On Mon, 24 Nov 2008 00:30:14 -0800 (PST), Mizter T
wrote:

FWIW in the past I had an open mind on the issue but I think I've now
shifted over to being of the opinion that withdrawing local trains to
and from Euston on a permanent basis ain't really on - the notion that
one simply couldn't catch a local train service from Euston just seems
rather absurd (esp having actually experienced it!). The Bakerloo line
into central London isn't really close enough to being a similar route
to act as a replacement for the DC lines service.

I guess not, as LO is proving as popular as ever. Its absence has not
prevented it drawing the crowds back - even if they've only migrated
from as far as platform 8.

It's a good job it's back, as due to the effective cancellation[1] of
the 1804 slow this evening, the 1824 was full and standing. With the
LO local passengers, people (possibly long-distance travellers) would
have been left behind.

From 12 Dec (ish), the problem would be accentuated further, as the
1824 will be a through service to Crewe, and the last train serving
Atherstone, and the last LM one (with the ridiculously cheap[2] fares)
serving Nuneaton etc.

[1] Run fast to MKC only due to a delay, presumably so it got a free
run on the slows in front of the 1824 without delaying it. It would,
IMO, have made sense to stop it at Cheddington (if anyone wanted it)
and Bletchley, though, as it'd have seriously reduced the load on the
1824. Or to have attached 4 of its 8 cars onto the 1824 and removed
them at Bletchley.

[2] It is now cheaper to buy a super off-peak return from MKC to
Stafford (a stupidly cheap 11 quid) than a CDR to Brum (14 ish).
Useful to know, especially on a weekend when both are valid all day.
I suspect these are introductory fares, but they are *bloody* cheap
while they last. Over 10 years ago Liverpool-London return booked in
advance was 19 quid. Now you can have a LM walk-up return for a
paltry 16!

Neil

--
Neil Williams
Put my first name before the at to reply.