Forum Topic

Sunday trains on the Overground

Just had the Transport for London weekend closures email and notice that the Overground is now up and running on a Sunday. What joy! Hampstead Heath and Richmond, here we come!

Jocelyn Ridley ● 5601d15 Comments

Woo hoo!!! At last! And not before time, either. Will enhance life in Acton no end...now I can take my bike to Hampstead Heath again. Hooray for the jolly old North London Line!

Cathy Johns ● 5601d

I saw a notice at Kew Gardens station this morning promising more frequent trains too.

Susan Kelly ● 5601d

The new timetable starts on 22 May, with 4 trains per hour all day, 7 days a week.  Through Acton, they are at alternating 10 and 20 minute intervals.  This is presumably in order to give a regular 10-minute frequency beyond Willesden Junction, including some of the trains to/from Clapham Junction.TfL don't seem to have published the new timetable yet, but there is a DRAFT version (not necessarily the final timetable) on the Network Rail site athttp://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/eNRT/May11/timetables/Table59.pdf

Richard Jennings ● 5601d

YOU CAN PICK A NEW TIMETABLE UP AT ANY STATION ALONG THE LIEN THEY BEEN THERE FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS.

Lesley Russell ● 5601d

Ooh it was luvverly... shame that the target for the roundtrip - the Curzon in Richmond - was not functional due to burglar alarm in offices above. But it was nice to TRY and get there on a Sunday at least.

Sara Nathan ● 5597d

I agree. We went the other way and had a walk on Hampstead Heath, very much enjoyed and looking forward to doing the cinema in Richmond on a Sunday once again. Quick question - is anyone a regular cinema goer to either of the cinemas in Shepherd's Bush?

Jocelyn Ridley ● 5597d

Haven't been to She Bu cinemas - have had too many bad popcorn crunching 'n' coke slurping experiences at huge overpriced Vue-type places and tend to try and go elsewhere  - but can I recommend the Riverside Studios, which is my favourite local screen - you get a brilliant view because of the good rake (speaking as a small person) and often you get 2 films for price of 1 - great to catch up on things when you've just missed them at the mainstream places, and some amazing offbeat film programmes too. They've just lost their Arts Council funding, too, so as an excellent local arts venue could do with lots of support. And a nice bike ride along the river to get there, too.

Cathy Johns ● 5597d

i go to Shepherds Bush Vue for bolockbusters - or sub blockbuster no showing at Park Royale. Don't do Westfield yet as it's more expensive and I can't see the benefit.Have just discovered the Lexy in Kensal Risae (thanks to JIG qv) And love it: two stops north and three minutes walk. 77 seats, fab sound system, good choice of films, competitively priced and profits go to a South African charity - plus full bar. What's not to like?

Sara Nathan ● 5597d

I haven't been to the Curzon for about three years now as I got fed up, not only with frequent problems such as the one Sara recounts causing cancellations, but the inability of the staff to deal with such problems and keep customers informed about what was going on. When I complained to head office, I was told that customers HAD been kept informed (I was sitting there, in the auditorium, with not a member of staff to be seen or heard!) and pretty much called a liar. Richmond Curzon are being well and truly boycotted!

Susan Kelly ● 5597d

The TfL site now has the new timetables for London Overground, at http://www.tfl.gov.uk/gettingaround/6391.aspxLO Customer Services have offered me their "sincere apologies" for the delay in posting the timetables on the site.

Richard Jennings ● 5597d

To be fair - the staff last night were bemused but helpful and offered regular updates, progress reports and offer of refund. Couldn't fault their attitude - but they couldn't sort the problem.

Sara Nathan ● 5597d

Four trains an hour out of peak - even if configured oddly with a ten and twenty minute gap alternating - makes a huge difference to whether it is usable off-peak: Richmond last night; Highbutry and Islington tonight. It has revolutionised our transport decision-making.

Sara Nathan ● 5594d

The North London Line has always been one of London's secret weapons. When I came to the capital in 1974, I lived near Finchley Road & Frognel station, so it's always been part of my London experience and I was often puzzled in the early years as to how many people didn't know it existed, let alone used it.

Susan Kelly ● 5594d

I agree - but when it was Silverlink it was so badly run and erratic that it was barely useable especialy for a commute: I worked near one North London stop for about six weeks in 1999 or thereabouts and reckoned that at least three of ten journeys a week were massively disrupted.

Sara Nathan ● 5594d

My understanding was that in the old days nuclear waste was transported on the line late at night.  I wonder if it still is?

Dee Cook ● 5594d