Advice on Southern network "Challenge"

[ushawk]

Hi everyone,

I have been challenged by a friend of mine to travel on the entire Southern TOC network within a day, using the DaySave ticket available. However, chances of doing that are unlikely, so I want to cover as much of it as possible.

I would most likely be doing it at the weekend, as then I'm able to start earlier (about 6-7AM hopefully) and its £18 cheaper. As I'm only allowed to use Southern services with the ticket, I was wondering what the best route I would be able to take is. I don't need to stop at stations, just cover the route.

I would have to start from Eastbourne and the route I was thinking of going from there to Ashford first, then from there along the Coastway routes.

Has anyone got any suggestions on the best route to take ?

Thanks

Tom

 

[OxtedL]

As you say, you are not going to be able to do the whole network. East Croydon to Uckfield alone is a 2 hour round trip.

I would recommend something like Eastbourne>Brighton>Southampton>Portsmouth (via Havant) > Littlehampton > Bognor Regis > Horsham as a first leg. Although that would take most of the day, it would cover a lot of miles.

Places like Ashford/Southampton might not help your case though, as they waste a lot of time running back over lines you've already done.

 

[pendolino]

Sounds like quite a challenge! There are a lot of branch lines (Uckfield/Grinstead/Tattenham/Caterham/Epsom Downs/Seaford, and Ashford for that matter if you're only travelling on Southern) that would mean doubling back - maybe best to avoid these?

East Croydon to Uckfield alone is a 2 hour round trip.

How about E Croydon to E Grinstead, change at Hurst Green/Oxted on the return trip, down to Uckfield, get off at Edenbridge Town on the way back, walk to Edenbridge (about 15 minutes I think), then train to Redhill or Tonbridge (probably best to go to Redhill to avoid doubling back from Tonbridge).

 

[ushawk]

Decided to avoid Ashford and SOU as it would be a 30 min wait in places, which id rather not have. Cutting out Bognor as well.

Thanks for the suggestion about Edenbridge, I will definitely look to do that

 

[EM2]

Don't forget that if it's a weekend, engineering works may well trip you up!

 

[ushawk]

Ive chosen May 28th, where theres work on the West London Line (so no having to go from CLJ to MKC) and between London Bridge and East Dulwich so no Inner SLL.

 

[paul1609]

Ive chosen May 28th, where theres work on the West London Line (so no having to go from CLJ to MKC) and between London Bridge and East Dulwich so no Inner SLL.

Id suggest using a downlander ticket you can save time on the uckfield branch by getting the bus to/from Uckfield.
http://www.southernrailwaytickets.com/main.php?page_id=281

 

[ushawk]

Id suggest using a downlander ticket you can save time on the uckfield branch by getting the bus to/from Uckfield.
http://www.southernrailwaytickets.com/main.php?page_id=281

Was thinking of dong that but the only places of catching the bus for the Uckfield line are Brighton, Lewes or Eastbourne.

 

[Matt Taylor]

If you want to Southampton you could then get a fast SWT back to Clapham. But doing that would miss out St Denys to Fareham via Easleigh and the Portsmouth branch.

 

[thefab444]

If you want to Southampton you could then get a fast SWT back to Clapham. But doing that would miss out St Denys to Fareham via Easleigh and the Portsmouth branch.

That also wouldn't be valid on a Daysave ticket.

 

[OxtedL]

Can I suggest that changing at Edenbridge would probably not be beneficial (I have looked into it on several occasions, though not recently) as the connections are awful and both stations only receive an hourly service.

 

[ushawk]

Can I suggest that changing at Edenbridge would probably not be beneficial (I have looked into it on several occasions, though not recently) as the connections are awful and both stations only receive an hourly service.

Just found that out, ill make a map of the route to show how ive worked out i can do, theres a lot of doubling back in places.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Would starting at Southampton and finishing at Uckfield ( or vice versa ) increase the percentage of track covered?

Obviously it would me a couple of nights away, but if you were to try this for charity then you might be able to get discounts in the required hotels / B&Bs.

 

[ushawk]

I am thinking of doing it for charity, as a couple of charities have helped a seriously ill relative and would be good to give something back.

If i do do it for charity, would it be worth while sending an e-mail to Southern explaining about it ?

 

[Tom C]

Don't forget, if you are doing the WHOLE of Southern then you have to remember Streatham to West Sutton and Leatherhead to Guildford which are both peak hours only and Clapham to Milton Keynes which is slow at the best of times.

Think its a little optimistic but good luck nonetheless.

 

[ushawk]

Im only doing the routes im able to do on my chosen day and with regular services.