Issues on Saturday 17th February

[WolvertonWorks]

Three times a year I travel from Milton Keynes (MKC) to Hook (HOK) on a Saturday to attend a meeting, arriving around 10am (meeting starts at 10:30) and returning around 16:30. I have a senior railcard.

In July and November last year I did the journey easily - MKC to Euston, Northern Line to Waterloo and Waterloo to Hook with no changes.

Thanks to this site and its ticketing facility I learnt that I could get a slightly cheaper ticket than a straight return MKC-HOK by getting a MKC-edge of zone 6 travelcard and then an extension from edge of zone six to Hook.

I need to do the journey on Saturday 17th February but it appears that there may be a number of issues so looking for advice on the best value or easiest (least changes) route please.

I am being told that the escalator at Euston is out of action: https://tfl.gov.uk/status-updates/stations-lifts-and-escalators-works-and-closures#e

No down escalator to the southbound Northern line (City branch) and the southbound Victoria line platforms.

and I will need to use the spiral staircase - I will have a small suitcase so don't fancy this - or take an alternative route.

I'll probably walk to Warren Street to board the northern line but see that These bus routes from outside Euston can be used to transfer to alternative entry stations: Routes 18, 30, 205 to Warren Street. Routes 30, 73, 91, 205, 390 to King's Cross St Pancras.

If one has a ticket with a maltese cross are these bus rides free? (I have a bus pass so "free" anyway but reasonable question to ask)

Next difference is that there doesn't appear to be any direct trains Waterloo to Hook like there used to be? I'm being told to change at Woking.

Thirdly I can't seem to find the edge of zone 6 split anymore.

Fourthly some suggested itineraries include a rail replacement from Clapham Common.

Finally one site suggests I don't go via London at all but go MKC - Rugby - Coventry then on XC to Basingstoke and then back to Hook for a similar price to the MKC-HOK no splitting price.

Any advice on making this trip appreciated.

 

[30907]

The bus will be free.

There is major engineering work through Wimbledon and Surbiton that weekend, so only a reduced Waterloo-Woking train service (running via Staines) operates. They are the long-distance services,while local trains towards Basingstoke (and Alton) are starting at Woking.
I wouldn't recommend doing Clapham Jn (not Common!)-Woking on the bus

https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/engineering-works/wimbledon-20240217/

Not sure about Boundary Zone 6-Hook not showing up, but it may be connected with the engineering work in some way. The ticket should still be bookable.

 

[Kite159]

No down escalator to the southbound Northern line (City branch) and the southbound Victoria line platforms.

and I will need to use the spiral staircase - I will have a small suitcase so don't fancy this - or take an alternative route

It won't affect you as you would be using the Charing Cross branch to reach Waterloo which only has stairs. However one alternative would be to take the Victoria line to King's Cross, cross to the southbound platform to head towards Euston then Northern line. However it will be easier to use either the route 1 or 68 bus to Waterloo with your free bus pass.

I presume the engineering works is a diverted SWR service on a Tour De Staines to connect at Woking for a Woking - Basingstoke stopping shuttle service, that is normally what happens when Wimbledon is closed. Avoid the replacement buses as they are meant for local stations.

You will probably need to buy the BZ6 - Hook tickets at the station.

 

[WolvertonWorks]

Just thought I'd report back. I bought my super off peak zones 1-6 travelcard and my BZ6 - Hook tickets from the ticket office at MKC on Thursday.

Saturday morning went to MKC to take the 06:31 - it was delayed and left at 06:51. 6:44 Avanti cancelled. Arrived at Euston, the route from platforms 8,9,10,11 to the underground was closed but no problems using the escalators down to the Northern Line platforms. Luckily a train arrived just as I got to the platform so I was at Waterloo with plenty of time to spare for the 08:07 to Woking. Interesting route, crossing the Thames twice, at Richmond and Staines.

Arrived Woking, crossed to different platform and boarded the shuttle they seemed to be running Woking-Basingstoke, alighted at Hook, on time.

Return journey was the shuttle back to Woking, on time, crossed to another platform and boarded the train that had come from Andover - it was crowded, found a seat but vestibules full of people standing all the way to PAD. Train took the scenic route again back to Paddington but slower than the outbound journey and we arrived at Paddington a bit later than expected.

Easy tube journey back to Euston where we see that there was a stop-everywhere LNR leaving around 18:00, the Avanti (to Shrewsbury I think) had been cancelled so waited for the 18:23 LNR. Platform shown about 20 minutes before departure so we boarded coach 4 which then began to fill up until there were people all along the aisles and the doorways absolutely jam packed with people when we set off. Stops at Watford Junction, Leighton Buzzard and Bletchley did little to ease the over crowding and it looked like most people got off at MKC.

 

[30907]

Train took the scenic route again back to Paddington but slower than the outbound journey and we arrived at Paddington a bit later than expected.

No wonder - Waterloo is easier. Though a 159 could have got there eventually

Seriously, thanks for the update.

 

[WolvertonWorks]

OOPS, I meant Waterloo!