Kensington Olympia evening times / early morning

[nick468]

Hi there,

I'm attempting a FNC on Monday, November 24 next, and was planning it last night.

Would be starting from Heathrow T4, as always, to get 'on the board'.

I'm not sure if this is a recent thing, because I've not done the challenge since 2022, but I've noticed the District Line timetable from Kenny O into Earl's Court has changed again, making it nigh on impossible to catch a service in the morning by starting in Heathrow - unless I get very lucky.

First HT4 - HT23 train is 05:02 - 05:10
First HT23 train is 05:09. So I'd miss the first HT23 - HT5 by just one minute (In previous attempts, I've seen it depart from the platform as we pull in).

It'd leave me with getting the 05:43 train from HT5, which would only get me to Barons Court at 06:21 - too late for the final Kenny O train of the hour to Earl's Court at 06:22.

Has anyone any experience of the evening district trains from Earls Court to Kenny O and back lately? I read one post on this forum from 2022 and it seemed to suggest they are a bit hit-and-miss.

I'm torn between waiting for the 7:20 train Kenny O to Earl's Court to ensure it's locked in, or gambling on one of the evening trains. I know losing vital minutes in the morning isn't a great thing, but neither is arriving at Kenny O/Earls Court in the evening to find no trains are running.

Thanks as always for your thoughts,

- Nick

[sftfan1909]

The 05:02 departure is actually booked to arrive at T123 at 05:08. On my recent attempt we departed 05:04 and arrived 05:08, so I would say your chances at making it are probably okay. I've caught an evening Olympia a few times including recently as part of my reconnaissance so they do still run at least sometimes

[nick468]

Hi mate,
Thanks for letting me know about that. It'd be a game-changer obviously if I can get it out of the way in the morning.
Cheers,
Nick

[al]

That first change at Heathrow 2&3 is fine on paper, but in my experience is iffy in reality, with either the train from T4 being a little late, and/or the T5 train being a little early. I suggest having a plan B in case it doesn't work out.

[nick468]

Thanks for that. That's been my experience too post-pandemic, although I last did the challenge in 2022. I outlined it in this topic: http://www.tubechallenge.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3756

I'm 50/50 about what plan B to go for. Hanging around for an hour at Kenny O in the morning for the 07:20 would leave me with very little, if any, margin for error, as the day goes on. But risking an evening train not showing up, and messing around Earl's Court/Kenny O would have the same impact in the evening-time too, leaving me pressed for time to finish up. Then there is obviously the inherent risk of a train not appearing.

I'd probably err on the side of staying on the move in the morning though.

- Nick

[hopeful traveller]

Essentially it will depend largely on whether your priority is a good time or just to finish.

If you're looking just to finish, get Olympia done and out of the way - even if it means a long wait. It's the risk averse strategy.

If you're pushing for a good time, you would probably end up taking the risk of an evening service, which are, as pointed out, very hit and miss. Indeed, if you do end up seeing an off-timetable one during the day, I would probably drop everything and get on it!

[Golf]

or do the attempt on a saturday!

[nick468]

Essentially it will depend largely on whether your priority is a good time or just to finish.

If you're looking just to finish, get Olympia done and out of the way - even if it means a long wait. It's the risk averse strategy.

If you're pushing for a good time, you would probably end up taking the risk of an evening service, which are, as pointed out, very hit and miss. Indeed, if you do end up seeing an off-timetable one during the day, I would probably drop everything and get on it!

Good advice - i think just finishing is my goal. So I will keep this in mind. Although it is six-of-one and half a dozen of the other - neither option leaves me with any room for error throughout the day. But surely out of the four services which shuttle back and forth between Kenny O and Earls Court in the evening-time, at least one will run.

I wonder, is there any up-to-date information on whether they do complete available, without going down the FOI route.

Nick

[nick468]

or do the attempt on a saturday!

Run the risk of parts of the network being down on weekends.

[Golf]

one of the records recently was done on a saturday despite guinness saying years ago and denying a record.

So although infrequent at least they are planned so u know well in advance.

[nick468]

one of the records recently was done on a saturday despite guinness saying years ago and denying a record.

So although infrequent at least they are planned so u know well in advance.

Fair point, I might look into it - thanks very much, especially if I fall short next week.

Didn't realise, so appreciate that.

- Nick

[miklcct]

one of the records recently was done on a saturday despite guinness saying years ago and denying a record.

So although infrequent at least they are planned so u know well in advance.

Why is Guinness denying a record? Saturday is the most reasonable day of this challenge because the Kensington train runs all day.

[al]

If I remember correctly, the rules at one point said a challenge was invalid on Saturdays as some of the stations weren't open (Chancery Lane?). When TfL started opening stations all week, they never updated the rules. The Browns then did an attempt on a Saturday, and it was disqualified as being "unfair on other competitors". This is one of the reasons several of the more established members of the forum are not fans of Guinness and their management of the record.

[Going Underground]

If I remember correctly, the rules at one point said a challenge was invalid on Saturdays as some of the stations weren't open (Chancery Lane?). When TfL started opening stations all week, they never updated the rules. The Browns then did an attempt on a Saturday, and it was disqualified as being "unfair on other competitors". This is one of the reasons several of the more established members of the forum are not fans of Guinness and their management of the record.

yes that was sickening had contacted GWR before and given them the date... There were a couple of appeals but to no avail

[miklcct]

The record has been reset when Battersea opened, so all attempts now are on the basis of "all stations open on Saturday".