In message , at 15:36:02 on
Mon, 9 May 2016, David Walters remarked:
Is it still "early 2016" (perhaps May 15th is, officially)?

"The first new trains start to run on the Thameslink route from
early 2016."

"Siemens-built Class 700 trains will begin to
enter service on the Thameslink route later this spring." says
http://www.thameslinkrailway.com/abo...train-service/
which was published on Thursday.

So all we need to know is whether they are using the Astronomical[1],
Meterological[2] or Parliamentary[3] definition of "Spring".

If the latter the "late Spring" is traditionally the very last day, and
thus "early Spring" can be anything up until that!

Or even the Summer timetable on the 15th May.

[1] June Solstice
[2] End of May
[3] Traditionally perhaps the session ending 26th June this year,
although Spring may be over on the rearranged day of the Queen's
Speech now (18th May)
--
Roland Perry