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Crofton Park Trains
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MessyMessy


Posts: 22
Joined: Feb 2013
Post: #1
29-12-2014 09:01 PM

Why should London Bridge get all the joy? Would anyone like to complain about the Crofton Park Service?

I can't believe with so much of this part of the network shut down, they cut the trains to four coaches today. My journey in and home again were so crowded that a very nice man had to grab hold of me to make sure I didn't fall out when the doors opened on our side again at Denmark Hill. Disgusting!

It appears they're running a weekend service but certainly taking the weekday fare.

In the spirit of Christmas though, thanks to the people who did scrunch up, move down, suck it in and all the rest in response to my, "please, just one more! I really want to..." I had trail off at the end, because I didn't really want to go to work. I'm not sure why I didn't just allow myself to be left behind. I could have had a nice coffee and checked all my emails on my phone.

Is there any chance the coaches left out of service will get hosed down over the break?

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Poppet2


Posts: 59
Joined: Oct 2013
Post: #2
30-12-2014 09:04 PM

I agree, Southeastern trains on that route are amongst the dirtiest I have ever seen.

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Sibelius


Posts: 63
Joined: Aug 2011
Post: #3
04-01-2015 05:31 PM

What are these trains usually like around 8.40am on a weekday? I may be switching to this service next week to Elephant. Would I get a seat?

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rbmartin


Posts: 1,074
Joined: Nov 2007
Post: #4
04-01-2015 05:37 PM

All trains from Crofton Park, including the Sunday service to Blackfriars are now operated by Thameslink since mid-December.

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MessyMessy


Posts: 22
Joined: Feb 2013
Post: #5
04-01-2015 06:31 PM

I take the 8:36 from Crofton Park and very, very rarely get a seat. It is standing room only and can get quite crowded. That said, it's rare that you're packed in to the point of touching. My best advice is get on and move all the way down the carriage. A lot of people get out at E&C, so you shouldn't get stuck and there's usually room at the back. Some carriages are busier than others -- the one that opens right at the steps at Denmark Hill for example.

From time to time for reasons I can't understand they will cut the train from 8 carriages to 4. When that happens, best to get a coffee and wait for the next service.

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Sibelius


Posts: 63
Joined: Aug 2011
Post: #6
04-01-2015 06:36 PM

Thanks for that MessyMessy. I'm so miserable about these changes to Southern, as despite all the problems getting to and from London Bridge over the past few months, I've always had a pleasant journey with a seat (or often even a double seat!).

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MessyMessy


Posts: 22
Joined: Feb 2013
Post: #7
04-01-2015 09:12 PM

Me too! It's the same distance for me to walk to HOP or to Crofton Park. I can take the Crofton Park train to Faringdon for thirty minutes and then walk to work in ten minutes. Or I could take the Southern train to London Bridge for ten minutes and then walk to work in thirty. Definitely preferred the longer walk, the cleaner train and getting a seat.

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oryx


Posts: 205
Joined: Nov 2007
Post: #8
04-01-2015 11:31 PM

The main issue I find with trains from Crofton Park is the huge, dangerous gap between the carriage step and the platform edge. It is a nightmare with a suitcase and must be very difficult, verging on impossible, for anyone with small children or a disability.

Admittedly, I don't often use them at rush hour.

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Poppet2


Posts: 59
Joined: Oct 2013
Post: #9
05-01-2015 01:49 AM

I dislike the fact that at Crofton Park there are only two trains an hour after 10.00 am. If a train is cancelled you've had it, especially if you're going to Luton Airport, even though you may leave in good time. Not good for the blood pressure.

This post was last modified: 05-01-2015 01:51 AM by Poppet2.

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dianaruthven


Posts: 10
Joined: Feb 2011
Post: #10
12-01-2015 08:41 PM

Glad to join in the debate! Given the chaos at London Bridge (trains cut to two an hour this week from London Bridge to Honor Oak Park), I have been getting the train from City Thameslink to Crofton Park. The trains are appalling - poky and cramped, with no announcements and ridiculously slow. Tonight it took nearly 40 minutes to go 5 stops with no explanation. Does anyone know if there are any plans to upgrade them?

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MessyMessy


Posts: 22
Joined: Feb 2013
Post: #11
12-01-2015 08:58 PM

Hey, you London Bridge people are crowding up our classy route! Get offa ma train!

Kidding - I swap between lines depending on what looks better. The uptick in passengers since London Bridge fell down is noticeable. It was easy to get a seat at Farringdon, but now all I get is elbowed.

I had heard once that there was a plan to introduce new trains. The service did just change hands a few months ago, so perhaps Thameslink will do something with them. I would be happy if they would just hose them out.

I have been on this service several times where the driver will call one or two of the stations, so I don't think the PAs are broken. Not sure why they don't call of them.

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rbmartin


Posts: 1,074
Joined: Nov 2007
Post: #12
12-01-2015 09:04 PM

Thameslink will be introducing Class 700 units at some point between 2016-2018 on the Crofton Park line as part of the ongoing Thameslink Programme.

However, there are no plans to increase the frequency of the trains.

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