Why can't the eurostar platforms at waterloo be used for ordinary trains?

Question

surely a platform is a platform? and the rail gauge must be the same, so what's the big deal about handing over the former eurostar platforms for commuter trains to use? why would it apparently cost several million pounds?

Answer 1

They will be used for ordinary trains!!!!

Just that what is planned is that it will be done in a phase way. Certain older platforms will get closed down  for refurbishment and when they are closed the Eurostar platforms will get used to take the trains. This will be done untill the whole of Waterloo has been refurbished and once completed ALL the Platforms will then be opened up.

The other issues that people have raised in their answers are not fully true, they do have pieces of truth in them, but platform hights  & linking lines into Network Rail infrastructure are not true as the lines have always been built into our network using the standard British Signals otherwise how would the Eurostar trains pass through Catford, Hern Hill or Bromley South? It only now that Eurostar has it own designated lines with the European In cab signalling!

Something simular is happening at Kings cross where a new platform is being built. Once the new platform is completed, other older platforms will be closed and refurbished untill all the platforms have been completed.

The reason that we are doing this is so it has has less affect on the traveling public and the trains are kept running without disruption.

I hope my answer helps. Joolz

Answer 2

The platform height is a minor issue, the main problem is that to integrate those platforms into the rest of the network the track and signals on the approach to Waterloo need to be remodelled-and that will cost a lot of money and time.

Answer 3

i've only been to waterloo a couple of times but i know that the junction outside the station is huge so it would cost millions for the junction to be re-modelled and it doesn't help that the busiest station in Britian is just outside Waterloo: Clapham Junction.  It would cause a huge uproar

Answer 4

Its not the platform but the tracks. The guage is different for the high speed trains.

Answer 5

The rail gauge is the same, the cost seems to be incurred by integrating those platforms into the main station instead of the lower level that they're now in.

This announcement was made recently by the Department of Transport.

"Talks between the DoT and South West Trains are ongoing.

A DoT spokesman said: "We have already announced that we are developing a strategy for the short term use of the platforms, which could see some domestic services using the platforms from December 2008."

This will leave essentially a gap-year, which the Department says will be spent in constructing access from the old Eurostar platforms to the main stations, integrating them to the current domestic platforms at Waterloo.

The DoT went on to say that it is also "identifying a medium term solution to maximise the benefits the platforms offer by running longer trains. This is being worked on as a priority."

The medium-term aim appears to be that longer trains will be using the old Eurostar platforms, increasing capacity on overcrowded lines as well as making platforms available for shorter trains."

Answer 6

The major problem is the need to remodel the layout of the tracks at Waterloo to enable domestic services properly to gain access to and use the Eurostar platforms. This will be quite a massive undertaking and accounts for part of the cost. The trouble is Waterloo is such a busy station and to close it to enable remodelling would be unacceptable.

Answer 7

Eurostar platforms are at continental height (750mm) - UK platforms are a nominal 1000mm. Each platform is 1/4 of a mile long and there are 4 platforms, thats a lot of raising. The sunken Eurostar concourse will be raised to be at the same level as the platforms to allow for greater volumes of people to circulate

Also included in the cost is the new junctions to allow access from the mainline routes (currently access is only availble from the Stewarts lane Flyover (where Eurostar joined the route into Waterloo) and 'Windsor lines' - The flyover is being demolished, with a possible new flyover being built to divert trains from the 'fasts' into the former international station.

Even if the works only take a few months any major changes to services would have to wait for the national timetable change in December. Though As I understand it, Eurostar won't hand the station over to Network Rail and their contractors to start work for another 6 months...