A train of our own
Standing at Brockley Station this morning, staring at the list of cancelled services to London as fast trains from the sticks whistled past without stopping, we came up with reason #471 why we're looking forward to the East London Line:
It will be nice to have a train service, whose only function is to ferry Londoners from one part of the city to another. London's heat bubble generally spares us the worst of the snow drifts, but it doesn't stop services designed for the commuter-belt being buggered by snow elsewhere. And when stuff happens, it's easy to get the impression that Southern's first concern is not for its Zone 2 passengers.
45 comments:
I agree but unfortunately we are still a long way off from SE becoming the new Metroland. When you consider how much of SE London the LO has an effect on it is still rather dissapointing.
I don't want to sound negative as I think the LO is a great thing. I like Brockley and I think it will do great things for this area. But it does frustrate me how much of our side of London is still somewhat adrift.
today all of the external/overland "underground" services e.g. district line putney, northern line barnet etc were cancelled, so brockley etc would still have suffered today.
we just missed the 6.48 to east croydon this morning but then after that the next 2 trains were cancelled... and then an empty train came, stopped (teasing us) and then went on with one southern train worker on board!
I heard on t'radio from a chap stuck on the outbound service between Honor Oak and Forest Hill for 2 hours, because the train couldn't get a purchase on the imperceptibly inclined track.
Think yourself lucky you don't have to put up with First Crapital Connect.
Ancient knackered trains, regular cancellations due to lack of drivers (snow or not), and a completely random train timetable.
We await the promised improvements in services from Crofton Park.
Southeastern operated a revised timetable today which was unwarranted as they run to routes that were not forecast or affected by significant snowfall today.
I think someone said it before on this site - but the DLR is effectively the only reliable rail service in the london network... and its the one that does not rely on drivers.
I dont think the ELL will be any different to the other high level services which all seem to be as affected by weather as the overland.
Link from Londonist inreference to Southeastern.
http://londonist.com/2010/01/fury_at_southeastern_trains_epic_sn.php
Anonymous - FCC seemed to be running this morning, unlike SE and S trains. Of course they didn't stop an Nunhead, they just sailed through....
And the inner loop line from victoria to london bridge wasnt running either, despite the central london heat bubble.
Coming back from London Bridge in early rush hour last night, there was a patch of at least an hour when Southern trains were running fast from New Cross Gate to Norwood Junction, missing out Brockley, HOP, Forest Hill, etc. This was "to ease congestion". Southern doesn't give a monkeys for its zone 2 customers: roll on the East London Line.
Yep. I was in that bloody patch. I ending up taking a train the Queens Road Peckham and walked it. It's not a bad substitute.
see my post from 19:24 yesterday.
We don't generate enough money for them, shorter journeys = lower fares.
Exactly Anon, that's why Southern has been so keen to axe Brockley to Ch X and London Br off peak services and so busy ramping up services which fly in from Kent. They know that people paying £3 or 4k per year for annual travel cards from Kent are what pay their bills, whereas zone 2 Brockley they couldn't really give a toss about.
This morning's journey in: three trains on the scoreboard - two seriously delayed, the third cancelled.
Announcement over the tannoy at London Bridge underground - all tube lines running fine.
One-nil to the heat bubble ;)
8:59 from SAJ to CST. Arrived three minutes late. Plenty of room on board. Trick is to go to work a bit later than usual, I think.
Where is SAJ?
Other end of line from CST.
What Cannon Street? St Johns then...
Hugh, you big wuss. Why didn't you cycle in? The main roads are completely clear!
HH, I have wanted to but I'm pretty risk averse and haven't felt like trusting the gritters, so three days on the train this week. Off skiing next weekend as well so worst time to fall off the bike.
Nothing wussy about going by train rather than bike in these conditions. It is hardly fair on the truck driver or the overworked A&E staff to put yourself in a situation where you might be innocently involved in or else fall and cause an accident.
Enjoy the ski-ing - are you planning to get in some practice on Hilly Fields?
not very green is it...
I cycled in today. Algiers road was very icy but once I'd walked to the end of the road all of the main roads were absolutely ice free.
Hugh is quite right to be on these treacherous road. Even Brockley Jon had a small accident with his bike a couple of weeks ago.
I am glad Hugh has had the strength to admit he supplements his cycling with using the train.
Nil green points for going ski-ing though.
Should have done, Tamsin. The snow reports aren't looking great.
I must say my strength surprised me there.
PS I see going skiing as a cashless exercise in carbon credit trading.
How am I doing?
Like Pete said, the main roads are completely ice free. All I had to do was walk down Manor Ave, jump on at Lewisham Way and all was fine and dandy. Stop being a wuss! The only reason I can see for not cycling is to protect the bike from damage from all the salt and grit on the roads.
Headhunter, Hugh will get back on his bike when he is good and ready!
He should be back on it now, the great big girl.
Is Hugh Sock puppeting?
If it helps I'm off to the gym now. I never choose not to ride just because the bike might get wet or dirty. I choose not to ride when the even more refined machine that is yours truly may suffer damage.
Let's get some leg presses in, yeh.
Excuses, excuses...
I've biked in every day this week and been to the gym twice for weights. Third time this evening or possibly tomorrow. Who da man?!
tumbleweed....
Nice HH - What kind of weights are pressing at the moment 250, 3? I'm giving my traps and deltoids a going over this week, I've lost a bit of definition since Christmas, but all in all my pecs, gluts and balls are looking good. I'm now only a St Tropez spray tan away from number closing on hot chick this weekend. Maybe catch you in locker room some time? I'll be the one whipcracking my towel off my own butt.
I've been working out in the Talbot most nights this week; lifting a pint glass or two of Black Sheep to my lips..........
Nice one anon but I'm ahead of you there, no loss of def on me, I was strictly on a pure protein diet of Xmas, no wasted calories. My delts, pecs and glutes are ripplin' like a duck pond on a lightly breezy summer's eve...
Bet you were a laugh at Christmas Dinner.
Mung cutlet anyone? :-(
HH - only ripplin'? - when I flex mine are rolling like Waimea Bay during a winter storm. What time do you bleep test at?
mine's bigger than yours na na na na na na
yeah, except it isn't - trust me.
This is getting homoerotic...which is fine you understand.
Turning you on, is it?
Must admit, I am getting a semmi despite the cold.
ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Post a Comment