Tried out the Overground yesterday with a day trip to Dalston.

A pretty faultless journey both ways with a journey time from HOP to Dalston of 27 minutes. I am looking forward to trips to Columbia Road flower market (Shoreditch), the Geffrye Museum (Hoxton), the riverside pubs in Wapping (Wapping) and Wilton's Music Hall (Shadwell) without having to change on public transport or drive.

Coming back in the rush hour I was surprised how empty the train was (you could probably have got a seat if you got on at Shoreditch) and it was not much busier on to Canada Water. So all in all it looks like a great option if you work to the North or East of the City and want to avoid the dingy cattle market that is London Bridge.

The trains may get busier once the line is extended to Highbury & Islington next year and it links up with the Victoria line but that will also improve connections with North London.