Latest News, 6-October-2018
	Latest News 6th October 2018 Network Rail has at last been able to give Type Approval to Bombardier Rail UK for the new London Overground Class 710 trains. Night - time test runs have been made over the Barking - Gospel Oak route and mileage accumulation runs, also overnight, on the West Coast Main Line to Crewe have started. Before handover to London Overground operator Arriva Rail London, each train must achieve 2,000 miles fault free running. Then route clearance and driver training can start, each driver receiving a 4 - day conversion course. BGORUG believes that providing there are no other problems with these trains, a big enough pool of drivers could be trained in time to allow the first train to enter public service by the end of November, some ten months later than originally planned. The full Barking - Gospel Oak service should be operated by the 4 - car electric trains by the turn of the year. In the mean time, it is believed that the phased transfer to West Midlands Trains of the seven remaining subleased 2 - car diesel trains that currently maintain the Barking - Gospel Oak service will continue. They will join 172 002 which move d to the operator's Birmingham Tyseley depot at the end of June. The shortage of diesel trains means that there is no regular cover for any trains that break down in service. The transfer of any further trains will only exacerbate the situation, making it almost impossible to operate the existing timetable. Passengers are advised to allow plenty of time for their journeys as there may be cancellations, extended intervals in service and serious overcrowding. CLOSURE OF LONDON OVERGROUND BOOKING OFFICES The closure of 51 London Overground booking offices, including the one at Gospel Oak, is proposed. A consultation is being carried out by London TravelWatch. If you wish to take part in the consultation, contact London TravelWatch by email at consultations @londontravelwatch.org.uk or write to the address at the foot of the page. The consultation closes on 11th October 2018. ENGINEERING CLOSURES Barking - Gospel Oak route closures currently programmed are: Sunday 21 October Barking - South Tottenham until 12:30 Sunday 2 December Barking - South Tottenham until 12:30 Saturday 5 January - Sunday 6 January Barking - South Tottenham both days Sunday 13 January Barking - South Tottenham until 15:30 Saturday 19 January Barking - South Tottenham all day Sunday 20 January Barking - Gospel Oak all day REFUND OF ADDITIONAL FARES PAID BY PASSENGERS DURING THE THREE LONG-TERM LINE CLOSURES IN 2016 & 2017 If you wish to claim back additional fares paid while the train service was withdrawn during June 2016 - February 2017, September 2017 - October 2017 & November 2017 - January 2018, complete the online complaints form at www.tfl.gov.uk or write to: TfL Customer Service, 4th Floor, 14 Pier Walk, London SE10 0ES If TfL are unable to resolve the matter to your satisfaction, you can appeal to London TravelWatch by completing the online complaints form or write to: London TravelWatch, 169 Union Street, London, SE1 0LL See our links page for links to Transport for London and London TravelWatch.