Class 172 and 357 BLAST past on the Goblin Line! Photograph copyright and reproduced courtesy of SP Railways.
I felt it was best to put my proposed routes in one article.
Map is about 95% accurate I apologize for how messy it looks.
London Overground
The South London Network was different but well-loved which included a London Overground route, my proposed route is on the other side of the city.
Barking to Gospel Oak or (shorter) served by a BR class 172. This route would between Woodgrange Park and Wanstead Park connects to the GEML which I will discuss later in the article.
The Romford to Upminster Line operated by London Overground is already done I think but it would connect the GEML to Essex Thameside and the District (Underground Line) which is another wonderful possibility as more lines would be effectively "stitched up"
This route known as the Goblin Line also carries freight.
Essex Thameside
My second proposed route is Essex Thameside operated by C2C using a Class 357. Trains to London along this route terminate at Fenchurch Street or London Liverpool Street, if this route was created the Liverpool Street bound trains would go via Barking then connect to the GEML which would add more usage to the GEML and the proposed Overground route (Goblin Line).
I understand making routes can be tiresome so if the other London bound route terminated at West Ham that would be more than acceptable.
In the other direction the Essex Thamside branches off so therefore creating the route to Shoeburyness would be a big ask but up to Pitsea were the branch lines meet again (I think) would be more than enjoyable. To mix it up one station on the line is "Dagenham Dock" that carry's freight across the continent.
London Underground
Alongside the Essex Thameside route is the District Line Underground Service in which a route from Upminister to West ham would be within range based on the two other routes. The District Line utilises the modern S7 (reminds me of a class 378 lol :)) it also has D Stock trains around. Along my proposed route the main stations would be Upminister due to the connection with the Essex Thameside route and the London Overground service to Romford (connecting to the GEML), the other main station would be Barking which sees the London Overgound and C2C services.
Incidentally on my proposed route the route never actually goes underground but runs alongside the Essex Thameside line.
Another Note
- Alongside one of the branch routes of EssexThameside is HS1 High Speed One
- S7/8 stock could be also be used on a possible Metropolitan Underground Line.
Overall
These series of routes would create many possibilities due to the two connecting points to the GEML via Upminister or Barking. Branch lines proved successful with the South London Network, hopefully this will follow suite.
There's something for everyone:
- Freight action along the Goblin Line or Major un/loads at Dagenham Dock
- Higher Speed, longer distance between stops in the C2C service Class 357
- Or try out a class 357 or S7 on shorter stopping stations.
Stock = Class 357, Class 172, S7/S8.