Date: 07/05/2015

The Thameslink programme is going well. A complex project to upgrade the existing route through the centre of London while also adding new London Bridge, disruption was always bound to occur but, by 2018, it will be complete and a staggering 24 trains per hour each way will be running on a twin-track railway through the centre of London. The £6.5 billion project will see the original destinations of Bedford and Brighton augmented by Peterborough and Cambridge, from whence trains will run through the Canal Tunnels, joining the ‘traditional’ Thameslink route just north of the St Pancras platforms. At the southern end of the route, trains will terminate at Tattenham Corner, Horsham, Caterham, East Grinstead Sevenoaks and Maidstone in addition to Brighton. All trains will call at St Pancras, Farringdon, City Thameslink and Blackfriars. The latter station has already been completely rebuilt to span the Thames. Many services will also stop at London Bridge, which is currently getting a makeover. The work required is extensive and long-suffering commuters are having to cope with an ever-changing situation. However, once complete, Thameslink’s services will have a dedicated path through the busy station for the first time ever. [From Richard Buckby]

External links

Thameslink testing and stabling

Rail Engineer

The Thameslink programme is going well. A complex project to upgrade the existing route through the centre of London while also adding new London Bridge, which