The original plan was to be able to use the extended platform Grays Platform 3, (the one mainly used for the Upminster shuttles) from the May 2008 timetable, this was then rescheduled to December 2008; but because there was no certainty of the work being completed for December at the time the timetable had to be submitted to Network Rail, no timetable changes could be contemplated before May 2009.

However, timetabling exercises have now indicated that it would be ‘problematic’ to get any of the envisaged benefits from the existing train fleet without a major recast; and, since there is already a major change expected for December 2009 (on the basis of c2c inheriting 10 4-car Class 321 sets displaced from the London Midland, formerly Silverlink County, route, as a result of LM receiving a new batch of Class 350 units over the coming year). Therefore, it would not be worthwhile for c2c to do 2 major changes in relatively quick succession. However, c2c is recruiting more drivers now, to ensure they are available in sufficient numbers for the December timetable.

[It now appears from the railway press that LM would prefer to retain 10 of the Class 321 units for ‘growth’, and c2c may be the ‘losers’ if this happens.]

Therefore, under what is known as “short term planning”, it is now planned that those 8-car trains which currently reverse at Grays in the Down platform, will do so instead in the bay platform. It will also be used far more effectively than is currently possible, under a variety of service disruption scenarios.

12/10/2008