East Croydon services to Edenbridge Town

[naj]

(Apologies of length of post)

After about 15 years of commuting from Tonbridge to Cannon Street I have recently changed jobs and am now travelling to East Croydon instead, which from a transport perspective is a very pleasant change.

As a cyclist I sometimes prefer to get off at Leigh or Penshurst instead of Tonbridge, in order to cycle a bit further. Naturally, this means I have to have my bike with me which, although strictly speaking is against the conditions of carriage, has yet to cause any problems in either direction. One of the benefits of taking a lightly-trafficked route I suppose.

Anyway, if I decided to alight at Edenbridge instead, my bike journey home would be about an hour which would make for a descent training ride.

However, East Croydon to Edenbridge is about 40 mins I think, whereas the train to Edenbridge Town is less than 25.

TLDR; are the services between East Croydon and Edenbridge Town quiet enough for me to take my bike without causing a fuss, or are they rammed like my old Southeastern commute?

Many thanks

 

[ert47]

I'm not familiar with the loadings in that particular line, but I suggest you have a look at the Southern website with regards to the future engineering works on the Uckfield line before committing to the change.

 

[Hophead]

There are a couple of regulars who will no doubt confirm but I understand that short forms are not uncommon on the Uckfield line. On these occasions, you will be lucky to get yourself onto the train, let alone your bike, in which case you may find your training ride is a little longer than you had planned.

Even on a good day, rush-hour trains are fairly busy way past Oxted. Mind you, I'm pretty surprised you find the Redhill line "lightly-trafficked", at least between there and East Croydon.

 

[Chrisgr31]

There is a reason that the platforms and trains on the Uckfield line are being extended to 10 coaches, and its not because the line is lightly used!

I don't know what the loading is like at Edenbridge in the morning as I am usually at the back of the train off the platform, but a heck of a lot of people walk past me looking for seats, so I guess its quite full towards the front.

A friend used to get the diesel from Oxted in preference tot he electrics as they are faster however has stopped due to the overcrowding.

The loading in the evening isnt so bad other than the 18.05 ex LBG, however I think you will find that a full sized bike will be unpopular with Uckfield Line commuters.

 

[tsr]

I am exceedingly familiar with loadings at Edenbridge Town. I don't mean to sound rude but I wouldn't even think about using that station with a full-size bike in the peaks. It is very popular and loadings are amongst the most significant of all the stations in the area. If the guard doesn't stop you, an annoyed passenger may ignite some conflict. I'm sorry, there just isn't the room. However, should you commute off-peak, exactly the opposite applies and bikes are very welcome indeed. Please go to one end of the train and use the bike racks, or the disused catering trolley space if you go to the wrong end.

I would suggest you could leave a bike at Edenbridge Town itself, but you sound like a committed cyclist and it's obviously up to you if you think leaving any valuable equipment at the station is a good plan. Edenbridge Town is unmanned in the evenings.

Lastly please can I emphasise that there is no step-free access to the Southbound platform at Edenbridge Town and thus you will need to lift your bike. Sadly the barrow crossing is not for public use and in fact is rather likely to soon be demolished rather than improved.

 

[phil beard]

Judging by the number of people who got off at Ashurst this evening, let alone nearer to London, even ten coaches won't be enough. The route is an isolated diesel outpost that should be electrified to allow 12 coaches to operate in the peak, permit the transfer of diesel stock elsewhere and prepare the way for BML2, which is a vital upgrade for the London - South Coast system.

 

[Class377/5]

Judging by the number of people who got off at Ashurst this evening, let alone nearer to London, even ten coaches won't be enough. The route is an isolated diesel outpost that should be electrified to allow 12 coaches to operate in the peak, permit the transfer of diesel stock elsewhere and prepare the way for BML2, which is a vital upgrade for the London - South Coast system.

A 10 coach 171 is the same as 11.5 coaches of 377 so its pretty much already there. As for the BML2, I'm yet to be convinced its the right soluation for the problem it thinks it solves (which it doesn't).

 

[yorkie]

BML2 discussion to go here please: New Brighton Mainline??? Many thanks!

 

[naj]

Thanks all. I don't want to cause any problems by taking my bike on busy trains hence the original question. For the sake of 20 mins I will stick to my existing route.

I could lock my bike at the station but a) that would mean using my "station bike" which is not all that pleasant to ride, thus I am unlikely to want to ride it further than necessary.

Secondly, having the bike locked up at work instead gives me greater flexibility - eg the 1715 from East Croydon to Tonbridge was cancelled last Friday so I decided to ride home instead of waiting for the 1759.

 

[Shempz]

Judging by the number of people who got off at Ashurst this evening, let alone nearer to London, even ten coaches won't be enough.

How come so many got off at Ashurst in the evening?
I remember when I first started commuting from Ashurst about 9 years ago, there was myself and about 4 other people on the platform for the 6.55am (or equivalent) train back then. Its grown over the years, and I'd say about 20+ get that train now from Ashurst in the morning. Sod all compared to most stations, but statistically a significant increase.

As for the OP's question about bikes (full size?) on the Uckfield line, personally I would not be impressed during the peak times, as the trains can be very full, and as has been pointed out already, they are frequently shortformed.