Network Rail (NR) has set out the final timeline for work on the Gospel Oak to Barking line electrification.
By January 2018, NR expects the electrification installation to be complete, to enable the testing of new electric trains and the training of drivers to begin.
These passenger trains will begin service from spring 2018. Current diesel services will continue to run as normal until replaced by new double-length trains.
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Network Rail route manager Meliha Duymaz said, ‘The Gospel Oak to Barking line is set to benefit from a transformational upgrade with better services provided by a new fleet of longer electric trains, doubling the current capacity.
‘This project has not been without its difficulties and we’d like to apologise for the continued disruption and thank both passengers and neighbours for their patience while we finish our work.
‘We still have a lot to do but with a new team in place to finish off the project, I’m confident that the immense benefits of this once-in-a-lifetime investment will be realised in the months ahead, and the benefits enjoyed for years to come.’
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