Rail Replacement
The role of rail replacement, is to replace a section of the route on the railway that is closed or for other reasons. This would mean that bus companies has to source out their own fleet, as using the current buses on route can be difficult, especially if they have a schedule to bring the next day. That's why private operators come in sometimes, since some are used commercially and not daily. Of course it happens within the UK, though I am more familiar with it in London. In some cases though, desperate times call for desperate measures so if something tragic has happened on a line, then emergency rail replacement is deployed. This took place on London Overground earlier this year, where a freight train managed to derail between Leyton Midland Road and Walthamstow Queens Road (Gospel Oak to Barking Line a.k.a GOBLIN) causing severe damage to the track. Derailments aside, I would like to talk about the route I took to reach Central London. I will start off with the past route I used to take.
Thing of the past
Once upon a time, Summer 2017. It marks the longest holiday of the year in August (7 weeks - more if you are doing educational studies etc) a perfect time to take a break and relaxxxx..... though if you have commitments then there's not much else to do. I mainly come from East London so I use TFL Rail but it didn't really cause too many issues. When it hit November I had an issue. Full closure. Just what I wanted to happen. During this time, I was skeptical on taking rail replacement since I thought you had to pay. I avoided it for that reason. Instead I decided to take London bus route 86, getting off at Ilford to board another bus - 123, 128, 150 or 179 towards Gants Hill.
Gants Hill tube station is served by the Central Line, using 1992 tube stocks coming frequently within a matter of 2-3 minutes. I managed to bag a seat, since it's so empty from the station prior, during early weekend mornings - Newbury Park. Coming back, I alight at Stratford to get my local route home, since I didn't want to go the same way as buses around Gants Hill, are a bit hit and miss on occasions. 86 is an important route in East London, since it goes from Stratford to Romford via majority of the stations on GEML (Great Eastern Main Line) so there was no surprise, that many people were waiting and I managed to end up on a packed commute.
London Bus Route 25, was the #1 busiest route in London back then, going from Ilford to Oxford Circus meaning every bus came rammed. Though in today's times, the route at present goes to City Thameslink so buses aren't as full as it was anymore, which is a shame because I found it very useful. Another bus route; 425 became extended from Stratford to Ilford in September 2018, helping out with the Romford Road corridor. Honestly I feel it was the right call, since there were many people travelling along that section so I'm thankful. Basically, that is what I've been doing over a year. Though something come to mind.... I know, I know. I missed the Wright Eclipse Gemini and ALX400 workings (older and endangered buses at the time). That's the thing of the past now.
In 2019, I also did the Newbury Park to Shenfield and it felt fast too with the buses allocated. Though if they don't come on time, then I usually take 396 then 173. Still works well for me. I've only been as far as Chadwell Heath on this route, sometimes it can be a bit packed during the evening. Now I will show the route allocation for them both.
What can I say? It was a good experience in general and provided a quicker link! It's free too! To this day I use it and is honestly a great way to travel, rather than enduring your usual start-stop route since it will take more time.
This was my review on rail replacement. Hope you enjoyed!
With a new threat that arrived in the UK causing lockdown near the end of March, staying at home has been a bit weird to adjust - hence I haven't been posting blogs recently. On double decker buses in London, both doors contained stickers encouraging to people not to tap in or board at the front. The front section was blocked off with tape. Instead you would need to board at the back, this applied to single deckers too though those routes that use one door, simply had a sticker saying not to tap on the reader. I might do a blog on it soon.
Thanks for reading!
Happy riding - essentially of course! (at the time of publish)
Gants Hill tube station is served by the Central Line, using 1992 tube stocks coming frequently within a matter of 2-3 minutes. I managed to bag a seat, since it's so empty from the station prior, during early weekend mornings - Newbury Park. Coming back, I alight at Stratford to get my local route home, since I didn't want to go the same way as buses around Gants Hill, are a bit hit and miss on occasions. 86 is an important route in East London, since it goes from Stratford to Romford via majority of the stations on GEML (Great Eastern Main Line) so there was no surprise, that many people were waiting and I managed to end up on a packed commute.
London Bus Route 25, was the #1 busiest route in London back then, going from Ilford to Oxford Circus meaning every bus came rammed. Though in today's times, the route at present goes to City Thameslink so buses aren't as full as it was anymore, which is a shame because I found it very useful. Another bus route; 425 became extended from Stratford to Ilford in September 2018, helping out with the Romford Road corridor. Honestly I feel it was the right call, since there were many people travelling along that section so I'm thankful. Basically, that is what I've been doing over a year. Though something come to mind.... I know, I know. I missed the Wright Eclipse Gemini and ALX400 workings (older and endangered buses at the time). That's the thing of the past now.
First Ride!
I thought - why don't I try rail replacement? So in November 2018 I ventured to the bus stop. When I arrived I saw people waiting, as well as a member of train assistance staff. Makes sense. Their job is to look out for the next rail replacement bus coming and give assistance to passengers. One of the things I had to do is keep an eye on the mini slipboard at the front of bus, as it was showing the destination that it was going to. I needed to get to Stratford, thankfully it wasn't long before I saw a rail replacement bus arriving at the stop. It was an Enviro 400 MMC double decker powered by hybrid, as I noted with the "Hybrid Cleaner Air For London" sticker towards the back. It was an 18 reg new for route 196 which was gained in May that year, by Abellio London. Once I boarded the bus we set off. This MMC had speed and overtook many buses during the journey - it's like being on a train! Unfortunately the Romford Road section near Manor Park, did contain bad traffic levels leading to long wait times. The bus started to become packed until Stratford station where most people got off. I decided to go Stratford City since that's where it terminated. The route is basically an X86 for most of the way.In 2019, I also did the Newbury Park to Shenfield and it felt fast too with the buses allocated. Though if they don't come on time, then I usually take 396 then 173. Still works well for me. I've only been as far as Chadwell Heath on this route, sometimes it can be a bit packed during the evening. Now I will show the route allocation for them both.
Route Allocation
Route: Stratford to Romford (UL16)
Operator: Abellio London
Garages: Walworth (WL), Hayes (WS) and Battersea (QB)
Vehicles: Alexander Dennis Enviro 400H MMC, Alexander Dennis Enviro 400/H, New Routemasters
Bulit in: Gulidford, England/Falkirk, Scotland and Ballymena, Northern Ireland
Bulit in: Gulidford, England/Falkirk, Scotland and Ballymena, Northern Ireland
Chassis: E40H (MMC and Enviro 400), Dennis Trident 2 & E40D, Wright NBFL
Engine: CumminsISBe4.5, CumminsISBe6.7
Gearbox: 1 speed, 5 speed & 6 speed
Tranmission: Hybrid, ZF Ecomat and ZF Ecolife
My preferred bus to ride on: Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 (Dennis Trident 2 and E40H)
Reasons why I chose that bus
Dennis Trident 2 (ADL Enviro 400)
- Dennis Trident 2s can have a good sounding gearbox
- Despite their age, it could provide you with a good ride
- Comfortable seats
E40H (ADL Enviro 400 and MMC)
- Quick acceleration
- Nice motor sound when the bus goes into neutral
- Seats are comfortable
- Has a nice whine before the engine turns on
Route: Newbury Park to Shenfield (UL51)
Operator: Sullivan Buses
Garage: South Mimms (SM)
Vehicles: Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 and Scania Ommicity
Bulit in: Gulidford, England and Slupsk, Poland
Bulit in: Gulidford, England and Slupsk, Poland
Chassis: Dennis Trident & E40D, Scania N230UD
Engine: CumminISBe6.7, ScaniaDC9
Gearbox: 6 speed and 5 speed
Tranmission: ZF Ecolife and ZF Ecomat
My preferred bus to ride on: Scania Ommicity (though I don't mind the Enviro 400s)
Reasons why I chose that bus
- Quick once it starts moving through the gears
- Suits the fast paced route
- Love hearing the ZF and revs
This was my review on rail replacement. Hope you enjoyed!
With a new threat that arrived in the UK causing lockdown near the end of March, staying at home has been a bit weird to adjust - hence I haven't been posting blogs recently. On double decker buses in London, both doors contained stickers encouraging to people not to tap in or board at the front. The front section was blocked off with tape. Instead you would need to board at the back, this applied to single deckers too though those routes that use one door, simply had a sticker saying not to tap on the reader. I might do a blog on it soon.
Thanks for reading!
Happy riding - essentially of course! (at the time of publish)
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