With only two trains per hour on Sunday, I ended up waiting about 30 minutes at Wembley Park after the game. Several trains to Uxbridge came and went in the meantime. Staff on the platform kept saying catch the next train and get off and wait at Harrow for the Amersham train, because Wembley was overcrowded. I knew that was a bad idea, as that meant trying to get on an already overcrowded train. Sure enough, when the Amersham train arrived, it became packed, and even more packed when those at Harrow forced themselves on. It was very uncomfortable and not at all good for those feeling claustrophobic!
At Amersham, it took a long time to get over the platform bridge, a queue to get out of the car park, and finally a queue on the road past the station.
I would still use the underground if we get to Wembley again, but maybe delay getting the train back, go for a drink perhaps. Parking at a station on the Uxbridge spur, which seems to have trains every few minutes on a Sunday, may not be free and, for me in North Bucks, is a much longer drive.
We stayed for a couple of hours after for a drink to let the crowds go. Train we got on had loads of room and seats, and Amersham was empty when we got back. It's definitely better to wait for an hour if you can
Next Wembley match, I'm going to go from Ickenham. There is normally plenty of road / free parking and it's on the spur going to Uxbridge so more trains.
Down-side is that it's a 25 min drive on the M/A40 however, the traffic is already diluted enough that you shouldn't be caught in any of the traffic.
In theory perhaps, but that wouldn't have helped yesterday, as no trains to Amersham or Chesham came for at least half an hour, so the first train to arrive was overcrowded. You just have to be patient and catch a later, less crowded train.
I must have got lucky then - left on the final whistle, 10-min walk to Wembley Park and onto an Amersham train within minutes! In any case, a markedly less painful experience than getting the Chiltern line back.
Got back to Wycombe on the Chiltern line by 715. Seemed pretty comfy to me?
Only awkwardness was everyone bundling on the first train that came, only for everyone to then realise it was the non stopping at Wycombe Oxford train!
Comments
The Chiltern corporate team deserve your plaudits as much as you might hate them. Very experienced. They know their stuff.
Really? They’ve been absolutely useless in my experience today. But give them another pay rise or they’ll strike again.
Yeah you know best I reckon.
Had no problems with the trains. Bit busy on the way back but that was expected.
The staff had a box of sweets and where offering them out at high wycombe station on the way the game, a nice little touch.
Declan Rice getting the train in too?
I think you must have been on the same train as me!
Good on them for bargaining collectively for a decent salary.
If you want to get angry about Arriva, direct your anger towards the people at the top pulling this kind of shithousery https://www.rmt.org.uk/news/arriva-sold-to-cayman-islands-registered-company/
Some thoughts on travelling from Amersham.
Pros:
Free car parking at station
Much cheaper fare than using the Chiltern Line.
Cons:
With only two trains per hour on Sunday, I ended up waiting about 30 minutes at Wembley Park after the game. Several trains to Uxbridge came and went in the meantime. Staff on the platform kept saying catch the next train and get off and wait at Harrow for the Amersham train, because Wembley was overcrowded. I knew that was a bad idea, as that meant trying to get on an already overcrowded train. Sure enough, when the Amersham train arrived, it became packed, and even more packed when those at Harrow forced themselves on. It was very uncomfortable and not at all good for those feeling claustrophobic!
At Amersham, it took a long time to get over the platform bridge, a queue to get out of the car park, and finally a queue on the road past the station.
I would still use the underground if we get to Wembley again, but maybe delay getting the train back, go for a drink perhaps. Parking at a station on the Uxbridge spur, which seems to have trains every few minutes on a Sunday, may not be free and, for me in North Bucks, is a much longer drive.
Go from Chalfont & Latimer and you get twice as many trains
We stayed for a couple of hours after for a drink to let the crowds go. Train we got on had loads of room and seats, and Amersham was empty when we got back. It's definitely better to wait for an hour if you can
Next Wembley match, I'm going to go from Ickenham. There is normally plenty of road / free parking and it's on the spur going to Uxbridge so more trains.
Down-side is that it's a 25 min drive on the M/A40 however, the traffic is already diluted enough that you shouldn't be caught in any of the traffic.
Just a suggestion
In theory perhaps, but that wouldn't have helped yesterday, as no trains to Amersham or Chesham came for at least half an hour, so the first train to arrive was overcrowded. You just have to be patient and catch a later, less crowded train.
This would have been only 8 minutes later. Whats that saying about buses.....?
I must have got lucky then - left on the final whistle, 10-min walk to Wembley Park and onto an Amersham train within minutes! In any case, a markedly less painful experience than getting the Chiltern line back.
@Steve_Peart not sure how far north you are but have you ever driven to Stanmore and come in on the Jubilee?
Got back to Wycombe on the Chiltern line by 715. Seemed pretty comfy to me?
Only awkwardness was everyone bundling on the first train that came, only for everyone to then realise it was the non stopping at Wycombe Oxford train!
I haven't tried Stanmore @peterparrotface, or thought about the Jubilee line, but will consider it next time.