Missing out stations

[Searle]

I know FCC (TL) often issue 'Not to Stop' orders when services get severely disrupted on the Brighton Mainline. The next service is generally only a few minutes behind and it helps get the return back on track and reduces the risk of delays having knock on effects through the day. There are generally not many minutes between turn around on these sorts of services, as A-driver has already mentioned.

I've heard lots of complaints about Leagrave and Flitwich constantly having services not stopping there in delays

 

[southern442]

Funnily enough this happened to me last night for the first time in ages.

I caught the 17:23 LBG - EBN Southern Service, which departed about 10mins late. I was aiming for Wivelsfield.
It was announced that it would go fast from LBG to Haywards Heath, even missing out East Croydon (which surprised me!). After HHE it went to Lewes, Polegate and Eastbourne and that was it.

My initial thought was "Great, a nice fast journey to HHE!", but this backfired a bit as when I changed at HHE I then had to wait 23 minutes for a service to WVF, making me 35 minutes later in total getting to WVF than I should have been.
Despite being "Fast" between LBG and HHE the amount of times we had to stop due to congestion made me wonder if we did actually make up any time! The problems were (I believe) all due to a trespasser somewhere between Croydon and LBG.

On the plus side, the train was very quiet with a number of spare seats - a rarity on any Commuter Service leaving LBG in the evenings!

I was at LBG once and there was an Uckfield train that was fast to Oxted, even missing ECR.
Also, one time I was on a train from Sutton-Clapham, where it terminated.

 

[MichaelAMW]

My own version, late BR days:

Hour and a half-ish late at Exeter, 10 early at York, by missing out Weston, Gloucester and Leeds...

 

[Chrisgr31]

I was at LBG once and there was an Uckfield train that was fast to Oxted, even missing ECR.

If the 18.08 London Bridge to Uckfield is short formed it will often be announced that it is not stopping at East Croydon. This is to encourage those who are only going to East Croydon to catch a different connection, and create enough space for those passengers that want the Uckfield line.

However on every occasion I have heard it announced its not stopping at East Croydon it has in fact done so, presumably due to the need to collect passengers connecting from Victoria. However there have been occasions when those who ignored the LBG announcements that it wasn't stopping at East Croydon have been unable to get off in time at East Croydon due to the overcrowding and found themselves enjoying a nice trip to Oxted. Very amusing when it happens and no sympathy from me as on more than one occasion I have been unalbe to get on the 18:08 when its short formed.

 

[sarahj]

My longest non stop runs due to delays, have been Havant to Littlehampton (not often you run fast though chichester, and it shows,) and Horsham to Victoria.