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Post by Dawnstar on Jan 22, 2020 21:03:06 GMT
The train journey times between Cambridge & Kings Cross have actually got longer over the last few years. At one point they got down to 45-48 minutes on average but now 50-55 minutes is the average. So whatever they're doing it's not exactly helping!
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Post by TallPaul on Jan 23, 2020 13:23:53 GMT
We're at risk of going off-topic again, but the new tracks into King's Cross are on the left (travelling from the north), but don't trains from the east mainly terminate at the platforms to the right?
At some point, faster northern trains and slower eastern trains will still have to cross, just as they do now.
I'm sure the experts have it all worked out...oh, wait!
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Post by Dawnstar on Jan 23, 2020 17:24:27 GMT
We're at risk of going off-topic again, but the new tracks into King's Cross are on the left (travelling from the north), but don't trains from the east mainly terminate at the platforms to the right? At some point, faster northern trains and slower eastern trains will still have to cross, just as they do now. I'm sure the experts have it all worked out...oh, wait! Mine arrive/depart from any platform from 0 to 11 with no pattern that I've ever been able to discern but I think you're right that the LNER East Coast mainline trains seem to use only platforms 1-8. I have a vague idea they might sometimes sort out the crossing over where the lines join north of Hitchin though. I know that on occasion I've been on trains that have been delayed going slowly around Hitchin/Stevenage while LNER trains have thundered past to the left (facing south). |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 23, 2020 18:35:08 GMT
Not exactly on topic, but I love this picture of Euston in 1837 with one arrival platform and one departure platform. And even back then there was some twonk who decided to jump down on to the tracks.  |
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Post by TallPaul on Jan 24, 2020 13:30:29 GMT
I do hope the Euston Arch gets rebuilt, regardless of what happens with HS2.
Anyway, getting back on track (pun intended), I'm another Grand Central fan. Are *we* all aware that if you book direct, you get a 20% discount on your next trip?
If it's of use to anyone travelling from London to all points west (or east to London), GWR has a sale running for a few more hours. Book by 23:59 on 26 January, for travel until 3 April 2020. More at gwr.com/sale
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Post by TallPaul on Jan 25, 2020 14:29:50 GMT
I don't know if this is of any use to you, Dawnstar , or indeed anyone travelling to or from East Anglia. For bookings until 9 February, and travel upto 5 April 2020, Greater Anglia is offering return fares of £10, £15 and £20. I suppose it's a trade-off between a lower fare and a longer journey into Liverpool Street. More at www.greateranglia.co.uk/harefares |
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Post by Dawnstar on Jan 25, 2020 14:40:22 GMT
TallPaul Not really, unfortunately. While I often get the Liverpool Street line down to London my mother insists I get the Kings Cross line back, as the late night trains from Liverpool Street can get quite empty after about Bishop's Stortford so she worries I'll get murdered/raped/mugged/whatever. Therefore I have to get the more expensive tickets that allow me to come back via Kings Cross. Except for today & all the weekends over the next year and a half when Kings Cross will be closed so I don't have that option but the Liverpool Street line will be much busier because of the lack of Kings Cross.
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Post by TallPaul on Jan 25, 2020 16:04:21 GMT
We should always listen to our mothers, or those old enough to be our mother, like my very good friend Tibidabo. 🙂 I've often thought that what TheatreBoard needs (apart from more positivity about new musicals 😉) is an 'I acknowledge your response and thank you for it' button. For the avoidance of doubt, I obviously don't 'like' the thought of anything unspeakable happening to anyone. |
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Post by Dawnstar on Jan 25, 2020 16:41:38 GMT
It's also that she's the one retrieving me from the station at midnight every week!
Yes, an "acknowledge" button would be useful both on here & on social media.
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Post by Tibidabo on Jan 26, 2020 8:19:15 GMT
We should always listen to our mothers, or those old enough to be our mother, like my very good friend Tibidabo. 🙂 I've often thought that what TheatreBoard needs (apart from more positivity about new musicals 😉) is an 'I acknowledge your response and thank you for it' button. Yes. Quite. And you obviously didn't listen to your mother TallPaul when she taught you to respect your eld betters. Personally I'd like an 'I squirt a squidgy raspberry up your device' button. |
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Post by TallPaul on Feb 7, 2020 13:30:42 GMT
After all the stress booking your train tickets, I hope have an uneventful trip tomorrow, Dawnstar. With Storm Caira on its way, Saturday is the day to travel this weekend, so your timing is perfect! Be prepared to not sit in the seat you thought you'd be sitting in, though, as LNER has had a habit recently of swapping its trains around. If you still need to book your tickets, basi1faw1ty, affordable advance tickets for 11 April are now on sale. The secret, I have discovered, is to search only for tickets to Bradford Foster Square; searching for either Bradford (any) or Bradford Interchange will return stupid prices, but you can book to Bradford Foster Square for £18.50. As the fare to Leeds is also £18.50, you're getting the final leg for free! |
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Post by Dawnstar on Feb 7, 2020 14:55:41 GMT
After all the stress booking your train tickets, I hope have an uneventful trip tomorrow, Dawnstar . With Storm Caira on its way, Saturday is the day to travel this weekend, so your timing is perfect! Be prepared to not sit in the seat you thought you'd be sitting in, though, as LNER has had a habit recently of swapping its trains around. So do I. I got to Milton Keynes & back yesterday with none of the trains more than a couple of minutes late so that was a good start to 3 days running of theatregoing. As I can't remember where I'm booked to sit I probably won't notice anyway, as long as I get to sit somewhere. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2020 12:02:18 GMT
I did a recent trip to London and it was on that very weekend Dawnstar mentioned with Kings Cross being shut. I didn’t know about it until fairly recent, so I ended up flying Edinburgh to Gatwick as it worked out to be the most cost effective option. Then there were problems on Southern rail so I ended up going to London Bridge and not Victoria. Thankfully on the way back Southern was up and running so I actually managed to get back to the airport from Victoria. Usually I like getting the train as it’s more relaxing but it was a nice change flying for once. |
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Post by Dawnstar on Feb 8, 2020 14:00:39 GMT
Be prepared to not sit in the seat you thought you'd be sitting in, though, as LNER has had a habit recently of swapping its trains around. You were right. I've just got on the train to find that coach D, where my reservation was, is actually a 1st class coach & there are no reservations throughout the train. Fortunately the train is quiet so there are plenty of seats available but it does make me wonder why you're encouraged to make a reservation if the train company can just get rid of them! |
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Post by Dawnstar on Feb 15, 2020 17:35:08 GMT
Any expert opinions on whether Sadler's Wells to Cadogan Hall is do-able in 40 minutes? On a Sunday with the District & Circle lines closed. I supsect I'm being hopelessly over-optomistic even contemplating it...
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Post by FrontrowverPaul on Feb 15, 2020 17:57:13 GMT
Any expert opinions on whether Sadler's Wells to Cadogan Hall is do-able in 40 minutes? On a Sunday with the District & Circle lines closed. I supsect I'm being hopelessly over-optomistic even contemplating it... Tight but doable. 5 minutes walk to Angel Station, Northern Line to Euston, Victoria Line to Victoria. then C1 or 211 bus to Sloane Square. Cadogan Hall is only about a mile from Victoria so a cab wouldn't be too much. I've walked it in 20 minutes. Which Sunday ? |
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Post by Dawnstar on Feb 15, 2020 18:28:05 GMT
Any expert opinions on whether Sadler's Wells to Cadogan Hall is do-able in 40 minutes? On a Sunday with the District & Circle lines closed. I supsect I'm being hopelessly over-optomistic even contemplating it... Tight but doable. 5 minutes walk to Angel Station, Northern Line to Euston, Victoria Line to Victoria. then C1 or 211 bus to Sloane Square. Cadogan Hall is only about a mile from Victoria so a cab wouldn't be too much. I've walked it in 20 minutes. Which Sunday ? Next Sunday, 23rd. I'm booked for Zorro at Cadogan Hall, which starts at 6.30pm, & have now just discovered that a dancer I like is appearing in a show at Sadler's Wells which starts at 4pm & has an estimated running time of 1h50. If only either the matinee started earlier or the evening started later! |
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Post by clair on Feb 15, 2020 20:05:43 GMT
On that note - Knightsbridge is closed due to crane operations that weekend so buses will be diverted onto other roads in the area which may well be a nightmare! Bear that in mind when you look at routes so it's not a nasty surprise on the day
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Post by Dawnstar on Feb 15, 2020 20:18:10 GMT
On that note - Knightsbridge is closed due to crane operations that weekend so buses will be diverted onto other roads in the area which may well be a nightmare! Bear that in mind when you look at routes so it's not a nasty surprise on the day Knightsbridge is going to be closed next weekend? That's not on the TfL website for 23rd. Damn, I was planning to get the Piccadilly line from there to Kings Cross afterwards. |
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Post by clair on Feb 15, 2020 20:19:27 GMT
Tube will be ok - it's the roads that are closed with diversions - last time they did that some diversions took an hour!
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Post by Dawnstar on Feb 15, 2020 20:36:34 GMT
Tube will be ok - it's the roads that are closed with diversions - last time they did that some diversions took an hour! I hope I'll still be able to walk up Sloane Street to get to the tube. |
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Post by FrontrowverPaul on Feb 15, 2020 20:43:23 GMT
Tight but doable. 5 minutes walk to Angel Station, Northern Line to Euston, Victoria Line to Victoria. then C1 or 211 bus to Sloane Square. Cadogan Hall is only about a mile from Victoria so a cab wouldn't be too much. I've walked it in 20 minutes. Which Sunday ? Next Sunday, 23rd. I'm booked for Zorro at Cadogan Hall, which starts at 6.30pm, & have now just discovered that a dancer I like is appearing in a show at Sadler's Wells which starts at 4pm & has an estimated running time of 1h50. If only either the matinee started earlier or the evening started later! I'm also seeing Zorro, hadn't realised Sloane Square tube was closed so this will affect me and plenty of others too. I'm at the King Alfred Phoenix Theatre near Golders Green for Tom Sawyer starting at 3pm so hoping to be out before 5.30pm. You could consider Message In a Bottle instead, that starts at 2pm at the Peacock Theatre. It's the only dance show I've ever seen and I was blown away by it. |
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Post by Dawnstar on Feb 16, 2020 12:22:24 GMT
I'm also seeing Zorro, hadn't realised Sloane Square tube was closed so this will affect me and plenty of others too. I'm at the King Alfred Phoenix Theatre near Golders Green for Tom Sawyer starting at 3pm so hoping to be out before 5.30pm. You could consider Message In a Bottle instead, that starts at 2pm at the Peacock Theatre. It's the only dance show I've ever seen and I was blown away by it. I've just looked it up but it's not something I'd be interested in seeing. I like ballet but not modern dance. If I decide I can't manage Sadler's Wells to Cadogan Hall then I'll probably end up at TCAABR yet again! |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 18, 2020 10:33:28 GMT
I notice that Ola the competitor to Uber launched in London last week. And in researching that found that there’s a longer established competitor in London called Bolt.
I’m a regular uber rider, has anyone tried these other options? How do they compare?
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Post by Dave B on Feb 18, 2020 10:51:14 GMT
I notice that Ola the competitor to Uber launched in London last week. And in researching that found that there’s a longer established competitor in London called Bolt. I’m a regular uber rider, has anyone tried these other options? How do they compare? I've used Kapten a bit. Found it to be a little cheaper than Uber for standard fares (Note: I've seen surge fares go A LOT higher and not used them). Also found there's a weekly discount code they email out for usually about £6 off a trip which is then re-usable four or five times within 7/10 days. |
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