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Should add to all these recent and interesting comments, I was stuck in powerless Overground train last week. Took three and a half hours to `evacuate' us from said train that simply lost its power! Very hot, very claustrophobic, driver did his level best to keep us calm and on the whole apart from a couple of incidents, succeeded. I wrote to Tfl to say there really should be a plan B for such a situation. If it had happened during the heatwave days I really dread to think of the casualties. A lot caused by not being able to open the windows. Driver came down after two hours and did open them with his key. Tfl have replied and have decided to compensate me with ?50. Not really what I was looking for but rather to alert Tfl that there really should be contingency plans for such an eventuality...

Yep, I think that's what I understood from recent reports. Thanks for putting it so clearly!

Um...you may be right about that particular point. Perhaps I was thinking of why Tfl have turned down yet another application to re-open Camberwell station and the reasons they gave for that. Exactly how is responsible then, if anyone is willing to claim that responsibility which is highly debatable, for those changes re DHill and Blackfriars. I assume it's Govia? Or is it plus Network Rail or plus...???

It's called an improvement. But as long as Kent commuters get into town quickly, what the hell does it matter what London commuters go through. At least, that seems to be the thinking behind much of Tfl policy making of recent years. Makes me boiling mad.

@Asset; @ed26 Yes, that's it exactly. I hear this morning that the Rail Regulator has concluded `nobody took charge' with the introduction of the new timetables. That was patently obvious, wasn't it. Exactly what does Chris Grayling do for a living, I wonder?! Also, yes, The Commercial good, my pub of choice, The Phoenix who will arise again once all the building works that have lopped off their frontage whilst `urgent' works were carried out to the bridge at Denmark Hill were in process. Poor things have lost 50% of their trade in the past six months. Due to finish in October. They should seek compensation!

@ed26. Yes, it is strange. Those changes seem to have crept in. The direct trains from Denmark Hill to St Pancras and beyond have been a godsend. Now they've disappeared. Worth a letter to Thameslink I wonder? probably a waste of time. All signed and sealed off. But such a shame. Who are the winners in all of this, I wonder?

Yep, that about sums it up. Fine to make adjustments if you're very mobile. Not so much fun when you're not!

Have just realised how badly hit our direct train routes north of Blackfriars is after the change in timetables. It used to be fairly quick to go from Denmark Hill to Farringdon, Kentish Town and on. Now I see almost every train you have to change at Blackfriars and wait 6-10 mins. Is that what is called improvement?