Crossrail

Andrew_Ryan_89

Hey guys,

Does anyone here know much about Crossrail? I recently purchased a property on the eastern section of the crossrail line (Harold Wood) but I am a little baffled over the benefits.

So far, it looks like the journeys will be longer. At the moment, it takes 33 minutes on the train to get to Liverpool Street, even less with a faster train that skips a few stops. When the Crossrail opens, it will add Whitechapel as a stop which means even longer on the train and there is no word on whether it will retain a faster service into Liverpool Street.

Furthermore, I looked on the website and the journeys from Shenfield has actually increased from 1 to 10 minutes more for your journey times.

http://www.crossrail.co.uk/route/eastern-section/shenfield-station

Am I missing something here?

jackieblack

I think the point is that journeys across London will be faster and easier (hence the name, Crossrail)


eg Stratford to Heathrow will be 43 minutes direct compared to about an hour and a half with a couple of changes and doing battle with the various escalators on the underground with luggage


At the moment, only a masochist would attempt to get the train to Heathrow from where I live unless you're young, fit and travelling only with hand luggage. (I did it once, it took almost half a day, was very stressful and physically demanding and I vowed never again.)


Once Crossrail is up and running it'll be about an hour to Stratford, one change and then 43 mins to Heathrow. I can't wait!

Faith177

Andrew_Ryan_89 wrote: »

Hey guys,

Does anyone here know much about Crossrail? I recently purchased a property on the eastern section of the crossrail line (Harold Wood) but I am a little baffled over the benefits.

So far, it looks like the journeys will be longer. At the moment, it takes 33 minutes on the train to get to Liverpool Street, even less with a faster train that skips a few stops. When the Crossrail opens, it will add Whitechapel as a stop which means even longer on the train and there is no word on whether it will retain a faster service into Liverpool Street.

Furthermore, I looked on the website and the journeys from Shenfield has actually increased from 1 to 10 minutes more for your journey times.

http://www.crossrail.co.uk/route/eastern-section/shenfield-station

Am I missing something here?

Improved tracks so less delays and cancellations than we have now. Also new trains meaning a more reliable service

Service on that line has already improved dramatically since TFl took over from Greater Anglian (or Later Anglian as they were nicknamed)

Andrew_Ryan_89

Still a bit miffed, especially for people living in Shenfield. Most people will be using the trains to get into London, not Heathrow, so why put all the benefits there? I hope they have fast trains running periodically

jackieblack

Andrew_Ryan_89 wrote: »

Still a bit miffed, especially for people living in Shenfield. Most people will be using the trains to get into London, not Heathrow, so why put all the benefits there? I hope they have fast trains running periodically

I think you're still missing the point of Crossrail.
It's not really about getting INTO London, it's about getting ACROSS London


"From improving journey times across London, to easing congestion and offering better connections, the new railway will provide easier, quicker and more direct travel opportunities across the capital."
http://www.crossrail.co.uk/

Faith177

Andrew_Ryan_89 wrote: »

Still a bit miffed, especially for people living in Shenfield. Most people will be using the trains to get into London, not Heathrow, so why put all the benefits there? I hope they have fast trains running periodically

There will be more trains per hour as well currently there is one from Shenfield to Liverpool St every 10 mins so 6 per hour peak this is increasing to 8 per hour off peak and 12 per hour peak times

Average journey time from Harold Wood to Liverpool street will go from 35 mins to 32 mins so actually decreasing your current journey time on the regular train not sure about the fast trains

jbuchanangb

Crossrail trains will still call all stations Shenfield to London as the TfL Rail trains do now.
Travellers from Shenfield and beyond (Chelmsford, Southend etc.) wishing to to cross London will typically change at Stratford on to Cross Rail - or "The Elizabeth Line" as it will be known.

A traveller from Harold Wood desperate to save time can once an hour shave 7 minutes off the journey time by changing at Romford. e.g. catch 17.42, change at Romford arrive Liverpool Street 18.10. Staying on the train would arrive at Liverpool Street 18.17.

yorkie2

Andrew_Ryan_89 wrote: »

Still a bit miffed, especially for people living in Shenfield. Most people will be using the trains to get into London, not Heathrow, so why put all the benefits there? I hope they have fast trains running periodically

All trains will serve London, and there are to be several central London Crossrail stations with a direct service, avoiding the need to change onto the overcrowded Central Line.