A Hat-Pin On The Overground
It’s strange what you see if you keep your eyes open.
I was travelling between Highbury & Islington and Dalston Junction stations, when I noticed a little round knob sticking out of the arm of the seat.
I pulled at it and it was a rather nice old-fashioned hat-pin.
All I can think is that it fell to the floor and someone found it. For safety they then stuck it into padding of the arm.
I handed it in at my destination and they seemed just as puzzled as I was.
But at least, it didn’t seem that it had done any damage.
The First Train Leaves At 7:11
It would appear that the first Overground train between Highbury and Islington station and Clapham Junction station, by the new extended East London line, leaves on December 9th at 07:11.
I’ll be there. Even if I get on at Dalston Junction station.
Train Announcements
I was coming back this morning on the Overground and got these two announcements.
The Next Station is Wapping
and
This Station is Wapping
It looked fairly small to me.
Perhaps they should think more carefully about station names.
London Overground Completes The Circle
I like this poster.
London Overground Completes The Circle
But at least they’re confirming the start date of December 9th.
Who’d Want To Live In Chelsea?
I wanted to go to a shop called Mr.Resistor in Parson’s Green. Hopefully, they’d be able to provide me with lights that solved my lighting problems. Sadly the light that might have solved the problem was out of stock, so I decided to come home. I had gone by taking a bus to Liverpool Street station, then the Central line to Notting Hill station for the District line to my destination, which was close to Parson’s Green station. The problem had been the bus, as all of the traffic in the City was gridlocked. Possibly because of the Crossrail works.
So instead of retracing my steps, I thought about getting a bus to perhaps South Kensington, where I could get some lunch at Carluccio’s. I really don’t like taking pot luck in an area I don’t know, as getting glutened isn’t fun! I did find a bus stop, with a choice of just one bus; a 22 to Piccadilly Circus. At least it was going in the right direction, but then it got stuck in traffic, due to all the tractors and white vans. Kingsland High Street may not have the glamour of the King’s Road, but at least the traffic keeps moving. In the end, I dived into the Piccadilly line at Knightsbridge station and took a train to Holborn, where I got a friendly 38 bus to the Angel. I just had time to grab my supper and some sandwiches from Marks and Spencer before I had to come home to catch an appointment.
Chelsea may have advantages, but I certainly didn’t see any today. Get past Piccadilly Circus and the traffic frees up, you’ve got the Underground and lots more bus routes. But then I suppose those in Chelsea and the surrounding areas of London don’t believe in public transport and clog up the roads with their tractors. It’s significant to me, that Kensington and Chelsea is one of the London boroughs in greatest opposition to the new London sewer. Could it be that the councillors are getting so many complaints about where to park during the construction?
On the other hand, this trip showed how Crossrail 2 or the Chelsea to Hackney line is badly needed. But do the residents of Chelsea want it constructed given the problems Crossrail is causing in the City. Parson’s Green station is incidentally pencilled in, as a station on the new line.
Next time, I go that way, I’ll take the Overground to West Brompton station and then change to the District line.
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.
Thank You, London Overground
That is the tone of this article to mark the fifth birthday of the London Overground in Time Out.
I think it shows if you bring in an urban transport system and design it properly, you completely enhance the lives of those it touches.
This country and the world in general needs more Overgrounds! Lots more!
The only problem with the Overground is that its success has meant too many people want to use it. But that is hopefully being solved by adding more and longer trains and the infrastructure to handle them.
With the opening of the new line to Clapham Junction in a few weeks time, I think we’ll see the popularity of the Overground grow.
The only problem with the Overground is that its success has meant too many people want to use it. But that is hopefully being solved by adding more and longer trains and the infrastructure to handle them.
The Overground Gets It Right
Everybody knocks the trains, but few knock the London Overground.
The Overground Gets It Right
But with figures like these, a lot of moans are tackled before they start. So the train i got this morning was crowded, but I got a seat at Whitechapel.
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.
Back To London In Comfort
I came back to London in a Class 442, branded as a Gatwick Express, although it only stopped at East Croydon and Clapham Junction before Victoria.
Back To London In Comfort
The Class 442 could be considered an unusual design as it is just a series of legendary Mk. 3 coaches, with electric power underneath. They may be slower than an InterCity 125, but they still hold the world speed record for third-rail electric trains at 108 mph.
I took the train all the way to Victoria, but when London Overground opens to Clapham Junction on December 9th, I’ll be able to use that line to get to Dalston Junction.
I suspect, it will be whatever has the best connections.
The Anonymous Widower 