ELL: Highbury & Islington trains start February 28th

Railfuture, the independent campaign group for railway investment, reports that the northern extension of the East London Line will begin operating ahead of schedule and that the trains will run right through to Crystal Palace and West Croydon, without any need for an interchange:

A test train was operated successfully by London Overground on Thursday 6 January 2011.

That should now clear the way for the ELL extension to be opened for passengers from Monday 28 February.

It is expected to begin as an “unadvertised” service and a full public service should be fully operational by May.

Trains from platform 1 at Highbury & Islington will depart every 15 minutes to West Croydon while trains to Crystal Palace will leave every 15 minutes from platform 2...

At Highbury & Islington station, ELL passengers will be able to switch to NLL trains to Richmond and Clapham Junction, the Underground’s Victoria line and First Capital Connect services to Moorgate and Hertford/Welwyn Garden City.