General Zone 1 Question... well, more a comment really...

[dudey]

I reckon this could extend the challenge on a regular basis to 4 hours if they were included.

Indeed this could be the case, which is why i suggest we just have it for no more than one round a year. It makes sense to do it in the summer one because the sun's out later and it's a nice time to be travelling on the DLR

[tubeguru]

National Rail i think is too complex in many ways

Ain't that the truth ... ?

[mps247]

Therefore should the definition go to more of a GWR and Hassan blend whereby if the two modes are "within the same building (or structure) yet have separate platforms they count as the same station, however if they do not share the same building they are counted separately." This may mean that some places become independent, such as Finsbury Park or Brixton, however it does also prevent the 3 independent Paddington's suddenly becoming one, which to me at least rather goes against the spirit of tube challenging.

My only reasoning for this is it (generally) splits up the various modes, but excludes what could be the pedantic differences such as Greenwich x2, Lewisham x2 and when it re-opens Canada Water x2.

I didn't even think about London King's Cross, London St. Pancras and the underground station that shares both names. I think your definition is clearer and better.

National Rail i think is too complex in many ways to be part of a successful R15. I vote scrap it as an idea

How easy would it be to separate Overground stations from the National Rail ones in your program, excluding any with underground interchanges apart from Shepherd's Bush, West Hampstead and London Euston? It would be interesting to see what difference it would make. If it isn't too easy, don't worry - it isn't worth spending too much time on.

I do like the idea of throwing the Z1-2 DLR stations into the hat for R15. Presuming we decide to continue the R15 championship in the same form as this last year (and with people actually being aware of it from the beginning ), then perhaps the opening round in around July could be a special "+DLR" round. Saying that we still also need to arrange a purely DLR event this summer so we can all get a go at this new configuration. Anyone up for that sometime in June?

I'd be up for a DLR-only challenge at the end of June. Is there anybody else interested in it?

[greatkingrat]

I don't think adding the DLR stations will make much difference to the time. I think the stations posted by Matt can be done in sub-3 hours.

[mps247]

I can group the stations however it is wanted easily, but I think this should remain hypothetical to be honest - in the style of "if it ain't broke...", I think the R15 doesn't require fixing. Chucking in the DLR could be cool, one off-style like Matt suggests probably...

Oh, I agree - the R15 is fine as it is. I only asked about the Overground stations for my curiosity really, which is why I thought it wasn't worth asking you to change your code too much if it was going to be difficult. I thought that seeing as the inclusion of DLR stations would be a one-off, and in no way replace the standard R15, why not also include the Overground stations too.

If I'm around in July, I'd be quite happy to try the R15 with DLR stations included as a one-off.

[Soup Dragon]

The BERC likes the idea of including the DLR stations in one round of the 2009/10 R15 Championship, as suggested by Dudey perhaps the first round in July would be the best option.