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Paul Corfield · September 17th 03, 05:41 PM posted to uk.transport.london

On 17 Sep 2003 07:01:06 -0700, (Paul Weaver) wrote:

"simon" wrote in message ...
Delays on Vict. line this morning, defective train at Blackhorse.

I start commuting walthemstow central - white city on Monday, the
trips I've done so far suggest a 50 minute door-door so I'm planning
on 1h 10 just to be safe. How often are there delays (and how long) on
the victoria? how frequent are the overground trains?

Well I've been using the Vic Line for nearly 20 years. The service is
often pretty decent but every so often you get a "week of hell" when
something goes wrong every single day for a week. There seems to be a
strange pattern to such things - don't know why.

The main issues are train breakdowns and signals coupled with occasional
security / fire alerts.

Given you are using two of the busiest Tube Lines and changing at the
3rd busiest station I'd plan on an hour for a normal day for such a
trip. Also (and I accept it should not be necessary) plan some
emergency alternative routes such the H&C from KX to Shepherds Bush if
the Central is down. Piccadilly Line to Turnpike Lane for a 123 or 230
bus back to Walthamstow if the Vic Line has collapsed or else stay on a
Central to Leyton then a bus to Walthamstow or WAGN from Liv St. Very
useful to have some preplanned fall back routes so you can switch
automatically to an alternative instead of just stalling when faced with
serious disruption.

The overground is every 15 mins from about 7.30 - trains leave WWCS at
06,21,36 and 51 mins past the hour and the price is the same as the Tube
now so they are interavailable between Walthamstow Central and Liverpool
St. Obviously not an issue with a Travelcard but useful if you've bought
a single or return. The WAGN service can be reasonable and is a
pleasantish alternative to staring at tunnel walls.

HTH
--
Paul C

Admits to working for London Underground!