Bedford to Three Bridges

[thejourneyman]

I only realised late last year that there is a 24 hour service between Bedford and Three Bridges, and I've been trying to find out when they began doing this 24 hour service. Anyone got any answers?

 

[tony6499]

I'd say at least 10 years, when I was doing nights it was running then

 

[thejourneyman]

I was on Wikipedia and saw the through services began in 1988 so I assumed it would have been in the 1990's. I'm still curious though if anyone knows a definite year/date.

 

[westcoaster]

I only realised late last year that there is a 24 hour service between Bedford and Three Bridges, and I've been trying to find out when they began doing this 24 hour service. Anyone got any answers?

Do you mean as in a true 24 hour service end to end or just between the two.

 

[Jan]

In the Simsig May to September 1991 timetable for West Hampstead, there already is an hourly overnight service running between St. Pancras and Bedford, however nothing through the core.

 

[AM9]

I have lived in St Albans for 22 years and there have been trains running through the night roughly hourly since then at least, (with the occasional blockage in the core, notably the long one when the 'Thameslink Box' was constructed for the current SPILL platforms).
For those living near the line, it has always been a boon for getting to Gatwick or Luton airports at unsociable times, plus getting home from central London in the small hours.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

Extra overnight TLK services came in (through the core) - from the first franchise under Govia. Around 1997.

There are now additional services - giving a 30 min frequency from last December - one being a fast service , the other all stations.

 

[Bald Rick]

For those living near the line, it has always been a boon for getting to Gatwick or Luton airports at unsociable times, plus getting home from central London in the small hours.

Gatwick maybe, but for Luton, most people living around Radlett / St Albans / Harpenden will just get a cab or drive. At that time of night it's much quicker and more convenient. Not much in it price wise either for a family of 4.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

Gatwick maybe, but for Luton, most people living around Radlett / St Albans / Harpenden will just get a cab or drive. At that time of night it's much quicker and more convenient. Not much in it price wise either for a family of 4.

Would tend to agree on that ......provided you do not run foul of the money making tendancies of Luton Airport to penalise you on their drop off charges or to clamp you if you have the temerity to leave your car unattended for more than about 5 mins.

There is - IMHO - a lost off peak commercial opportunity to offer a price matching group save fare for such flows - to combat the taxi offer. (which is around £20) - every little helps to fill up off peak (often low loading) - trains at this point in the network.