Thameslink

Advantages: modern trains
Disadvantages: filthy carriages

...did we fall for the Thameslink advertising blurb suggesting that we go for a nice day out. I don’t know and I’m still trying to work it out. I think it was because of winter cabin-fever, depressing news, Foot and Mouth etc. which made the idea of a day beside the seaside just so appealing. The idea that it would not be affected by Foot and Mouth regulations was also factored into the equation somewhere. Anyway we duly decided to visit ...
...We arrived at the nearest Thameslink station for about 9 am. 15 minutes later we were aboard the Brighton service. Did I say service? Some mistake surely? The inside of that train was like a pigsty of the human variety. At 9 am it had not been cleaned from the previous night and all around were partially-empty booze tins, glasses and assorted bits of McDonalds and KFC products that late-night passengers had obviously been swilling. The overall smell ... Read review

Advantages: Usually a good, fast, fairly reliable service
Disadvantages: Quite expensive, trains from London may be delayed

Well after reading some other opinions on ciao, you'd be forgiven for thinking their service was the worst in the world. I've never had any major problems with Thameslink, although I only usually travel between Luton Airport and Bedford. My girlfriend was kept waiting 88 min for a train from Luton airport to Bedford one night, but this was on a Sunday during the floods and safety checks when they had said trains could be delayed a lot anyway (although ...
...I've always been able to get a train OK, and even on the days when service was restricted they still ran half-hourly (or more) from Bedford during the day. I'm quite pleased with Thameslink, although before them I'd only ever used NI Railways (poor). They are also quite expensive, with a single ticket from Luton to Bedford costing £5.90. ... Read review

Advantages: Through-London service: no need to use the Underground, connects to other operators
Disadvantages: Can get busy!

Thameslink is one of the 25 Train Operating Companies in the UK, and operates services in the south-east. They run from Bedford in the north through London to Brighton in the south. The good thing about catching a Thameslink train are the following: they operate the same type of rolling stock on all of their services. And to distinguish them between the ones that Connex operate, they have a blue livery with Thameslink in a scripty font. They do ...
...an hour or so. Thameslink is a company that runs on lines where there are alternatives to it. For instance, passengers can go to St Pancras from Bedford and Luton on Midland Mainline services, which are quicker because they don't stop as much. And if you want, services to Brighton are available from Victoria station in London. Though there is not much gain time-wise using this route. Because it is the only surface-rail line to cross London, it ... Read review

Advantages: common sense applied to make up lost time
Disadvantages: service doesn't sparkle - grubby and overcrowded

...on Bedford station for the Thameslink service to Kings Cross Thameslink, a sprint to Kings Cross, and the last train of the day to Newcastle (yes, Bedford to Newcastle really is routed via London). My meeting in Bedford had run late, and I was playing brinkmanship. And yes, you guessed it, the Thameslink service was late arriving - about 15 minutes late. As far as I was concerned I'ld missed my connection, and it was hotel in London for the night. ...
...Cross. There was an on-time Thameslink service immediately behind that would serve the intervening stations. By running the late train without stopping for a few stations it more or less made up time, and I guess would have been on-time for the rest of its run to Brighton. And yes, I caught my train at Kings Cross. This is the first time I can remember a railway company applying a bit of common sense. On this occasion the service was okay - at least ... Read review

Advantages: The route is convenient for me (Farringdon)
Disadvantages: Overcorwded, late or cancelled trains, cater for the airport transit journeys yet are used by commuters

I have used Thameslink services for more than a year now, travelling between East Croyon and Farringdon. The service is appalling! I think it is designed as an airport train (it covers both Gatwick and Luton), because the trains at commuter times are not very convenient. They are often 30-40 minutes apart, when trains to Victoria and London Bridge are far more frequent. Yet it is used mainly by commuters, who are patently not catered for. For ...
...Tulse Hill and Herne Hill. I pity the poor people who get on here. Frequently I have to stand from East Croydon, and if I manage to get a seat then it's far too small a seat for anyone except those who are a size 6! And almost invariably, those who get on at later stations have to stand, jammed in against one another and the tourists' luggage, which always fills the aisles and doorways. The trains are hardly ever on time (despite the screens at ... Read review

Advantages: Fast, Frequent
Disadvantages: Not cheap, too many ticket types.

...This is my first review for a while so please be generous! I am happy to re-write if needs be. First Capital Connect 'FCC' is a railway company that runs trains on two routes. The first route formally known as the Great Northern route runs between London Kings Cross and Peterborough. It also runs between London and Cambridge and Kings Lynn. FCC also have weekday daytime trains that run into London Moorgate. The other route again formally known as Thameslink runs between Bedford and Brighton via Luton Airport, London Kings Cross Thameslink and Gatwick Airport. FCC run a very good timetable when everything is working and it is 24hours on the Thameslink route between both the Airports. The staff attitude can vary from day to day but I have met some really nice ticket inspectors on the trains and at stations. Of course there is always... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Efficient, not overcrowded, and yes FREE tea and coffee
Disadvantages: Slowish line, prices seem to be going up

...National Rail tickets, but there are often special offers, usually only available on their web-site and phone booking service. They cannot be found on thetrainline.com etc.. However, I have noticed the special offers and not as special and not as frequent as they used to be. If you are travelling in a group of 4, the four - site ticket provides excellent value. I have found the line to be very punctual, although official figures do not seem to compare as favourably as my experience. Anyone who uses Thameslink from London to Bedford should look out for the occasional Midland Mainline option. Normal thameslink tickets can be used, and the midland mainline trains are much quicker, much more comfortable. However, there are only a few of these per day. I have noticed that the line is considerably slower than other intercity routes. London... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: fast, frequent trains, affordable when booked in advance
Disadvantages: trains getting a little tatty, legroom, limited stations

...corridor and my local train company First Capital Connect offers a quick and convenient way to get into London. Until 8 December you had to get off at Kings Cross Thameslink if you wanted to go to Kings Cross, St Pancras or Euston Station (or continue on the underground train system). Kings Cross Thameslink was a small station located in a side road a few minutes from the actual Kings Cross. It changed when at midnight a few minutes into 9 December, Kings Cross Thameslink closed and the brand new St Pancras International platforms for local services opened. Now you can stroll from the local trains straight through to the new Eurostar terminals without having to walk for more than a few minutes. While Waterloo was convenient for people arriving from the south or south west of the country, moving the Eurostar service to the north of London opens... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful