As the Overground has grown, calls have increased to provide its sub-lines with clearer identities of their own. Behind the scenes, TfL have been working to do just that. Those new identities have now been …
Continue readingAuthor: John Bull
John Bull is the Editor of London Reconnections. A transport journalist and historian, his writing often focuses on the political or strategic challenges facing London's transport network and beyond.
The State of Rail: Breaking Down The Numbers
With discussion of ticket office closures and rail passenger numbers a political hot potato, it’s easy to forget that firm data on the state of rail in Great Britain does exist. We take a look at the ORR’s latest figures (April – June 2023) and TfL’s recent Crossrail Usage report.
Continue readingIn Pictures: Blackpool’s Historic Trams
We take a look at the hidden history of Blackpool’s tram network, lurking in the sheds at Blackpool Transport.
Continue readingThe Purple Elephant in the Room: Crossrail’s Opening Date
Unsurprisingly, the subject of Crossrail/Elizabeth line opening dates is a hot topic in the transport community at the moment. In this article, we address that big purple elephant in the room. The truth is that …
Continue readingCanal Knowledge: The Fall and Rise of Surrey Canal Road Station
For ten years, Surrey Canal Road has been a modern ghost station. An empty station box beneath on the East London Line the only hint of its near existence. As TfL submit planning permission to build it, we look at how it never came to pass and why its time has finally come.
Continue readingSoutheastern: Non-Breaking News
On 28 September the Department for Transport announced that they would be taking over the Southeastern franchise, following a breach of franchise agreement. We look at what this means for the franchise, and why it’s …
Continue readingThe Political Myth of the Driverless Tube Train
Both meaningless and meaningful, the phrase ‘driverless trains’ is a recurring one in London politics. In this piece, we explore the reality behind the phrase and what it means in a London context.
Continue readingUber Loses Appeal against ruling on UK Worker rights
Uber has lost its Supreme Court Appeal on whether drivers are self-employed or workers, directly employed by Uber itself. The appeal was Uber’s fourth, and final attempt to overturn the judgement. That it took the …
Continue readingNew Tracks in the History of Railways Conference, 17-18 September 2020
We’d like to highlight the New Tracks in the History of Railways (NTIHOR) Conference to readers. It is a two-day Twitter conference, open to all, looking at new research and study in the field of …
Continue readingSlavery and the Railways, Part 2: Building a Better Future
We sit down with Loraine Martins, Network Rail’s Director of Diversity and Inclusion, to discuss the importance of acknowledging the past and how the rail industry can use it to help create a better future.
Continue readingTfL: THE IMPOSSIBLE FINANCES OF FIGHTING A PANDEMIC
Asked by the government to provide a frequent a timetable during the Coronavirus outbreak to allow social distancing, TfL have risen to the challenge. But losing £150m a week has pushed the organisation to the …
Continue readingRemembering Mike Horne
On 26 March 2020, the railway industry lost Mike “M A C” Horne, who passed away suddenly from a heart attack. Mike’s knowledge of the history and operation of the railways (London’s in particular) was …
Continue readingCANCELLED: 12th March LR meetup
Due to COVID-19 concerns, and in line with many institutions completely closing, we are cancelling this month’s LR Pub Night official meetup. As recommended by the health authorities, remember to: Wash hands frequently and thoroughly. …
Continue readingAn Incident At Queen’s Cross
Every Christmas at London Reconnections we like to bring you something a little bit different. This year, John Bull takes you to a London that never was. Merry Christmas to all of our readers, and …
Continue readingSite design and hosting update
You’ll probably have spotted that the site now looks a bit different. We’ve been working on a new design behind the scenes for a while and, while we’d planned to hold off on pushing it live until Christmas, we’ve done so slightly early.
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