News
Service alterations, such as details of replacement bus services, will be posted as regularly as possible. Please keep an eye out for posters at Abbey Line stations.

Passing loop shelved
Posted Monday 21st April 2008

Hopes of gaining an enhanced service frequency on the Watford – St Albans branch were dashed at the end of March when plans to equip the line for two-train operation were deemed too expensive.

For the last two years a team from the Department for Transport (DfT), Hertfordshire County Council (HCC), Network Rail and Train Operating Company (TOC) have been working together to find a remedy for the problem of a 45min service. Despite offering the quickest public transport journey time between Watford and St Albans of 16mins, the service frequency can be a major turn-off. The timetable is difficult to remember and should the train be missed, a long wait beckons. People understandably choose road rather than rail on this, one of the most congested transport corridors in the county. The railway is still under-utilised despite success from the line’s Community Rail Partnership (CRP) in delivering a 10-15% increase in passenger numbers over the last couple of years.

Running as a pilot project under the government’s “Community Rail Development Strategy”, the DfT-led team had sought to develop a viable business case for an extra train and passing loop such that a 30min, ‘clockface’ timetable could be achieved. This solution has long been advocated by the line’s user group ABFLY, who believe it will deliver significant passenger benefits and increase in ridership.

An HCC-commissioned report in 2001 put the capital cost of such a scheme at more than £6 million, a price that failed to deliver a favourable cost-benefit ratio. In 2005 another report concluded that this could be reduced to £2 million. Since then HCC, the principal funding source for the line’s highly-successful CRP (not to be mistaken with the DfT-led ‘pilot group’), have earmarked this amount in successive Local Transport Plans. This indicated their support for the passing loop, but only if financially justified. Sadly, the DfT-led group have been unable to construct a viable business case. The earmarked cash will now be re-allocated to other transport projects, which does at least include a refurbishment programme for St Albans Abbey station, masterminded by the CRP.

However, despite the hard-working Partnership’s continual success in attracting new customers and improving facilities with an essentially unchanged train service, this is the first high-profile failure of the government’s hitherto successful Community Rail Development Strategy. It shows that, despite the best efforts of all concerned, designation of a line as a ‘Community Railway’ is no guarantee that small-scale infrastructure enhancements can be delivered.

One of the primary reasons cited for the failure are a lack of suitably cheap rolling stock. This leads the DfT to conclude that current revenue would not even cover the additional cost of a two-train operation. A recent change in TOC is not thought to have helped matters. The previous incumbent, Silverlink, was close to developing a workable business case using Class 313s. Since November 2007, however, the rolling stock scene has changed. As part of their franchise commitment, new operator London Midland are compelled to standardise their fleet. This will now see Desiros, some of the heaviest, luxurious but most expensive EMUs in the UK, running on the Abbey Line. This is surely good for passengers, but not so good for a business case. It shows that there is still a conflict between the cost-reducing, premium-enhancing needs of the large-scale operator and the specific requirements of the local railway. More ‘joined up thinking’ is required at the DfT.

Another reason for the failure is Network Rail’s projected cost of signalling. This makes the capital cost of a passing loop greater than HCC’s budget will allow. All methods are said to have been considered, from traditional ‘staff and token’ equipment to in-cab signalling. Regretfully, Network Rail don’t yet seem to have a solution which falls within the £2 million budget.

ABFLY tentatively accept the current assessment but, in common with many other pro-rail groups, believe costs in the rail industry to be far too high. There are also question marks over the government’s appraisal framework for potential transport projects. A recent report by the Campaign for Better Transport claims this to be flawed, relying far too heavily on cost-benefit analysis whilst not taking into account, for example, the huge advantage of electric trains for reducing CO2 emissions, congestion and improving local air quality.

Having suffered setbacks in the past, ABFLY is determined not to give up. They will continue to press local, national and railway authorities to review the case for the passing loop as attitudes to rail projects change. Meanwhile, it will ask to examine the DfT’s calculations in greater detail.

For the future, a possible field to explore may be ‘tram-trains’. These have the potential to offer light-rail benefits on existing heavy-rail infrastructure, such as their superior acceleration, lighter weight, increased energy efficiency and reduced running costs. Such a vehicle could possibly deliver a 30-min service on the branch without the need for a second train or passing loop. The good news it that they are largely proven in mainland Europe. Network Rail will be undertaking the first UK trial on the Huddersfield-Sheffield Line, beginning 2010. The bad news is that roll-out to other parts of the country could be a decade or more away.

*--------------------------------------*

ABFLY will be holding their Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 13th May, 7:30pm at St Stephens Parish Centre, Bricket Wood.

David Hibbs from the DfT will be explaining in greater detail why this project has faltered and possibilities for the future. Non-members are invited to join on the door and other interested parties are welcome to attend.

Connection woes seem to be easing
Posted Monday 21st April 2008

After months of frustration and confusion about London Midland's connections policy, the battle to stop Abbey Line trains leaving 'dead on time' when connecting trains were running late, seems to have been won.

Having received a letter in early March from Mike Haigh, Deputy Managing Director, clarifying the LM policy, ABFLY thought the matter would soon be settled (see 4/3/08 story, below). However, subsequent behaviour by frontline staff soon proved that the message had failed to filter down.

Thankfully, it now seems that Watford Junction staff are towing the official line and holding trains wherever possible to meet late-runners, in particular the 1851 which had caused so much anger in the past. Thanks to the persistence of ABFLY committee member Sanjay Kulkarni and a couple of other disgruntled commuters, the last week has seen a marked improvement. The station manager has even been seen to personally hold the train!

Congratulations to London Midland for seeing sense and long may the staff feel able to practise common sense in the spirit of true public service.

Easter engineering work
Posted Tuesday 4th March 2008

Advance notice has been given that services between Watford Junction and St. Albans Abbey will be suspended on the following dates:

• Sunday 16th March: Until 1400 and from 2100
• Friday 21st until Monday 24th March - all day

Replacement bus services will operate. Please see posters at stations for further details.

Connection woes
Posted Tuesday 4th March 2008

A few months back there was a marked rise in the number of complaints regarding connections at Watford Junction. The chief complaint was that the flyer was often leaving dead-to-time when a connecting train (full of commuters on their way home) was 'just around the corner'.

The issue was taken up by ABFLY and by the CRP. Councillor Stuart Pile (chairman of the CRP) wrote the following:

Mike Haigh
Deputy Managing Director
London Midland
6th Floor
102 New Street
Birmingham B2 4HQ

2 February 2008

Dear Mr Haigh,

Re: Connections at Watford Junction

I write to inform you of the concerns held by the Abbey Line Community Rail Partnership (CRP) about recent failures in connections at Watford Junction between London Midland services and those of the Abbey Line.

As you know, the Abbey Line serves as a commuter line and many of the customers use it to connect to other services at Watford Junction. In the past, there was an understanding with Silverlink for them to hold the connecting Abbey Line train if the listed connection was running less than 5 minutes late. Under this arrangement, passengers were not obliged to wait 45 minutes for the next train and the train was filled to greater capacity. The Abbey Line can make up the time without affecting the PPM.

Recently, there has been a spate of incidents when the Abbey Line train has not been held to connect with the London Midland service, and accordingly there is concern amongst passengers that the commitment to the Abbey Line has been reduced. This creates the perception that London Midland is more concerned about on-time performance than meeting the needs of its passengers.

In addition, there has also been concern about the lack of points of access for information on delayed and cancelled trains. The Emergency Intercom, which does not always function efficiently, do not provide up-to-date information to inform passengers about the status of the trains. This information is also lacking on the London Midland website.

It would be very helpful if London Midland could provide clarification of their policy on holding trains for late connections. At the moment, there is confusion amongst the staff and passengers about the circumstances under which trains can be held and when taxi vouchers are offered.

In addition, could you please reassure the Community Rail Partnership that there is a commitment from London Midland to meet the needs of passengers by providing clearer and more detailed information on delays and cancellations than is currently available.

I look forward to your reply.

Yours sincerely,

Stuart Pile
Chairman, Abbey Line Community Rail Partnership
Executive Member for Transport, Hertfordshire County Council

He then received the following response:

18th February 2008

Dear Cllr Pile

Thank you for your letter regarding the flexibility of Abbey Line connections.

I apologise if passengers have been inconvenienced by Abbey Line services not being held when mainline services are running late into Watford.

I am pleased to tell you that our instructions to staff are unchanged, Abbey Line services can be held at Watford for up to five minutes. I have spoken to James Elliott who has assured me that staff have now had a further briefing on the procedure.

Trains may be held for longer if the Duty Station Manager obtains permission from London Midland Control. You should be aware however that on some occasions we cannot hold the service longer than five minutes if the traincrew are required to work mainlines services after their round trip on the branch. Taxi vouchers are issued on a case by case basis at the discretion of the Duty Station Manager.

As you point out, the help points / intercom have a poor failure rate as the equipment is life expired. I am pleased to tell you that all our station help points will be replaced with new equipment by the end of this year or by January 2009 at the latest.

Yours sincerely

Mike Haigh
Business Integration Director
London Midland

So there you have it, the rule is unchanged! Now, if anybody wants an argument with you, wave these letters at them (copies can be downloaded below):

Connections_question.pdf

Connections_response.pdf

Croxley Rail Link a step closer
From eWatford Observer Saturday 2nd February 2008

A £95million upgrade of Watford's rail system edged closer to approval this week, with the submission of the business case for the Croxley Rail Link.

The Department of Transport (DfT) now has 26 weeks to look at the application which, if agreed, could see a link between the Metropolitan Line and Watford Junction running by 2013.

The scheme would include two new stations, one in Ascot Road and one serving the proposed Watford Health Campus and Vicarage Road stadium. Watford MP Claire Ward, Mayor of Watford, Dorothy Thornhill, and Leader of Hertfordshire County Council Robert Gordon all voiced their support for the project this week in a joint letter to the Secretary of State for Transport, Ruth Kelly.

Mayor Thornhill said the project was vital to the growth of the town, adding: "Watford needs a decision which will make a dramatic and positive impact on the lives of its residents and those who work or travel through the town.

"The benefits of the Croxley Rail Link are clear and deliverable within a short time frame. The town and its people have waited a long time for progress."

The project is estimated to cut down on 300,000 car trips and be used a million times a year.

Ms Ward said she had supported the scheme for many years and has had regular meetings about it with Mayor of London Ken Livingstone and transport ministers.

She said: "Now is a golden opportunity for this public transport scheme to be put in place and we are desperate for the authorities to support it.

"People have been waiting 20 or 30 years for this and now is the best time ever to make a case for the Croxley Rail Link."

Transport for London has already agreed to contribute around £17.5million towards the project. Subject to approval, a public consultation will start in September.

Croxley Link - position update
Posted Saturday 3rd March 2007

Croxley Rail Link continues to be progressed by Hertfordshire County Council and remains one of the Council’s identified Major Schemes within the Local Transport Plan 2006/7 - 2010/11, for which it is seeking grant funding from DfT.

HCC are currently working with consultants toward a re-submission to the Department of Transport to seek ‘Programme Entry’ status for the project.

Given recent alterations in the ‘rules’ regarding funding bid submissions for Major Schemes, such as Croxley Rail Link, the resubmission work is more than a simple ‘update’ of previously calculated costs and benefits.

Some of the areas that need to be covered include-

• Updating the forecasting models to include all new development completed & proposed in the area, as well as other external influences on the project. This means taking account of many issues, such as all recent development in the area (e.g. the old ‘Sun Printers’ site, which is now complete and occupied), Watford Health Campus proposals, and TfL proposals for Bakerloo Line extension

• Updating the latest cost estimates, from last year, to take account of recent and predicted inflationary influences on construction cost process, such as the 2012 Olympics

• Reviewing the project against Central Government objectives - (for example, issues such as carbon emissions have become part on any appraisal for projects recently and were not included in as much detail in previous submissions).

This work has already commenced with a view to the submission being made by June 2007.

The DfT will then make a decision as to if the scheme can be granted ‘Programme Entry’ status - that is, does the project meet the following criteria:

• Value for money
• Affordable within the available budget, with a likely start within the next three year
• Deliverable by the authority to time and budget

A possible timetable for the Project from that point forward is as follows:

Programme Entry Granted - Summer 2007
TWA Application - Summer 2008
TWA Inquiry - Autumn 2008
SoS Decision - Spring 2009
Start On Site Spring - 2011
Scheme Opening Late 2012 / early 2013


Released by Richard Boutal
Major Projects for Hertfordshire County Council

February 2007

Sunday closure - engineering work
Sunday 28th January 2007

Because of engineering work on Sunday 28th January, trains serving St. Albans Abbey will be replaced by buses. The bus service will be extended to serve St. Albans City station. Times are as follows:

Abbeyline services disrupted by high winds
Posted 19th January 2007

Abbeyline trains have been cancelled and replaced with buses after high winds on Thursday caused damage to overhead power lines and trees fell on the track.

As at 4pm on Friday 19th the service had still not been restored. Further news will be posted when it is received.

Hackney carriages return to Watford Junction
Posted 19th January 2007

After nearly three years of protests, blockades and arrests, hackney carriages have returned to the forecourt at Watford Junction station.Train operator Silverlink's decision to re-open the rank to the hackneys means commuters will once again be able to catch cabs right outside the station's doors free from legal ambiguity.

Three years ago Silverlink negotiated an exclusive contract with private hire firm AA United, kicking the hackneys off the forecourt. Travellers were left having to catch a private hire cab via a complicated ticket system. The decision to exclude the hackneys in 2004 provoked a series of demonstrations at the station by drivers, which included blockading the forecourt on a number of occasions.

The AA contract has now expired and a gate system has been installed at the station so any driver with a hackney licence who pays the appropriate fee can gain access and ply for hire.

Silverlink's retail manager, Hugh Jennings, said:

"We were very happy with AA, who had provided private hire services at the stations for two years. With their contract coming to an end we took the opportunity to see whether there was any way we could improve the services offered at the station.

With the deregulation of these services in Watford many more taxis have become available and we saw an opportunity here for our customers.

Very positive discussions with the WHCDA resulted in an agreement about rental, quality of vehicles and code of conduct, and I am delighted to welcome them back onto the forecourt."

Full story in today's Watford Observer.

Watford Junction redevelopment exhibition
10th - 19th January 2007

There are major plans for redeveloping Watford Junction station. The scheme includes:

· a new link road from Colonial Way over the branch line to St Albans Road
· new access arrangements to allow people to reach the station from the east side
· major expansion of car parking capacity to the east of the main line
· improved bus and taxi facilities at both station entrances

The project is a partnership between Herts County Council, Watford Borough Council, Network Rail, Silverlink Trains and the Department for Transport. As a major scheme in Hertfordshire’s Local Transport Plan, implementation is scheduled to start in 2009.

A public exhibition about the scheme is being held at Beechen Grove Baptist Church, Clarendon Road, Watford, on the following dates:

• Wednesday 10th January 1300 – 2030
• Thursday 11th January 1200 – 1800
• Friday 12th January 1200 – 1800
• Saturday 13th January 1200 – 1600
• Monday 15th January 1200 – 1800
• Tuesday 16th January 1200 – 1800
• Wednesday 17th January 1200 – 2030
• Thursday 18th January 1200 – 2030
• Friday 19th January 1200 – 1800

The exhibition will be unmanned, except for the 10th, 17th and 18th when members of staff will be in attendance from 1600 to 2030 to answer any questions you may have. A prepaid postcard questionnaire will also be available for any comments.

A detailed plan is also on display on Platforms, 6, 7/8 and 9/10 at Watford Junction.

Concerns for Abbey Line users

One of the major aims of the Abbey Flyer Users Group (ABFLY) has been to see the introduction of through trains from St Albans Abbey to the mainline. Currently this is not possible on a regular basis due to restrictions with the signalling at Watford Junction. However, the Watford Junction redevelopment would be the ideal (and probably only) opportunity to make the necessary changes. Why would we want to do this?

• St Albans Abbey to Clapham Junction without a change?
  In recent years, Southern Trains (run by Govia) have introduced a highly-successful service between Watford Junction and Clapham Junction / Brighton. The service currently terminates in bay platform 10. Why not allow for an extension of this service to St Albans Abbey by making it a through line again? St Albans and its surroundings is potentially a large un-tapped growth market for West London / Clapham Junction commuting. Govia are bidding for the new West-Midlands franchise and have expressed interest in seeing this happen in the past. It would be a great shame to block all possibility of this in the future.

• Back in from the cold?
  Even if through trains were not feasible, re-instating the disused platform adjacent to platform 10 would bring the branch line ‘back in from the cold’. Current access to the branch platform is arduous – a long journey for pedestrians and even longer for wheelchairs. Not great if you only have limited time for a connection. Signage is bad and platform 11 is bleak, isolated and largely forgotten.

One final concern:

• Link road crossing
  We urge the planners to ensure that the proposed link road between Colonial Way and St Albans Road does not cross the branch line on the level, rather it should use a bridge or underpass. The level crossing at Watford North is already the single biggest source of unreliability on the line and we don’t want that replicated here.

In the 2004 Watford Junction Development Brief, released by Watford Borough Council, there was scant reference made to re-alignment of the Abbey Line.

The current plans, available on the Herts Highways website, show no evidence that it is being actively considered, despite positive sounds made to ABFLY some while ago.

We urge all users of the branch and members of ABFLY to go along to this exhibition and and make sure the above points are assertively made. We will be writing officially to James Carter, the project engineer at Herts Highways, to express our concerns, but we encourage you to make your own representations. You can do this either by writing directly to:

James Carter
Hertfordshire Highways
Highways House
41-45 Broadwater Road
Welwyn Garden City
AL7 3AX

or by phone to: 01992 471320 (Herts Highways) or 01992 556765 (Passenger Transport Unit)

And please do remember to return the prepaid postcard available at the exhibition.

Deadline for comments is 12th February.

Christmas and New Year services on the Abbey Line 2006
Posted Friday 8th December 2006

Extra late night football train
Posted Friday 24th November 2006

An extra train will run next Tuesday 28th November to cater for supporters travelling home from the Watford - Sheffield United football match. Times as follows:

Passing loop progress and other things
Posted Friday 17th November 2006

At the recent ABFLY members' meeting on Tuesday 31st October, we were treated to an excellent and uplifing presentation by Geraint Hughes, Stakeholder Relations Manager for Silverlink.

We were told that the CRP continues to make good progress towards its stated aim of increasing passenger numbers, with a 10 -15% rise since May 2005. Better still, its continued existence is looking increasingly assured as Herts County Council asks it to produce a 3-year action plan, rather than the current practice which is to review on an annual basis.

On the passing loop front, he confirmed that the proposal is to reinstate the loop and second platform at Bricket Wood. A half-hourly frequency service is planned for daytime Monday - Saturday with an hourly train in the evenings and on Sundays. There would also be later evening trains.

Outstanding issues still to be tied up are a method of control (likely to be some form of in-cab signalling such as RETB to reduce infrastructure and maintenance costs) and rolling stock provision. Although nothing is confirmed, it was acknowledged that come the new trains on what is currently Silverlink metro, there may be a dearth of redundant Class 313 electrics. Admittedly not as popular as the 4-car 321s which the line has recently been enjoying, they are well known to be the most cost-effective unit for branch line work, and they still have a few more years left in them, so make your own conclusions. Whilst we might expect a refurbishment to what is currently one of the tattiest trains around, let us not complain too much, for atleast they are electric!

Another outstanding issue is DDA compliance (Disability Discrimination Act). This is an interesting example of where 'Community Rail' designation will work in our favour. Where once the whole project would have been scuppered due to an insistence on having a lift to get to the new platform at Bricket Wood, thankfully common sense has now prevailed and we will probably 'get away with' a track level board crossing.

We are hoping to see a decision by the Department for Transport in July next year, but the business case looks promising. Apart from the obvious increase in passengers and revenue that is expected, it is also expected to reduce the subsidy per passenger that the line currently receives. Ask any contemporary rail commentator and you will know how pleasing this will be to Treasury ears!

One note of caution however. Even if a 'yes' decision is forthcoming in the summer, Network Rail will not be able to start construction until 2009 at the earliest. This is due to commitments elsewhere. It has also been suggested that a period of closure would speed up delivery. But that's for another day - let's keep our fingers crossed for July.

New Silverlink website
Posted Friday 10th November 2006

Please go and have a look at the new-look Silverlink website at www.silverlink-trains.com. There is a large sub-section now devoted to the Abbey Line so tops marks to the marketing department.

Lorry hits level crossing
Posted Thursday 9th November 2006

A lorry hit the level crossing barriers at Watford North today at around 1400. At least one of the barriers was ripped clean off and deposited 50 metres up the road. It is thought that they were being lowered as the lorry was trying to pass through.

The train service was immediately suspended and the road closed as Network Rail engineers worked to repair the crossing. This was achieved by around 1700 and the service resumed.

It is not known at this stage whether the lorry driver was injured, arrested or charged.

Man dies after being hit by Flyer
Posted Monday 16th October 2006

A man died on Friday 13th October after an incident at Bricket Wood station.

The train was stopping at the station around 0936 when the driver spotted the 30 year-old Watford man emerge from the bushes. He saw him approach the track before disappearing beneath the train.

Police and ambulance crews who arrived at the scene thought he was likely to live, but he died an hour later at Watford General Hospital.

The incident is being treated as a non-suspicious and disruption to the service was limited to one hour.

"Business as usual" for Abbey Line
Posted Monday 16th October 2006

People may be aware that the Abbey Line's current train operator Silverlink was not shortlisted for the new West Midland's franchise, due to take effect from November 2007.

Silverlink's managing director Mark Hopwood said that, "although the National Express Group is very disappointed not to have been short-listed for the new West Midlands franchise, we in the Silverlink management team are still very committed to a positive future for the Abbey Line and a smooth transition to the new franchise."

"The Abbey Line CRP has had an excellent first year, and we all need to focus our efforts on keeping up that momentum. Our recent announcement of James Elliott's appointment as Group Station Manager for the Community Rail lines [shortly to include the Bedford - Bletchley route] underlines our support for this excellent initiative right up to the end of our franchise."

"We shall give full support to the Department for Transport and Hertfordshire County Council in their committment to the passing loop and enhanced service".

The shortlisted bidders for the West Midlands franchise are Govia (whose portfolio currently includes Southern and South Eastern Trains), Hong Kong transit operator MTR, and Serco/Nedrail. Silverlink are, however, still in the running for the new London Overground franchise (currently Silverlink metro).

Late-night football trains could become regular fixture
Posted Monday 28th August 2006

James Elliott, group station manager for Abbey Line stations, has hinted that extra late-night trains on the Abbey Line could become a regular fixture for Watford football supporters wishing to get to and from midweek home games.

Last Tuesday's match against West Ham saw 62 passengers aboard the special 2231 service ex-Watford Junction (the return ran 'empty stock'). This will definitely run again for Monday 2nd October's match against Fulham, and if it proves to be viable, could remain for the rest of the season.

Watford FC were promoted to the Premier League after they beat Leeds 3-0 on Sunday 21st May 2006.

October Sundays engineering work
Posted Monday 28th August 2006

Advance notice has been given by Silverlink of planned engineering work on the Abbey Line during October. The days concerned are:

• Sunday 15th October
• Sunday 22nd October
• Sunday 29th October

Silverlink trump First Capital Connect
Posted Thursday 17th August 2006

Following First Capital Connect's recent controversial decision to ban holders of cheap-day returns from leaving Kings Cross between 1630 and 1900, Silverlink have cashed in on this PR blunder by highlighting how passengers can use the Abbey Flyer instead, and save £7!

Aimed mostly at customers in St Albans who normally use the service from St Albans City station (formerly 'Thameslink'), their 'return for £7' campaign highlights the fact that a cheap day return from St Albans Abbey to London on Silverlink costs only £7.50 and can be used on any service leaving Euston between 1630 and 1900. To do the same on FCC would entail buying a standard day return for £14.50 - quite a difference!

Let's hope this unpopular decision by FCC will give off-peak use of the Abbey Line a significant boost.

For the enthusiasts out there, an interesting discovery was recently made at Watford North station. An old BR maroon 'totem' name board has been found by Network Rail staff on a routine inspection. Having kindly left it on the fence, an ABFLY member spotted it by chance, and it was soon rescued by a member of the station's adoption group.

Perhaps one day this mundane but rare piece of the line's history will feature in a museum of the Abbey Line? It makes you wonder what else is still out there......

Various repairs, improvements and assorted tidying up has been done on the Abbey Line recently.

Shelters at Watford North, Garston and St Albans Abbey have been repainted in an attractive blue and cream, and so far seem to be free from graffiti thanks to Silverlink's hard working and omnipresent handyman Trevor. Trevor is very much a 'behind the scenes' man, but must be congratulated for the hard work he puts in to keep our stations looking respectable.

Watford North station, in particular, has seen a great improvement recently thanks partly to the station adoption group consistently being a 'thorn in the side' of Silverlink and Network Rail. Thanks to their volunteers, who submit a weekly inspection report to James Elliott (Group Station Manager), damage and faults can quickly be rectified, helping Silverlink to maintain their 'zero tolerance' approach with regards to vandalism. The strategy seems to be paying off; indeed, the incidences of graffiti and vandalism are falling, and when a bench was recently uprooted and smashed through the wooden fencing, it had been repaired within 24 hours. The benches have now been firmly bolted down with simple brackets - to stop that happening so easily again.

It's not just Silverlink doing their bit to keep Watford North looking tidy. Network Rail, having been contacted about the amount of litter and weeds on the track, and brambles coming through the fence from the land behind the platform, have now strimmed and cleared the weeds and conducted some litter picking - although this has not yet been extended behind the platform.

At all the participating 'PlusBus' stations (Watford Junction, Watford North, Garston and St Albans Abbey), the relevant information has been renewed, dedicated PlusBus poster boards have been installed, and at St Albans a completely new frame has been erected to replace the tatty old one. This has all been done as part of the overall effort by Herts County Council to rejuvenate the scheme locally.

Finally, common sense has prevailed and clear plastic litter bins have been reinstated at most of the Abbey Line stations. Some people do still seem too lazy to actually put their rubbish in them, but it's a step in the right direction. Perhaps a few small signs asking customers to politely use the bins provided wouldn't go amiss!

Summer service suspensions
Posted Wednesday 10th May 2006

There are three Sundays in the summer where there is no service until 1400 due to engineering work. These are:

• 2nd July
• 9th July
• 16th July

Community Rail Day 2006
Posted Monday 22nd May 2006

Saturday 20th May saw a host of events up and down the UK to celebrate what has now become an annual Community Rail Day.

This year the Abbeyline was buzzing with activity. On the train to entertain passengers was a jazz band from Verulam school. At St Albans Abbey station, a miniature steam railway gave rides whilst another jazz band played to greet passengers off the train.

The Community Rail Partnership and local heritage group the St Albans Signalbox Trust had stalls in the car park, whilst the Hertfordshire Police were in attendance with a patrol car for people to inspect.

To top it all off, there was a small collection of vintage motorcycles and during the afternoon rides were available in 'Clem' - a 1926 Morris pickup truck provided by the students of Imperial College in London.

Quite an ecletic mix of events, but for those who braved the wind and rain it was an interesting way to spend a few hours!

The day was also an opportunity for the CRP to launch a poster campaign called 'A summer of fun on the Abbeyline' - aimed at promoting various events taking place along the length of the line, and inspiring people to reach them by train.

Watford North Level Crossing - finally finished!!
Posted Saturday 1st April 2006

On Sunday 26th March, Network Rail finally finished their replacement of the Watford North level crossing, work on which was started over a year beforehand! The old crossing had barriers and signalling dating from the mid-1960s, rumoured to have been one of the first ‘half-barriers’ to be installed in the UK.

The final installation work saw closure of Bushey Mill Lane for three weeks. Whilst the overhead power supply was turned off, rail services during the week were operated by a diesel unit, with yet more ‘total shutdown’ of the branch at weekends.

The work not only involved replacement of the old half barriers, but a complete overhaul of the life-expired signalling which has been protecting it (albeit increasingly temperamentally!) over the last 40-odd years.

The visual environment of the station has also been improved by installation of attractive wooden picket fencing and cattle creeps, along with a resurfaced path and dropped kerb on the approaches to the platform.

Watford North Level Crossing renewal
Updated Thursday 2nd March 2006

Network Rail is to finish off the renewal of the Level Crossing at Watford North Station, where the railway crosses Bushey Mill Lane.

The extensive works require a significant closure of the road to vehicular traffic from
21:00 on the 10th March through to 05:30 on the 27th March 2006.

On Mondays to Fridays, train services will be retimed to allow the use of diesel trains on the route as it will be necessary to isolate the power supply whilst the work is undertaken.

Services on Saturdays and Sundays will be operated by buses (which will be extended to St Albans City to allow connection with Thameslink services).

A full timetable for the period in question can be found here (413kB). Leaflets containing the same information are also available at Watford Junction, with posters on all the Abbey Line stations likewise.

The crossing will remain open to pedestrian traffic.

Should you need to raise any concerns with them please contact the 24 hour Network Rail National Helpline on 08457 11 41 41.

Morning service suspensions
Posted Sunday 12th February 2006

Because of engineering work on Sundays 19th & 26th February, until 10.00 approx. trains serving St. Albans Abbey will be replaced by buses. The bus service will be extended to serve St. Albans City station. Times are as follows:

Renewal of footpath - Garston station
Posted Tuesday 10th January 2006

Watford council will be resurfacing the footpath leading up to Garston station on Monday 16th January.

Christmas and New Year services on the Abbey Line 2005
Posted Sunday 11th December 2005

Emergency speed restrictions
Posted Tuesday 11th October 2005

Network Rail have placed an emergency 20mph speed restriction on the line between Watford North and Bricket Wood. Flaws in the rails, discovered during ultra-sonic testing, are apparently the root of these measures.

To remedy this, it has been decided that the line will close between and after the peak hours on Wednesday 12th and Thursday 13th October and the repairs will be done in one 'blockade' - to minimise disruption at a later date. Network Rail have undertaken to complete the work and return the line to normal speed (50mph) by close of play on thursday.

Rail replacement buses will be in action during those hours of closure. Please look out for posters at stations for more details.

Further alteration to Abbey Line timetable
Posted Saturday 24th September 2005

Back in late August, Silverlink made a change to its published timetable for the Abbey Line (see posting below, Wednesday 31st August). This was done in order to bring its own working timetable in line with the National Rail Timetable, the information in which, due to a small error, had become inconsistent.

Unfortunately, the correction did much to inconvenience local London commuters who had become accustomed to the existing times and hence their good connections at Watford Junction.

After much public protest (most of it received through ABFLY), Silverlink have decided to revert to the earlier times from Monday 26th September. National Rail Enquiries (which works off the National Rail Timetable) also now shows these times.

To clarify, the train in question is (Monday - Friday):

Silverlink apologise for the confusion that has been caused.

Further Sunday alterations and closures
Posted Saturday 10th September 2005

Engineering work will take place on Sunday 2nd October, meaning closure of the Abbey Line all day and replacement with the usual bus service timetable (see Wednesday 24th August posting).

Thankfully, after that the Sunday service will largely be back to normal. However, because of Overhead Electric Line works on Sundays 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th October, the electric train will be replaced by a diesel until the 1306 from Watford Junction.

Incident, Thursday 8th September 2005
Posted Saturday 10th September 2005

Because of trespassers on the line in the St Albans area, the 1936 ex Watford Junction was held for 20mins at Watford North on Thursday 8th September.

Thankfully, the line was quickly searched and the train was able to continue from the station at approx. 2010. The situation was well explained by the train staff and the delay did not spread to subsequent trains.

Please be vigilant about trespass and vandalism and report any suspicious or illegal activity immediately.

Alteration to Abbey Line timetable
Posted Wednesday 31st August 2005

Version 1
The current National Rail timetable has a weekday train leaving Watford Junction at 0816, arriving St Albans Abbey at 0832. The train then leaves St Albans Abbey at 0837, to return to Watford at 0853.

Version 2
The Silverlink timetable has shown the same train leaving Watford Junction at 0809, arriving St Albans Abbey at 0825. The train then leaves St Albans Abbey at 0830, to return to Watford at 0846. Indeed, this is what has been operating, up until now.

Singing from the same songsheet
This minor discrepancy has caused a lot of hassle to a number of people! However, Silverlink have now come into line and from today - Version 1 is the definitive and you should expect it to turn up!

Replacement buses
Posted Wednesday 24th August 2005

Trains will be replaced by buses on the following Sundays in August and September:

14th, 21st and 28th August
4th, 11th, 18th and 25th September

These closures are to allow Silverlink drivers to perfect techniques for driving in slippery conditions.

The replacement bus service will also extend to St Albans City station, operating to the following timings:

Disruption, Tuesday and Wednesday 5/6th July
Posted Sunday 10th July 2005

The awful events that took place on Thursday 7th July during the London rush hour have probably long since over-written in your memory the minor incident that affected the Abbey Line in the preceeding days, but here for your information is a brief explanation nonetheless.

At around 4pm on tuesday, a van caught fire on the motorway very close to the bridge that carries the St Albans line over the M25. The van was carrying highly-explosive Oxy-Acetylne gas cylinders, so the railway had to be closed immediately because of the risk of explosion.

Unfortunately, the branch train happened to be at St Albans Abbey when this happened, so it was marooned. A replacement bus was laid on but this too had difficulties because of the closure of Park Street Lane and surrounding roads.

Julian Drury, route director for Silverlink Trains, assures me that everything was done to get a shuttle service up and running between Bricket Wood and Watford Junction as soon as possible, but this could not be done until Network Rail had laid special protection on the branch to reduce the possibility of the two trains, now stationed on the line, from colliding.

The extra train to provide the shuttle came down from Bletchley overnight, but unfortunately Network Rail didn't get the special protection down in time to allow the first train of the day to operate. However, normal service was resumed at 1245, 5 hours earlier than predicted.

If you were wondering why announcements were not made over the 'long line' PA system at each station to inform passengers about the trouble, this is because they too crashed the day before due to the heavy rain! This system is supposed to have been replaced recently by Network Rail to drastically improve its reliability, but it seems there may yet be more work to do!