A total of 132 minutes delay – Southeastern 69, Thameslink 63. Better than in recent months, but still room for improvement!

Delay Repay Claims: total 1 January to 31 March 2016 inclusive = £33.90

Keith is a SRTA member and a regular commuter from Bat & Ball to London via Sevenoaks. Each month he gives his personal experiences and views.

Week of 29 February 2016

Total lateness 60 minutes: Southeastern 31, Thameslink 29.

• Monday 29 February – The 06.30 train to London was quite full on arrival at Sevenoaks a few people were standing in the leading four coach unit before we arrived at Orpington the Conductor announced over the PA system that there were seats available in the rear four coaches and suggested to those standing in the front four to move to the rear of the train.
• Tuesday 01 March – The 06.24 from Bat & Ball was shown as “on time” when I passed the information screen but almost immediately changed to “expected 06.26”. This changed back to “on time” but the train did not arrive until 06.27. A slow crawl, wheels slipping all the way to Sevenoaks followed, (there was only a slight dampness in the air!); arriving four minutes late at 06.31 just in time to see the 06.30 departing from platform 1. The 06.44 was on time at Sevenoaks and two minutes early at Waterloo East. In the evening I went to Tonbridge. I intended to travel back to Sevenoaks on the 22.50 service but this was cancelled at Tonbridge. The Driver refused to continue any further because there was no Conductor available and he was not prepared to drive the train as a “Driver Only Operated” service. Personally I was not aware that Class 375 trains could be driven “DOO” with passengers on board. Whilst the train was cleared and shunted in to the yard at Tonbridge these activities delayed the 23.12 departure by five minutes. Two minutes had been recovered by Sevenoaks but my journey was delayed by thirty-one minutes; another Delay Repay Claim submitted!
• Wednesday 02 March – On arrival at Bat & Ball this morning the 06.24 was shown as being expected one minute late on the information screen at the entrance to the station. By the time I passed the platform one information screen this had changed to train expected on time. The service departed at 06.26 and proceeded slowly to Sevenoaks where it arrived at 06.30 just as the 06.30 train to Waterloo East could be seen arriving at platform one. A quick passage over the footbridge and I boarded the train as the doors were about to close. Later I travelled from Blackfriars to St Pancras International on the 11.44 service, three minutes late at Blackfriars but on time at St Pancras International. A generous time allowance is given for this journey!
• Thursday 03 March –An unusual incident this morning on the Thameslink train, I sat down on what appeared to be a normal seat and discovered the seat cushion was in need of attention; there was no support at all and the seat covering had no foam or springs beneath it, or if it had they had both failed. The result was I sat down hard on the seat base and rolled to one side. Fortunately the seat the other side of the central aisle prevented me from hitting the floor. I can imagine the comments at work if I had needed to call in sick due to injuries incurred as a result of train seat failure! I travelled home early today and after checking on National Rail Enquiries I decided that Blackfriars to Bat & Ball was the best route because of problems between New Cross and London Bridge. Accordingly I boarded the 12.42 departure due Bat & Ball at 13.40. The train was two minutes late today. An unusual passenger joined this service at Shoreham and travelled to Otford; it was a Harris Hawk sitting on his owners arm.
• Lighting update – Five lights on the Bat & Ball platform and two out of four on the footbridge are not working; no change since last week.

Week of 07 March 2016

Total lateness 24 minutes: Southeastern 13, Thameslink 11.

• Wednesday 09 March – On arrival at Bat & Ball this morning the 06.24 was shown as being expected two minutes late on the information screen at the entrance to the station; Thameslink do not appear to like heavy rain! Once I was waiting on the platform this soon changed to three minutes and finally resulted in a five minute delayed arrival at Sevenoaks where the late running 06.30 to Waterloo East was departing from platform one. The next Waterloo East service at 06.44 was on time at Sevenoaks and one minute early in London.
• Thursday 10 March – The information screen at the entrance to Bat & Ball station this morning showed the 06.24 to Sevenoaks as being expected one minute late, as I turned the corner on to platform two the screen there showed the service as being on time. In reality the train was two minutes late departing Bat & Ball and three minutes late arriving at Sevenoaks Station. Fortunately Southeastern were also running late and the 06.30 to Waterloo East departed at 06.32 and was three minutes late arriving in London. It has been very common recently for Thameslink services to approach Sevenoaks Station extremely slowly, and when running beside platform four before stopping the speed is frequently less than average walking speed. This seems unnecessary and is delaying arrival at Sevenoaks leading to difficulty in maintaining connections.
• Friday 11 March – I did not travel to work today but used the train services from Bat & Ball to go to Brixton in the evening. My journey incurred four minute delays in both directions.
• Lighting update – Five lights on the Bat & Ball platforms and two out of four on the footbridge are not working; no change since last week.

Week of 14 March 2016

Total lateness 15 minutes: Southeastern 3, Thameslink 12

• Monday 14 March –It would appear that “Bat & Ball Hotel” is back in business, this morning there was somebody sleeping rough in the shelter on platform 1.
• Tuesday 15 March – Our guest spent a second night at the “Bat & Ball Hotel”. The information screen at the entrance to Bat & Ball station this morning showed the 06.24 to Sevenoaks as being expected two minutes late. It was and also two minutes late arriving at Sevenoaks Station. Fortunately Southeastern were also running late and the 06.30 to Waterloo East departed at 06.33 and was one minute late arriving in London.
• Wednesday 16 March – Our guest at the “Bat & Ball Hotel” either checked out yesterday or was up and about very early today. The 06.24 from Bat & Ball arrived at Sevenoaks on time today. Southeastern were also running well this morning, the 06.30 was on time at Sevenoaks and it arrived at Waterloo East two minutes early at 06.57. Just outside of the station a large hole has been dug about six hundred millimetres square and it appears to be at least a metre deep. There I no indication what this is for but I will keep watching it for developments.
• Thursday 17 March – The 06.24 from Bat & Ball arrived at Sevenoaks one minute late today. A tight connection at Sevenoaks as Southeastern were running very well this morning!
• Friday 18 March – My destination is Brighton today; my journey from Bat & Ball to Victoria and return accrued eight minutes of delay on Thameslink services and two on Southeastern. The return journey was to time. I changed trains at Otford in both directions.
• Saturday 19 March – I travelled to Ramsgate this morning but will be returning from Margate this evening. I used the “Plusbus” add on today for local bus journeys on the Isle of Thanet. With a railcard only £2.00 for unlimited travel; a journey of a mile was £2.80 single the last time I used a bus in Sevenoaks.
• Lighting update – five lights on the Bat & Ball platforms and two out of four on the footbridge are not working; no change since last week.

Week of 21 March 2016

Total lateness 33 minutes: Southeastern 22, Thameslink 11

• Wednesday 23 March – The 06.24 from Bat & Ball was one minute late arriving at Sevenoaks again this morning. The 06.30 from Sevenoaks to Waterloo East was two minutes late at both stations today. Unusually the train was formed of two Class 375/9 units of high density stock, (3+2 seating), rather than the usual one unit of high density and one low density, (2+2 seating), stock and was very full on arrival at Sevenoaks even though there were more seats than normal.
• Thursday 23 March – My destination was Egham today, four minutes of delay between Bat & Ball and Sevenoaks, and one minute between Sevenoaks and London Waterloo East this morning.
• Friday 26 March – I took a trip to Margate today. Thameslink were a minute late arriving at Sevenoaks and Southeastern accrued four minutes of delay on route to Margate. The return journey was eventful, the train to Sevenoaks was running late and approaching Sevenoaks slowly. It arrived eleven minutes late and I expected to miss the 18.00 departure to Bat & Ball. However; the train was routed in to platform three because it was sent via Bat & Ball towards London. This delayed the 18.00 departure to Bat & Ball by three minutes therefore I was able to board the train and accordingly Southeastern did not receive another Delay Repay claim from me!
• Lighting update – Due to lighter mornings and evenings the station lights were turned off when I passed through Bat & Ball Station this week therefore no update on the number of lights not working this week.

Other issues

• At Bat & Ball station I noticed that that a new concrete base has been constructed beside the path that connects platform two and the station entrance/exit. There is evidence of a provision for cabling therefore I wonder if we will be finally soon getting a proper Ticket Issuing machine to replace the unreliable and unhelpful Permit to Travel machine
• After passing through the barriers at Sevenoaks Station towards the platforms on the floor to the right hand side there are two rectangular shapes painted on the floor. I had often wondered what these were for and the other day whilst I was waiting for the next train to Bat & Ball following arriving at the station to find that the expected connecting service had been cancelled I saw a notice on the wall that provided the answer. They are sizing guides for electric mobility scooters which can be used to determine which trains can accommodate the different types and sizes of electric mobility scooter.
• 

  Credit: @bettsontour

  At long last Delay Repay passenger claim forms for delays on Thameslink services are available at Sevenoaks Station.
• Sevenoaks Station is currently receiving some TLC by way of repainting – and the hand dryer in the gents’ toilet has been repaired at last!