July 2012 67016 & 67020 top/tail 8 Mk2 coaches on 1Z24 02:00 St Pancras to Derby Olympic relief - but runs (5Z24) empty to Toton - not required.

September 2012 High Output Ballast cleaning starts on the slow lines

November 2012 Work starts on Cricklewood sidings upgrade - longer sidings for 12 car stabling,CET emptying and better security & lighting.

06 December 2012 Afternoon disruption after person hit by train at Westoning

12/12/12 Security Incident at Bedford disrupts evening peak- one person arrested,affected unit moved to sidings for Bomb Squad attention.

19-20 December 2012 Strike by RMT signallers and Shift Signaller Manager/ssm/ (from 07:00 Wed-06:59 Fri) at West Hampstead Signal Box.

24-27 December 2012 Cricklewood Maintenance Ground Frame removed and repaced by new points controlled by WH Psb

26 December 2012 After formal closure notice issued for Ampthill foot crossing - new footbridge craned into place as part of linespeed enhancments.

13 February 2013- Overhead line dewirement at Radlett up fast, unit on down fast runs into fallen cables causing damage to cross span that closes all 4 lines.

73 202 Electro-Diesel loco assists damaged 8 car 319 on up fast and tows empty to Cricklewood, 73 202 ran 1Z99 from Battersea Stewarts Lane,East Croydon then through the'core'

02 March 2013 - New Measurement train works on HS1 lines via maintenance siding link at St Pancras whilst en route Derby-Dollands Moor-Derby

26 May 2013 replacing former mechanical ground frame, new power points installed (726) at Cricklewood north end linking up slow to carriage sidings

14 June 2013 Finally UK DfT Gov announce £1.6 Billion order for new Thameslink rolling stock (1.140 vehicles) is awarded to Siemens led consortium

27 June 2013 Siemens sign deal with Department of Transport for Desiro City new trains for Thameslink 60 x 8 car units,55 x 12 car units = 1140 vehicles

17 July 2013 Southern TOC announce order of 116 vehicles (29x4car) class 377/8 (later class 387 according to DfT!) from Derby based Bombardier for short term use on the Thameslink route pending delivery of German built Siemens class 700. (further140 vehicles also an option in contract if needed).

28 October 2013 The St Jude storm hits, no service south of Luton due to fallen external power lines that caused OLE damage at Harper Lane, Radlett

24 November 2013 Fast line line speed increased from 110mph to 125mph in advance of Dec 9th timetable change

25/26 December 2013 New footbridge installed at Elstree Borehamwood, lifts will be commissioned later

25/26 December Cricklewood North brought into use, Cricklewood South closes for redevelopment.

29 December 2013 Hull trains operated two services non stop from Doncaster to St Pancras due to engineering blockade at Peterborough using class 180 units

17 January 2014 Extensive dewirement at Hendon station with multiple trapped trains

28 January 2014 Two coaches of Desiro City class 700 (mock up) unveiled to the press at London's ExCel centre (Docklands)

23 May 2014 DfT announce GoVia Thameslink Railway (GTR) Ltd awarded TSGN franchise

29 July 2014 47 790 with 57 307 top/tail work private charter Edinburgh-St Pancras. 57 307 fails on ecs return so 47 790 leads from Cricklewood!

15 August 2014 387 101 released from Derby Litchurch Lane for testing at Old Dalby test track

24 August 2014 Hull trains services run to/from St Pancras due to ECML engineering

14 September 2014 Thameslink Franchise transfers from First Group to Go-Ahead (GTR) at 2am

03 November 2014 class 387 begin AC test running Bletchley-Wembley-Crewe-Wembley-Bletchley

04 November 2014 class 387 begin AC/DC testing Bletchley - Brighton-Bletchley

08 November 2014 Steam loco 46115 'Scots Guardsman' operates at St Pancras - Lincoln charter *return to King's Cross)

08 December 2014 class 387/1 begin revenue use (8 car) with 05:40 Brighton > Bedford

10 January 2015 all lines blocked at Harpenden North as radio mast damaged in high winds leans towards railway

25 January 2015 all lines blocked at Farringdon North due to track flooding after burst water main(s)- various closure through the week

01 February 2015 Rehearsal transfer of signal control from West Hampstead westcad (panel 1) to Three Bridges ROC

14 February 2015 West Hampstead WestCad (panel 1) and Victoria Panel 6 transferred to Three Bridges ROC signal prefixes change to TWH and TVS

12 July 2015 Branch Line Society Thameslink Tracker railtour 319 444 visits various sidings on the route, former NSE Sector Director Chris Green on board

13 July 2015 planned opening of Up Sundon Loop does not take place

29 July 2015 Colas loco 70 806 is trialed on 6E38 to test fuel consumption

30 July 2015 running as 6X66, 66 769 hauls 700 106 from Dollands Moor to the new depot at Three Bridges, move delayed by unrest in France.

01 August 2015 313 121 starts etcs cab signalling tests through the 'core' area

09 August 2015 up Sundon (freight) loop commissioned (non electrified) but 1st 560 yards wired

24 August 2015 Down slow line dewirement Sandridge at Lunchtime affects evening peak

06September 2015 Canal Tunnels planned to be brought into use for non revenue moves but date tbc waiting overhead line commissioning

07 September 2015 GBRf start using new 11 north end freight siding Cricklewood for spoil/soil traffic to Calvert

05 October 2015 7M08 sand/aggregate train derails in Limbury Road sidings- no affect on mainline

06 October 2015 emergency engineering closes the 'core' route during evening peak

17 November 2015 tree falls at St Albans onto fast lines during storm 'Barney'.

24 November 2015 700107 reaches Brighton on DC tests

25 November 2015 700107 reaches Blackfriars (bay) on DC tests

01 December 2015 700106 reaches Bedford on AC tests

09 December 2015 700107 700108 work Three Bridges to Leagrave and return as 24 car formation test

15 January 2016 60 056 expires at Hendon (chord line) with load30 tanks on 6V70, whole train returns North behind 70 802 6Z38

11January 2016 Low Key opening event with 319 459 declares Cricklewood south sidings open.

29 April 2016 Start made on clearing vegetation to allow Cricklewood recess sidings t reopen (see 1996)

07 May 2016 HST Railtour becomes first passenger working over UpSundon Loop

24 May 2016 68 004 with 37 422 37 425 and inspection saloon 975025work Derby-Willesden via mml

24 May 2016 press launch (700 109) Blackfriars to East Croydon

04 June2016 Flying Scotsman runs down direction London Victoria - MML-York

20 June 2016 class 700 108 in public use Brighton to London Bridge

23 June 2016 Signalling power supply failure halts all trains for 3 hour period 18:40 onwards

30 June 2016 700 109 operates 1W26 11:05 Brighton to Bedford the first passenger run (returns to 3 Bridges)

11 July 2016, 7 departures from Bedford operated by FLU 700 with 2 units running empty 10/7 3 Bridges to Jowett sidings

11 September 2016 Canal Tunnels open 01:45

03 October 2016 RLU 8 car class 700 introduced (Bedford - Brighton)

31 October 2016 RLU 8 car introduced Sutton Loop services from St Albans

08 November 2016 Temporary Block working following loss of Luton TDM / Interlocking

17 November 2016 8 car 319 (2O86) stalls across Carlton Road junction following OCB, evening peak seriously disrupted

05 February 2017 last scheduled use of class 387 stock

23 February 2017 Super storm Doris brings trees down at St Albans & Harpenden blocking fast lines

07 April 2017 Cricklewood recess siding opens as Cricklewood Aggregate Terminal ( C.A.T.)

12 April 2017 12 pump fire disrupts evening peak at Hendon builders merchants

27 August 2017 Final day of class 319 operation ( 217 & 435) 1W46 18:14 Brighton to Bedford then 5V47 to sidings

28 August 2017 All class 700 run out for revenue use

31 August 2017 37 884 removes last two 319s from Cauldwell depot (440 &443) to store at Long Marston

01 December 2017 Cauldwell depot headshunt extended to hold 12 cars (was 8) and depot now stabling only

23-26 December 2017 concrete slab track removed Kentish Town to Camden Road Tunnel area on fast lines

09 February 2018 Barnet Council gran planning permission for CAT siding aggregate terminal * see 07 Aoril 2017)

12 February 2018 43043& newly named 43467 work 15:32 Nottingham-StPancras and return 17:45 to Derby via Nottingham.

26 February 2018 Peterborough to Horsham and Cambridge to Brighton services start using Canal Tunnel Link

9J57 Pboro - Horsham(11:10) 9J52 Horsham- Pboro (11:45) 9S24 Brighton -Cambridge (13:06)

9J63 Pboro - Horsham (14:39) 9J58 Horsham - Pboro (15:21) 9S39 Cambridge - Brighton (15:23)

12 March 2018 9S27 Cambridge-Brighton (12:22) & 9S36 Brighton-Cambridge (15:50) use Canal Tunnels

17 March 2018 1Z17 Railtour uses Up Sundon Loop (see 7th May 2016 )

03 July 2018 50 008 arrives Wembley Yard to Cricklewood route learning for DCR

05 November 2018 Cricklewood South Freight siding opens (6Y70)

17 November 2018 717 004 and 009 run Cricklewood to Bedford Jowett sidings for cleaning

26 November 2018 RHTT 3J92/93 receives class 70 haulage

30 November 2018 mid day signal power supply failure Harpenden to St Albans, TBW in use on fast lines

12 December 2018 Wednesday 07:55-08:55 20 tph delivered up direction platform 'A' St Pancras 17 TL 03 GN

14 December 2018 angel trains EMT Power Car 43480 is named " West Hampstead PSB" at Kentish Town station 1Z22

25 January 2019 9K06 stalls in Camden Road Tunnel with one pan raised, controlled evacuation via cross transfer

28 January 2018 new siding 3 connection at Limbury Road opens to traffic

28 March 2019 6Z63 Marks first arrival from Peak Forest with Load 22 Limstone into new Limbury Road No 3 ing23232xx 23 April 2019

23 April 2019 23 004 commences service on Marston Vale Line

25 July 2019 significant de wirement West Hampstead affecting up fast

09 August 2019 17:00 onwards significant OLE frequency loss, class 700s come to a stand

31 July 2019 43 467/468 back to back recover HST set involved with de wirement (43076/43047)

10 August 1Z25 EMT staff special HST runs via Up Tottenham

17 August 2019 EMT Franchise ends

23 August 2019, PM rush hour overhead line trip causes disruption south of Mill Hill Broadway

24/25 August 2019 Hull trains run class 180 and HST into St Pancras diverted by planned ECML works 47 813 (ROG) stand by Loco at Wellingborough DGL

28 September 2019 overhead line incident at Luton Hoo 37 608 with Dellner coupler sent 1Z99 to drag 700 from switched off area

xx October 2019 - drainage failure Elstree Tunnel fast line bore

23 October 2019 broken rail Hendon chord line plain li1ned

15 Nov ember 2019 66 183 enters CAT siding from south connection

17 November x 5 sets of 'M63' catch points removed on Hendon Lines, 788 A remain WH North

17 November 5M69 700 057 derails on UP departure line Cricklewood,4 axles off over 2 cars. Re Railed 18th and 19th

21 November 700 075 Wheelskated to Hornsey in early hours under own power

02 Jan 2020 54mp to 58mp recontrolled to EMCC Kettering workstation, including Sharnbrook Jcn

16 Jan 2020 Overnight loss of Signalling Harpenden - ESW introduced Luton to St Albans

25/26 Jan 2020 Hull trains operate Class180 to/from St Pancras

06Feb 2020 Dewirement down fast Luton Airport Parkway. 47 813 deployed to Luton.

09 Feb 2020 Storm Ciara disruption 57 305 standby Loco at Bedford

15 Feb 2020 Storm Dennis disruption 57 305 standby Loco at Luton

01 April 2020 ROG 47,class 91 Mark3 coaches class 90 Mark 3 coaches 2 x 20 visit Bedford OHLE rehersal test train

07 May 2020 6C77 Rail Distribution Train unload failure shunts into Crescent Road to clear mainline

08 May 2020 6C77 3 mph propelled move Crescent Road to Limbury Road

23-25 May 2020 fixed crossings renewed Cricklewood South Junction

29 May 17:20 Cricklewood North siding group 2 - 6 close

29 May 2020 23:00 Cricklewood NX Panel closes

01 June 2020 Cricklewood Westcad control opens

17/18 October Hull trains run IET Paragon sets tp/from St Pancras (diesel powered)

10-12 Nov 20 50 007 and 50 049 cascade class 360 units Ilford to Cricklewood for E M R

19 Nov 20 57 310 visits Cricklewood for class 360 coupling tests 360 116 moves under iwn power in depot

26 Nov 20 12 car 360 operates Cricklewood to new stabling siding at Kettering ( middle pan lowered) K E S Kettering Electric Sidings

11 Dec 20 Final E M R "VP185" HST set in passenger use. power cars 43 047 and 43 049 1995-2020

12 Dec 20 Midland Pullman innaugural run 43 046 and 43 055 Load 9

08-16 Feb 2021 Down fast blocked Leagrave to Flitwick, earthork failure at Harlington North

16 Feb 2021 Class 360 runs Corby to St Pancras pti testing

02-05 April 2021 Up slow moved to new alignment at Brent Cross

15 May 2021 final day of HST operation 43 102 leads 1F70 20:02 St Pancras to Leeds via Derby with NL58 and 43 274

28-30 August 2021 diamond crossover and North Freight siding Cricklewood removed

15 Feb 2022 Freight service commence from South arrival Radlett Harper Lane (FLHH)

18/19 Aug 2022 Heatwave with no service on Tuesday 19th

08 Sept 2022 66 200 derails on hand points within Radlet Harper Lane stone loop

29 May 2023 last scheduled use of Class 180 fleet by E M R

http://bed-pan.homestead.com/index.html

So, how did it all begin

1863 January 10th - Metropolitan line opens Farringdon - Paddington

1863 June 22nd - Parliamentary powers obtained under the " Midland Railway extension to London Act" (new line Bedford to St Pancras)

1863 October 01 Connection between Metropolitan and Great Northern Railway at Kings Cross opens (York Road curve, Hotel Curve and Westbound curve) westbound curve closes 1865

1864 -for extension from Dock Junction to Moorgate (city widened lines) "MR St Pancras Branch act " (new line to connect Midland to Metropolitan)

1867 September 7th- open for goods traffic (from Bedford) to St Pancras goods terminal

1868 February 17th- connection to Metropolitan railway (city lines) completed, Widened lines between Kings Cross and Farringdon (quadruple section

1868 July 13th- Connection via widened lines open for passenger traffic (from Bedford) through to Moorgate.(but NOT St Pancras)

1868 October 1st-Connection into St Pancras open for passenger traffic

1873 -St Pancras hotel completed

1923- Midland Railway incorporated into London Midland and Scottish Railway

1941 Metropolitan Kings Cross station moved westwards leaving widened line only platforms

1948 January1st-Nationalisation,British Railways formed,London Midland Region manage the route

1960 January- Steam replaced by Diesel Multiple Units and Diesel locomotives

Bums on seats! Seating capacity of Thameslink route trains through the years -

class 127 DMU 4 car DMBS-TS-TSL-DMBS 352 seats

Class 317 295 seats (TSL originally 22first 46 standard)

Class 319 /0 319 seats refurbished 302 seats Class 319/2 244 seats Class 319/3 297seats Class 319/4 275 seats

Class 377/2 246 seats Class 377/5 241 seats

Class 387 /1 222 seats

Class 700 12 car 666 seats 8 car 427 seats

above figures are bums on seats = actual seats available, no legal standing capacity.

In passenger use;

class 319 can run in multiple of two coupled units = 8 car, class 377 can run in multiples of two coupled (8 car) or three coupled (12 car)

class 319 can not couple in multiple with class 377 (except via emergency adaptor during failure)

class 319 can run in multiple of three = 12 car in non revenue use -reason= DOO equpiment on platforms (monitors/cameras)can only accept 8 car operation so 12 car passenger use not possible using Driver Only Operation, Class 387 can couple to 377 for assistance only.