the Increasingly Frustrating Thameslink

[tsr]

I would recommend you text BTP on 61016 with a full description of those involved, the train's details, and whether they are still onboard. I have done this occasionally before, and received a prompt and comprehensive response, with updates as they tried to find the culprits (unfortunately without success - possibly because it happened near Elstree & Borehamwood and the nearest available BTP officers were at either St Pancras or somewhere North of St Albans due to other issues).

 

[Minstral25]

Redhill is all or nothing, feast or famine you either have no timetables moves or everything wants to use the same tracks at the same time.

To bring a train out if the sidings you first need the driver to contact you in good time to let you know that they are on the unit, that they have prepped the unit and it's ready to depart via the GSMR otherwise it's pure guess work.

Yes I understand that and now having visited the ROC at Three Bridges I understand much more the ways things work. They seem to have lots of plans to consolidate everything which should improve communications. There are a lot of very well versed people and I came away very impressed

On the sidings issue the unit pulls forward to the edge of the siding about 06:10 then waits for the Reigate arrival at 6:19 to come in. This morning they left the unit in the sidings until after the Bedford had come through which improved timekeeping for the Bedford but presumably meant the Reading was late but looking at Recent tRain Times it caught up well before Guildford

 

[Abpj17]

Surprised it's been quiet for so long

I'm conscious there is a separate thread about the brighton derailment ( http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=114623 ) but my experiences are more about thameslink/north

Comms from Thameslink seemed pretty poor again at Blackfriars. Every other train to Bedford was cancelled. When one surfaced, it was announced as four carriages at short notice (if we'd known, I'm sure more would have got on the slow train to St Albans); the automated announcements at Blackfriars are really odd (like played at x10 slow motion); train was unsurprisingly rammed (including with luggage, bikes and wheelchairs).

Unfortunately it - and the suspected delays tomorrow - were further compounded by the private taxi strike in Luton

 

[W230]

the automated announcements at Blackfriars are really odd (like played at x10 slow motion);

Been like that all week - same at City Thameslink too. Now, I know it's not useful for passengers but it does sound comical!

 

[jon0844]

Given how quick everyone rushes about in London, it must be particularly frustrating. Probably better to play the announcements at double the speed!

 

[Mutant Lemming]

Have to admit that (although not being that frequent a user) on the occasions I have used Thameslink trains over the past month or so they have all been pretty much on time. Customer service is still a bit poor though and have noticed the gates open at some quite busy stations during the day (West Hampstead in particular is virtually like an open station).

 

[Saint66]

PUT at Radlet tonight. Thoughts with those involved.

Haven't been many of these on the Northern half of Thameslink for a little while (Thankfully) so it will be a test for those in charge.

 

[MCR247]

Yeah I was on the 2030 Brighton to Bedford which got as far as East Croydon where we were told to get on southern services and use LU to get across London.

Thoughts are with the family and also the driver

 

[Abpj17]

Have to admit that (although not being that frequent a user) on the occasions I have used Thameslink trains over the past month or so they have all been pretty much on time. Customer service is still a bit poor though and have noticed the gates open at some quite busy stations during the day (West Hampstead in particular is virtually like an open station).

It's common for gates to be open outside rush hour - the stations have minimal staffing. Blackfriars and City Thameslink especially in the core and West Hampsted too.

 

[DelayRepay]

Yeah I was on the 2030 Brighton to Bedford which got as far as East Croydon where we were told to get on southern services and use LU to get across London.

Thoughts are with the family and also the driver

I was on the 19:48 St Pancras to Bedford. We came to a stop before Radlett and reversed back to Elstree.

Ended up in a cab to St Albans.

On the off chance any Thameslink Managers are reading this, the station staff member at Elstree deserves a commendation for how he dealt with all the passengers, especially those who were on their way to Luton Airport with flights to catch. A difficult evening but he did well, with the help of a lady who I think was an RPI who was travelling on one of the trains.

 

[Class377/5]

PUT at Radlet tonight. Thoughts with those involved.

Haven't been many of these on the Northern half of Thameslink for a little while (Thankfully) so it will be a test for those in charge.

EMT service bit killed the service for quite a while. Testing isn't the word.

 

[MCR247]

To be fair I saw that EMT were running extra later trains to Nottingham and Derby