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Where are you on the transport network?

teuchter said:
It's not the only station in London where you can arrive or depart by a regular timetabled diesel locomotive hauled train.

And only quite recently has become an alternative route to Oxford.

I believe it had a reputation in the 90s as the most reliable commuter line out of London, and it is speculated that this was not unconnected to various senior British Rail managers living along it. I've no idea how much truth there is in this, perhaps davesgcr can comment...
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Far from being "reliable" - despite serving a very affluent area , the service was very sparse off peak (a semi-fast Banbury and a slow Aylesbury) - it had been run down since the early 1960's but the lack of "ownership" showed - the London Midland saw no merit in it (enough problems elsewhere) , someone (probably a Seer Green residing BR Senior Officer) , got it transferred to the Western Region who saw some merit and did a thorough review and started some improvements. The clousure plans by the blessed Margarets "advisor" to turn it into a highly dangerous busway was seen off and once it's future was safe , BR started a total route modernisation with new signaling , track renewals , a new depot and Turbos.

The transformation was thorough , but had it not happened , the state of the route , esepecially the signalling was dire. and caused some concerns. For the record it had the lowest grade Area Manager in the whole of the UK just before transformation.

Saw some of the old regime before it got done up - the Marylebone Diesel depot was dire , but the copious rats around there then seemed happy enough.
 
Puddy_Tat said:
there are trains to oxford, stratford on avon, birmingham

think it's a bit slower than going from paddington / euston, but may be cheaper

route_map.png
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Cheap tickets at the moment it seems

www.ianvisits.co.uk

Chiltern Railways offering half-price train tickets - ianVisits

As part of a January sale, Chiltern Railways has cut the price of 50,000 seats in half, meaning you could, for example, have a day trip to Oxford for just £5.40.
www.ianvisits.co.uk
 
Finally on a long distance sleeper train again, last minute decision to go down to Fujian for new year. That meant no bunks together but here you can usually arrange a swap once you're on. Nice lad schlepped off to my distant berth so I'm in earshot of the kids at least. Fully non smoking now even on this slower train. Timing is great, six twenty out of Beijing, terminates in wife's hometown in west Fujian about ten tomorrow. Shame about the top bunk but that's last minute for you. First real trip since covid.
 
Last edited:
JimW said:
Finally on a long distance sleeper train again, last minute decision to go down to Fujian for new year. That meant no bunks together but here you can usually arrange a swap once you're on. Nice lad schlepped off to my distant berth so I'm in earshot of the kids at least. Fully non smoking now even on this slower train. Timing is great, six twenty out of Beijing, terminates in wife's hometown in east Fujian about ten tomorrow. Shame about the top bunk but that's last minute for you. First real trip since covid.
Click to expand...
Post some photos!
 
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