Thameslink off to a cracking start
Today is the first day of Thameslink services down the Woolwich line. Except it isn’t, as every train so far has been cancelled.
Rumours have swirled for weeks and months that there is a lack of drivers to operate this route, which I first covered back in March.
Today doesn’t bode well for the coming week (with Thameslink already cutting some trains) but we’ll have to see how it goes tomorrow withthe first trains running all the way to Luton. Any cancellations leave stations such as Greenwich and Deptford with a reduced service as Thameslink replaces some Southeastern services.
By the way, a poor aspect of the new timetable on the Southeastern side is a poor two trains an hour service on Sundays on busy suburban lines such as Sidcup and Bexleyheath.
After all the time and expense, a turn up and go interval of every 15 minutes on a Sunday should’ve been provided. These lines serve busy towns and have annual passenger numbers from 2-3+ million.
30 minute gaps do not get people out of cars to help lessen congestion.
Will it change in future?
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Was never planned to start this weekend due to engineering works between Slade Green and Dartford, nowhere to reverse them as they don’t fit in the Plumstead sidings… But hey don’t let that get in the way of a good bashing 🙂
It’s in the timetable and all journey planners. Not being able to turn a 8 coach train at Plumstead a bit of an oversight when 10 car SE trains do it. Not going to help during frequent engineering work
Looks like the 1555 TL departure from Deptford is operating and is on time
So either the lesser spotted Class 700 does, in fact, fit into the Plumstead sidings, or replacement stock (319s ??) had been sourced at very short notice. But if Class 700’s don’t fit, what happened to route proving ??
Inquiring minds, and all that.
The cancellation reasons from the public data feed are “planning error”. After all these years of, errrr, planning…. You couldn’t make it up.
The SE frequencies were never meant to be increased at this stage – only the Thameslink services that replace or supplement them – such as the Catford Loop.
In the consultation for the next SE franchise I expressed a wish for a 4tph service on Sundays as we have Monday to Saturday. Hopefully you all did too and some notice will be taken.
As much as I agree with all youve always said about poor execution and the Greenwich line getting a raw deal, i must say that thameslink provides a far superior travel experience / environment than old southeastern stock. The trains are actually fit for purpose!