On 23 Jan, 01:56, Steve Fitzgerald ] wrote:
In message , Stef Richards
writes

At Hyde Park Corner station on Sunday, I noticed that the train
indicators said:

1st Heathrow Terms 123 & 5
2nd Rayners Lane
3rd Heathrow Term 4

Are trains already running in this pattern, or is the Picc just trying
to confuse tourists (and the odd Londoner)?

This is now how the timetable is operated since 13 January.

T4 trains stand for 7-8 mins at T4 though, and T5 trains will operate as
a direct T123 train, detrain, and then work to T5 with an instructor for
driver training purposes. Therefore passengers for T123 are generally
better getting the following T123 & 5 train as they will reach their
destination quicker.

Specifically catching a T123 & 5 train is what I've been led to
believe is best, from past discussions here, given the delay on a T4
train as it stands at T4 (incidentally is there a change of driver
here, or do you just get a break?). However I did read one post on the
District Dave forum (I think) that suggested that catching a via T4
loop train to reach T123 & 5 wasn't really a big deal.


There is a T4 train only every 10 minutes now.


I don't know the ins and outs of the Piccadilly timetable, but the TfL
journey planner certainly seems to suggest that there is also only a
10 minute service to T123 (for a journey from Hyde Park Corner at
around midday today).

If this is the case there could be problems if all passengers in
central London who want to go to T123 & 5 (when it opens) rather than
T4 wait for the appropriate train - the T4 loop trains could end up
rather empty and the others rather full. I'm sure you've all had such
discussions, but what's your take on that?

Also (and this demonstrates my lack of Pic line operational
knowledge), is it worth getting a Rayners Lane train and changing at
Acton Town?


This has caused some discussion at work, as we've been told that all
trains should be described as a T123 (pending alterations to the
destination kit). This is at variance with the TfL website and the Train
Describers you've noticed. Discussions are continuing as many of us
maintain we should be sending a consistent message out to the travelling
public and trains should be described as to their correct destination
(ie T4 or T123 as appropriate).


I have to agree with you on that one. Getting two conflicting bits of
information is genuinely confusing. When might the destination kit on
the train get altered?