On Jun 24, 12:26*pm, "Recliner" wrote:

"Tim Woodall" wrote:

On Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:18:56 +0100,
* Recliner wrote:
I'll be taking a train to Watford Junction next week using Oyster
pre-pay, and then continuing the journey on a charter train (paper
ticket) -- would I be correct in assuming that there are Oyster
validators on the platforms so I don't have to leave and re-enter the
barriered zone (and vice versa on my return)?

There are validators on platforms 1-4 DC line (I think - I almost
never use those platforms)
There is a validator on platform 9(&10) where the carpark entrance is.
And there are validators in the subway joining the platforms.

AFAIAA there are no validators on any of the other platforms.

Yes, I did the journey yesterday, and that's exactly what I found. It
was very slightly annoying to arrive and depart from platform 7, and
have to go down to the subway to touch out. As I had ample time, it
wasn't a problem. On the return, I had to go through the subway anyway,
as one train arrived at platform 6 and the other departed from 8.

Though I think it'd be fair to assume the number of people arriving at
WJ from points south using Oyster PAYG and then changing there for
another train (or v.v.) is pretty limited.


The station seemed to be messed up, however, last night, as the fast
platforms (and lines, presumably) were closed from 21:50, and the
screens on the other platforms were showing the wrong trains. The first
possible train I could catch seemed to have disappeared altogether, and
the next wasn't shown on the screens. It still turned up, dead on time,
despite being announced as delayed. To add to the confusion, it was a
Southern service, being operated by an LM train. Yes, I know about the
loan of trains from LM to Southern, and why, but it could easily confuse
pax to see the wrong route maps in the cars.

The LM trains on loan to Southern still have LM route maps in them
then? If so (what you say isn't entirely clear), then that's a bit
shabby. Though are the units on loan to Southern fixed, or do they
rotate (for maintenance purposes etc)?

And does anyone have any idea how much longer this situation will
persist - and yes, I know it's dependent on deliveries of new
Electrostars to FCC, so I suppose my question is when will FCC have
enough new Electrostars up and running?