Signalling engineers and operators are expressing concern about the feasibility of running 24 trains/h through the central cross-London core once Key Output 2 of the Thameslink Programme is delivered. The key issue is the ability to present trains from distant destinations, on at least two routes serving each 'portal', in the correct sequence.rnCurrently, it is expected that the expanded Thameslink network will extend from King's Lynn, Peterborough and Bedford in the north to Ashford, Eastbourne, Brighton and Littlehampton in the south. Experienced operators suggest that it is unrealistic to expect that over such long distances trains can be regulated to enter the central core at the precise 2 min 30 sec headways implied by 24 trains/h. The alternative is to treat the central core as a 'pipe' and simply pass trains through on a first come, first served basis.
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