The line diagrams show it all!

Hi all

In the last blog entry about Shepherd’s Bush Central line station reopening (see entry below dated 5th October), I missed out something very interesting that I forgot to mention and thought I would share with you. On one Central line train, I noticed a brand new line diagram which I guess has been put up in the train in preparation for the opening of the new stations and it even includes interchanges at Shepherd’s Bush with Overground (100m walk) and White City with Wood Lane (a 250 metre walk from White City). Here’s the proof of the pudding…

Assuming it all goes to plan, Wood Lane is due to open on 12th October (this coming Sunday). So more exciting new things to come! I also assume that a new Tube Map will be out by this time.

Shepherd’s Bush Central line is now open!

Hi all

Once again, they were right! Last week, Shepherd’s Bush Overground station opened its doors for the very first time. Today, Shepherd’s Bush Central line station finally reopened. So I thought it would be nice to check out the new rebuilt and refurbished station for myself.

The station platforms are not 100% complete as evidenced on the walls on the trackside, they haven’t finished the paintwork and have put up temporary roundel signs for the time being. Hopefully this will be finished very soon. The ticket hall is specious and very huge indeed, it is more than double the capacity it was before and the station has a very airy feel to it! Here are a few photos I took while there this evening…

1. The new Shepherd’s Bush Underground Roundel on a new white and blue tiling

2. As you can see, the electronic indicator boards are not fully in operation yet, and the trackside walls are in need of painting

3. The eastern side of the platform, you can clearly see both sides.

4. Both platforms taken from the eastern side of the platforms

5. The blue tiling (but notice evidence of the old platform wall behind!)

6. The brand new escalators
 

7. The spacious ticket hall

8. The ticket hall taken from the outside of the station

9. Shepherd’s Bush Overground station on the other side, today though it is closed

10. The main entrance of the new built station

11. Glass has been heavily used to reveal the new escalators

All in all, they have done a good job indeed ready for the opening of Westfield Shopping Centre at the end of this month. Lifts were in the original plan, but none have been installed…and the council are hoping that it will accomodated in the near future…let’s hope Shepherd’s Bush Central line station eventually becomes a step free access station just like it’s Overground one.

Now with two stations opened, it is now waiting for Wood Lane station to open, which is reported to open next Sunday (12th October). We’ll just have to wait and see!

Have you visited the new station? What do you think? Let me know!

Shepherd’s Bush H&C is changing (Market will be added!)

Hi all

In the final series of Shepherd’s Bush blog entries, here is what is happening at the current Shepherd’s Bush (Hammersmith & City) line station. Already, they have put up the new station name, Shepherd’s Bush Market, except the ‘Market’ bit has been covered up!

Here are a few photos of the changes being made…

1. The station entrance with ‘Market’ covered up…

2. The line diagram with the new name covered and Wood Lane included!

3. Most of the new roundel signs look like this…

4. And the one that got away! This is what the new signs will look like when the station is renamed!

With Wood Lane rumoured to open on 12th October, this is the likely date of the rename. What do you think of the changes? Do you like the rename? Let me know!

Shepherd’s Bush Central line in good progress

Hi all

As well as the opening of Shepherd’s Bush Overground station, it was worth having a look at the progress works taking place at Shepherd’s Bush Central line. The station is almost complete and will be open in good time! Here are a few shots that I took of the new look station!

 

The station looks very nice and spacious. According to earlier reports, Shepherd’s Bush Central line station will open on 5th October (in about a week’s time). I will be visiting the site nearer the time (and hopefully it will have reopened by then)!

What do you think? Let me know!

Shepherd’s Bush Overground is now open!

Hi all

They were right! Yesterday (28th September), Shepherd’s Bush Overground finally opened its doors to the public after a delay last year in which the northbound platform was deemed too narrow and had to be widened. But now it is all sorted out and today, I decided to pay a visit to the all new station to be built on the West London line of London Overground. After waiting half an hour at Willesden Junction missing the Clapham Junction train that had left just a few minutes before, I step onto another to check out the new station. I was impressed when the train had arrived at Shepherd’s Bush station. It is even the first to sport the brand new London Overground roundels! Here is an small gallery of the all new station:

1. The station looking northbound

2. The station looking southbound

3. View of the new Westfield Shopping Centre

4. The new Shepherd’s Bush Overground roundel sign

5. The corridor link to the ticket office

6. The new station building

What are my thoughts of the new station? I think it looks very well built and very clean (well at the time I was there anyway!). Very spacious and complete step free access from the station entrance, ticket hall, right to the station platforms. A very exciting addition to what is becoming a growing area of West London! If you haven’t visited the station, do have a look!

In addition, some of you may have noticed on maps online at the TfL website that does not show the new timetable with times of trains serving Shepherd’s Bush Overground. I picked up the following leaflet from Shepherd’s Bush Overground which has the new timetable!

7. The leaflet with the new timetable
 

What do you think of the new station? Let me know!

Wood Lane and Shepherd’s Bush (Central) opening dates?

Hi all

According to the following press report from Hammersmith & Fulham council, there is mention of opening dates for Wood Lane and Shepherd’s Bush (Central line) stations.

Wood Lane station on the Hammersmith & City line is said to be opening on 12th October. This is a brand new station built on an existing line between Shepherd’s Bush (Hammersmith & City) [more details on this below] and Latimer Road. This is the first station to be built on an existing line in 70 years. It will also be linked to the north west corner of the all new Westfield Shopping Centre opening on 30th October. If this is to be believed, then Shepherd’s Bush (Hammersmith & City line) will be renamed Shepherd’s Bush Market around the same time on 12th October.

Shepherd’s Bush (Central line) station is reported to be opening on 5th October and if all goes to plan, will open exactly a week later after Shepherd’s Bush (Overground) due to open on 28th September. The station has a totally new building replacing the original 1900 station and replacement escalators and new refurbished platforms.

Sounds all exciting! I will be visiting the area very soon shortly before these stations open! 

What do you think of these exciting new stations? Let me know!

Shepherd’s Bush Central Line station almost complete

Hi all

The other day, I was just driving in central London when I thought I would pass by Shepherd’s Bush and see what progress has been made at the Central line station.

The building is complete and they have even erected the Underground roundel signs on the outside of the building (all illuminated as I passed by in the evening). It is on target for October. Unfortunately, I have no photos to show this as I was only driving but I will be passing by again soon with a few progress photos.

Still interesting enough. Although the London Overground maps have been updated in trains due to the engineering works, these posters state that Shepherd’s Bush Overground will open in October 2008. But the latest weekend closures poster puts a firm opening date of 28 September 2008. Perhaps it will open without notice and get some official opening in October? I’ll keep you posted on the progress on the works.

Confusing details on London Overground closures

Hi all

Another blog entry again for today!  I’ve just stumbled over some confusing details about the London Overground closures that took place from yesterday (1st September).  The puzzling information is regarding Camden Road station!  According to the closure leaflet (click here), Camden Road is served by London Overground trains between Watford Junction and Stratford via Camden Road (note this!).  The leaflet states “Trains from Watford Junction/Willesden Junction will stop at all stations to South Hampstead, followed by Camden Road and then all stations to Stratford”.

However, check the London Overground network map (click here) and you will notice that Camden Road is not served at all by Watford Junction and Stratford trains!  Has the author made a mistake?

In addition, to an earlier blog entry I wrote, the maps appear to suggest that Shepherd’s Bush Overground station will open in ‘October 2008’ yet a weekend closure map suggested that the station would open on 28th September 2008.  And where’s Imperial Wharf??? Mysteries that need answers! Let’s see if the authors of the maps make the corrections soon!

In addition, shouldn’t the Tube Map receive and update on the closures?

Shepherd’s Bush Overground will finally open!

Hi all

It seems a very long time now with the delay of the opening of Shepherd’s Bush Overground. This was because TfL were unhappy with the wall Northbound which made the platform narrow. But they were recently pushed back.

However, today I was at Willesden Junction station and noticed on one of the station closures map that Shepherd’s Bush Overground station finally has an opening date! It will open on 28th September 2008. That will mean that it will open before Shepherd’s Bush Central line station which opens in mid October. Check the photo below for confirmation! I will probably pay a visit around that time, it should be good!

Is there any Green?

Hi all

A subject has arisen about Shepherd’s Bush Tube station, in particular, the naming of the stations. For those who have been observing, the Hammersmith & City line station will be renamed ‘Shepherd’s Bush Market’ in late 2008 to avoid confusion when Shepherd’s Bush Central line station reopens its doors.

But now, there are claims that Shepherd’s Bush Central line station will also be renamed to ‘Shepherd’s Bush Green’. This is not so convincing though. I took a photo of a line diagram a few days ago while I was awaiting for a train at Hanger Lane station.

On the line diagram, you will have noticed that ‘Shepherd’s Bush Green’ is on the diagram…suggesting that the station maybe renamed, but don’t be fooled! This has been on the line diagram for quite a few years now. If you visit Queensway or Lancaster Gate for example which are two stations that had their refurbishment, you will notice that the station is simply ‘Shepherd’s Bush’ giving no suggestion whatsoever that a rename is due. And why would they do it? Besides, they are going to rename the Hammersmith & City line station for this very reason, to avoid confusion with the two existing station. At the same time, the London Overground station is called Shepherd’s Bush and will be a direct interchange with the Central line, so renaming this will cause even more confusion!

What does anyone else think? Let me know!