Topic
Topic ID 7367
14/09/2013 by paulg
Hertford East Vs Hertford North - An Update
Well, now I'm a resident of Hertford and have spent the last few weeks commuting to London from HN, I thought I would share some of my initial opinions on the service operated by First Capital. If you read my original post a few months back, I was interested to hear opinions on the services operated out of HN and HE, having had plenty of experience travelling via the 'Lea Valley'line for 20 odd years.
Day 1 - trying to contain my smugness at only having a 5 minute walk to HN, I arrived at the station on the 1st of the month to find that a bus replacement service was in operation. Cue a brisk walk back to HE to get a train into London. Apparantly there is quite a lot of work taking place at weekends on the line at present.
Working Day 1 - I made a decision to go for the 7.16. Great, got my paper, shop seems to have plenty of options, made my way to the platform, jumped into the 2nd carriage and plenty of seats. Notice the train gets pretty packed aroud the Enfield areas and not quite used to so many stops on a 'fast train'. However, arrive at Moorgate only 2 mins late and the walk to Lime Street completed in 10 mins. Hardly any difference from Lpool street and considering the volume of trains available from HN vs HE from 7 to 8 am, a great start.
One obversation though,I did not see any toilets on the train, is this common place on this line?
Fast forward to the Friday just gone, I have tried during the week 3 different trains (7.24, 7.33 and 7.38). Now on the 7.24 on Friday, it is announced that we are being diverted to Kings Cross. OK these things happen.
My question is - are our tickets valid in the event of a diversion for use on the underground from Kings Cross to Moorgate ? I could not get an answer out of the LU staff, so ended up having to use my Oyster to complete the journey.
One last observation regarding mobile/Internet signal. I notice that this is quite intermittent on this line (I'm with O2), do some of the more experienced commuters on this line know of providers with better coverage or is the norm ?
Finally, just wanted to mention that Hertford has lived up to all my expectations so far, a great plce to live.
Thanks
Paul
Replies
Reply ID 95570
15/09/2013 by Andrew
quote:
Day 1 - trying to contain my smugness at only having a 5 minute walk to HN, I arrived at the station on the 1st of the month to find that a bus replacement service was in operation. Cue a brisk walk back to HE to get a train into London. Apparantly there is quite a lot of work taking place at weekends on the line at present.
This is going on all year and is well advertised on stations and on the FCC website. I would never assume a regular Sunday service without checking on any line .
quote:
One obversation though,I did not see any toilets on the train, is this common place on this line?
The trains on this line (class 313s)do not have toilets and never have in the 35 years they have been used. Its only in the last few years when class 317s have replaced many of the class 315s on the HE line that HE trains have had toilets. So be prepared:-)
quote:
My question is - are our tickets valid in the event of a diversion for use on the underground from Kings Cross to Moorgate ? I could not get an answer out of the LU staff, so ended up having to use my Oyster to complete the journey.
Yes they are and not just in the event of disrpution but at all times
Reply ID 95571
15/09/2013 by codek2
paulg - Friday was a shockingly bad day for the great northern route! Probably a 1 in 6 months event, so many things combined to make it a disaster of day!
Never knew you could use underground tho, thats handy. But yeah if you have a moorgate ticket, they always call it "london terminals" so you can use kx too.
Reply ID 95572
15/09/2013 by Donostia
""Yes they are and not just in the event of disrpution but at all times""
I'm sure a London Terminals ticket is not valid on the tube at all times .
Reply ID 95574
15/09/2013 by Mack E. Avelly
It's always been the case, you can travel to from Moorgate/KGX at will, but cannot alight in between. Not sure if Liverpool Street or any others included, but certainly Moorgate/KGX. Have caught the late train home from KGX many times, ditto been forced there in the morning quite often. Nowadays have to buy the zones as well, so can't say I've done this recently.
Reply ID 95579
16/09/2013 by Taxing
Can also travel from KX to Finsbury Park on underground, using travel card and I'm sure I've done it before to Liverpool Street/Tottenham Hale as well, as all are recognised as London Terminals on Hertford season ticket
Reply ID 95762
22/09/2013 by paulg
Also note that when picked up the line from platforms 5 or 6 from Finsbury Park there is no public conveniences. Have no idea how the residents of Hertford accept this,perhaps no fight left in them ?
Reply ID 95764
22/09/2013 by Ewoowar
quote:
Originally posted by paulg
Also note that when picked up the line from platforms 5 or 6 from Finsbury Park there is no public conveniences. Have no idea how the residents of Hertford accept this,perhaps no fight left in them ?
I've never had a problem with a 45 minute journey from work to Hertford. That's how I accept it. If it was a long distance journey then a toilet may be required, but 45 minutes?
Reply ID 95766
22/09/2013 by publandlord
quote:
Originally posted by paulg
Also note that when picked up the line from platforms 5 or 6 from Finsbury Park there is no public conveniences. Have no idea how the residents of Hertford accept this,perhaps no fight left in them ?
Yeah, I can hold it in for 45 minutes, but then again, I'm not a 6 year old.
Reply ID 95767
22/09/2013 by Donostia
Mack and Taxing , thanks for replies , but is this not more a case of the barriers recognising your ticket as valid destination rather than you have a ticket that is valid for a tube journey you have not paid for ?
Reply ID 95768
22/09/2013 by Mack E. Avelly
Hi Donostia,
On the one hand I understand your caution, on the other hand, many years of being sent to places I didn't want to go to or hooting with the owls until the small hours and wending my way home via any available train have taught me to take it as given that within reason you can shuffle around on the tube between Finsbury Park, Kings X and Moorgate at will without fear of prosecution (probably Liverpool Street too)on a London Destinations ticket. I was a Moorgate devotee for many a year. How I miss the 23:45 and the later every hour on the hour from Kings X through the night. Caught most and even wangled the odd lift on a 'return to depot' train as I lived in Hornsey at the time. If the tickets are accepted under normal conditions then it would be hard to suggest that this dispensation is only granted when your normal trip is a write off.
Reply ID 95853
26/09/2013 by paulg
Although a slightly longer walk, I have been travelling from HE to lpool street these last few
days without incident. With respect to the experienced discover Hertford online users who have
mentioned that perhaps one should have a stronger consitution over a 45 minute journey,
In the 2,and half weeks i have travelled from Finsbury Park to HN, per the timetable advertised (on weekends) I have not experienced this service. The journey to HE is more reliable, informative and visible (compared to FFC to FP and then onto HN) and includes facilities for all. Myself and my wife have been
shocked by the negative responses from some of the experienced forum users, considering that not all of us can rely
on having a medically strong constitution and we surprised by the casual comments. We are both signing off for good.
Reply ID 95854
27/09/2013 by codek2
yeah the HN / great norhtern line has fallen apart in the last few weeks, not sure what is going on but it's been little short of a farce. thats not typical though.
New air con trains and toilets due for delivery to FCC in 2015.. so try back then!
Reply ID 95855
27/09/2013 by Kateg28
quote:
Originally posted by paulg
The journey to HE is more reliable, informative and visible (compared to FFC to FP and then onto HN) and includes facilities for all.
I had to pick my son up from Broxbourne last night (he rows at the club there) as the trains were all cancelled to HFE due to signal problems at Ware. I still stand by my opinion on another thread that HFN are on average a better service which is based on 13 years on HFE and 3 years mostly on HFN.
Reply ID 95856
27/09/2013 by Donostia
quote:
Have no idea how the residents of Hertford accept this,perhaps no fight left in them ?
quote:
We are both signing off for good.
He came , he patronised , he left .
Reply ID 95857
27/09/2013 by Darcy Sarto
quote:
Originally posted by Donostia
quote:
Have no idea how the residents of Hertford accept this,perhaps no fight left in them ?
quote:
We are both signing off for good.
He came , he patronised , he left .
[}:)][:D]
Reply ID 95861
27/09/2013 by Hero
quote:
Originally posted by codek2
New air con trains and toilets due for delivery to FCC in 2015.. so try back then!
But not on the Hertford Loop. No plans for any new trains because of the dual power supply needed for the Drayton Park to Moorgate stretch.
16 replies