London Overground

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This article or section contains information about a planned or expected London Transport infrastructure. It may contain information of a speculative nature and the content may change dramatically as the construction and/or completion of the infrastructure approaches, and more information becomes available.

London Overground
Colour on map	Double Orange stripe
Year opened	2007
Line type	Primarily surface
Rolling stock	Unconfirmed
Stations served	57 (initial network)
Length (km)	86 (initial network)
Length (miles)	54 (initial network)
Depots
Journeys made	(not yet operational) (per annum)
Rail lines of Transport for London
London Underground lines   Bakerloo   Central   Circle   District   East London   Hammersmith & City   Jubilee   Metropolitan   Northern   Piccadilly   Victoria   Waterloo & City Other lines   Docklands Light Railway   Tramlink   Overground (starts November 2007)
London Transport Portal

London Overground^[1] is the name of the network of rail services in London, England, to be part of the London Rail division of Transport for London (TfL) from 11 November 2007, and of the franchise to operate services on the network. It will initially consist of routes currently operated by Silverlink Metro, and the East London Line (to be renamed East London Railway) upon completion of its phase one extension in 2010.^[2]

[edit] History

For early history of some of the lines making up the London Overground, see East London Line, North London Railway, North London Line, Watford DC Line, West London Line and Gospel Oak to Barking Line.

On 20 February 2006, it was announced that TfL would take over the franchising of services then provided by Silverlink Metro. Tenders were invited from potential operators for this service under the provisional name of the North London Railway. On 5 September 2006 the London Overground branding was announced, and it was confirmed that the extended East London line would be included.

There are a number of reasons why this set of routes was seen as attractive for direct control by TfL.

• Although the Overground routes cover many areas of London, there is some concentration in the north-east, and services to Stratford, and these are expected to support the 2012 Summer Olympics.
• Many of the lines pass through less affluent areas, and the services are seen as part of the regeneration of these areas.^[3]
• The North London Line and Gospel Oak to Barking Line have been considered by some to be neglected and not developed to their full potential.^[4]

TfL hope to revamp the routes by improving service frequencies, staffing all stations, introducing new rolling stock and allowing Oyster card pay as you go to be used throughout the network.

[edit] Network

[edit] Scope

A considerable portion of the network will be in Zone 2, as it will mostly consist of railway lines connecting areas outside Central London. However, the initial network will use Euston Station in central London as the terminus of the Watford DC Line.^[2] As the name implies, the majority of the network will be above ground, but there are sections of the East London Line that are in cut-and-cover tunnel, and this line includes the Thames Tunnel.

The routes will be operated by a single franchisee selected in early 2007, and will be branded with a version of the familiar London Underground roundel.^[2] The line will appear on tube maps^[1] depicted with a double orange stripe.^[2] Although services will be provided by TfL, the lines will still be owned and maintained by Network Rail. The franchise will be only the third on the National Rail network to be awarded by a body other than the Department for Transport, the others being the Scottish domestic franchise, awarded by Scotland's devolved government, and the Merseyrail franchise, awarded by the Merseyside Passenger Transport Executive.

[edit] Routes

The initial routes of the London Overground network from November 2007 (orange) and with the addition of the East London Line in 2010 (light orange).

The network with all proposed changes in place

[edit] Initial operations

Initially, the London Overground will consist of the following lines:

• North London Line - Richmond to Stratford (the Stratford to North Woolwich section closed on 9 December 2006).^[5]
• West London Line - Clapham Junction to Willesden Junction
• Gospel Oak to Barking Line
• Watford DC Line - Watford Junction to Euston

The exact nature of operation on these lines is still to be announced but it is likely that there will be a number of through services from Clapham Junction to Stratford.

[edit] East London Line extension

Main article: East London Line

The East London Line (as the East London Railway) will become part of the network when Phase 1 of its extensions opens in 2010 (although at the latest TfL meeting^[6]it was pointed out (at page 74 of 150) that the work is currently due for completion on 19 October 2009, which is ahead of schedule). It will have new southern termini at Crystal Palace and West Croydon, as well as the existing terminus at New Cross. The northern extension of the line will be mostly along the Broad Street viaduct.

In the original Phase 1 plans, the extension would terminate just south of the North London Line, at Dalston Junction. However, the mayor, Ken Livingstone, has stated his intention that the link between the North London Line and East London Line be delivered soon after phase 1. Official plans state trains will from the ELL will run as far as Highbury & Islington, but the mayor implied there may be through services all the way to Richmond.^[7]

[edit] Other proposed routes

• It is projected that by 2026 the Bakerloo Line will be re-extended to Watford Junction.^[8] If this happens, the entire section from Queens Park to Watford Junction would be taken over by the London Underground. London Overground services would most likely be diverted from Primrose Hill Junction to Camden Road via Primrose Hill, which is not currently used for passenger operations, and there could be a through service from Queen's Park to Stratford. The DC line from Primrose Hill Junction to Euston would then see no passenger service.
• The East London Line extension Phase 2 plans incorporate an extension from Surrey Quays to the South London Line, and along this line to Clapham Junction. This would then create an orbital network around central London, fulfilling the Orbirail concept. However, this extension is currently unfunded.

[edit] Ticketing

Ticketing on London Overground will use a mix of paper and the electronic smart card known as the Oyster Card. As with existing National Rail services in London, passengers will be able to use a Travelcard (daily, three-day, seven-day, monthly and annual) as well as paper single, return and cheap day return tickets priced under the zonal scheme. In addition, TfL have committed to the introduction of Oyster "pay-as-you-go" which allows passengers to load a cash value onto their Oyster card, and have the relevant fare deducted at the end of their journey.

As part of an effort to improve safety and revenue protection, TfL have also announced that they will introduce ticket barriers at a number of stations. The remaining stations will be fitted with standalone Oyster Card readers similar to those found at ungated London Underground and DLR stations.

[edit] Franchise

Franchise(s):	London Overground Network 11. November 2007 -
Main Region(s):	Greater London
Other Region(s):	Hertfordshire
Fleet size:	Unconfirmed
Stations:	57
Parent company:	Transport for London
Web site:	www.tfl.gov.uk/rail/

[edit] Franchise bidding

Four prospective operators were initially pre-selected for the London Overground franchise:

• Govia
• MTR Laing (a joint venture between MTR Corporation and Laing Rail
• National Express Group
• Nedrail

In December 2006, Govia and MTR Laing were selected to submit "best and final offers" for the franchise. The successful operator will be selected in summer 2007 and begin operations from 11 November 2007.^[9]

[edit] Rolling stock

The service will begin operation using older stock.^[1] Silverlink currently operate the routes using a fleet of Class 313 EMUs and Class 150 DMUs, and London Overground will inherit these^{[citation needed]}.

From 2009, the franchise will be operated by a fleet of Class 378^[10] Electrostars to be built by Bombardier Transportation. The East London Line will have 20 four-car units and the remaining lines will share 24 three-car units.^[11] This stock will not be able to operate over the Gospel Oak to Barking Line unless it is electrified. While this is advocated by Transport for London, local boroughs and passenger groups, it has not been included as part of Network Rail's Route Utilisation Strategy for the Cross London Route.^[12] Without electrification, diesel traction will continue to be used.

The Watford DC line may be operated by newly-retired Victoria Line 1967 Stock trains before it is transferred to the Bakerloo Line.^[13]

Class	Image	Top speed		Number	Cars per set	Seat layout	Number of seats	Routes operated	Built
		mph	km/h
Class 313/1		75	121	23	3	2+2/2+3 (high density)	228 seats	North London Line West London Line Watford DC Line	1976-77 (Refurbished 1997-2002)
Class 150/1		75	121	8	2		146 seats	Gospel Oak to Barking Line	1985-86
Class 378 (Building)		75	121	44	3 or 4	Longitudinal	?	North London Line West London Line East London Line	2007-2010

[edit] Trivia

• The initial London Overground network will interchange with the following London Underground lines: Bakerloo, Central, District, Hammersmith & City, Jubilee, Northern, Victoria.
• When the East London Line extension opens, the London Overground part of Whitechapel tube station will be below the London Underground part.
• When this extension opens, the London Overground will contain the oldest tunnel under the Thames, the Thames Tunnel, originally intended for horse-drawn carriages (though only ever used for pedestrians and trains).

[edit] See also

• London Underground
• Overground Network
• Orbirail
• Crossrail

[edit] References

1. ^ ^{a b c} Transport for London - Introducing 'London Overground'
2. ^ ^{a b c d} BBC London News - London Overground plans unveiled (September 2006)
3. ^ Network Rail's Draft Cross London Route Utilisation Strategy (pdf). Transport for London (February 2006). Retrieved on January 10, 2007.
4. ^ London Assembly - London's Forgotten Railway: The Transport Committee's review of the North London Railway (PDF)
5. ^ Latest Tube Map
6. ^ TfL agenda for 7th February 2007
7. ^ Transport for London - Introducing 'London Overground'
8. ^ Scenario Testing for the Further Alterations to the London Plan London Official website
9. ^ Transport for London Transport for London confirms next bid stage for London Overground services
10. ^ TfL Board Meeting, 25/10/06 Agenda Item 4, Page 5
11. ^ Transport for London TfL awards £223m new trains contract
12. ^ London's Forgotten Railway: The Transport Committee's Review of the North London Railway. Transport for London (March 2006). Retrieved on March 17, 2007.
13. ^ London Overground & Orbirail. alwaystouchout.com (2006-12-07). Retrieved on January 10, 2007.

[edit] External links

• Tube map showing London Overground routes
• Transport for London press release
• Always Touch Out on the topic