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)?

On 22 Jan, 23:04, Stef Richards wrote:
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)?

Yes they are. The trains are tipped out at 1,2,3 and run empty to T5.
A warning to change trains is announced at the last two or three
stations before the line splits.

The experience at T1,2,3 is very different. Whereas before all trains
went to central London and there was usually one waiting, tourists now
have to grasp not boarding a westbound train (which currently isn't
even allowed) then have to scrum get onboard a passing eastbound.

U

--
http://londonconnections.blogspot.com/
A blog about transport projects in London

In message
, at
15:18:54 on Tue, 22 Jan 2008, Mr Thant
remarked:
The experience at T1,2,3 is very different. Whereas before all trains
went to central London and there was usually one waiting, tourists now
have to grasp not boarding a westbound train (which currently isn't
even allowed) then have to scrum get onboard a passing eastbound.

I'm not sure that's the end of the world, because tourists don't
necessarily expect to board a train at a terminus station. For example,
already at the T123 Heathrow Express station, or Schiphol.
--
Roland Perry

On 22 Jan, 23:04, Stef Richards wrote:
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)?

It's just a reminder to flyers that they need to read the terms and
conditions for using Heathrow airport. Term 5 is a new part of the
terms and conditions which specifies that all shoppers... ahem,
flyers, must carry either a platinum credit card or GBP 1,000 in cash
as they make the short 5 mile walk from security through the airport
terminal building past the glittering array of tempting retail outlets
to their departure gate

Meanwhile Rayners Lane is a mistake - it is a misspelling of Ryanair
line. Those flying with Ryanair are instructed to take the first
Ryanair line train - after a short hop to the end of the line they
will then transfer to a bus that will take them on the short journey
from the Harrow area out to London Caernarfon Airport, where they can
then catch their Ryanair flight to Vienna's Bratislava airport. Please
note that any Ryanair passengers who make use of the train indicator
will be charged an 'optional provision of essential information' fee
of £2.50 (exc. VAT) - also note that a fee handling charge of 50p
applies, and anyone paying using methods other than Ryanair payment
vouchers will be surcharged a 30% admin fee.

In message
,
Mizter T 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)?

It's just a reminder to flyers that they need to read the terms and
conditions for using Heathrow airport. Term 5 is a new part of the
terms and conditions which specifies that all shoppers... ahem,
flyers, must carry either a platinum credit card or GBP 1,000 in cash
as they make the short 5 mile walk from security through the airport
terminal building past the glittering array of tempting retail outlets
to their departure gate

Meanwhile Rayners Lane is a mistake - it is a misspelling of Ryanair
line. Those flying with Ryanair are instructed to take the first
Ryanair line train - after a short hop to the end of the line they
will then transfer to a bus that will take them on the short journey
from the Harrow area out to London Caernarfon Airport, where they can
then catch their Ryanair flight to Vienna's Bratislava airport. Please
note that any Ryanair passengers who make use of the train indicator
will be charged an 'optional provision of essential information' fee
of £2.50 (exc. VAT) - also note that a fee handling charge of 50p
applies, and anyone paying using methods other than Ryanair payment
vouchers will be surcharged a 30% admin fee.

Now that made me genuinely ROFL!

Good man!
--
Steve Fitzgerald has now left the building.
You will find him in London's Docklands, E16, UK
(please use the reply to address for email)

On 23 Jan, 01:01, Mizter T wrote:
On 22 Jan, 23:04, Stef Richards wrote:

as they make the short 5 mile walk from security through the airport
terminal building past the glittering array of tempting retail outlets
to their departure gate

Having taken part in a passenger trial last Saturday, I speak from
experience when I tell you that it's a lot shorter than you think it
is....I was suitably impressed - although NOT with the current signage
- it stinks! No one could find the baggage area when coming through EU
arrivals, for instance!

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).

All it says now at Hatton Cross is 'check front of train' on the
indicator boards - not a lot of bloody use, when the trains all still
have T123 on the front. THe drivers are meant to make announcements,
but there were no staff on the platform & if the driver makes no
announcement on train, or if they do & your sat on the platform seats,
you have no time to reach the train before the doors are
shut.....Grrrrr

On Jan 22, 5:01 pm, Mizter T wrote:

then catch their Ryanair flight to Vienna's Bratislava airport.


Aawwwww now you were doing well with this windup until you said Vienna
Bratislava.

If Ryanair operated such a service from London Caernarfon ) the
airport would surely be referred to as Wien Pressburg, which being
German language looks as if it is in Austria, Pressburg being the
Austrian Empire name for what is now Bratislava.

--
Nick

In message
, at
12:27:50 on Wed, 23 Jan 2008, D7666 remarked:
then catch their Ryanair flight to Vienna's Bratislava airport.

Aawwwww now you were doing well with this windup until you said Vienna
Bratislava.

According to Google Maps, it's 3 minutes quicker to get from Bratislava
airport to Vienna, than Stansted to London.
--
Roland Perry

On 23 Jan, 22:06, Roland Perry wrote:
In message
, at
12:27:50 on Wed, 23 Jan 2008, D7666 remarked:

then catch their Ryanair flight to Vienna's Bratislava airport.

Aawwwww now you were doing well with this windup until you said Vienna
Bratislava.

According to Google Maps, it's 3 minutes quicker to get from Bratislava
airport to Vienna, than Stansted to London.
--
Roland Perry


Now you're spoiling all the fun! It isn't as far though:

Bratislava airport to Vienna - 54.3 miles
Stansted to London - 38.2 miles

Incidentally Google Maps has seemingly decided to buck the convention
of measuring distances to London from the (original) Charing Cross and
chooses Parliament Square as the endpoint for a generic London
destination.

I'm tempted to say that you could do London - Stansted somewhat
faster, though I know that Essex police are quite keen on their speed
cameras up the M11. Of course in heavy traffic you can also do it
somewhat slower!

Anyway, what is Ryanair's most ridiculous 'renamed' destination
airport?

In message
, at
16:24:45 on Wed, 23 Jan 2008, Mizter T remarked:
Anyway, what is Ryanair's most ridiculous 'renamed' destination
airport?

The one that started it all was Oslo (Torp) which is also 54 miles away
it seems; but Frankfurt (Hahn) is 65 miles, Stockholm (Skavsta) 56
miles, Stockholm (Vasteras) 54 miles, Paris (Beauvais) 42 miles.

--
Roland Perry