Local Train Services

[rbmartin]

The original twice an hour service was to Caterham. This now runs fast from East Croydon. One issue with terminating at East Croydon was platform availability (a through train takes only 2 minutes - a terminating train has maybe 10/15 mins which is fixed by the terminating availability at the other end).

East Croydon has a shortage which is why they are adding more. But that may in itself cause disruption during construction. I also gather the spaghetti junction between EC & Norwood Junction is also a bottleneck and needs to be improved.

Having said that - if they can squeeze two trains at peak they should be able to do it off-peak. Maybe it is a budget issue - AFAIR the government now pays Southern to run the service and pockets the revenue which will be less off-peak. Is that right?

Right now I tend to use the 197 to get to/from EC rather than change at NJ with its challenging narrow stairs.

They run fast from Norwood Junction rather than East Croydon and have same platform connections with the Overground. The x10 and x40 from Sydenham arrive at NJ at x18 and x48 which connect with the x22 and x52 to Caterham and Tattenham Corner. It also works from East Croydon back to Sydenham with the x25 and x55 from East Croydon going to Norwood Junction Platform 1 which connects with the Overground to Highbury and Islington at x06 and x36.

It's not perfect, but it's better than nothing.

[Forester]

I'm surprised no-one has mentioned the Overground service last week, services closing down at 9 PM every evening. I guess we're just not supposed to be out at night ....... but didn't Mayor Khan promise to support London's night-time economy?

[stuart]

To be honest I haven't noticed it. We always go into town in the evening on the train but return on the 176 which has no last bus (except Christmas Eve). Speed and punctuality is important when going out but convenience trumps that on the return.

I had to go to Victoria this morning. Southern was on holiday again but Penge East got me there faster. That's what I like about Sydenham. We have multiple other choices when one goes AWOL.

[Bovine Juice]

Services from Penge East will increase from mid December, with four an hour again both ways. 4 an hour to Victoria between 06.03 until 23.33. 4 an hour from Victoria between 05.57 and 23.27.

[admin]

Good news!

[Bovine Juice]

Note this is only weekdays. The usual crush will occur on Saturdays. They really need to make that 4 an hour too.

[perryman]

in my experience half the time you have to use the stairs at norwood junction, especially on the return journey from East croydon.

I'm sure loads of stations are unmodernised but norwood junction has now been made a compulsory interchange for us and it is not fit for purpose. I guess it is better than nothing but that is setting the bar pretty low.

I dont think it unreasonable to have a direct local service to our local hubs - a 2X an hour 2 carriage shuttle, all stops from east croydon to new cross gate. and ideally on to lewisham station.
A local train service.

[alywin]

Services from Penge East will increase from mid December, with four an hour again both ways. 4 an hour to Victoria between 06.03 until 23.33. 4 an hour from Victoria between 05.57 and 23.27.

Hoo-"£$%$"£^&-ray. For the first time since April 2020. Too bad I gave up waiting and moved to a different line.

And I was thinking only the other day, as I tried to find a seat on the Vic-Orp service last Saturday, that we desperately need 4 trains an hour back on that day as well.

[mikej]

Alywin

May I suggest you email Chloe and Will, Lib Dem councillors for Beckenham Town who pressured to get the weekday services restored.
They also can be seen in person at the Waitrose cafe on the first and third Saturdays in the month. 0930-1100.

beckenhamcouncillors@bromleylibdems.org.uk

[stuart]

Right now we have the prospect of no Southern services and reduced Overground later this month. Best spend Halloween at home!

Really confusing details here: https://www.timeout.com/london/news/sou ... erm-100124

[stuart]

For dreamers yesterday Mayor Khan requested funding of the Bakerloo to Lewisham extension. This may or may not lead to the takeover over the Lower Sydenham line from Southeastern to TfL putting us properly on the tube map.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0m04dwpn8jo

[rbmartin]

Right now we have the prospect of no Southern services and reduced Overground later this month. Best spend Halloween at home!

Really confusing details here: https://www.timeout.com/london/news/sou ... erm-100124

I've had a look at the upcoming timetable over the half-term week.

SOUTHERN: No service on Saturday 26th, Sunday 27th at all. On weekdays, services to London Bridge operate at different times to usual, these will operate at x02 and x32 past each hour. These operate from either Norwood Junction and Sutton. There is no service to Victoria. Normal service resumes on Saturday 2nd November to Victoria. Return services from London Bridge are at x05 and x35 past each hour which are for Sutton which call at all stations to West Croydon and then fast to Sutton.

London Overground: Saturday 27th and weekdays, there are SIX trains per hour between Highbury & Islington and West Croydon, so a reduction in service heading northbound and an increased service to West Croydon compared to usual. If you're using the Overground northbound, there will be a 8-15 minute wait depending on when you use the station.

On Sunday 28th, a reduced service of four trains per hour will operate on London Overground only between Highbury & Islington and West Croydon.

Penge West to West Croydon will see an increased frequency per hour of 6 trains from London Overground and 2 trains from Southern on weekdays.

[alywin]

Alywin

May I suggest you email Chloe and Will, Lib Dem councillors for Beckenham Town who pressured to get the weekday services restored.
They also can be seen in person at the Waitrose cafe on the first and third Saturdays in the month. 0930-1100.

beckenhamcouncillors@bromleylibdems.org.uk

I'm not in their ward, so I don't think they'll be able to respond to me.

[Forester]

9th and 10th Nov another weekend without services.