My first ride on the 'Thameslink Express' services today (yes that's what they are being called).
Positives:
They are express, knocking 15 minutes off my previous journey time, 12-car 700/1 units provided instead of 8-car 700/0 on both journeys, so full but neither service was overcrowded. Although, this week is half-term school holidays so a fair number of regular commuters may have taken annual leave. No more announcements from our Texan friend.
Negatives:
Both services were delayed, running 16 minutes late which somewhat negated the reduction in overall journey time.
Why is a train originating in Bedford early morning departing 16 minutes late ? It's almost impossible to recoup time with the new schedule and the service remained late running throughout.
I noticed a number of services were still being cancelled. Bedford to East Grinstead (I think our delayed southbound service used it's path). Numerous cancellations this evening with a lot of 700 rolling stock parked in Cricklewood sidings. Unusual to see 8 units in the sidings during the evening peak period. Is this due to shortage of drivers, lack of drivers with required route knowledge or train unserviceability ?
Overall 8/10 but could do better. GN seems to be suffering the most, probably due to infrequent services and lack of route knowledge.