Forum Topic

Frequency of Elizabeth Line trains

Only four trains an hour really isn’t great compared to the rest of the line. Plus if they cancel a train, nothing else is asked to stop instead.Is there a plan to increase frequency at Acton Mainline? Even six trains an hour would be better.Anyone know?

Sara Nathan ● 446d35 Comments

Some morning trains are fully packed, that it's difficult to find space.I have also written to TfL and had a longer conversation with them over the email, and attaching below their final response; I am going to submit an enquiry Network Rail and DfT.Thanks, Kris"Acton Main Line along with other stations has been determined by Network Rail as needing reduced frequencies due to traffic on the network.When we submit a timetable we go in telling Network Rail and the Department for Transport (DfT) what it is we are proposing.It is down to these organisations to allocate us a timetable, given the amount of freight traffic in the area this is a complex task.There is a lot of consultation that is done between all Train Operating Companies (TOCs) including both passenger and non-passenger services.Once consultations have been concluded the final say comes down to Network Rail what is viable and what isn't.Given the most recent timetable it has been determined by Network Rail in accordance with The Railway Safety Regulations 1999 plus other factors that we cannot increase the frequency of services.We have two timetable changes a year, once in the summer and once in the winter so we hope our next timetable will benefit everyone."

Kris Weg ● 272d

After 2230 the Heathrow T5 trains are the ones to get for AML. I think the T4 ones don't run then.Still not often enough or reliable enough - but a joy when it works.

Sara Nathan ● 276d

My daughter got the last train to AML from Tottenham Ct Rd last Sunday evening (going to Terminal 4), and when it got to Paddington, there was an announcement that it wouldn't after all be stopping at AML, so then a 25-minute wait for a 207 bus back from Ealing. To do that for the last service of the night, shows what contempt TfL holds for AML.

Charlotte Wathey ● 283d

SoftwareIts bugs

Allan Kelly ● 323d

That all AML trains would go to T4 has been in the plans for a while, but probably only a few train-nerds like me had heard.It does mean that for most of the day, coming back, you just look for a T4 train.There are a few trains at the start of the day and end of the day that do go to T5 so its not completely clear.I do feel TfL could do a better job of indicating which trains are stopping and which non-stopping.

Allan Kelly ● 323d

Seems to me then that they have their priorities all wrong.As usual.Not keeping a freight train waiting is more important than a passenger train?I don't understand that logic.AT ALL.Sounds very insincere to me.

Rosco White ● 333d

TFL replied to my question re why the stops at Acton Main Line weren't increased with the new timetable stating: 'One of the main issues with Acton Main Line is the fact it has a lot of freight operating in the area and leads off towards a depot and under the terms given by the Department for Transport (DfT) freight services have an advantage over passenger services due to them getting priority to delivery goods and services'.

Christine Newby ● 333d

It would at least be competent if they could even get the current schedule on time. I don't know if it's signalling, track, staff or what but tfl need to fix the delays & cancellations, there has been a delay/cancellation every time I have used the line.Maybe I'm unlucky but I'd wager it's reasonably often, and it's obviously just not good enough for what has quickly become a vital journey for a lot of people.

Rosco White ● 336d

It's really disappointing that more scheduled stops at Acton Main Line weren't included in the new timetable. I use the Elizabeth line to commute to work - often I can't even physically get on the train of a weekday morning because it's too packed! This is especially the case if there have been earlier cancellations. I then have to walk to the central line and arrive to work late.  They haven't even completed all the high rise blocks of flats nearby AML station which will be filled with even more commuters.  I've written to TFL - I'll see if I get a response.

Christine Newby ● 337d

I made that horrible discovery yesterday, that it's now only Terminal 4 from Acton Main Line. They kept that pretty quiet when announcing the timetable change. The station staff at AML yesterday were very keen that everyone protest to TfL about this change.

Charlotte Wathey ● 342d

So disappointing that, although the number of trains from Paddington to Heathrow increases today, still only four an hour stop at AML. And you will have to be extra careful getting on - the Heathrow terminal five trains are non-stop here.Jolly annoying.

Sara Nathan ● 348d

So disappointing that, although the number of trains from Paddington to Heathrow increases today, still only four an hour stop at AML. And you will have to be extra careful getting on - the Heathrow terminal five trains are non-stop here.Jolly annoying.

Sara Nathan ● 348d

Acton Mainline was always scheduled to four trains per hour, going back to the early 2000s. I think with all the development a case could be made now for upping the stopping pattern, although this would slow down the service.  Hanwell also only have four trains per hour and are complaining. Again this goes back to the early 2000s when on  consultation, Hanwell voted not to have the platforms extended and this was a condition of not doing this. Hanwell does not have the development we have.

Libby Kemp ● 367d

So fewer annoying stops outside Paddington but no more trains at AML. Is that right?

Sara Nathan ● 370d

We'll be introducing the full peak Elizabeth line timetable on Sunday 21 May 2023. Peak time frequencies will increase from 22 to up to 24 trains per hour between Paddington and Whitechapel, with 16 trains per hour running off-peak. There will be 12 trains per hour running between Canary Wharf and Abbey Wood in the peak. The peak will also now last for longer, increasing capacity even further. Services will also run all day between Shenfield and Heathrow Airport (Terminal 5) for the first time, with two trains per hour providing direct connectivity between Essex, east London and west London. There will also be more services at peak time between Liverpool Street National Rail station (platforms 15 -17) and Gidea Park, providing a faster route for those entering from / exiting to Bishopsgate.In the west, there will be an increase in peak services from Reading, with some trains that were previously operated by Great Western Railway transferring to become Elizabeth line services with reduced stops. We will also be removing any significant pauses for trains between Paddington and Acton Main Line, as has been the case with some trains waiting between the stations since November 2022 while they waited to join Network Rail tracks or enter Elizabeth line tunnels. Customers on these services should see reduced journey times between Reading and Paddington and improved journey times for customers travelling from the west into central London. Customers will receive more frequent services to and from Heathrow Airport as part of this timetable. The airport overall will receive six Elizabeth trains per hour all day. All Heathrow trains stop at Terminal 2 & 3, with four per hour continuing to Terminal 4, and two per hour continuing to Terminal 5.Yours sincerely,Customer Information TeamTransport for London

Rosco White ● 371d

Most of the open area to the left of the building was set aside for cycle parking.  They either haven't got around to it yet or need the land to remain open to provide access for further works.

Simon Derbyshire ● 374d

I hope you are being a pessimist and the frequency increases even by two an hour. Is it really the least-used station? Seems very busy, with people pouring off every train I see or use. But maybe that’s just in comparison with what it used to be.Completely agree with you about the lack of bike racks. Really annoying and inexplicable: one rail on a slope doesn’t really count.

Sara Nathan ● 374d

If stops at AML are reduced, then the poor peeps buying into The Towers at North Acton and Friary have been sold a pup? Scandalous!  😉

Rosco White ● 380d

Doesn't seem that long ago that 4 trains an hour was a god-send and now we want more? :)There will be more trains to Heathrow before long (May timetable change I think) but no more to Acton Main Line.Which means: we will all need to read the sigage more carefully.At the moment I'm sure I am not alone in thinking Heathrow train = AML - that won't be the case much longer. The "not calling at AML, Hanwell & wherever" is really quite minor.Of course I'd love there to be more trains but AML is not going to be a TfL priority, I think I read it is the least used EL starion, and it had the lowest ticket sales of any Elizabth Line station last year (https://diamondgeezer.blogspot.com/2023/02/the-overgrounds-least-used-ticket-office.html)I would like to know: Where are the bike racks?It was originally claimed all EL stations would have bike racks and given the number of bike chained to the railings it is clear there are none. Shame 'cos that big open space next to the station would be ideal for bike racks.

Allan Kelly ● 407d

Andy Slaughter MP seems to have picked up on these concerns about the capacity issues brought about by Old Oak Common being the terminus for HS2.If you want to be glass half full it may mean that they have an incentive to get the line working to maximum efficiency before this happens and it is only once OOC opens that they might take an axe to services at AML and other stations on the line to ensure there is space for arrivals from the north wanting to travel into central London.

Alan Fairchild ● 407d

Would love it if they did - but currently only the Heathrow service does - presumably to speed the journey for those going to Reading. It's jolly annoying.I wonder what will happen when HS2 terminates at Old Oak Common as now seems likely for years. the slack to be picked up by the Elizabeth line (presumably another branch) will that mean even fewer trains on this part of the line?

Sara Nathan ● 413d

Absolutely horrendous yesterday afternoon & evening, Cancellations and Delays left, right and centre.Also, if it's the "Elizaberth Line", why do some trains not stop at Acton Main Line?AML is on the Elizabeth Line Map, so shouldn't all EL trains stop at AML?I'm probably unaware and missing something ......

Rosco White ● 416d

whilst not an ideal situation, wouldn't it be easier/quicker to walk to Lancaster gate station and going straight to North Acton on Central rather than go Via ealing broadway. just a thought/suggestion.

Malcolm Woolsey ● 424d

Agreed, once on, it’s fab. Not even moaning about waits outside Paddington station. It’s the random cancellations: whenever anything goes wrong on the line, the first response is to cancel the service stopping at AML. Happened to my husband again this week: powers that be decided to make Heathrow service (our only one) nonstop all the way for some reason. Stranded at Paddington. Eventually to Ealing Broadway, back on the central line and 20 minute walk home. You can’t plan life like that…

Sara Nathan ● 427d

As someone who commutes between Acton and Hertford every week, I give thanks every time I climb on board the Elizabeth Line. Takes 45 minutes off my journey and there is wifi. Even met Julian Bell the other day. Got dumped at Paddington on Tuesday for reasons that remained obscure. So I went to M+S in the station while I waited. It happens.

Maire Lowe ● 435d

Although the service could be better, apps like Citymapper do allow you to time your arrival at the station to avoid overlong waits. Once you are on the Elizabeth Line it is generally great.

Mark Evans ● 436d

It probably lost a bit in translation.

Mark Frost ● 443d

So all that sales blurb from the tower block developers of North Acton about 'Frequent Crossrail trains to the West End, Canary Wharf and Heathrow' was something of an exaggeration.

Peter Evans ● 443d

Husband delayed both ways yesterday and had to Uber from Paddington in the end. So much promised, so little delivered…This is the link to report nightmare journeys and make suggestions. https://bit.ly/3wIkZht

Sara Nathan ● 443d

I agree, after all the hype and the enormous new station, we still only get 4 trains an hour. Sometimes it's quicker to go to Ealing Broadway, rush over the bridge and change to the other track than it is to wait. However, if the changes in May really do speed up the journey to Paddington, then at least that'll be something.

Anne Brown ● 444d

Frequency of trains stopping at AML will undoubtedly increase as they complete building the myriad Vertical Sardine Cans..... 😊

Rosco White ● 444d

Doesn’t help Acton Mainline at all- no more trains stopping here. Just an attempt to reduce the delays outside Paddington - which is welcome but really doesn’t address the core problem of not enough trains serving Acton Mainline, reliably enough.

Sara Nathan ● 444d

http://www.chiswickw4.com/default.asp?section=community&link=http://neighbournet.com/server/common/eacrossrail009.htmThe Elizabeth line should improve in May with a new timetable.

Philippa Bond ● 445d

I think Sundays are about it still being a work in progress… but on no Overground weekends, it’s. Not great

Sara Nathan ● 446d

Yes, after the initial excitement the Elizabeth Line is becoming quite disappointing with the frequency with which trains are cancelled or late running. Four trains an hour at best feels very minimal as all those other trains rush through the station, and surely once all those blocks are completed opposite the station they will feel even more minimal. And why all these Sundays when trains are running to Heathrow but not stopping at Acton Mainline, does anyone know what that is about?

Charlotte Wathey ● 446d