Blackfriars - is plat 2 next to plat 3?

[pilsbury]

Hullo, has anyone been through blackfriars in the last few weeks? I will be heading to st pancras early tomorrow morning and think the best way is from peck rye via blackfriars. However we will be travelling with our one year old in pram plus two suitcases. checking the train times when we change at blackfriars we need to go from platform 3 to platform 2... Despite all my best googling I can't find a plan of the new platforms anywhere, so my question is, are plats 2 and 3 next to each other or will we and all of our stuff have to negotiate stairs/escalators/lifts (in which case we might be better going via London bridge)?

[StraferJack]

Blackfriars station only has platforms 1 & 2 at the moment, 3 & 4 haven't been unveiled yet (last I checked when I walked past earlier this week anyway)

That said, I can SEE the new platforms behind the works and they are on the same level - the new station does have lift access also. It's possible the platforms are unveiled this weekend of course

I have taken the train from PR to Kings X last week and didn't have to change at all btw

Whichever, I suspect you will be fine on this route

[pilsbury]

we are going early doors, so no direct train all the way unfort

[katie1997]

can you take the buggy and cases on the 63 if you are leaving super early? I used to find that service really excellent and they are frequent and much quicker very (very) early in the morning. Stops right outside Kings X with walkways signposted to St. Pancras, only really an option if you are near the route I guess...

[ianr]

> Blackfriars station only has platforms 1 & 2 at the moment, 3 & 4 haven't been unveiled yet

So this online map (they're available for all stations; mouse over the large version for photos) might well be up-to-date? http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/sjp/BFR/stationOverview.xhtml

[StraferJack]

it's a teeny bit out of date - the corridors on there have now opened out into a fairly swish ticket office

I'll check platform 3 and 4 status on way home

[StraferJack]

you may have to change trains at Blackfriars but it may be on same platform

[pilsbury]

Yeah I did see that am, but assumed platform 3 is somewhere on the under construction bit... Thx straferjack, v kind of you :)

[ianr]

Actually, this is the index page for BFR, with links to everyfink, including live departure details with platform info. http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/BFR/details.html At this moment all northbound trains seem to be expected to be using platform 2.

[OutOfFocus]

platforms 3 &4 appear open , at least at weekends http://www.thameslinkprogramme.co.uk/cms/pages/view/40

[StraferJack]

Definitely didn't look close to open this evening but perhaps weekends is a thing

[ianr]

Just checked the live arrivals and departures pages. The system does indeed currently show trains arriving from Sevenoaks and PRye on platform 3, but strangely doesn't seem to know which platform they'll be using for going back there.

Incidentally, when I checked earlier this morning, the 02:13 trains from (?)Three Bridges to Bedford were shown using platform 5. Is that Harry Potter territory?

[StraferJack]

Hah. Yeah, saver to ignore the platform numbers I'd say

[pilsbury]

Lol, it does actually All sound a bit Harry potter actually! Ended up going from ed to Tulse hill, then from there to st pancras - we went through black friars so I tried to look out for the platforms, but I could only see 1 2 and 4 signposted... Curiouser and curiouser... Anyways next time I have more time and am not laden down its baby and her paraphernalia will work out. Thanks for your help though :)

[The Nappy Lady]

I travelled home last Friday night on the last train and it definitely left from Platform 3 at Blackfriars (I wasn't that drunk, honest!). :-)

[The Nappy Lady]

Oh and I think 2 & 3 are together...

[KirstyH]

I've just spent 3 pints of blood on the phone to try and find out Blackfriars change over feasibility (4 mins) from the nunhead train through to StPancras late in the evening.

Platform 2 and 3 sound like the same platform actually, you just need to walk 'back' I've been told.

At prsent its difficult to see relevant info inside Blackfriars if you arrive on a platform, at least I've found, esp if you are carting around a bike (or luggage and kids) and often there is no one around on these very long platforms. A bit eerie late.

FYI London Overground puts you through to First Capital Connect which apparently manages Blackfriars and they have to ring the station direct and ask....Neither TfL or national rai displayed the platform numbers.

[ianr]

It does seem to be something of a great adventure. The station map at http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/BFR/details.html shows only platforms 1 and 2, and the live departures board also accessible there shows all trains leaving from one of those, apart from the Kentish Town ones, which appear to be leaving from platform 5.