Thameslink Services/Timetable from May 20th 2018

[MikeWM]

There are clearly still some serious issues even with the ‘emergency’ timetable - currently wasting my life away at Cambridge as the 2309 to Ely was terminated at Cambridge due to ‘no driver’. Cambridge station staff helpful but sounding very fed up at the apparent lack of information they are getting from GN as to why, and/or whether a replacement bus is running...

Similar cancellations this time last night as the recovery from the overhead wire issues was... well, rather poor.

 

[jon0844]

The engineering work from Alexandra Palace to Stevenage via WGC is now showing on the website where it wasn't before, but until a short time ago there was still a train showing as running via WGC as normal. It won't be and has now disappeared.

People need to get accurate information.

The first train from WGC southbound tomorrow is 0538. That's due to planned track works, but yesterday I am quite certain a lot of people weren't getting that information on their apps and would have wondered what happened to the first trains in the morning.

 

[387star]

Indeed, it's a horrible station to interchange. Lifts are being fitted, which is seemingly taking an age, and a long disused passageway is being opened which should help ease things.
Really the station needs bulldozing and rebuilding, but that's a long way from realistic and we'll have to rely on piecemeal improvements. One thing I wonder about at Finsbury Park, is could another island be built on the area I assume used to hold the Northern Heights platform? This could further be used to separate NCL from mainline trains.

Smells of sewage too!
Ah so that passage is the blocked tunnel at the entrance with zero sign of work being carried out?

 

[Aictos]

Smells of sewage too!
Ah so that passage is the blocked tunnel at the entrance with zero sign of work being carried out?

Look how long it took for Stevenage to get lifts that passengers could use without having to have a staff member operate them for them on account they used to be goods lifts....

 

[jon0844]

The morning started well with overrunning engineering works meaning a few diversions via the Hertford Loop to kick off the day, and the first WGC service south being delayed until the power was restored.

Could have been a lot worse I suppose.

 

[OwenB]

I'm on the delayed 5.43 HAT-MOG because the 5.55 HAT-KGX was cancelled. It's now apparently going to KGX. Doesn't particularly bother me, but would have been nice for this to be announced at some point...

 

[jon0844]

I'm on the delayed 5.43 HAT-MOG because the 5.55 HAT-KGX was cancelled. It's now apparently going to KGX. Doesn't particularly bother me, but would have been nice for this to be announced at some point...

Chances are the driver didn't get told until Finsbury Park.

 

[OwenB]

Chances are the driver didn't get told until Finsbury Park.

It was showing on the NRE app when I looked at Potters Bar-ish. Maybe the driver wasn't aware though.

 

[Nick66]

Now that the First Class peak declassification is no more, does anyone know if the general declassification of the rear First Class on the 700s still applies?

 

[OwenB]

Now that the First Class peak declassification is no more, does anyone know if the general declassification of the rear First Class on the 700s still applies?

I believe so, I've seen it confirmed on Twitter.

 

[jon0844]

Now that the First Class peak declassification is no more, does anyone know if the general declassification of the rear First Class on the 700s still applies?

As before, the rear of a 700 is declassified. And both ends on 2Yxx services.

 

[jamesthegill]

The way information is given to passengers is pretty awful. This was an incident where 'operational incident' was a valid reason but it has lost its meaning since being so heavily used to explain the timetable problems before.

Unfortunately I understand that the options available for delay/cancellations are limited to a certain amount with no scope for creativity.

 

[philjo]

4 coach 365 doing the honours on the 1351 Kings Cross to Cambridge North stopper today.
11:08 Brighton to Cambridge was terminated at Letchworth - seems to be a train fault? It was in the platform for some time so the next couple of trains were stuck behind it. I passed an hour later and a 700 was in the sidings. The return working to Brighton also cancelled.

 

[ijmad]

As before, the rear of a 700 is declassified. And both ends on 2Yxx services.

Was on a 700 from Luton Airport Parkway to Three Bridges at the weekend and sat in the rear 1st class, noticed the banner on the screen that said something like 'You can sit here with a standard class ticket' which was previously occasionally displayed has stopped appearing. Cheeky of them.

 

[MikeWM]

Today's disruption - tried to get the 2006 CBG to Ely, train arrived at Cambridge, sat there for a few minutes, then cancelled - 'no driver'.

Looking at RTT, I'm clearly having some bad luck, as things aren't going quite as badly as all that, but this is 3 out of 3 times this week the evening train I've gone for has been cancelled

 

[theageofthetra]

Was on a 700 from Luton Airport Parkway to Three Bridges at the weekend and sat in the rear 1st class, noticed the banner on the screen that said something like 'You can sit here with a standard class ticket' which was previously occasionally displayed has stopped appearing. Cheeky of them.

Sorry but what is a 2Yxx service?

 

[Aictos]

Sorry but what is a 2Yxx service?

They're the semi fast peak extras between Kings Cross and Welwyn Garden City on the Great Northern usually calling Hatfield, Potters Bar, Hadley Wood, New Barnet, Oakleigh Park, New Southgate, Finsbury Park then Kings Cross which will eventually be extended though Blackfriars and onto Maidstone.

 

[OwenB]

which will eventually be extended though Blackfriars and onto Maidstone.

Good grief...

 

[class387]

They're the semi fast peak extras between Kings Cross and Welwyn Garden City on the Great Northern usually calling Hatfield, Potters Bar, Hadley Wood, New Barnet, Oakleigh Park, New Southgate, Finsbury Park then Kings Cross which will eventually be extended though Blackfriars and onto Maidstone.

If it ever happens, it will be to Sevenoaks not Maidstone.

 

[Failed Unit]

If it ever happens, it will be to Sevenoaks not Maidstone.

It has got to happen. Otherwise the kings cross station rebuild will be a problem.

 

[Aictos]

If it ever happens, it will be to Sevenoaks not Maidstone.

Bearing in mind it was at one point meant to be Welwyn Garden City to Caterham and Tattenham Corner, I'm sure it's easy to understand a minor mistake.

And it will happen, just a case of when...

 

[class387]

And it will happen, just a case of when...

Not necessarily...

 

[petersi]

Not necessarily...

If they do not happen can the redesign of the tracks at kingss cross go ahead

 

[class387]

If they do not happen can the redesign of the tracks at kingss cross go ahead

I know they most likely will, but I can think of other options:

• Cancelled completely.
• Diverted into Moorgate?
• Terminate at Finsbury Park?

Obviously any of these would cause outrage, but it does seem like something GTR would do...

 

[bramling]

Today's disruption - tried to get the 2006 CBG to Ely, train arrived at Cambridge, sat there for a few minutes, then cancelled - 'no driver'.

Looking at RTT, I'm clearly having some bad luck, as things aren't going quite as badly as all that, but this is 3 out of 3 times this week the evening train I've gone for has been cancelled

Some bad late running going north again this afternoon and evening. Late running of at least 10-15 minutes typical. Not acceptable.

 

[jon0844]

Weather related? Maybe speed restrictions?

 

[bramling]

Weather related? Maybe speed restrictions?

Probably. But now one gets hit twice - first for the delay incurred on the journey ex Horsham or Brighton, then again any delay due to speed restrictions going north from London. Welcome to ThamesLink/ - two delays for the price of one!

 

[Failed Unit]

Weather related? Maybe speed restrictions?

Operational incidents on the Brighton Mainline. GTRs fault as if it wasn’t they would be shouting from the rooftops it isn’t them.

Reading modern railways. The class 700 is the least reliable in the GTR fleet. Worse then the 313s. Saying that the air conditioning is nice.

 

[mmh]

Reading modern railways. The class 700 is the least reliable in the GTR fleet. Worse then the 313s.

Impossible, they were built by a German[*] company so must be great. Fake news!

[*] Substitute Swiss or Spanish as needed in future.

 

[jon0844]

Some 700 problems have been down to driver error. They were reported as a train fault and then later discovered to be a driver fault, as so many are only just trained. On that basis I hope the reliability will improve in the coming months.

313s are now starting to show signs of age and perhaps a slow down of maintenance because of said age and the fact they're meant to be going soon. Lots of seat backs loose or broken, and doors are now opening and closing slowly or sticking. Many door switch lights are out or hugely faded and even ceiling lights have failed. Cab air con is also faulty on some.

They do look in a rather sorry state.