First train on FCC (formerly staff train?)

[jon0844]

I need to get to Heathrow from Hatfield tomorrow morning, for a flight leaving at 7.30am.

This means taking the first train of the day, which appears to be around 4.15am. I think this might have been the staff train that was made public sometime last year.

Am I therefore pretty much guaranteed that this service will run? There's no engineering work planned, but if it doesn't turn up I'm really cutting it fine with the one an hour later. Obviously there's not going to be any staff at Hatfield at this time!

As it is, my only problem might be the first tube - but I'd rather be waiting around at King's Cross (or get a bus to Paddington) than Hatfield!

 

[MCR247]

I need to get to Heathrow from Hatfield tomorrow morning, for a flight leaving at 7.30am.

This means taking the first train of the day, which appears to be around 4.15am. I think this might have been the staff train that was made public sometime last year.

Am I therefore pretty much guaranteed that this service will run? There's no engineering work planned, but if it doesn't turn up I'm really cutting it fine with the one an hour later. Obviously there's not going to be any staff at Hatfield at this time!

As it is, my only problem might be the first tube - but I'd rather be waiting around at King's Cross (or get a bus to Paddington) than Hatfield!

is this domestic? or thats too late

 

[stut]

You could always get the 724 bus - I think there's one from the Hatfield Gonorrhoea at 04:12, getting into Heathrow at 05:24. Might be an easier option at that time in the morning...

 

[MCR247]

You could always get the 724 bus - I think there's one from the Hatfield Gonorrhoea at 04:12, getting into Heathrow at 05:24. Might be an easier option at that time in the morning...

Is that actually a place?

 

[stut]

Sorry, Hatfield Galleria. Must be a Freudian slip...

 

[t0ffeeman]

The 0410 Welwyn - KX is a 6 car 313 arr Kx at about 0445. I don't think theres any engineering work on the mainline this weekend... The 205 will get you to Paddington

 

[Pumbaa]

As it is, my only problem might be the first tube - but I'd rather be waiting around at King's Cross (or get a bus to Paddington) than Hatfield!

First tube should arrive into KGX just after 5 I think. It's around 5 anyway!

 

[jon0844]

Fingers crossed. Don't fancy the bus option, and I've already bought my HEX ticket this morning.

And it's a domestic flight, which I'm checked in for and only taking hand luggage (only staying one night). Should be okay!!

Thanks for your help!

 

[jon0844]

Everything went like clockwork. Train turned up on time, arrived early (surprise surprise), had a short 10 minute wait for the underground station to open, Circle Line train on time - and then jumped on HEX. Got to the airport so early that one security section hadn't even opened - and the staff were still turning up to open things up! Flight took off a few minutes early and arrived 20 minutes early in Stockholm, where thanks to hand luggage only, I was out in the car park in about 6 minutes including toilet break!

And then the wife who had gone out before and was supposed to pick me up wasn't there and I had to wait 15 minutes!!!

Not so lucky coming back; plane took off late, wife's bag took 30 minutes to come out, HEX was delayed 18 minutes due to broken down Heathrow Connect train, circle line terminated at Edgware Road (argh!) and only narrowly made train at King's Cross thanks to despatcher waiting a few extra seconds before giving the CD/RA to the driver to let us jump on!

So, when it's good - it's amazing. When it's bad - it's URGGHHHH!

 

[Pumbaa]

Nice to hear it went smoothly one way at least! Ah well, we're British, and as such crave disappointment. Your journey back should have, in this case, been marvellous.

 

[jon0844]

It's amazing how bad the relatively short trip from Paddington to King's Cross can be. First, it's the gamble of choosing H&C or Circle from Paddington, and then it's the general delay that always seems to occur at Edgware Road.

Sometimes I think the bus would be easier along Euston Road!

In the other direction, at least you can take either train from the same platform - and hope Edgware Road won't hold you up.

The HEX delay was rather surprising though; in the end, the guy on the train didn't even bother to check tickets. Annoying for those who bought in advance, like me!!

 

[Mojo]

At least we won't have that problem about deciding what station to go to when the Circle line is remodelled, whenever that is!

 

[MCR247]

At least we won't have that problem about deciding what station to go to when the Circle line is remodelled, whenever that is!

Leaving Kings Cross you might do, as there might be a quicker service leaving from edgware road

 

[metrocammel]

F
And it's a domestic flight

Flight took off a few minutes early and arrived 20 minutes early in Stockholm!

I didn't know Stockholm was in the UK

 

[Mojo]

Leaving Kings Cross you might do, as there might be a quicker service leaving from edgware road

Sorry, I'm not quite sure what you mean. Going from Kings Cross to Paddington or Kings Cross to Paddington you will always board from the same platform.

 

[MCR247]

Sorry, I'm not quite sure what you mean. Going from Kings Cross to Paddington or Kings Cross to Paddington you will always board from the same platform.

Kings Cross - Paddington: when the train is at Edgware Road, you dont know, if your train to Hammersmith on the current H&C line will be departing before a train to Hammersmith via Paddington, tower hill & aldgate.

 

[Mojo]

Kings Cross - Paddington: when the train is at Edgware Road, you dont know, if your train to Hammersmith on the current H&C line will be departing before a train to Hammersmith via Paddington, tower hill & aldgate.

Yes, but that's no different from at present with multiple trains departing from the same station.

 

[jon0844]

I didn't know Stockholm was in the UK

Sorry, didn't mean domestic - but it wasn't a long-haul, 3 hours check-in, flight!

Still, a flight to the EU is pretty domestic these days. No passport check leaving, and only a cursory glance in Sweden.