Southern via Kensington Olympia

[matt9f]

Hi All,
I'm heading North for Christmas on the 23/12/16 returning on 28/12/16. Part of my convaluted plan includes an off peak return from Brighton to Northampton via Kensington Olympia.
I see that this service is not running on the 23rd but the Southern site is a bit vague about the 28th. Is it safe to assume this a service that will be disrupted?
London Midland are accepting tickets but am I likely to encounter any puzzled looks from barrier staff/TTIs?
Also, can I use Thameslink St Pancras and walk to Euston with this ticket?
Cheers.

 

[Muzer]

AFAIK they're usually the first to be canned (before even the Southamptons) when there's disruption, and given the fact that people will likely be taking lots of leave and the overtime ban, yes, I'd plan for the worst.

If ticket acceptance is in place on both LM and Thameslink I don't see why that wouldn't be accepted. During disruption which results in ticket acceptance normal rules go out of the window and we return to a BR "Reasonable routes" state, with the added caveat that only TOCs participating in ticket acceptance can be used.

 

[matt9f]

Thanks. Ironically, the journey will be simpler if there IS disruption to Southern services...

 

[causton]

I can almost guarantee that the service will not run. In the past 2 weeks or so we had a Sunday with one return service run, and one Sunday where an hourly service ran throughout the day.

And I can also confirm that Thameslink to St Pancras, and London Midland Euston - Northampton will be accepted, it is the route I tell people to go unless they are in much of a hurry, especially if they don't like the Underground!