On Wed, 14 Nov 2007, Mizter T wrote:

Tom Anderson wrote:

On Wed, 14 Nov 2007, David A Stocks wrote:

or taking a bus from Blackfriars?

Good lord no.

I read that and was genuinely perplexed as to why you might say that?

Because the only thing for which my irrational hatred exceeds orbital
railway lines is buses!

IME, buses in central London are a complete waste of time.

Although this is in the City on a sunday, so it should actually be rather
quick - having realised that, i rescind my comment. Or rather, i would, if
you hadn't pointed out ...

on sunday it is only every 15 minutes (and somewhat to my astonishment
only every 20 minutes before 10am)

Which is a bit naff.

That said, given that the frequency is low and traffic should be light, it
is quite likely that it'll manage to keep to its timetable quite well, so
if one is scheduled to turn up soon after the time of the OP's train, this
would be a pretty good option.

However *if* trains were stopping at E&C then your assumption of what
would be quickest ain't right. Journey times wise, the Thameslink just
isn't very nippy through the central London section (something that has
been much commented on). An E&C to Kings Cross Thameslink journey is 17
minutes in duration, whilst E&C to Kings Cross on the Northern line
takes 14 minutes - and E&C to the Angel takes 12 minutes.

Crumbs. I am surprised to hear that.

When one considers this alongside its lesser frequency, Thameslink just
isn't currently that good an option for many journeys across central
London *for those who are not already on the train* - i.e. it's no
UndergrounD line!

No. I'd heard tell of its slowness, but didn't realise it was that bad.

I guess this is why it vanished off the Tube maps (perhaps helped by the
chronic rush hour overcrowding it experiences).

Good point.

Regarding the potential for a hop-off hop-on Oyster at E&C, I'd say it's
a no-no, as the Oyster readers are at the bottom of a flight of stairs
from the high-level platforms. I'd consider it a distinctly athletic
feat if someone managed to to hop off a Thameslink train, get down the
stairs, touch-in, back up the stairs and then hop back on the same
train! Possible perhaps but only if you lined yourself up at the right
door to exit the train, were willing to kill a granny or two on the
stairs and the train was tardy in leaving the station.

You could perhaps use one of the grannies to wedge a door open.

Another option would be for the OP to bring a bicycle on the train, and
ride from Blackfriars to Angel. It's a straight drag up Farringdon Road
and down Rosebery Avenue. Easy to navigate, and the traffic should be
light on a sunday afternoon. Farringdon Road, Charterhouse Street and St
John Street would also be a good route.

tom

--
I am become Life, destroyer of worlds