Dalston Junction Station Gets Free Wi-Fi

My local station now has free wi-fi.

Dalston Junction Station Gets Free Wi-Fi

Not that I had my tablet with me this morning!

 

Dalston Junction To Gatwick Airport

Since it opened, I’ve usually taken the Overground to Clapham Junction station and changed for Gatwick Airport there.

This morning, for my flight out on Monday to Budapest, I looked up to see what the standard train information site said.  They recommended changing at Clapham Junction station.

I’ve just bought a ticket from Clapham Junction to Gatwick Airport on-line.  No problem there, but why can’t I pick it up at Dalston Junction station?

A New Bus For London In The Snow

Coming back from Dalston Junction station, this morning after my circular tour, I took a New Bus for London to very close to my house.

Not only were the crew wrapped up well, but they had closed the rear door to make the bus more welcoming.

This is the first time, I’ve seen one running with the door closed. Before they were introduced, TfL said that they’d run with the door closed at night, but they have decided to make sure they are in bed soon after 20:00.

A Circular Journey In The Snow

Very often on a Sunday I go across the Emirates Air-Line cable car, have a tea, coffee or lunch somewhere and then return home by a different route.

Today with all the snow, was just too good to miss.

My route was to walk to Dalston Junction station and then get a train south to Shadwell.  I then took the DLR from there to the cable car.  I came back via Canary Wharf, where I had a cup of tea and the London Overground back to the start.

The only problem, was that visibility wasn’t that good, but it was what the cable-car is for.  It must have felt pleased to be in the land of its birth; Austria.

Changing At Clapham Junction On The Overground

Yesterday, when I returned from the New Kings Road, I didn’t come the obvious way of taking a bus to somewhere like Sloane Square or Piccadlly from where I would get the Underground. after all, the last time I did this journey, it took forever. As it was sunny, I decided to walk to Imperial Wharf station on the Overground.

I had three choices there.

1. I could go north to Willesden Junction station and then get the North London line to either Dalston Kingsland or Highbury and Islington stations.

2. I could also go north on a direct train that eventually ended up at Stratford.

3. I could go south to Clapham Junction station and then get the extended East London line to Dalston Junction station.

Dalston Junction station is my preferred destination, as I can walk out of the front and get any of a number of buses to close to my house.

In the end, I let the trains make my decision for me and after looking at the indicators I got on the first one to arrive.

It was a southbound one to Clapham Junction station.

It was the first time I’d done this west to east transfer at the station and it was simple, in that I just walked up the platform and got in the train to Dalston Junction. There was a staff member on the train, so I was able to know what was the front. But on these trains it doesn’t matter as they are walk-through from head to tail.

In some ways it was a surprising way to go from Chelsea to Dalston, but it was painless and probably quicker than the alternative. The view was  a lot better too!

The step-free train change at Clapham Junction station was so much better, than those where you have to walk miles between platforms. The decision to split a platform and have one destination at each end, seems to have been an excellent one.

I suspect the only improvement is to have more and longer trains on the Overground. But that will happen!

The Chuggers Are Getting Desperate

As I came out of Dalston Junction station to get the bus home, I was surprised to see a team of chuggers inside the station.

Whilst waiting for the bus, I didn’t see them accost anybody successfully, so I suspect they weren’t doing very well. But then I suspect many who pass through the station, probably need every penny they can keep.

But then, were the chuggers inside the station as it was so wet outside?

Dalston Junction to Clapham Junction Is Test Running

I got a train from Dalston Junction station and the service to Clapham Junction station is running from platform 2.  Sadly without passengers. This is the destination display at Dalston Junction.

Dalston Junction to Clapham Junction Is Test Running

Not in Service is a euphemism for Clapham Junction. Note the fifteen minute service interval or four trains per hour.

CrossRail Will Raise House Prices

Today’s Standard also reports that CrossRail will lead to house prices going up along its route.

Perhaps, this explains why no-one seems to be complaining about CrossRail.

Or have people noted what has happened to house prices around Dalston Junction station, after the coming of the Overground.

Dalston’s Diagonal Crossing

Oxford Circus may have the latest X crossing, but here in Dalston, we’ve got a simple diagonal one.

Dalston’s Diagonal Crossing

Time will tell, if it works or not. It could certainly do with a countdown number for the green. But then like the other stroke of the cross, lights is extra. I suppose though, if you do get knocked over, you haven’t far to go to get help from a solicitor.

Safety isn’t helped at the junction as the bus stop has been removed, prior to relocation.

Wot No Bus Stop!

People coming out of the Overground at Dalston Junction station get completely lost looking for a bus.

Look Closely And You Might See It!

If you look closely at this picture taken at Dalston Junction station, you can see that the sign now has the route to Clapham Junction station shown.

Clapham Junction Ready Sign at Dalston Junction

But of course it’s covered with something. As the extended East London line doesn’t open until December this year.