You can almost do it on a Saturday now ...

[CrunchySaviour]

I hate Shoreditch.

Why the hell is it closd on Saturdays?

Why the hell does it exist?!

[Simonguy]

It wont for long. The whole ELL will be extended as far as Clapham junction soon, when it is I doubt if it will be possible to do the Tube Challenge

[CrunchySaviour]

That's (apparently) when it leaves LUL hands, so it won't be one of the great Twelve Lines of the system, so it will be easier. Apparently.

[greatkingrat]

Even when Shoreditch closes the chances of doing an attempt on Saturdays are very low because there are always at least two or three sections of track closed for engineering works every weekend.

[G Force]

I'm just saying it will be possible to *attempt* it on a Saturday. I don't reckon you could break the record on a Saturday...

Although I would agree that its unlikely that a record would be broken on a Saturday. The tube is generally more punctual and reliable, with faster journey times on Saturdays. Unfortunately the frequencies are less, and as was mentioned there are almost always engineering works.

[lazza747]

I'm just saying it will be possible to *attempt* it on a Saturday. I don't reckon you could break the record on a Saturday...

The East London Line will cease to be part of the tube network once the extension work is complete.

So then it'll be "Eleven Lines... One Record..." and Joy54 will have to get his signature updated.

Yes, this is a very important point and one you are all missing.

The early morning and late evening timetables are NOT the same as during the week, then you have tourists for more of the day, late night revellers causing trouble ... and then what if they bring in this new late night running at weekends? How will THAT affect it?

Weekends are bad for full challenges.

[zeibura]

the only difference between saturday timetables and normal timetables is the peak service surely?

even if the ELL did stay in the hands of LUL the old record would be frozen, so new times would have to be set. its perfectly possible, and clapham junction would not be the problem - you realise its going to west croydon aswell? thatd be a nightmare.

by the way who is taking control of the ELL, does anyone know? cos if its silverlink i'm leaving crystal palace!!!

[zeibura]

i was talking hypothetically,

if the ELL did stay in the hands of LUL

... never mind

[joy54]

You could go WC to Balham, going past my house.

[petermiller36]

useful Joy54! lets all go for a cup of tea then shall we?! useless post!

[tubeguru]

useful Joy54! lets all go for a cup of tea then shall we?! useless post!

Now, now - be nice

[tc]

I've heard that Shoreditch will be closed by the end of the year, for good.

[moley]

Interesting you should say that. An update that I heard t'other day:

I believe that Shoreditch is set to close at the end of Fri 23 December with the rest of the ELL closing a year later.

With the work that needs to be done - It had been suggested that the ELL would reopen at the 2008 timetable change date (i.e Mid December 2007) - although I would only expect that to include the southern end of the line. The line will be completely relaid, signalled and powered.

It is also looking more and more likely that the trains to be used with be the Class 458 'Juniper' units currently in use with South West Trains on the Reading Line - they are likely to still be based at Wimbledon and run empty early morning / late evening to the ELL. As this service will be run by TfL there is no need for it to fall under a franchise such as SET, SWT or Southern

[tc]

The ELL has been tipped for the Junipers, but from data I have from a few sources, they'd have to extend Canada Water by a few metres (well, about 10 )

[yayrabies]

Good for the Tube Challenge