Yes trains will continue to run to LB after the ELL arrives but all eyes will be on the new Southern timetable when it appears.

Already we know that it's not all good news.

Southern has just announced that trains to and from Charing Cross will be axed in December - all trains will start and terminate at LB. So no more direct late night trains back from the heart of the West End.

Also it looks likely that although peak trains to and from LB will continue to be 6 trains per hour, off peak services will be cut from the current 6 trains per hour to 4 trains per hour later in the year. Doesn't sound too bad until you realise that many commuters especially in the evening, travel on "either side" of the rush hour, before 5pm and after 7pm. Their service - and the one to and from LB during the day - looks as if it will run with one third fewer trains.

Meanwhile the delays over the introduction of Oystercard on suburban stations such as ours drags on. Once again the introduction of OC on our line (promised in September) has been postponed. Early next year may be the best hope we have of seeing an introduction of this much needed upgrade in ticketing.