Thameslink Services/Timetable from May 20th 2018

[KC1]

We might have to amicably agree to disagree on this one.

Part of my issue is that in my view it *isn’t* a satisfactory job. The announcement, to me, sounds like the person recording it is on some kind of ego trip, which having now found out who it is sadly comes as no surprise to me. Not an appropriate tone for something which is potentially a major disruptive inconvenience. It was the fact that, in my view, the message sounded stupid and unprofessional is why it got my nose (mildly) out of joint.

The only thing I took from it was something about a Brighton improvement project. I didn’t “hear” the rest because of the silly voice and the way the emphasis came over as being the person reading the message, not the messsge itself. My take-away would be that it was some kind of self-congratulating GTR message about their new trains and timetable! Which, after all, is allegedly a Brighton improvement project.

I don’t have a problem with kids being allowed to do announcements, or adults if it really floats their boat - albeit it shouldn’t be something important and definitely not safety-related. But having someone record an announcement being played on a regular basis IMO takes this too far. This TOC certainly has more than enough far more important things to be doing.

I miss the late, great Phil Sayer, he was my favourite station announcer and has now been replaced by that whiney sounding women who seems to now be at most stations across the network, who I cannot stand. At least Phil is still going strong at SWR.

I don’t see an issue with Geoff doing the odd random announcement though.

 

[DaveN]

Well, technically they had drivers. It's just that they couldn't do the routes or possibly even sign the trains.

But they had drivers!

At least the people at the top realised that having drivers that don't sign the trains and the routes is as useful as having no drivers...

 

[DaveN]

Indeed. How many years did they have to plan their FailedPlan?

For the benefit of those that haven't been following the history of this, its about 25 years warning for Great Northern but only about 2 years for Rainham...

 

[Bungle965]

I miss the late, great Phil Sayer, he was my favourite station announcer and has now been replaced by that whiney sounding women who seems to now be at most stations across the network, who I cannot stand. At least Phil is still going strong at SWR.

Not for long, he is being replaced by Roger and Anne.

Roger at 00:22 and Anne at 1:34
Sam

 

[Failed Unit]

GTRs propaganda leaflet (connections) again blames network rail for all the problems since May (for which they still accept no responsibility). They claim that the problem was solved in July. (Great Northern users will disagree)

However it also states they expect to run the full May 2018 timetable from December. What it doesn’t state if this includes weekends.

Finally it is interesting that the 717 introduction is now during 2019. Ie don’t expect to ride on (m)any in 2018.

 

[jon0844]

The 717 introduction has for some time been down as happening between now and May next year. Drivers are getting trained now, as well as staff on terminating/assistance processes.

I think there's an issue of storage that delayed the arrival of fully completed trains from Germany. They can't bring them all here until some 313s actually go.

 

[Fred26]

The 717 introduction has for some time been down as happening between now and May next year. Drivers are getting trained now, as well as staff on terminating/assistance processes.

I think there's an issue of storage that delayed the arrival of fully completed trains from Germany. They can't bring them all here until some 313s actually go.

I think as soon as tests have been completed, training finished, etc, the first train will come into service. I image we'll see one in, one out until all 717s are in and all 313s are out.
Lack of storage space means GTR can't hold off, even if they want to.

 

[jon0844]

Yes, that's the plan. Seems they're starting on the Hertford Loop first but it can't be too long until WGC get some (besides late night testing).

 

[Failed Unit]

Did look at real times on the 15 December.

Looks like London - Cambridge (slow) could operate every half hour and Moorgate services every 15 mins. (Ish)

However a lot of them have headcode FRGT so won’t get over excited.

Same on Sunday 16th.

I assume the FRGT are unlikely to run so Moorgate will remain half hourly. Cambridge has duplicated paths real headcodes and FRGT.

Nothing through the core.

We will see. Amazing how network rail have made it impossible for GTR to implement the timetable for 6 months. It is such a pity they didn’t deliver this the timetable on-time. We would have suffered the same but GTR could not have passed the blame over.

 

[387star]

Wonder if Cambridge to Brighton and Littlehampton get stepped up in December as well or just the missing may timetable services?

 

[Failed Unit]

Wonder if Cambridge to Brighton and Littlehampton get stepped up in December as well or just the missing may timetable services?

Nothing new. Just what should have ran in May. The service that should have got added in December are deferred until May. The May 2019 changes - who knows? I hope Welwyn- Core peak happens but I won’t hold my breath.

 

[387star]

Thought Littlehampton would be easy to add

 

[JonathanH]

What it doesn’t state if this includes weekends.

Doesn't look like it as the current weekend 'short term plan' timetable appears to be replicated as the 'working timetable' in open data sites through to May.

Until they can run the full service on weekdays the 'emergency' weekend service is probably the right way to go.

 

[OvergroundMatt]

So, basically, what is still ‘missing’ from May 2018 that needs to be reintroduced?

 

[JonathanH]

So, basically, what is still ‘missing’ from May 2018 that needs to be reintroduced?

These are all the trains cancelled today at Farringdon which should be running under the May 2018 timetable

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/advanced/ZFD/2018/10/11/0200-0159?stp=C&show=all&order=wtt

 

[Bedpan]

GTRs propaganda leaflet (connections) again blames network rail for all the problems since May (for which they still accept no responsibility). They claim that the problem was solved in July. (Great Northern users will disagree)

However it also states they expect to run the full May 2018 timetable from December. What it doesn’t state if this includes weekends.

Doesn't look like it as the current weekend 'short term plan' timetable appears to be replicated as the 'working timetable' in open data sites through to May.

Until they can run the full service on weekdays the 'emergency' weekend service is probably the right way to go.

Then why say they expect to run the full May 2018 timetable from December. Lies, lies and more lies.

 

[DaveN]

Then why say they expect to run the full May 2018 timetable from December. Lies, lies and more lies.

Actually from reading the Connections leaflet it is clear if you are used to reading their press releases etc, that they don't expect to run the full weekend May timetable from December:
"A further timetable change in December will reinstate the full Monday – Friday timetable initially expected in May. "
If they were doing the same thing for the weekends it would leave out the Monday - Friday qualification.

 

[387star]

Why is that.. if they can run through the core on Friday at the full level why not saturday

 

[387star]

And regarding littlehampton I'd imagine training on that is complete as only a small number sign it

 

[Verulamius]

My understanding is that weekends remain problematic due to the Brighton Main Line works and therefore every weekend having a different timetable.

Given the stretched timetable resources at Network Rail to plan short term changes, GTR probably think that having a simpler timetable at weekends will make it easier to plan all the variations required.

For December the MML side of thameslink will be getting the full M-F timetable, include increasing from 15 to 16 the peak hour service. The main difference from the original proposed December 18 service will be the Thameslink Expresses which miss out Harpenden etc.

The future thameslink service additions will then be on the GN side {plus weekends of course}.

 

[RichardN]

These are all the trains cancelled today at Farringdon which should be running under the May 2018 timetable

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/advanced/ZFD/2018/10/11/0200-0159?stp=C&show=all&order=wtt

That's a bit misleading as some of them have been reinserted in the same paths under STP.

 

[bakerstreet]

Does anyone know when the full Thameslink timetable is due to return? ie one as least as good as before the chaos of the summer? Eg Kentish Town for years has had 4 trains an hour off peak arriving from and going to the north, but we’re still down to 3.

 

[AM9]

That's a bit misleading as some of them have been reinserted in the same paths under STP.

Shhh!!! That spoils grandstanding.

 

[bramling]

Shhh!!! That spoils grandstanding.

I wouldn’t say a complete failure to deliver anything like what was committed, even having already been heavily descoped, is grandstanding. Not forgetting two months of complete service meltdown followed by several months of very patchy service, erratic performance, and big gaps to many locations both planned and unplanned if one happens to need to travel at certain times.

Shambles is the word. Or one could call it a Fail Plan!

Anyway, I thought everything was supposed to be okay by “September”?

 

[KC1]

Not for long, he is being replaced by Roger and Anne.

Roger at 00:22 and Anne at 1:34
Sam

I know Phil sadly died a few years ago so I’m guessing he will gradually be phased out completely? My favourite ever announcer, very sad. At least he lives on with his wife.

 

[infobleep]

GTRs propaganda leaflet (connections) again blames network rail for all the problems since May (for which they still accept no responsibility). They claim that the problem was solved in July. (Great Northern users will disagree)

However it also states they expect to run the full May 2018 timetable from December. What it doesn’t state if this includes weekends.

Finally it is interesting that the 717 introduction is now during 2019. Ie don’t expect to ride on (m)any in 2018.

If it's the full timetable then it will include weekends and if it doesn't, then it isn't the full timetable.

 

[edb]

I know this has been the least of the problems, but can anyone tell me what is going to happen on Hertford loop in the medium-long term?
May timetable gave us (slightly unexpectedly) much slower trains with extra stops and padding. Plus obviously arbitrary cancellations.

GTR have produced lots of very vague material about flashy new faster trains (717s right?), more trains, new routes to the south coast, and PAYG electronic tickets. But not seeing too many improvements. Is this all indefinitely delayed? Will we ever get our slightly faster semi fast trains back?
Apologies for my ignorance, hoping some of you experts will know.

 

[jon0844]

The 717s are happening, but that won't change the timetable.

 

[Aictos]

I wouldn’t say a complete failure to deliver anything like what was committed, even having already been heavily descoped, is grandstanding. Not forgetting two months of complete service meltdown followed by several months of very patchy service, erratic performance, and big gaps to many locations both planned and unplanned if one happens to need to travel at certain times.

Shambles is the word. Or one could call it a Fail Plan!

Anyway, I thought everything was supposed to be okay by “September”?

Maybe we ought to have this at GTR stations?

 

[jon0844]

Is there an asterisk with small print below that I'm not seeing?!