InfoBleep nerdy trip reports

Tonight I needed to catch a train and I was running late.

Alas although I was on a bus route of 4 buses, 3 of which are high frequency it seems there might be a gap of 9 to 10 minutes, solely due to the way the timetables work.

The next bus, 8 minutes away would have caused me to miss my train. The previous bus would have got be there but it might have been just as fast to run.

At the point I was on the moving though, it was touch and go if I'd make the train. On my way, as I ran, I noticed a bus. I also saw traffic so I legged it. The next bus stop was closed and a temporary one set up further head.

I made it before the bus and that could be to the station 4 minutes before my train was due.

Onde at the station I had a choice of a direct train with toilets or one where I needed to change but with loos.

As I needed the loo I choose the latter. Once all trains have loos but decision making will change. It can't come soon enough.

This was at Surbtion and although the station had loos, there might not be time for me to use them, due to my hidden disabilities.

The train to Woking departed on time but alas when I got to Woking the connecting train was delayed due to a train fault.

There were announcements about this but some lady nearby complained that it is all well and good saying sorry but how about letting people know how else they can tea h their destination.

Eventually, as I predicted, the train was cancelled. Not great news for Waterloo as it was blocking a platform in the evening peak.

Now they did announce the next train hut it was the next train for Portsmouth Harbour. This was the 17:56. Eventually they announced the 17:40 to Fratton.

I will arrive into Guildford just 6 minutes before the next train and that one also stopped at Surbiton dn has loos! I might as well not have left so early. Hindsight is such a wonderful thing.

I actually had things to do, so could have done without the 18 minute delay.

One rather surprising thing when the next train arrived into Woking, it wasn't rammed. Where is everyone? It left at 17:15. This is after any ttisns stop at Clapham Junction on the fast down line. Perhaps people are on leave or they were all on the previous train hoping it would depart and thus missed this one. Interesting.

Something unusual occurred this evening.

3 trains following one another were 6 minkiyee late leaving Wimbledon. That wasn't exactly unusual.

What was unusual was that each 5riwn picked up its delay elsewhere and not on the same stretch of line either!

The trains in question were the:
18:47, which starts from Shepperton and was 4 minutes late leaving there.
18:50, which starts from Guildford and picked up most of its delay at Oxshott
18:53, which also starts from Guildford and started to pick up its delay from Epsom onwards. The delay previous maxed at 5 minutes and it did reduce to 4 minutes before picking up again.

This in turn delayed later trains, who then seemed to pick up their delays off the back of these trains. I was on one of those other trains. The guard kindly apologised for the delay and said he wasn't sure of the reason. My train had been on time departing Surbtion was 5 minutes late by the time it departed Wimbledon. It got held up at signals.

Just the way it happens sometimes, I notice it on the main-line if you have a delayed service from the Portsmouth line, delaying the following services, especially if it calls at Clapham Junction with the slow approach into P7.

Although normally with padding services can arrive at Waterloo on time

Kite159 said:

Just the way it happens sometimes, I notice it on the main-line if you have a delayed service from the Portsmouth line, delaying the following services, especially if it calls at Clapham Junction with the slow approach into P7.

Although normally with padding services can arrive at Waterloo on time

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Delays due to other delays is common but three trains delayed in succession for precisoly the same amount of time but for different reasons is more unusual.

I don't have a problem with padding as it enables one to have a more relastuc arrival time.

Unfortunately at some stations were isn't padding so you can't relie on arriving on time for connecting trains. Wimbledon being a prime example. I'm not saying there is a solution to this. It's just a fact

Sometimes I feel I have a nack of finding gaps in between train services when I could do without them.

Today I needed to get to Liverpool Street and from Waterloo I had a choice of the Waterloo and City line or via London Bridge and walk.

The firmer takes 22 minutes and the later is 23 minutes from London Bridge itself.

When I got to the entrance to the Waterloo and City it was starting to build up and I couldn't remember how long the crowds 5skw to clear. If I'm waiting there for 10 minutes to board a tube, surely my time would be better spent going via London Bridge and walking.

So this is what I decided to do. Alas when I got to Waterloo East, there was a late running train and the next service wasn't for another 8 minutes! I had expected the services to be every few minutes. My fault for not checking. So I got to London Bridge 20 minutes after I'd arrived into Waterloo.

This would have been quicker had I just skipped looking at the Waterloo and City line.

Thus evening I wished to get from a location near Liverpool Street Station to Worthing.

I wasn't certain whether to go to Victoira on the tube or run to London Bridge. I felt the tube to London Bridge Station might not be any faster than running, given it was now after 5pm. I didn't know how long it would take to get to Victoria as it was during commuter time. If I got stuck getting between station platforms or even boarding the stations, I'd lose more time. The train from Victoira left at 17:36 and the one from London Bridge 17:35. I had enough time to reach London Bridge.

Looking at the Victoria Times now, I can see its 18 minutes but I'd havs to get to the station. Debatable. Especially as online journey planners don't seem to take into account congestion. However one day they might as u shall explain further down.

Either way I choose London Bridge because I can speed up my pedestrian journey but I can't speed up the tube.

I got to London Bridge just in time for my train but it was 5 minutes late due to a train ahead of it running late. I didn't check if the train ahead was delayed due to a train in front of that one being late. The upshot was that we got further held outside of East Croydon as my connecting train, was using the same platform.

Interestingly no apogy for the delay a d I'm not sure if there was a gthing saying we were being held at a red signal. I wasn't checking that closely so there might have been. I was listening out for announcements though.

I wonder if Thameslink trains regularly or semi regularly get overtaken at East Croydon.

So I'll probably end up on. Other traintrain to Worthing, which incidentally started from London Bridge!

Anyway back to that crowd congestion I referred to. I was at a series of talks today and one of the speakers was Jesse Norman, one of the ministers for the Department of Transport. When asked about crowd and congestion on routing and journey planners, he saw it heading in way that such things might be take into account. You have multiple routes but what is fastest off peak might not be casted in the peak of you need to change.

I gave the example of waiting to see the Waterloo and City line. Is that slower than jumping on a train to London Bridge and walking.

It probably depends on how quick the cue moves but how quickly is that? I don't thi k there is anything at Waterloo to tell you this.

I find the movement and flow of people when travelling interesting.

Edit: It transpires that I looked up Littlehampton instead of Worthing. So good job I missed my connecting train as I didn't want that one. I could actually have got the direct 17:55 but I'd probably still have had to stand.

Some how that train managed to leave London Bridge on time, despite it also coming from Bedford. How it wasn't delayed by a late triain running in front of it I haven't worked out yet

You know things are bad when in the evening peak trains at skipping stations between Waterloo and Surbiton.

I can only assume that running trains on the slow line between Waterloo and Surbiton would have lead to them being excessively delayed this evening, as they didn't always seem to make up much time between Waterloo and Surbiton.

This was due to a signalling issue at Waterloo, which is why they have some cases done the following:
Cancelled stops between Waterloo and Surbiton. Started trains at Raynes Park or Surbiton

At one point there was a gap of an hour between services heading south from Wimbledon to Surbiton. Still at least it was off peak and one could circulate via Clapham Junction and peak up a fast train, not that any fast trains could stop additionally at Clapham Junction or Surbiton.

No such luck with the next gap of 49 minutes. They advised passengers not to travel until after 5pm. However the first train to Sue2 from Wimbledon, after 5pm, was one at 5:29. Hindsight us a wonderful thing

I guess passengers could at least go to Kingston and get a bus to Surbiton. Or maybe not

As on buses they have only advised the following:

London Buses on routes between London Waterloo and Epsom / Chessington South

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Yet again passengers to Surbiton are ignored, whether intentionally or otherwise.

I see there was also broken down train blocking platform 7, so they said some trains were unable to call at Clapham Junction. However, it appears they did use platform 8 and maybe no trains had Clapham Junction removed. Well bar those terminating short at Basingstoke or running fast to Waterloo due to the signalling issue.

As for my own journey. I started to head to the station at a time when I couldn't make the 17:39 to Woking from Surbiton. There was a 17:48, which I'd only make if I caught a bus. However it seemed I'd just missed a bus and the next one wouldn't get me to the station in time as there was a 6 minute gap between them. Or as it turned out it might have done as the 17:48 was late. However by now I didn't have time to catch this bus.

So I walked for over 20 minutes to the station. In this time seven further buses that would taken me to the station on time, in addition to the one I couldn't catch in time, passed me b6. Any one of them would have got me to the station on time but at the time I left, catching any one of the seven wouldn't have enabled me to get a earlier train.

I got to the station about four minutes before my delayed 17:58 left.

I arrives into Guildford at 18:44, only 4 minutes later than timetabled. The train made up 6 minutes of delay. Compare that with London Road, there is wwre it only made up 2 minutes of delay time.

Due to earlier trespassers on the railway, there were delays on the North Downs Line. I decided to board a stopping train, which was running 15 minutes Kate but didn't have any of its stops removed. Surely the fast service due to depart, about 11 minutes after this {it running 5 minutes late} would catch it up.

It didn't. As by the way it was passing Wanborough it was 7 minutes late. There was separate disruption on the Portsmouth Direct and a train that was running 11 minutes late, was using platform 4 at 17:18. 8t departed there at 17:19. No problem surely the trja. To Gatwick could use platform 6. No. There was a train from Portsmouth to London using that. Not sure why it couldn't use platform 5.

Anyway not that the North Downs Line ytai. Could have departed sooner may it might have saved 2 minutes you'd hope. And depart at 17:21 instead of 17:22. Surely trains can depart 2 minutes after the previous one. I know in the past trains have departed north 2 minutes apart. One to Reading and the other to Waterloo.

Anyway the train was now 11 minutes late and at some point between Guildford and Redhill they were told that the train was not allowed to continue to Gatwick Airport. After all it is a secondary line of secondary importance.

Therefore it arrives into Redhill at 17:53. This was precisely less than 1 minute before the doors on a train to Three Bridges closed.

I was so glad I got the stopping train.

Incidentally there are delays South of Gatwick Airport due to trespassers and I think the delays on the Portsmouth Direct were very initially logged as trespassers. Sadly that turned into something else.

However as it turns out, there is a trespasser on the Brighton mainline. They were at Brighton but they got to Hassock. They have been safely removed now and the lines recharged.

On platform 7 the Eastbourne train looked rammed, despite it being 12 carriages. I decided to walk towards the back, which is the end closest to the ticket barriers at London Victoira, so the end you'd expect to be the busiest.

Well it had people but it wasn't rammed. I got two table seats to spread out on and there was pla ety of other seats for others.

Perhaps people got to the platform and saw some people standing so ashamed the whole train was busy. Never assume that.

Even if its a struggle to get out of your carriage, it's worth attempting it as you just never know!

This train left 15 down but I won't be that delayed. Had I got to Gatwick Airport on time, I'd still have been on this train. Had I got the 18:11 Guildford to Gatwick Airport service, I wouldn't have been on this service as the next one to Gatwick Airport from Redhill was the 18;58 which arrived into Gatwick Airport at 19:17, 6 minutes late and 2 minutes after this train had left.

I wouldn't have even made the 19:00 to Brighton as that left at 19:17. There was an 19:03 to Eastbourne but as that left 19:18, wouldn't have made it. Then there was the 19:06 to Brighton which departed at 19:19. I may have made that if I legged it. Depends on which bit of the platform I ended up on, on platform 1. Alas getting from 1 to 7 isn't so easy.

After that it would have been the 19:20, which currently had a 2 minute delay.

I could however have claimed delay repay, had I done this.

Something very rare happened today, the 8:97 Guildford to Waterloo via Cobham service stopped additionally at Wimbledon. Not sure when that last happened but it's certainly a rare event in any case.

They felt the need to do this due to the cancellation of the 8:31 from Surbiton. The next train from there would otherwise have been the 8:57 and the one before 8:11. I'm sure 4here have been occasions where they haven't added in a Wimbledon stop and 4he 8:31 didn't run. Maybe it depends on 5he location of trains behind. Some of which were not running due to a track defect at Wimbledon.

I was on the 8:34 Guildford to Waterloo service today and it did what it usually does, arrive into Surbiton on time. It may have even arrived early. Not unusual there. Only the 7:16 from Guildford to Waterloo also manages that. For the rest the most common thing is to arrive late.

When I eventually got to the bus stop, I'd clearly just missed 2 buses, including a 71, so I boarded a third. Just around the corner were two more buses, including another 71. Clearly no regularisation for that 71 this morning.

I thought this third bus don't pick anyone up as the 71 ahead woild. Alas no, as we got to Surbiton Crescent, the bus stopped to pick up 1 passenger and both the buses behind overtook us.

We never regained our position prior to mywelf alighting.

Today I decided to board the 7:37 from Guildford to Waterloo.

In advance this felt like a new service. It runs bin stop to Waterloo. Actually its just the 7:10 from Haslemere retained to 7:12 and skipping Worplesdon.

Still it's fours minute faster than the previous service, which departed 3 earlier earlier and arrived 1 minute later.

I could have got the new 7:28 from Guildford but that only arrives into Waterloo 3 minutes before this one, so not much point. Although there would be a point, if is it much quieter. Must try it sometime. It starts from Havant.

The 7:45 gets into Waterloo at 8:24. So if speed is what one is after, this is a good service. Doing the journey in 33 minutes.

The 8:46 to Waterloo via Woking takes just 14 minutes just to reach Woking, due to path conflicts. This highlights just how fast this train is and just how slow the other one needs to be! In 14 minutes we were between Hersham and Esher. We'd passed 8 stations. The 8:46 as only reaches its second one. I appreciate it's a stopping srvucd.

Also although we are times to take 33 minutes, 5ge working timetable is just 31 minutes!

All new train times for you to remember

Kite159 said:

All new train times for you to remember

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Indeed. Although most are not changing.

There is a nice 19:03 from Guildford to Clapham Junction. They have managed to find path space for thy to stop there. That's a very nice bonous.

Tonight I needed to get the 406 bus or 418. There was a 406 due in a minute but it changed to due and I wasn't next to the bus stop. I paused to decide is it worth running to the bus stop. After 10 to 15 seconds I decided no, I'll leg it to the next bus stop.

Now the next bus stop is closed and the one beyond it, which solely caters for Kingston university buses is in use for all buses.

Due to cycle route roadworks, the traffic was busy so I managed to get to the bus stop prior to the K3 getting there, this being the bus in front of the 406.

I thus got to my destination only a couple of minutes later than planned. If I'd missed that it may have been as quick to walk to my destination, depending on when the next buses were due. There was one in 5 minutes but that wouldn't be taking into account the roadworks and it takes a more indirect route to my destination.

Sometime later I then walked back to Surbiton station and used the facilities. The next train was a 455 or 455+456. No loos on them. I had about 4 minutes until the doors closed on the train. Thus I thought I'd have enough time.

As it turned out I only had enough time because the doors closed 10 seconds after they advertise they could close. T'was close.

There was an earlier track side fire, around Waterloo, which was put out. The incident was first created just after 16:00. Trains in and out of Waterloo are running with up to 25 minute delays and they expect the disruption to last until 18:00. Thus I'm expecting the train to be delayed at some point.

The train slowed down, almost to a stop on the bridge that enables it to cross from left of one line to the right. So here began the slow down. The train had surprisingly left Wimbledon on time.

I think the eventual delay might only be 2-3 minutes at most. Might even sneek in a cheeky 1 minute delay by arriving just within 1 minute after the arrival time, all minutes being rounded down.

In fact it claimed we arrived on time. The train didn't actually pull into the platform though until 17:13. Never sure what time applies. I assume its the tune doors open. After all jot all stations have monitoring points.

Take Chilworth, that often says it's delayed for more than it actually is.

Interesting journey this evening. There is an unexploded WWII bomb in Kingston. I wished to get a train from Surbiton and the bus I wished to catch was running late.

Now I had two options as I saw it. Get on the bus, due in to Surbiton at 22:39 or walk. Train was due to depart at 22:41 so I might just make it.

The train was also due to depart a minute late at 22:42 and the Basingstoke train departed 3 minutes late at 22:33.

So reasonable chance it might be late. However I also thought the Alton train waited at Surbiton longer than the Basingstoke train would.

Sure enough as I got close I saw it was due 22:41. Bus arrived 22:40. No good. Then as I got to the footbridge I saw people coming towards me. Great a chance.

Alas as I got to the platform the train was departing. Not sure when the doors closed but it was now 22:42.

Then I saw the board and remembered the 22:44. It was due in one time. Shall I get that or should I use the loo. If I use the loo I get home 10 minutes later. If I don't use the loo, what haoow a if I need it on my journey.

I decided to hope on and as I was thinking maybe I'll changw my mind, the doors closed.

I decided to sit in one place and hopefully all will be well.

Can't wait for the new rolling stock with loos. I'm sure it's some years away yet. I've not kept up with it's development

The train of course left a minute late.

The train then experienced delay creep and eventually got into Woking 3 minutes late at 23:11. Note this is the recommended train to connect with the 23:13 to Portsmouth and not the 23:41, which leaves only 3 minutes before and gives you much more time for delays.

Still less chance for people to claim delay repay. Not that National Rail Enquiries App cares about that!

As it was I had to run to try and make the train. I walked through the carriage and didn't get to the front one but the second from the front. Still people have said on here that alighting from the closest door doesn't mean you'll get away first

In this caee it did or if made no difference as I encountered congestion ahead. Still I navigated it OK.

It was now 23:12. No chance of my connecting train is on time and I imagine the next train won't be for another 30 minutes. Actually that's wrong. There is a 23:27. Hadn't realised there was a 23:00. Maybe it's a new service or a replacement due to the evening engineering works.

However there was no train on platform 5, so I ran and I got to the platform at 23:13 and 45 seconds.

Train due in 23:16. Great I could board it.

I was travelling from Guildford to Eastbourne today. If you take the more direct route and go via Dorking Deepdene, you have a 44 minute wiat at Gatwick Airport, so great are the rail connections.

It's actually faster to go via Clapham Junction and that includes a 19 minute wait there!

As it was I went via Dorking Deepdene. Once I got to Redhill I then boarded a slightly late running train to London Bridge. Those who know thier routes in this part of the world will know this isn't the way to Eastbourne. No it ain't.

I fancied an additional train trip to kill time. I went to Coulsdon South and 5ook some photos. I was surprised that the footbridge between platforms is outside of the consular ticket star and you have to pass through the barriers to get to either platform.

I then hoarded a trai. Running train to Horsham. South of Redhill we waited to switch to the fast lines, due to engineering works between Redhill and Gatwick Airport.

Once last Horley we then went back to the slow line.

I was now at Gatwick Airport and I still hadn't got a ticket to get me to Eastbourne. No problem as I still have 19 minutes before my train. Thus I bought a ticket to cover me to Eastbourne. Then I went to a cash machine to draw out some money. At the last monument I saw it was going to charge me £1.99 fee so I gave up and went in search of a free one. I didn't have far to go and I used one in the airport itself.

I then headed back to the station. As I arrived I thought, what about some food and drink. I went to a well known supermarket and there was a queue. I felt I might just have time and and I did. I didn't even need to run. I got onto the platform more than 1 minute before the train left.

Just shows how much one can do in the 44 minutes between connecting services!

The train then kept slowing down to Haywards Heath. Turns out there was a train stuck at Three Bridges, waiting for a member of train crew. Alas it was an all stopping train and it left Three Bridges, just at the point we might ha e been going through. Unfortunately they sinst let us overtake, being a non stop train

Still the train go back on time once it reached Plumpton.

Once at Polegate it was time for the replacement bus, at meats with the knowledge the journey to Polegate wouldn't be any better even if there wasn't a replacement bus. It's just the standard Sunday service.

Needless to say going by car would be faster but then I wouldn't have visited Coulsdon South!

There are a few stations where the footbridge is outside the barrier line with two sets of barriers for the station.

Most likely is down to public rights of way across the footbridge and it's easier to barrier each platform separately than have a Guildford style bridge pass system

Kite159 said:

There are a few stations where the footbridge is outside the barrier line with two sets of barriers for the station.

Most likely is down to public rights of way across the footbridge and it's easier to barrier each platform separately than have a Guildford style bridge pass system

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Merstham seems to be the same, although I didn't get out there.

I can feel a trivia thread coming on. The footbridge at South Croydon is being replaced though.

The disadvantages of rolling stock working multiple lines is apparent this morning.

There was a points failure at Weybridge today. Unusually they just referred to it as a points problems in the disruption notice, rather than calling it a signal failure and further down referring to it as a points failure. Different staff will have different writing styles I imagine.

Anyway this of course led to some cancellations. Now there was no signalling issue on the Guildford New Line and go to Cobham you will find no disruption note.

However go to Cobham and you will find two trains cancelled and one delayed.

In fact this has lead to gaps of at least an hour in either direction. The service is actually worse than the current service through Weybridge, although that was bad earlier with 1 train being an hour late.

There are agreements to use London buses between Surbiton and Waterloo, where there are plenty more trains running but nothing south of there, on this metroline..

Due to their being no 7:58 from Guildford to Waterloo via Epsom, there us even a gap of an hour from places like Horsley. Off peak that gets 4 grins an hour! Between 8 and 9 it will be just the 1.

Hopefukky in next December they can some how plug the gap left by Govia Thameslink Railway.

What is it with South Western Railway and short formations. Some get reported online and others don't yet when to Tweet 5heur help team, they seem quick to respond to say yes the train is short formed, which suggests they are aware of it.

The 23:15 Waterloo to Portsmouth was short formed of 8 carriages instead of 12 and this was reported in Journey Check. The 23:45 was formed of 5 coaches and that was not on Journey Check. 8 asked if it was short formed and after they said the reason why it was short formed, I asked them if they would update Journey Check.


On reporting stuff in the last it has lead to them making updates but not always. So I'd give it 50/50 as to whether they post an update.

I was boarding at Clapham Junction and let the 22:47 to Salisbury go as it was just 3 coaches. There was no announcement about the short formation of the 23:52 but this is Clapham Junction.

This train isn't the most rammed train I've been on but its definatly more rammed than that service Jemery Corbyn got. Not that, that would be difficult.

I got one of the new 90 minute services from Portsmouth to Waterloo today, abet I didn't catch it from Waterloo. It did however allow me to get a non stop train from Guildford to Clapham Junction on the Guildford New Line. Previously no. Stop trains always skipped Clapham Junction but then they only ran on weekdays.

The journey time is no faster than those which go via and stop at Woking. However the train today was 4 minutes late departing Clapham Junction and 1 minute late into Waterloo. It's generally a train that runs on time though. Unlike the 17:26 from Portsmouth & Southsea.

Today that is starting short at Guildford due to shortage of train crew. This happened two weeks ago. Not sure if that one was cancelled throughout or not but probably started from Guildford. 18:26 fairs better in that it runs, abet it's avwegae delay is currently 2 minutes.

infobleep said:

What is it with South Western Railway and short formations. Some get reported online and others don't yet when to Tweet 5heur help team, they seem quick to respond to say yes the train is short formed, which suggests they are aware of it.

The 23:15 Waterloo to Portsmouth was short formed of 8 carriages instead of 12 and this was reported in Journey Check. The 23:45 was formed of 5 coaches and that was not on Journey Check. 8 asked if it was short formed and after they said the reason why it was short formed, I asked them if they would update Journey Check.


On reporting stuff in the last it has lead to them making updates but not always. So I'd give it 50/50 as to whether they post an update.

I was boarding at Clapham Junction and let the 22:47 to Salisbury go as it was just 3 coaches. There was no announcement about the short formation of the 23:52 but this is Clapham Junction.

This train isn't the most rammed train I've been on but its definatly more rammed than that service Jemery Corbyn got. Not that, that would be difficult.

Click to expand...

It wouldn't surprise me if 3 coaches is what that Salisbury service is booked for.

Kite159 said:

It wouldn't surprise me if 3 coaches is what that Salisbury service is booked for.

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That would surprise me either, which is why I didn't ask. As for the 444, that seem more cousy than usual.

Whilst waiting at Wkong today I noticed that they had the following sub lines for trains to Waterloo:

• Waterloo only
• Clapham, Waterloo
• Stopping service

There was nothing however for:

• Surbtion, Waterloo

Whilst not as common as Clapham, Waterloo, it still is part of several services a day, I believe.

Not sure what they do for trains that are semi-fast but stop at more than just Surbtion on route to Waterloo.

There was the semi-regular three trains due at the same time using 2 platforms. When it's not three it's two using the same platform.

I actually wasn't sure which train would leave firet one pulled into platform 1 and waited. I went round and boarded it. It was actually the train I wanted. It had arrived 45 seconds early. Probably because it overtook the Alton train, which was running late.

That, although due to levae at 8:58, as opposed to its timetabled departure of 8:52,actually left 9:03 from platform 2. It lost 4 minutes of time between Ash Vale and Brookwood. Probably due to the train I caught getting to Brookwood first.

The train I had got off was the on time 8:46. There was a stream of people decebsijnf the stairs when I got off and the late announcement about a platform change. Despite this, most passengers of not all, boarded the train and hardly anyone needed to run. The train even departed on time! Not bad considering the late announcement.

Given the 8:07 Guildford to Surbtion had departed, I decided to watch episode 9 of the Doctor Who story, The War Games. Last Friday was the 50th anniversary of this episode. I've been watching one epsiode a week since 2013. Recreating the original excitement of Doctor Who and watching it roughly as intended. I'll admit I'm using a larger TV than avilable at the time.

I had time to do this as there is a stile and the next triain wasn't until 9:07. To my surprise this was just a 4 carriage train.

Must be some good reason for this, even fi I csnt work it out. The train entered service at Guildford. I wasn't planning on getting the 17:50 Surbtion to Guildford this evening but I've worked out that it will likely be just 4 coaches long.

By Hinchley Wood the train was busy. Not rammed as some earlier trains I've heard about though.

Worth noting people from Hinchley Wood may have had a faster journey to Waterloo earlier than those from Surbtion as they would t have had to queue for 30+ minutes that some did to reach the platforms.

Today I spotted an unofficial unique journey opportunity. If the 7:48 Guildford to Waterloo is on time at Woking, one has 4 minutes to pick 8o the 8:00 to Surbtion. If that gets to Surbtion on time then it's a 22 minute journey. If one misses the 8:00 then there is an 8:05.

At Surbtion they were holding people at the barriers. The queue wasn't outside the station but it was more than a few. I wonder which queue is the busiest in the morning peak. There was plenty of staff and I think some community support police officers.

Today I decided to embark on a unique journey opportunity. Its an unofficial o e but I kind of felt I'd my first train was on time then I'd maw my second train and if it was late, well they'd delay my second train.

The services in question were the additional strike services, 7:48 Guildford to Woking and 8:00 Woking to Surbiton.

If the trains were on time the end to end journey would be 22 minutes.

The 7:48 did indeed leave on time. Even had some seats free, although it everyone sat down in the coach I was in, no seats would have been available.

Now the 7:48 is due to depart Woking at 7:58. This is just 2 minutes after the 7:56. In fact the departures are as follows:
7:48 - left 4 minutes late
7:56 - left 1 minute late
7:58 - left 1 minute late
7:59 - left 3 minutes late
8:00 - left 4 minutes late
8:05 - left 2 minutes late

Clearly that's going to run to time isn't it? Well clearly not, given the such short headways. Yesterday though the 8am was 12 minutes late so it's an improvement.

Ib terms of platforming, there was some rare chances to use platforms in different directions to usual. The 7:58 arrived into platform platform 5 no less. I'm sure I've done that one before though on a train heading north but I reckon it might be fair rare.

The 7:59, which goes to Surbiton departed North from platform 4. Not sure if I've done this platform north but I have now. Again fairly rare unless their is some early morning or late night service which uses it.

The 8am itself had lots of people standing in coach 4 of the 12. However I could clearly see coach 3 had more space to stand. So off I got and into coach 3 I went. In there there were even asile seats! This is a 450! Do the people enjoy standing? Are they not aware the train was about to suddenly get much busier from Surbiton? Up to them.

The guard never told passengers to spread out or what space available in other carriages. I've heard guards say this before. I mention it as people seem to rate the contingency guards. I suspect they are like the regular guards. Some good, some average and others not good. Just like in any job.

I got to Surbiton just 5 minute late. Making to end to end journey just 27 minutes. The delay wasn't due to overcrowding but the timetable not allowing enough time between departing services at Woking. I appreciate this might be all they could do. So it's a statement of facts as I see it and not a criticism.

The station itself didn't have queues of people so I think some had clearly stayed at home. There were people coming off the 8:11 arrival, which was late but I have no way of knowing if it was delayed due to overcrowding. It's often late. They held the 8:12 for those passengers, although the 8:12 was only at Surbiton for just over a minute so good going.

Now I just wished to board a bus. As I got out of the station, I saw one approaching Victoria Road bus stop so I boarded it there and got a seat. As opposed to many others who boarded the single decker K3 at Claremont Road, just round the corner, most of whom didn't get a seat.

They were lucky to get on board as the previous bus over more than 7 minute before.

This gave me an overall good journey time. Much better than usual even.

Can I have the strike timetable every morning please? Grin.

Strikes over, back to the regular timetable with far less services from Woking to Clapham Junction in the morning peak and no non stop services from Woking to Surbtion after 8am.

I had to settle for a slower journey. The involved leaving earlier and arriving later!

Trains seemed busy. Lots actually got on at Surbtion but I think that was due the 8:19 being short formed today.

I managed to avoid the signal failure, which was a bonus. My train was only a minute or two late into Surbtion. It was however 17 minutes late into Waterloo.

Must be fun squashed on the train. That is delayed. I've done it myself. It's an adventure now and again but I wouldn't want it e wry day.

In the Evening a broken down train lead to some congestion but my second train made up some lost time so was two or three minutes late.

So all in all not a bad start depending on what train you got and when you left it and were heading.

There are no trains scheduled to Ascot tomorrow from Guildford. Nor any day this week except Sundays.

I wonder if they would ever consider running trains from Guildford to Ascot during Ascot itself? I suspect not

And with the warm humid weather, those 455s must be warm when they are overloaded

Kite159 said:

And with the warm humid weather, those 455s must be warm when they are overloaded

Click to expand...

I didn't get to travel on any today but a friend did wonder why his train couldn't be a new one with aircon. My response was: because it's being used on another service.

I see come across my first stream page on a 450. I could have watched a movie or TV programme.

I wonder if it remembers where I last got to, once I leave one train and board a other.

I shall keep an eye out for it on the 455 services. Now that they have surprised me with WiFi on those services, greater chance of getting the streaming service on them I'd hope. After all if one is traveling from Guildford to Clapham Junction in the morning peak, you could easily watch an episode. The journey is about 50 minutes without delays.

The disruption caused by the signalling problem that affected Surbtion is now cleared, according to Twitter updates. I'm travelling on the Cobham line and my train departed from Guildford on time. You
know what means of course. It means trains are being delayed due to disruption caused by the the earlier signalling problem. We departed Effingham Junction with a 6 minute delay.

I knew what the problem most likely was as soon as we were waiting, although I couldn't entirely rule out a train fault ahead.

Eventually the guard came on and said they didn't know. That is fair enough.even if they had thier suspicions, best to be sure before giving out incorrect information.

There was once a delayed train at Portsmouth Harbour. Those of us at Portsmouth & Southsea were told to get the stopping train. Whilst on the train to he guard said we were being held at the red signal as we were waiting forvthe other train to depart first.

This causes myself and others to get off the train and go and get the fast one. Alas there was no fast one. It was still delayed. The guard had put two and two together and made five. The person at the station gave us delay forms and said that shouldn't have happened. As it turned out, the fast train ran non-stop to Guildford, so I had the fastest journey ever ar the time, between the two.

Anyway back to today's journey, the guard soon came on again and said the driver could see a train coming out of the sidings at Effingham Junction. So that was the problem.

The 7:30 arrival from Waterloo was 5 minutes late, which thuss caused our train to be 6 minutes late. The sooner they no longer have to terminate trains at Effingham Junction the better. They removed it from the evening schedule in May by running trains through to Guildford. It will happen at some point.

I knew it was the likely reason. Finally I set about tracking back why the 7:30 arrival had been delayed as I find such stuff fascinating.

The 0:13 arrival from Guildford went into platform 1 at Waterloo. There it waited until 5:09 where it forms the ECS to Hampton Court. All was going well until between Berrylands and Surbtion. It passed Surbtion 22 down. Eventually it got into Hampton Court 43 minutes down.

With a train just behind, they ran it fast back to Waterloo, it being 28 minutes late. It did wait at Thames Ditton for 45 seconds or thereabouts but I imagine the doors were not opened. The he e was a train bus behind it though.

Finally it got into Waterloo 14 minutes late. It left there as the 6:39 but was still 9 minutes down. They cancelled every stop to Raynes Park but this only recovered 4 minutes of the delay. The fast line isn't actually devoid of train of course

It then picked up further minor delays, thus causing the trai. I was on to arrive into Effingham Junction 7 minutes late and depart 6 minutes this. This all after the signalling fault disruption had now ended.

Now once my train reached Surbtion or just before, they decided to run it fast to Waterloo. Causing passengers to the have to be o wait for the 8:31. All that because of the 6 minute delay at Effingham Junction after the disruption had ended. They did at least correctly give a reason for the delay on Journey Check.

The 7:46, the service that delayed our train, also had all the stations from Motspur Park to Vauxhall inclusive removed. It had departed Effingham Junction 8 down and was 13 down by Worcester Park. So that's two extra trains on the fast lines this morning. Not that it's unusual. I am assuming they switch to the fast lines once they skip stations. If so it happens regularly.

The Effingham Junction train arrived into Waterloo 7 down and train I was on just 3 down. The former one departed Waterloo to Woking some 6 months late. So now this train is still delayed due to the earlier signalling problem, despite South Western Railway claiming the disruption at ended at 7:35. Incidentally they didn't decide to cancel any stops. They obviously feel they have enough time at Woking to absorb it.

The trisn I was on formed a delayed trai. To Chessington South and again no stops removed as they probably feel the delay can be aborbed at the end.

I doubt many commuters take the time to figure all this out. Not that they should have to. I just find it interesting to track it. I don't usually track it to quite this extent though.

Journey Check incidentally isn't reporting short formations today. I've been told by others that self reporting is a franchise requirement. I can't believe there are no short formations though as the 442s haven't all been introduced yet.

There is congestion this morning between Waterloo and Clapham Junction on the down fast and down slow.

Down slow trains were leaving Waterloo about 3-4 minutes late when I got there. I thought fine I'll do it as getting the Hounslow train whilst it may depart slightly earlier, it stood at one more station and I need to be the other side of Clapham Junction.

Little did I know however that trains were losing an additional 12 minutes between Waterloo and Clapham Junction.

A train to Chessington departed 14 minutes late but they didn't removing any stops. By Clapham Junction it was 22 minutes late.

Still that is nothing. A train to Portsmouth Harbour left Waterloo 10 minutes late and due to the o congestion departed Clapham Junction 3ó minutes late!

I see what happened here. A Yovel Pen Mill train departed first and was delayed at Clapham Junction by 20 minutes due to overcrowding due to an event. No idea which event it is. Anyway it has had some of its stops removed.

Needless to say I've missed my connecting train.

There really needs to be a general note about this congestion. They do do it for 10-30 minute delays. I will suggest it.

I ended up into Clapham Junction 16 minutes late.

Twitter are saying its an operational incident and delays of up to 30 minutes likely.

Someone then asked them and they responded it was due to overcrowding and not everyone being able to board a service that goes to Castle Cary.

Turns out it's Glastonbury. I should have known. Does this operational incident occur every year or have a large number of people decided to travel early this year?

Perhaps the fast trains were routed through platform 11 to avoid the overcrowded train.

Sure enough this occurred. The 7:53 Waterloo to Alton stopped on platform 11 and departed 9 minutes late. It passed West London Junction on time. And got into Clapham Junction, 11 down. Whether other trains were routed that way I'm not sure. Couldn't see anything on Real Time Trains.

Saturday was rather hot, the hottest yet, so I was surprised therefore to see the 13:19 Guildford to Waterloo was on time. I was expecting disruption on the trains. Not even a minor delay for it.

My day didn't start there though. I had to visit the local hospital for a test just to ensure I didn't have a blood clot near my lung. This was due to some stabbing pain in my chest the other evening. They had been doing tests yesterday but ran out of time. If I was their only patient, they would have had time but life isn't like that. It did mean I had to have a blood thinning injection last might just in case. Ouch. Yes it stung. Still it's much easier when they do it, than when I need to inject myself as I do every 2 weeks, for my ankylosing spondylitis. Anyway the test was negative so that wasn't needed. Still better to be safe than die. I probably just had a msucle spasm. However some of symptoms for that mimic blood clots near the lungs.

The upshot of this though was that they found some unrelated heart issue they wish to look at. The NHS wonderful. Not perfect but wonderful.

So now I could think about my journey north to London. I had hoped to catch the 12:49 but I ended up on the on time 13:19. It being on time didn't last long of course. It's hot. As we got towards Woking we stopped. Fair enough this happens at the junction. Eventually the guard apologised for the delay and said we were waiting for trains ahead to clear. Maybe their lines had disruption instead. Some line surely had to.

Get to another signal and stopped again. Soon the guard said there was a track circuit failure. This is more like it.

We finally left Woking 12 minutes late and got into Waterloo 14 minutes late as we got held up outside Clapham Junction and Waterloo. We were actually 16 minutes late at West London Junction and made up some time. That wasn't just at the terminus either but on route! I don't expect to make up time after West London Junction but clearly trains do.

The tube ran well. Onto platform and in comes train shortly after. I would have walked to Leicester Square but I was meeting people and late. Once outside Leicester Square tube Station I navigated myself using an old Batholomew's Street Atlas. I quite enjoy using paper based atlases, especially when they were published in 1939. Other years are avilable - I easily have over 10 myself, by multiple publishers, not to mention some fold out maps too. Those are more awkward to use and some are a bit fragile. There again so are some of my books.

After a meal out eating Dim Sum on Gerrard Street and spending time with friends of my friend at their flat, we set off for the tube once more. T'was now after 8. My friend was heading a different way so I then opted to walk back to Waterloo, via Any Amount of Books. It is open until 21:30. Bought sever books including Picturesque London. A small book published c1922 with some lovely photos by W J Roberts.

Good job, as I'd left my hat behind so I could collect that on route. Again I navigated myself around using said Street Atlas. I didn't even get lost.

As I finished in the bookshop I noticed there were delays due to multiple incidents. It was now nearing 21:30.

The delays were up to 30 minutes or 60 minutes, depending on which note you read. The live online departure boards had 30 minutes and the disruption notice 60.

I thought I'd get some food in the street food market on South Bank. In order to eat I first needed to e sure I'd used some facilities before hand because due to my Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease, eatjng food would have made me need to use the facilities. Alas the street food was closed. End of that idea.

So I walked on and saw the 21:30 was still delayed. The 21:00 had only left 3 minutes late. There was also a 21:45. This too was late.

As I got to the station, the 21:30 wasn't on the board but the 21:45 was. It had a platform number so off I went for it. Alas as i got near it left. It was around this point I heard an announcement recommending people get the 22:00 as that would be the fastest train.

So I waited. Soon the 21:30 reappeared on the board. It then got a platform number? What about the 22:00. That is the fastest service. Indeed whatabout it. It didn't have a platform

Anyway at thus pint I ignored the automated advice and went for the 21:30. We had to wait some more and eventually we left 58 minutes late. I was expecting further delays on route and sure enough we had some. More due to displaces trains than track circuit failures. One of the earlier ones had been at Waterloo.

As for the 22:00, that left at 22:36.

I remember hearing an apology for the delayed 21:33 to Guildford. It was eventually cancelled.

I thi k there was one possible manual announcement about the general disruption but equally that could have been prerecorded.

It's times like this when you wonder if manual train announcements would be good.

The train I'm on is now running fast beyond Guildford. We have been told their is a service 5 mins behind. I'm surprised, given this is the case, that they haven't also cut Guildford out of the service. Yes there are connections at Guildford but I didn't think they took that into account during disruption, favouring trying to get the trains back on time.

By the time we left Woking we were now 1 hour 20 minutes late officially but it switched to the next minute on my clock as we departed so just sneeked in at 20. This is interesting as the 21:00 left Waterloo 3 minutes late but was only further 7 minutes delayed on top of that by the time it reached Woking.

Our additional delay will be 22-23 minutes. So a further 15-6 minutes delay compared to the 21:00.

Interestingly I had to keep amending the figures as at one stage having past West Byfleet we were predicted to be 1 hour 14 minutes late. Although we slowed down we didn't stop until Woking this shows how hard it is to predict train arrival times during delays. About 4 minutes of the additional delay was at Woking but the rest was before. In fact a Salisbury train arrived after us, into platform 4 and left first.

As we had approached Woking the automatic train announcement said the next station as Fratton. Good job it wasn't.

The guard gave announcements on the train which was good.

I looked up the news online to see if their was any news about this mJor disruption but I couldn't see anything. Maybe they are only concerned during the week.

I actually wasn't bothered about the delays as I was on a leisure trip. During the week I'm more bothered.