The Anonymous Widower

Blackfriars Station – 22nd July 2026

I feel that with a few modifications, Thameslink could solve some of London’s airport connectivity and general transport capacity problems.

So this morning, I went to Blackfriars station and took these pictures.

Note.

1. Blackfriars station has two through platforms and two South-facing bay platforms.
2. Blackfriars station is fully step-free.
3. The two through platforms handle just 12 trains per hour (tph).
4. Both Thameslink and the Elizabeth Line are designed to handle up to 24 tph.

The Wikipedia entry for Thameslink, says this about the frequency of operation.

The new services began operating in 2018, though the full projected timetable of 24 trains per hour has never been achieved.

So how could this spare capacity be used?

Could A Gatwick And Luton Airport Express Service Be Developed?

Consider.

• Thameslink already has a 2 tph Bedford and Brighton service, that already stops at the two airports, but it also stops at twenty other stations.
• Thameslink already has a 2 tph Bedford and Three Bridges service, that already stops at the two airports, but it also stops at nineteen other stations.
• Both airports have a 6 tph service, that stops in Central London at London St Pancras International(for Eurostar), Farringdon (for the Elizabeth Line), City Thameslink, London Blackfriars and London Bridge.
• East Midlands Railway operates a 2 tph St.Pancras International and Corby service, which stops at Luton Airport Parkway, Luton, Bedford, Wellingborough, Kettering, which takes only 32 minutes. This service uses a dedicated platform at St.Pancras International, where platform space is limited.

I wonder if it would be better if the East Midlands Railway service became an Express service through the Thameslink core and perhaps replaced one of Bedford’s Thameslink services. Bedford would still have the same number of services, but two would be a lot faster.

Battery-electric trains might even extend the service to Leicester, which might allow extra stations at Oakham and Melton Mowbray to be added.

July 22, 2026 - Posted by AnonW | Transport/Travel | Aviation, Bedford Station, Blackfriars Station, Elizabeth Line, Gatwick Airport Station, Gatwick Express, Leicester Station, Luton Airport, Luton Airport Express, Luton Airport Parkway Station, Melton Mowbray Station, Oakham Station, Thameslink