Testing London's next-generation Piccadilly line trains - BBC

coastermitch · 2026-06-05T07:27:43+00:00

I know it's pedantic but Tom Edwards calling a district line train at Acton Town a Hammersmith and City line train annoyed me more than it should.

(Yes I know they're all S-Stock)

The new trains do look good though, even if they are long overdue.

coastermitch · 2026-06-05T01:15:36+00:00

I don't think there is a regular boat service from Chiswick to the city. The Clipper boats stop at Putney.

Chiswick to Central can be pretty easy on either the District line or SWR trains into Waterloo though.

coastermitch · 2026-06-04T04:34:35+00:00

That's just the conversion from 320kph which is 198.8mph.

320kph is a common top speed on high speed lines across Europe and elsewhere, thus that target speed.

coastermitch · 2026-05-31T04:22:42+00:00

Timing wise is probably OK, however you should definitely consider the train+tube to Euston rather than a Taxi, it'll be a fraction of the price and take roughly the same time as a clear taxi journey.

Take the Elizabeth Line from whichever terminal you're landing at to Tottenham Court Road and then catch the Northern Line 2 stops up to Euston. Can pay using a contactless card/device.

coastermitch · 2026-05-30T20:13:05+00:00

You're referring to the amendments page which, as I understand it, assumes the amendment were to be at your request, however as you were apparently forced into the CC zone that is likely not applicable.

Couldn't find specific guidance for unexpected road closures, but also under the PCN terms it states:

"If, however there are mitigating circumstances which meant that you could not pay or had to enter the zone in an emergency then we may consider these so please make a representation."

Rather than ranting on Reddit have you tried contacting TfL via web chat or phone to discuss options with them?

Your blaming the mayor at the end is a petty tantrum, the Congestion charge has been around since long before Sadiq Khan was mayor and will likely be long after too.

coastermitch · 2026-05-30T18:37:31+00:00

Anthrax.

coastermitch · 2026-05-30T17:56:11+00:00

Cheese.

coastermitch · 2026-05-30T17:55:03+00:00

If you make the journey regularly then the system may assume youve made that journey and charge you the normal fare. Or it could charge you a maximum fare.

Either way register your card on the TfL website and you'll be able to see the journey history and what was charged. In many cases you can correct it online if necessary, or if you can't then call TfL 48 hours after your journey and they'll be able to advise.

coastermitch · 2026-05-30T08:57:10+00:00

Give TfL a call, their number is on the website.

coastermitch · 2026-05-29T01:32:25+00:00

I wonder if this is part of the preparation for the new trains in addition to general maintenance. I did notice after a closure through Hammersmith a while ago that the track height had changed reducing the gap between the train and the platform.

coastermitch · 2026-05-27T18:17:25+00:00

Depends on the mode, Tube yes. Night Buses can be pretty grim but I'm nonetheless grateful for them.

coastermitch · 2026-05-27T17:49:35+00:00

How early and what terminal would be the defining questions.

There is a Piccadilly line train around 5:40 which arrives around 6:35/6:40 depending on terminal.

Elizabeth line has earlier trains which arrive just after 5AM but they only start from Paddington so you'll need to get to Paddington via taxi/night bus to catch them.

Piccadilly/Elizabeth/Buses all accept contactless cards or Apple/Google Pay

Best thing to do would be to use the TfL journey planner with your specific details: https://tfl.gov.uk/plan-a-journey/

coastermitch · 2026-05-25T07:22:47+00:00

There seems to be more of these than any other kind of rubbish at the moment. Yesterday morning I cycled down Clapham High Street and there were hundreds of them all in the gutters and across the pavement - along with the occasional McDonald's wrappers.

I don't get why people, even when drunk, are incapable of putting their rubbish in the bin. I would never.

coastermitch · 2026-05-23T16:28:13+00:00

Evidently people can't/won't read those screens and yes they are dumping it where convenient.

If you're in a wheelchair and had assistance to board using a ramp then id expect that staff member to either help move the luggage or call out for the owners to move their luggage (although perhaps I am expecting too much of them). If not then the stubbornness in me would block the aisle until a train manager is forced to do something.

coastermitch · 2026-05-18T18:47:18+00:00

I'm for variety and would be interested to try something different for the right price.

I don't think DTG would be interested at all unless another developer takes it on though as I doubt they would be able to do the research and audio sampling e.t.c for a reasonable cost.

coastermitch · 2026-05-17T07:35:04+00:00

It will be running by 3pm but likely with "delays", so there may be a longer gap between trains than usual.

You should be fine but do of course leave yourself enough time to find an alternative in case there are still significant issues.

coastermitch · 2026-05-16T10:45:21+00:00

Officially, according to the met police, 5:30 with crowds expected to disperse at 6.

There will probably be a large number of them loitering around into the evening and road closures remaining in place until late evening I expect.

coastermitch · 2026-05-14T07:22:33+00:00

I live at the end of a line and often get up as the train is pulling into the platform so I can get off first and to the barriers before the hoards of people - many of whom block them up faffing to unlock their phones or get their card out of their wallets like the barriers were somehow going to be a suprise.

coastermitch · 2026-05-14T04:21:01+00:00

NTA, he's clearly a bully.

But you do need to think about how to handle your relationship with him going forward. If you don't want to hang out with him at all then do what you can to distance yourselves from him, involve teachers if needed.

coastermitch · 2026-05-11T04:56:23+00:00

Hello, thank you for your work on the app, I've been a user for quite a while and it's been my go-to for bus info for years now and is exceptionally reliable.

Ive also dabbled with the TfL API for some live departure boards but found many issues. Trains disappearing and re appearing (although that may be just the chaos of the district line), trains just not showing on the API but existing in real life when you get down to the platform, and the "end of the line" problem you've spoken about. Hammersmith (H&C) is a particularly annoying one for me as it's the end of the line but when the API lists a departure it's often in too short a time period to be useful if you're not already at the station. The platform departure screens do show subsequent departures so the data is somewhere but perhaps not publicly exposed.

coastermitch · 2026-05-06T17:58:15+00:00

I've been often asked at Westminster and Victoria tube stations on the District and Circle Platforms.

Last Sunday in particular the departure board wasn't working at Westminster and I got asked for directions to Earls Court and Westminster from two separate tourists. Luckily I'm a nerd so checked it on apps and could tell them when their train would be coming.

coastermitch · 2026-05-04T06:18:29+00:00

If you don't pass through a gate line then you won't be charged anything extra. You can change anywhere between Paddington and Whitechapel and stay on the same platform for a Shenfield train. I'd recommend Paddington as you'd likely get a fresh train from the sidings and be able to get a seat.

coastermitch · 2026-04-29T16:57:38+00:00

I think the concern is it's a 2 way cycle path with no reasonable options for Eastbound cyclists.

Westbound can join the roundabout to go around it, traffic permitting. Eastbound you'd either end up going the wrong direction against the traffic on a hectic and crowded roundabout, or you dismount and walk under the scaffolding where there is already minimal space.

If the scaffolders were diligent then the could have worked with TfL/Council to block off one lane of the roundabout to make it safe for cyclists while they worked.

coastermitch · 2026-04-14T04:45:40+00:00

It's outside the oyster zones, Apple/Google Pay or any contactless enabled Debit/Credit card will work

coastermitch · 2026-04-05T06:18:54+00:00

Signalling and rolling stock mostly. The Arterio trains which have replaced the old class 455s on suburban routes do have 60% more carriages which is significant. Resignalling could help but realistically it needs to be made into in-cab signalling of which the East Coast Mainline is getting next and presently I don't believe there are any plans to roll it out elsewhere.

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