All aboard the Luton Airport Express

Post by Tweed
https://www.lutonairportexpress.co.uk/
Our fully-electric service gets you to the airport in as little as 32
minutes from London. Just catch the train to Luton Airport Parkway
station for the four-minute Luton DART shuttle to the airport.

That's 23 minutes on the Express train, plus one minute because they
close the doors early at St Pancras. And four minutes on the mountain
railway. Gives just four minutes to change at Parkway.

That's do-able, as long as you aren't waiting seven and a half minutes
for the next shuttle. But it says "as little", so that's alright.

--
Roland Perry

Recliner

2023-04-01 15:05:46 UTC

That's 23 minutes on the Express train, plus one minute because they
close the doors early at St Pancras. And four minutes on the mountain
railway. Gives just four minutes to change at Parkway.
That's do-able, as long as you aren't waiting seven and a half minutes
for the next shuttle. But it says "as little", so that's alright.

Yes, it's OK to quote the best-case as long as they use the qualifying
phrase.

But something else they omit to say is that if you show up at a random time
at SPI, often the TL service will get you there first (and vice versa from
LTN). TL's much greater connectivity could also make it the better option
for many people.

Neither class 700 nor 360 would win awards for comfort, but I don't know
which is worse.

Tweed

2023-04-01 15:19:41 UTC

That's 23 minutes on the Express train, plus one minute because they
close the doors early at St Pancras. And four minutes on the mountain
railway. Gives just four minutes to change at Parkway.
That's do-able, as long as you aren't waiting seven and a half minutes
for the next shuttle. But it says "as little", so that's alright.

Yes, it's OK to quote the best-case as long as they use the qualifying
phrase.
But something else they omit to say is that if you show up at a random time
at SPI, often the TL service will get you there first (and vice versa from
LTN). TL's much greater connectivity could also make it the better option
for many people.
Neither class 700 nor 360 would win awards for comfort, but I don't know
which is worse.

The cheapest fare I can find for a random day in June is £7.60 for St.P to
Luton Airport. This is without any discounts. It is just £2.70 as far as
the parkway station. This is using an EMR service. Thameslink services are
significantly more expensive. (Why?)

Roland Perry

2023-04-01 17:35:41 UTC

That's 23 minutes on the Express train, plus one minute because they
close the doors early at St Pancras. And four minutes on the mountain
railway. Gives just four minutes to change at Parkway.
That's do-able, as long as you aren't waiting seven and a half minutes
for the next shuttle. But it says "as little", so that's alright.

Yes, it's OK to quote the best-case as long as they use the qualifying
phrase.
But something else they omit to say is that if you show up at a random time
at SPI, often the TL service will get you there first (and vice versa from
LTN). TL's much greater connectivity could also make it the better option
for many people.
Neither class 700 nor 360 would win awards for comfort, but I don't know
which is worse.

Because they don't do AP tickets??

--
Roland Perry

Tweed

2023-04-01 17:56:07 UTC

That's 23 minutes on the Express train, plus one minute because they
close the doors early at St Pancras. And four minutes on the mountain
railway. Gives just four minutes to change at Parkway.
That's do-able, as long as you aren't waiting seven and a half minutes
for the next shuttle. But it says "as little", so that's alright.

Yes, it's OK to quote the best-case as long as they use the qualifying
phrase.
But something else they omit to say is that if you show up at a random time
at SPI, often the TL service will get you there first (and vice versa from
LTN). TL's much greater connectivity could also make it the better option
for many people.
Neither class 700 nor 360 would win awards for comfort, but I don't know
which is worse.

Because they don't do AP tickets??

Why don’t they do AP tickets?

Recliner

2023-04-01 20:35:50 UTC

That's 23 minutes on the Express train, plus one minute because they
close the doors early at St Pancras. And four minutes on the mountain
railway. Gives just four minutes to change at Parkway.
That's do-able, as long as you aren't waiting seven and a half minutes
for the next shuttle. But it says "as little", so that's alright.

Yes, it's OK to quote the best-case as long as they use the qualifying
phrase.
But something else they omit to say is that if you show up at a random time
at SPI, often the TL service will get you there first (and vice versa from
LTN). TL's much greater connectivity could also make it the better option
for many people.
Neither class 700 nor 360 would win awards for comfort, but I don't know
which is worse.

Because they don't do AP tickets??

Why don’t they do AP tickets?

I suppose, because TL is essentially a metro service?

Roland Perry

2023-04-02 06:27:41 UTC

That's 23 minutes on the Express train, plus one minute because they
close the doors early at St Pancras. And four minutes on the mountain
railway. Gives just four minutes to change at Parkway.
That's do-able, as long as you aren't waiting seven and a half minutes
for the next shuttle. But it says "as little", so that's alright.

Yes, it's OK to quote the best-case as long as they use the qualifying
phrase.
But something else they omit to say is that if you show up at a random time
at SPI, often the TL service will get you there first (and vice versa from
LTN). TL's much greater connectivity could also make it the better option
for many people.
Neither class 700 nor 360 would win awards for comfort, but I don't know
which is worse.

Because they don't do AP tickets??

Why don’t they do AP tickets?

I suppose, because TL is essentially a metro service?

As is Great Northern to Kings Cross, although Greater Anglia to
Liverpool St issue them (perhaps as a spin-off for their genuine
intercity-style services to Norwich)

--
Roland Perry

Recliner

2023-04-02 09:11:33 UTC

That's 23 minutes on the Express train, plus one minute because they
close the doors early at St Pancras. And four minutes on the mountain
railway. Gives just four minutes to change at Parkway.
That's do-able, as long as you aren't waiting seven and a half minutes
for the next shuttle. But it says "as little", so that's alright.

Yes, it's OK to quote the best-case as long as they use the qualifying
phrase.
But something else they omit to say is that if you show up at a random time
at SPI, often the TL service will get you there first (and vice versa from
LTN). TL's much greater connectivity could also make it the better option
for many people.
Neither class 700 nor 360 would win awards for comfort, but I don't know
which is worse.

Because they don't do AP tickets??

Why don’t they do AP tickets?

I suppose, because TL is essentially a metro service?

As is Great Northern to Kings Cross, although Greater Anglia to
Liverpool St issue them (perhaps as a spin-off for their genuine
intercity-style services to Norwich)

Yes, very likely.

Roland Perry

2023-04-02 06:25:23 UTC

That's 23 minutes on the Express train, plus one minute because they
close the doors early at St Pancras. And four minutes on the mountain
railway. Gives just four minutes to change at Parkway.
That's do-able, as long as you aren't waiting seven and a half minutes
for the next shuttle. But it says "as little", so that's alright.

Yes, it's OK to quote the best-case as long as they use the qualifying
phrase.
But something else they omit to say is that if you show up at a random time
at SPI, often the TL service will get you there first (and vice versa from
LTN). TL's much greater connectivity could also make it the better option
for many people.
Neither class 700 nor 360 would win awards for comfort, but I don't know
which is worse.

Because they don't do AP tickets??

Why don’t they do AP tickets?

Because they choose not to (and also don't do seat reservations,
although some TOCs in such circumstances do bodge it with 'train
reservations').

--
Roland Perry

Roland Perry

2023-04-01 17:34:40 UTC

That's 23 minutes on the Express train, plus one minute because they
close the doors early at St Pancras. And four minutes on the mountain
railway. Gives just four minutes to change at Parkway.
That's do-able, as long as you aren't waiting seven and a half minutes
for the next shuttle. But it says "as little", so that's alright.

When SPILL opened I did a close study of that tradeoff, and (albeit the
fast service was only 1tph then) there were precisely five minutes of
every hour where heading up to the MML platforms would get you there
sooner than heading down to the Thameslink platforms.

As almost nobody would know which five minutes on the clockface that
was, the conclusion must be "always Thameslink".

Post by Recliner
TL's much greater connectivity could also make it the better option
for many people.
Neither class 700 nor 360 would win awards for comfort, but I don't know
which is worse.

--
Roland Perry

Clive Page

2023-04-02 18:21:20 UTC

When SPILL opened I did a close study of that tradeoff, and (albeit the fast service was only 1tph then) there were precisely five minutes of every hour where heading up to the MML platforms would get you there sooner than heading down to the Thameslink platforms.
As almost nobody would know which five minutes on the clockface that was, the conclusion must be "always Thameslink".

Things have changed. I expect many people like me living in the Luton area do a re-analysis whenever the timetables change.

At present, for much of the day there are Thameslink departures from St.Pancras lower level at xx:06, 21, 36, 51 (plus some slower services that can be ignored).
While EMR departures from platforms 1-4 are at xx:15 and 45.

The xx:36 Thameslink arrives in LTN/LUT about the same time as the xx:45 EMR, ad xx:06 about the same as the xx:15. But there is a convenience factor too. The EMR arrives at LTN/LUT on a platform closer to the station exits and reaching the EMR platforms at St.Pancras involves only one escalator not two, which more or less balances out the tendency of EMR to close their gatelines early.

As a result between about 51 and 15 mins past each hour, and between 21 and 45 mins past each hour, the EMR is at least as fast as Thameslink, i.e. around 80% of the clock-face. YMMV and it certainly does in evenings and weekends. Although the 80% value rises whenever Thameslink services are disrupted, which seems to be pretty much every day.

This analysis applies only to St.Pancras, not those travelling from other London Thameslink stations. From these the need to change platforms in St.Pancras would add several minutes to the time.

For those travelling to Bedford, EMR must make sense nearly all of the time.

--
Clive Page

Recliner

2023-04-01 14:28:40 UTC

Post by Tweed
https://www.lutonairportexpress.co.uk/
Travel from London St Pancras International to Luton Airport by train in as
little as 32 minutes, every 30 minutes…
If life’s best journeys start at the airport, our simplest ones start on
the Luton Airport Express.
Connected by East Midlands Railway, the Luton Airport Express whisks you
direct to Luton Airport Parkway station for the four-minute hop to the
airport on the new Luton DART.
On board our trains
Our customers are at the heart of everything we do. With fast, comfortable
trains, ample luggage space, accessible toilets and free WiFi, why not
leave the car at home and let our friendly on-train team welcome you on
board.
We believe there’s always an easier way to travel - it’s why we launched
the Luton Airport Express. Our fully-electric service gets you to the
airport in as little as 32 minutes from London. Just catch the train to
Luton Airport Parkway station for the four-minute Luton DART shuttle to the
airport.
The Luton Airport Express leaves every 30 minutes from early morning til
late from Monday to Saturday, with regular services on Sundays. The Luton
DART runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It’s just one of the ways
we’re simplifying your journey.
Fares from London start at just £10 one-way. Choose Luton Airport when you
book and get a combined train and Luton DART ticket for the most seamless
journey to the airport. From our cheapest to our most flexible tickets,
we’ll help you find the right train ticket for your journey.

I wonder if that £10 fare includes the LMR ticket? I assume not, as not
everyone needs one.

Talking of which, I've yet to receive confirmation that I'm eligible for
freebie tickets.

Roland Perry

2023-04-01 17:31:14 UTC

I wonder if that £10 fare includes the LMR ticket? I assume not, as not
everyone needs one.

I says "combined ticket", so why not.

Anyway "start at" is presumably the cheapest AP fare.

--
Roland Perry

Recliner

2023-04-01 15:45:25 UTC

My Twirly authorisation finally arrived, later than the 72 hours target.
They create an account in your name, and you then have to set up an account
password within a week. I did it immediately, and went on to book freebie
tickets.

I can confirm that each ticket has a date and direction, but with no time
restrictions. If returning on an evening flight, it would make sense to
'buy' another return ticket on the following day. However, as I booked a
return on the same day, I'm not sure if they provide more flexibility on
the return date. Both tickets say, 'Your outbound journey must be made on
the travel date shown above'. That suggests some flexibility about the
return date.
The ticket directions seem clear enough, and you can download the tickets
in all the usual ways.

If you download PDFs, they are designed to be printed on an A4 sheet and
folded into quarters.

Tweed

2023-04-01 15:51:12 UTC

Post by Recliner
My Twirly authorisation finally arrived, later than the 72 hours target.
They create an account in your name, and you then have to set up an account
password within a week. I did it immediately, and went on to book freebie
tickets.
I can confirm that each ticket has a date and direction, but with no time
restrictions. If returning on an evening flight, it would make sense to
'buy' another return ticket on the following day. However, as I booked a
return on the same day, I'm not sure if they provide more flexibility on
the return date. Both tickets say, 'Your outbound journey must be made on
the travel date shown above'. That suggests some flexibility about the
return date.
The ticket directions seem clear enough, and you can download the tickets
in all the usual ways.
If you download PDFs, they are designed to be printed on an A4 sheet and
folded into quarters.

Is there any limit on how many per day you can apply for? Could you, for
example, apply for 4 if you were travelling with 3 other but unregistered
old folk bus pass holders? Or are they tied to your name?

Recliner

2023-04-01 16:22:08 UTC

There's no name on the ticket, but I hadn't tried buying multiple tickets
in one direction on the same day. But it does let you buy up to two free
adult tickets per day. So, maybe a pensioner couple would be OK doing it
from one account, but not a larger group.

Recliner

2023-04-06 14:38:05 UTC

I went on Tuesday. Here's some of my pics:
<https://www.flickr.com/photos/recliner/albums/72177720307295835>

Even booking only one day ahead, the EMR fare was just £520 (excl DART), and the deals are obviously better further
ahead. I travelled down on what is now calling itself the Luton Airport Express (unchanged class 360s in a
luggage-unfriendly, high density 3-2 commuter layout), and came back on Thameslink, partly to see which had the better
seats. But both were beaten by the Metropolitan Line S stock I used to get there and back. It does seem ironic that the
former HCon 360s, which had a an airport-friendly layout were scrapped, while Luton's pretend airport express has 360s
still in their old GA high density layout.

The DART line undulates more than I was expecting and is quite curvy for a cable-hauled train. It's probably a stiff
test for the cable technology. The shuttle trains are exceptionally smooth and silent, with no jerks or bumps.

The line crosses the A1081 twice along the way, first on the showpiece Gateway Bridge over it, and then dives under it
inside the airport, when both are in tunnel under the taxiway just south of the control tower. Slightly bizarrely, the
DART runs in a shallow cutting through the mid-stay car park.

Although I knew the airport station wasn't directly adjacent to the terminal, I was surprised that it's about 140m away.
The walkway is in the open, but with a cover. Surprisingly, the same applies to the station gateline, which is outside
the station box. The station box is aligned to allow the line to be extended to the proposed T2 across a taxiway.

Clank

2023-04-06 14:52:08 UTC

Post by Recliner
<https://www.flickr.com/photos/recliner/albums/72177720307295835>
Even booking only one day ahead, the EMR fare was just £520 (excl DART),

Fuck me, if you'll excuse my French. I knew UK rail fares were extortionate,
but that's something else...

Post by Recliner
The DART line undulates more than I was expecting and is quite curvy for a
cable-hauled train. It's probably a stiff
test for the cable technology. The shuttle trains are exceptionally smooth and
silent, with no jerks or bumps.

I was on the Doha airport shuttle on Tuesday, and paid special attention:
Perhaps unsurprisingly, since I believe they're from the same company, the
rolling stock in your photos looks almost identical (right down to the
prominent pointy nose and extensive use of glass). The track doesn't look much
different either, with the possible exception that on the Doha system the
cable return also runs between the tracks (offset a few inches from the
central 'running cable' for want of the proper phrase), whereas judging from
your photos the return runs on the outside of the tracks.)

Recliner

2023-04-06 16:41:04 UTC

Post by Clank
Perhaps unsurprisingly, since I believe they're from the same company, the
rolling stock in your photos looks almost identical (right down to the
prominent pointy nose and extensive use of glass). The track doesn't look much
different either, with the possible exception that on the Doha system the
cable return also runs between the tracks (offset a few inches from the
central 'running cable' for want of the proper phrase), whereas judging from
your photos the return runs on the outside of the tracks.)

Yes, the DART cable is outside the tracks. You can see where they meet at
the end:

<https://www.flickr.com/photos/recliner/52798038018/in/album-72177720307295835/lightbox/>

I wonder why the difference between the two installatiions? Perhaps the
outside location is needed for a more curvy route?

Roland Perry

2023-04-06 15:39:34 UTC

Post by Recliner
<https://www.flickr.com/photos/recliner/albums/72177720307295835>
Even booking only one day ahead, the EMR fare was just £520 (excl
DART),

Can I lend you a decimal point??

Post by Recliner
and the deals are obviously better further ahead. I travelled down on
what is now calling itself the Luton Airport Express (unchanged class
360s in a luggage-unfriendly, high density 3-2 commuter layout),

One of my beefs long ago about 'Luton Parkway' was the way the
advertising held it out to be served by some super sexy rolling stock,
when it wasn't.

Post by Recliner
Although I knew the airport station wasn't directly adjacent to the
terminal, I was surprised that it's about 140m away.

Ah, they obviously went to the same architecture school as the designers
of St Pancras and other places, where forcing passengers into
route-marches is good for their physical fitness.

--
Roland Perry

Recliner

2023-04-06 16:08:34 UTC

Post by Recliner
<https://www.flickr.com/photos/recliner/albums/72177720307295835>
Even booking only one day ahead, the EMR fare was just £520 (excl
DART),

Can I lend you a decimal point??

Accepted with thanks.

One of my beefs long ago about 'Luton Parkway' was the way the
advertising held it out to be served by some super sexy rolling stock,
when it wasn't.

Post by Recliner
Although I knew the airport station wasn't directly adjacent to the
terminal, I was surprised that it's about 140m away.

Ah, they obviously went to the same architecture school as the designers
of St Pancras and other places, where forcing passengers into
route-marches is good for their physical fitness.

I can work out from the map why it needed to be that way, but more weather
protection over the walkway would be an improvement.

Nobody

2023-04-06 21:03:54 UTC

On Thu, 6 Apr 2023 16:08:34 -0000 (UTC), Recliner

Post by Recliner
<https://www.flickr.com/photos/recliner/albums/72177720307295835>
Even booking only one day ahead, the EMR fare was just £520 (excl
DART),

Can I lend you a decimal point??

Accepted with thanks.

Well, that put a Full Stop to the usual jousting and sabre-rattling...

Sam Wilson

2023-04-06 18:48:52 UTC

Post by Recliner
<https://www.flickr.com/photos/recliner/albums/72177720307295835>
Even booking only one day ahead, the EMR fare was just £520 (excl DART),
and the deals are obviously better further
ahead. I travelled down on what is now calling itself the Luton Airport
Express (unchanged class 360s in a
luggage-unfriendly, high density 3-2 commuter layout), and came back on
Thameslink, partly to see which had the better
seats. But both were beaten by the Metropolitan Line S stock I used to
get there and back. It does seem ironic that the
former HCon 360s, which had a an airport-friendly layout were scrapped,
while Luton's pretend airport express has 360s
still in their old GA high density layout.
The DART line undulates more than I was expecting and is quite curvy for
a cable-hauled train. It's probably a stiff
test for the cable technology. The shuttle trains are exceptionally
smooth and silent, with no jerks or bumps.
The line crosses the A1081 twice along the way, first on the showpiece
Gateway Bridge over it, and then dives under it
inside the airport, when both are in tunnel under the taxiway just south
of the control tower. Slightly bizarrely, the
DART runs in a shallow cutting through the mid-stay car park.
Although I knew the airport station wasn't directly adjacent to the
terminal, I was surprised that it's about 140m away.
The walkway is in the open, but with a cover. Surprisingly, the same
applies to the station gateline, which is outside
the station box. The station box is aligned to allow the line to be
extended to the proposed T2 across a taxiway.

Interesting, thank you. Do you know what the tall structure between the
tracks is?

<https://www.flickr.com/photos/recliner/52797835274/in/album-72177720307295835/>
<https://www.flickr.com/photos/recliner/52797983900/in/album-72177720307295835/>

Sam

--
The entity formerly known as ***@ed.ac.uk
Spit the dummy to reply

Charles Ellson

2023-04-06 19:17:32 UTC

On Thu, 6 Apr 2023 18:48:52 -0000 (UTC), Sam Wilson

Interesting, thank you. Do you know what the tall structure between the
tracks is?
<https://www.flickr.com/photos/recliner/52797835274/in/album-72177720307295835/>
<https://www.flickr.com/photos/recliner/52797983900/in/album-72177720307295835/>

"The spine truss was only erected after concreting (steel+concrete
deflection)."
https://construsoftbimawards.com/luton-dart-gateway-bridge-uk/
which seems to be a design feature due to the clearance below (see
phot on the RHS) rather than the accident that the translation might
imply. OTOH the specific shape seems to be decorative rather than
necessary.

Recliner

2023-04-06 21:03:28 UTC

Post by Charles Ellson
On Thu, 6 Apr 2023 18:48:52 -0000 (UTC), Sam Wilson

Interesting, thank you. Do you know what the tall structure between the
tracks is?
<https://www.flickr.com/photos/recliner/52797835274/in/album-72177720307295835/>
<https://www.flickr.com/photos/recliner/52797983900/in/album-72177720307295835/>

Thanks. It's worth watching the video to the end. From about 1:50 onwards
you can see that bridge is almost directly in line with runway 08, just
ahead, which must have put constraints on the bridge erection activities
and working hours.

The track then curves back to cross the line of the runway again, threading
its way between the runway approach light gantries. Again, that must have
made construction more difficult (ie, more expensive). Once it descends
into the tunnel, it dives under the Airport Approach Road (A1081) tunnel
under the taxiway. So that's two crossings of the same road, one on a
perhaps unnecessarily flamboyant bridge, one in a subterranean tunnel
crossing under a tunnel. It's quite fancy route in civil engineering terms.

Sam Wilson

2023-04-07 10:12:37 UTC

Post by Charles Ellson
On Thu, 6 Apr 2023 18:48:52 -0000 (UTC), Sam Wilson

Interesting, thank you. Do you know what the tall structure between the
tracks is?
<https://www.flickr.com/photos/recliner/52797835274/in/album-72177720307295835/>
<https://www.flickr.com/photos/recliner/52797983900/in/album-72177720307295835/>

"The spine truss was only erected after concreting (steel+concrete
deflection)."
ht
Loading Image...

t/construsoftbimawards.com/luton-dart-gateway-bridge-uk/
which seems to be a design feature due to the clearance below (see
phot on the RHS) rather than the accident that the translation might
imply. OTOH the specific shape seems to be decorative rather than
necessary.

Thanks. It's worth watching the video to the end. From about 1:50 onwards
you can see that bridge is almost directly in line with runway 08, just
ahead, which must have put constraints on the bridge erection activities
and working hours.
The track then curves back to cross the line of the runway again, threading
its way between the runway approach light gantries. Again, that must have
made construction more difficult (ie, more expensive). Once it descends
into the tunnel, it dives under the Airport Approach Road (A1081) tunnel
under the taxiway. So that's two crossings of the same road, one on a
perhaps unnecessarily flamboyant bridge, one in a subterranean tunnel
crossing under a tunnel. It's quite fancy route in civil engineering terms.

>
[2]
<Loading Image...

[3]
<https://static1.simpleflyingimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Luton_DART_map.png>

Sam

--
The entity formerly known as ***@ed.ac.uk
Spit the dummy to reply

Recliner

2023-04-07 10:27:03 UTC

Post by Charles Ellson
On Thu, 6 Apr 2023 18:48:52 -0000 (UTC), Sam Wilson

Interesting, thank you. Do you know what the tall structure between the
tracks is?
<https://www.flickr.com/photos/recliner/52797835274/in/album-72177720307295835/>
<https://www.flickr.com/photos/recliner/52797983900/in/album-72177720307295835/>

"The spine truss was only erected after concreting (steel+concrete
deflection)."
ht
https://static1.simpleflyingimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Luton_DART_map.png
t/construsoftbimawards.com/luton-dart-gateway-bridge-uk/
which seems to be a design feature due to the clearance below (see
phot on the RHS) rather than the accident that the translation might
imply. OTOH the specific shape seems to be decorative rather than
necessary.

Thanks. It's worth watching the video to the end. From about 1:50 onwards
you can see that bridge is almost directly in line with runway 08, just
ahead, which must have put constraints on the bridge erection activities
and working hours.
The track then curves back to cross the line of the runway again, threading
its way between the runway approach light gantries. Again, that must have
made construction more difficult (ie, more expensive). Once it descends
into the tunnel, it dives under the Airport Approach Road (A1081) tunnel
under the taxiway. So that's two crossings of the same road, one on a
perhaps unnecessarily flamboyant bridge, one in a subterranean tunnel
crossing under a tunnel. It's quite fancy route in civil engineering terms.

Interesting. None of the more detailed maps I can find[1,2] show the
(proposed?) DART route crossing the road in tunnel, though one sketch-y
sort of map does[3]. [1] shows the final part of the route as being cut
and cover, which would make for major disruption of the road if DART were
under it. Is it obvious that the rail route crosses the road or is there a
better source which confirms that it does?
[1] <https://cdn.ca.emap.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2019/08/Luton1.jpg>
[2]
<https://anonw.files.wordpress.com/2019/09/lutondartmap.jpg?w=1200&h=768>
[3]
<https://static1.simpleflyingimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Luton_DART_map.png>

The last of those maps confirms it. I'll try and dig out more sources.

Recliner

2023-04-07 13:05:16 UTC

Post by Charles Ellson
On Thu, 6 Apr 2023 18:48:52 -0000 (UTC), Sam Wilson

Interesting, thank you. Do you know what the tall structure between the
tracks is?
<https://www.flickr.com/photos/recliner/52797835274/in/album-72177720307295835/>
<https://www.flickr.com/photos/recliner/52797983900/in/album-72177720307295835/>

Thanks. It's worth watching the video to the end. From about 1:50 onwards
you can see that bridge is almost directly in line with runway 08, just
ahead, which must have put constraints on the bridge erection activities
and working hours.
The track then curves back to cross the line of the runway again, threading
its way between the runway approach light gantries. Again, that must have
made construction more difficult (ie, more expensive). Once it descends
into the tunnel, it dives under the Airport Approach Road (A1081) tunnel
under the taxiway. So that's two crossings of the same road, one on a
perhaps unnecessarily flamboyant bridge, one in a subterranean tunnel
crossing under a tunnel. It's quite fancy route in civil engineering terms.

This is my best approximation of the route:
<https://www.flickr.com/photos/recliner/52800122500/in/album-72177720307295835/>

I've taken account of surface building work to try and identify the exact route.

Theo

2023-04-07 13:24:59 UTC

Post by Recliner
<https://www.flickr.com/photos/recliner/52800122500/in/album-72177720307295835/>
I've taken account of surface building work to try and identify the exact route.

Wikipedia has an aerial shot:
Loading Image...

Theo

Recliner

2023-04-07 14:33:54 UTC

Post by Theo

On Fri, 7 Apr 2023 10:12:37 -0000 (UTC), Sam Wilson
<https://www.flickr.com/photos/recliner/52800122500/in/album-72177720307295835/>
I've taken account of surface building work to try and identify the exact route.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luton_DART#/media/File:Luton_DART_aerial_view.jpg

I think that's also an approximation, and omits the tunnel section.

Recliner

2023-04-06 20:51:01 UTC

Interesting, thank you. Do you know what the tall structure between the
tracks is?
<https://www.flickr.com/photos/recliner/52797835274/in/album-72177720307295835/>
<https://www.flickr.com/photos/recliner/52797983900/in/album-72177720307295835/>

It's named in the photo captions.

Sam Wilson

2023-04-07 09:54:45 UTC