please empty your brain below
I am SO glad you posted this. I'm taking the train from Liverpool Street to Paddington to Heathrow on Monday (only JUST too late), and you may have just saved me a little bit of agony.

Just to be clear, the transfer at edgeware road is literally right across the platform, yes?

Graham | Homepage | 10.12.09 - 2:16 a.m. | #

The transfer at Edgware Road is literally right across the platform, yes. But you may not get the first train out, because the first train out might be from Platform 2 across the footbridge.

diamond geezer | Homepage | 10.12.09 - 6:43 a.m. | #

But on the up side, for passengers going west at least they know where to go now, rather than having to take a gamble on which of the lines has decided to operate on any given day.

Lots of complaints about Paddington (H&C) are valid, but it's not like Paddington (District) is a temple of convenience and good planning.

Anonymous | 10.12.09 - 6:44 a.m. | #

Has your countdown clock gone into reverse? We're back to C-5 today.

dg writes: Oops, now changed, ta.

Snoggle | 10.12.09 - 7:52 a.m. | #

I passed through Paddington on the H&C line the other day, and I thought it looked a bit dark and gloomy for a tube station serving one of London's main rail termini. Methinks it could do with a lick of paint and better lighting before Sunday.

Andrewh | 10.12.09 - 8:20 a.m. | #

The H&C platforms are much closer to the mainline trains, and, for westbound passengers, have fewer steps too.

ian | 10.12.09 - 9:33 a.m. | #

Plus the inevitable "weekend closures" whilst the new H&C station is built.

Kim | 10.12.09 - 10:38 a.m. | #

I don't think 2015 is accurate. The actual Crossrail station is an entirely separate project on the south side of the building where the taxi rank currently is, and work can't begin there until the rank is relocated to the north side.

The only access to the new rank will be via a ramp incorporated into the roof of the rebuilt H&C station, so the rebuilding of it is massively urgent to the Crossrail project.

Not sure what the actual opening date might be though, but certainly a lot sooner than 2015.

dg writes: According to page 36 of the latest TfL Business plan, the improvements at Paddington (H&C) are due for completion in 2015.

Mr Thant | Homepage | 10.12.09 - 10:55 a.m. | #

Graham:

Quickest way from Liverpool Street to Paddington is to get the Central Line and get out at Lancaster Gate. Paddington Station ia a 90 second walk to the north, worth it even with a heavy bag. Trust me....

geofftech | Homepage | 10.12.09 - 11:16 a.m. | #

I already try and take H&C trains to Paddington wherever possible, as I generally want to a) buy a ticket from the machine b) get on the train, both of which are easily done starting from the H&C, and don't involve long walks or massive crowds of bumbling idiots on the concourse. So hooray for the new setup!

john b | Homepage | 10.12.09 - 11:29 a.m. | #

Graham - you may now be in danger of receiving too much advice, but here's my two-penneth:

Take any westbound Circle or H&C train direct from Liverpool Street to Paddington, i.e. do not change at Edgware Road.

OK, this will land you at the 'nasty' end of Paddington, but:

Liverpool Street >> Paddington Circle/H&C >> Paddington NR platforms 6/7 (for your Heathrow Express) is no more difficult a journey with luggage than Liverpool Street >> Edgware Road >> Paddington Circle/District >> Paddington NR platforms 6/7.

This eliminates the urge to change trains at Edgware Road, which in most instances will make it a quicker journey too.

Lancaster Gate >> Paddington NR platforms 6/7 is a 90 second walk only if you are King Kong or Godzilla. It's probably closer to 8 or 9 minutes with luggage - don't forget that Lancaster Gate is deep-level and requires a lift to get you out of the station to start with - plus I can't remember ever seeing the walk to Paddington signposted on the street. Not ideal if you're not familiar with the area.

Rat-au-vin | 10.12.09 - 12:09 p.m. | #

DG: You're taking the final completion date to mean there will be no improvement, or no change, before then.

The new taxi rank has got to be ready in early 2011, and this requires the demolition of the existing platform access. So the new stairs and consourse above the platforms will have to be usable in some form on that sort of timescale.

The cosmetic fitting out; the installation of the lift and the opening of the new entrance and ticket hall may be what takes until 2015.

Mr Thant | Homepage | 10.12.09 - 1:50 p.m. | #

You guys are the best; thanks so much for all your help.

While in some circles I certainly could be considered a King Kong or a Godzilla (I'm 6' 8"), I'm traveling with a couple of stupidly heavy, non-wheeled bags. I think I'll take rat-au-vin's suggestion and just rock the H&C to Paddington.

Many thanks again! I'll be sure to give you all a full status report.

Graham | Homepage | 10.12.09 - 2:23 p.m. | #

Graham: For control purposes, you should pay some £10, to 'race' you by getting them to depart on a central line trai at the same time and see who gets there first. You could even give them one of your non-wheeled bags to carry! Lancaster Gate. Always.

geofftech | Homepage | 11.12.09 - 9:04 a.m. | #

Graham - a further incentive to use the H&C station...

- going from the H&C platforms to Heathrow Express requires climbing one set of stairs and descending another

- going from the westbound District/Circle line platforms means you have to climb one set of stairs, descend a second and then climb a third.

So neither is ideal, but the H&C is better on balance and means you don't have to change at Edgware Road.

J | 11.12.09 - 12:06 p.m. | #











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