A Circular Journey In The Snow
Very often on a Sunday I go across the Emirates Air-Line cable car, have a tea, coffee or lunch somewhere and then return home by a different route.
Today with all the snow, was just too good to miss.
My route was to walk to Dalston Junction station and then get a train south to Shadwell. I then took the DLR from there to the cable car. I came back via Canary Wharf, where I had a cup of tea and the London Overground back to the start.
The only problem, was that visibility wasn’t that good, but it was what the cable-car is for. It must have felt pleased to be in the land of its birth; Austria.
Changing At Clapham Junction On The Overground
Yesterday, when I returned from the New Kings Road, I didn’t come the obvious way of taking a bus to somewhere like Sloane Square or Piccadlly from where I would get the Underground. after all, the last time I did this journey, it took forever. As it was sunny, I decided to walk to Imperial Wharf station on the Overground.
I had three choices there.
- I could go north to Willesden Junction station and then get the North London line to either Dalston Kingsland or Highbury and Islington stations.
- I could also go north on a direct train that eventually ended up at Stratford.
- I could go south to Clapham Junction station and then get the extended East London line to Dalston Junction station.
Dalston Junction station is my preferred destination, as I can walk out of the front and get any of a number of buses to close to my house.
In the end, I let the trains make my decision for me and after looking at the indicators I got on the first one to arrive.
It was a southbound one to Clapham Junction station.
It was the first time I’d done this west to east transfer at the station and it was simple, in that I just walked up the platform and got in the train to Dalston Junction. There was a staff member on the train, so I was able to know what was the front. But on these trains it doesn’t matter as they are walk-through from head to tail.
In some ways it was a surprising way to go from Chelsea to Dalston, but it was painless and probably quicker than the alternative. The view was a lot better too!
The step-free train change at Clapham Junction station was so much better, than those where you have to walk miles between platforms. The decision to split a platform and have one destination at each end, seems to have been an excellent one.
I suspect the only improvement is to have more and longer trains on the Overground. But that will happen!
The Chuggers Are Getting Desperate
As I came out of Dalston Junction station to get the bus home, I was surprised to see a team of chuggers inside the station.
Whilst waiting for the bus, I didn’t see them accost anybody successfully, so I suspect they weren’t doing very well. But then I suspect many who pass through the station, probably need every penny they can keep.
But then, were the chuggers inside the station as it was so wet outside?
Dalston Junction to Clapham Junction Is Test Running
I got a train from Dalston Junction station and the service to Clapham Junction station is running from platform 2. Sadly without passengers. This is the destination display at Dalston Junction.
Dalston Junction to Clapham Junction Is Test Running
Not in Service is a euphemism for Clapham Junction. Note the fifteen minute service interval or four trains per hour.
CrossRail Will Raise House Prices
Today’s Standard also reports that CrossRail will lead to house prices going up along its route.
Perhaps, this explains why no-one seems to be complaining about CrossRail.
Or have people noted what has happened to house prices around Dalston Junction station, after the coming of the Overground.
Dalston’s Diagonal Crossing
Oxford Circus may have the latest X crossing, but here in Dalston, we’ve got a simple diagonal one.
Dalston’s Diagonal Crossing
Time will tell, if it works or not. It could certainly do with a countdown number for the green. But then like the other stroke of the cross, lights is extra. I suppose though, if you do get knocked over, you haven’t far to go to get help from a solicitor.
Safety isn’t helped at the junction as the bus stop has been removed, prior to relocation.
Wot No Bus Stop!
People coming out of the Overground at Dalston Junction station get completely lost looking for a bus.
Look Closely And You Might See It!
If you look closely at this picture taken at Dalston Junction station, you can see that the sign now has the route to Clapham Junction station shown.
Clapham Junction Ready Sign at Dalston Junction
But of course it’s covered with something. As the extended East London line doesn’t open until December this year.
Property Prices In London
I was surprised to read this article in the Evening Standard.
Property prices may be flat elsewhere, but it seems they’re holding up in my part of London. Am I bothered?
Avoiding the Rain on the Train
One of the reasons, I wanted to use the bus to get home, even if it meant a change, was that it was raining hard. If I could have ended up on any one of several routes, I would have been dropped within a hundred metres of my house. Usually when you change buses, you don’t get that wet too, if you choose the changeover with care.
I have three choices of train from Stratford. I usually take one of.
- The Overground to Dalston Kingsland and walk.
- The Overground to Hackney Central and get a bus.
- Central line to Bank and then a bus.
All though would have meant a ten minute walk in the rain. And I didn’t have an umbrella with me.
So in the end, I took the Overground to Canonbury, then back on the East London line to Dalston Junction and then a bus along the Balls Pond Road. Not the simplest, but definitely the driest. It was very wet as this picture at Canonbury shows.
Canonbury in the Rain
To make matters worse, my preferred route via Hackney Central requires a walk over an uncovered bridge and I wasn’t the only person, who on seeing the weather there, declined to get off.
The Overground is one of those modes of transport, that is very good in fine weather, but some stations get you very wet, when it rains heavily.
The amount of passengers using the line is starting to cause problems. I left Stratford in the rush hour and getting to the platforms was difficult because of large numbers of passengers going the other way. I used the lift to avoid them. The platforms also need a Next Train indicator, as is common on many parts of London’s railways, both over and under the ground.
Returning from Bruce Castle
I didn’t come back by train, but took a 243 bus direct to Dalston Junction station.
A Well-Appointed Bus Stop at Bruce Castle
As you can see, the bus stop by the museum was well appointed.
The buses are so much easier than the trains. And also the climb up the stairs is optional and only is used to get a better view from the front.
The Anonymous Widower 