ashford express launch

tango4262 · Post by **tango4262** » Tue Nov 22, 2005 11:31 pm

hey who is going on one of the new brighton - ashford service if you go on southerns site you can choose a date (im on dec 27th) then you fill in your name, address and a form of identity eg debit card number then you get a page up and you print off your free ticket a smashing offer

regards david

Elojikal · Post by **Elojikal** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 9:32 am

Who would want to? It's still quicker to take a service to Clapham Junction and then change to Waterloo.

duncharris · Post by **duncharris** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 12:02 pm

Ah but is it (a) less expensive because you're not going into London and (b) people don't like changing trains (I know we all know what we're doing and don't really mind so much but Joe Public doesn't really know where he's going or what he's doing!)

arabiandisco · Post by **arabiandisco** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 12:45 pm

I expect the point isn't to provide a fast Brighton - Ashford service (or it would be, well, quicker), more likey to provide more destinations for east coastway stations. The principle beneficiaries will likely by people from Bexhill, Eastbourne etc who want to get to Ashford.

The word "express" is overused these days. I mean, what's fast about a 'Virgin Megastore Express'? It's not fast, it's small.

1288gaje · Post by **1288gaje** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 4:18 pm

hmm, Ashford-Brighton

what stock is going to do this service?

arabiandisco · Post by **arabiandisco** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 4:25 pm

a 171

tango4262 · Post by **tango4262** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 4:59 pm

arabiandisco wrote:a 171

yay

cant wait ive never been on a 171

1288gaje · Post by **1288gaje** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 5:54 pm

tango4262 wrote:
arabiandisco wrote:a 171
yay cant wait ive never been on a 171

if that was going to be a Thumper then I would go down to Brighton

tango4262 · Post by **tango4262** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 5:56 pm

thats a very good point

regards david

tango4262 · Post by **tango4262** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 5:56 pm

but dont forget the ticket is free

regards david

arabiandisco · Post by **arabiandisco** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 7:39 pm

a 171... not something to get excited about. If you've had a 170 you'll notice no difference at all. 171s have a different coupler to a 170 and that's your lot.

Christopher125 · Post by **Christopher125** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 7:47 pm

ah, but some 171's are 4 coaches!

(isnt the modern railway diverse

)

arabiandisco · Post by **arabiandisco** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 7:53 pm

wow.

Just goes to show, you never know what will roll round the corner, but you can be sure you won't be expecting it. Or in the case of a virgin train, you can be sure you expected it 25 minutes ago.

yorkie · Post by **yorkie** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 7:54 pm

I've done the route on a Thumper, last year due to a 171 breakdown.

I can't see myself going again, but if a Thumper ever covers for a 171 and I can get myself down (ie. I'd need to know a day in advance) then I'd be there.

Thumper or nothing for me!

JSReeves86 · Post by **JSReeves86** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 8:39 pm

i would go on it if i wasn't up north as ashford is my local station
also the stock used i am told will be a 4 car turobstar 171/3? not sure of the exact class