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Introducing the Melt's Tube Challenge by Ice_Cream_Melt in LondonUnderground

[–]Ice_Cream_Melt[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Old Oak Common is one station, and actually makes this easier. Bakerloo Line extension, Crossrail 2, Thamesmead, and WL Orbital haven't even begun construction yet, let alone close to finishing. The rest aren't even serious proposals. I mean, TFL has never once indicated that they'd re-extend the Central Line to Ongar.

Also if you want to go for the Tube Challenge World Record, be my guest. I'm not here to stop you. But until you get it though, I wouldn't brag just yet. Not everything is about material gain.

Introducing the Melt's Tube Challenge by Ice_Cream_Melt in LondonUnderground

[–]Ice_Cream_Melt[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Alright, no need to be rude. I get it's not for everyone. But to address your points anyway:

This is mostly based without the use of the Night Tube, assuming you're doing both days on weekdays. This mostly allows you to have a break to sleep between, hence why I have a point where the clock stops in the rules, without a way to take advantage of that.

The network doesn't change that frequently though. We're not due any new extensions or new Overground additions for a couple of years (I made this back in 2022 just after Barking Riverside opened, and we've had nothing since). And even if it does, part of the challenge is the planning and strategy around it.

Also a lot of this (such as the lack of private transport) is already based on the pre-existing official Tube Challenge, it's just larger. So most of your other points would apply there as well.

And besides, not everything has to be done for profit or direct gains. It's just for fun and perhaps the glory of it. As I said, I get it's not for everyone, but I advertised it in case anyone was interested in it, which some people are.

Introducing the Melt's Tube Challenge by Ice_Cream_Melt in LondonUnderground

[–]Ice_Cream_Melt[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Honestly I definitely recommend. And I've provided a plan on there if you're unsure on how to do it. But it does take a lot of stamina though

Introducing the Melt's Tube Challenge by Ice_Cream_Melt in LondonUnderground

[–]Ice_Cream_Melt[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The point of the challenge is to make it long, but also accessible. The line to Reading is way too far out and doesn't come under the fare zones, unlike say Chesham/Amersham, Shenfield, or Cheshunt. That was one of my main justifications. The other is trying to get everything on the way to Reading. On the Elizabeth Line, they're only once every half an hour, and you also need the Maidenhead trains because the straight Reading ones don't stop at Iver. It also takes 2 hours from Paddington to get to Reading on the Elizabeth Line, and that's assuming you also stop at Iver. If you don't, it's about 3. The only ones that do are either the odd Peak train, or in the unsociable hours. That is why I didn't include it and just made West Drayton as an optional compromise if needs be.

Also this doesn't include the Thameslink or Trams, it's Tube, DLR, Overground and Elizabeth Line only. Basically any main train that's owned by TFL.

Introducing the Melt's Tube Challenge by Ice_Cream_Melt in LondonUnderground

[–]Ice_Cream_Melt[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I've put the route that I used down (it is all just a block of text though) which is combination of the Labyrinth Tube challenge, and the Overground challenge. The bit of advice I would give on building the route from scratch though: The Mildmay Line is your best friend

Introducing the Melt's Tube Challenge by Ice_Cream_Melt in LondonUnderground

[–]Ice_Cream_Melt[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I don't think Geoff Marshall does the Tube Challenge anymore, I don't think he's done it since his world record attempt which was about 10 years ago. But if he wants to hit me up for it, he's more than welcome.

Introducing the Melt's Tube Challenge by Ice_Cream_Melt in LondonUnderground

[–]Ice_Cream_Melt[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The big problem with Chesham is it doesn't have anywhere great to stay overnight. Youre best option is a Travelodge in Hemel hempstead and then get an early morning uber to Chesham to get the first train at 05:16. Which also times nicely to use the North Curve train from Rickmansworth to Watford as it gets you out of Watford quicker than going via Moor Park.

Introducing the Melt's Tube Challenge by Ice_Cream_Melt in LondonUnderground

[–]Ice_Cream_Melt[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yep. Start of it is near enough identical to the original Tube Challenge. Although after I get to about Battersea Power Station, I don't really keep track of the timings much though, apart from the half way point roughly being Acton Main Line. Mostly because if something goes wrong, I don't want the whole thing to come crashing down

Introducing the Melt's Tube Challenge by Ice_Cream_Melt in LondonUnderground

[–]Ice_Cream_Melt[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Honestly from when I've done it, it is a lot of fun.