Looks like the line is down this weekend - what a surprise… 
Question: Is closure of the line 25% of weekends something that we just have to accept as a permanent fixture or is there some defined project with a discernible end date? It’s such a frustrating aspect of living in Forest Hill.
First weekend of the month. It’s a regular slot. If you get TfL’s email, it states this is for Cross Rail works.
You can see advanced closure plans here: http://content.tfl.gov.uk/track-closures.pdf?
Thanks I’ll take a look, though my initial reaction is surprise that crossrail should be affecting services (specifically) between New Cross Gate and Crystal Palace / W Croydon?!
Quite. But that’s what it says.
the National Rail Enquiries website is showing this weekend’s closure is due to "engineering work between New Cross Gate and Crystal Palace / West Croydon.
To make matters worse there is also engineering work between New Cross and Lewisham on Saturday, Sunday and Monday which means no trains are running from Lower Sydenham, Catford Bridge or Ladywell either!
utter pants when you have to get into work as I do.
I must say the transport here is getting worse and worse.
Apologies, the coming weekend closures are for track maintenance
Last weekend’s closure was cited as being for Cross Rail and I asked via twitter how this could be. The response was that the works further up the line limit the number of trains in service so they couldn’t ‘serve’ Crystal Palace or New Cross. I assume there were West Croydon trains last weekend, though.
Overground were running on Sunday as far as Shadwell to West Croydon and Crystal Palace .
Yet another weekend of disruption on the trains 
London Overground
After 22:30 tonight, Thursday 10 May, there will be no service between Sydenham and West Croydon, due to Network Rail track work.
On Saturday 12 May, there will be no service between Sydenham and West Croydon, due to Network Rail track and infrastructure work.
On Sunday 13 May, there will be no service between:
• New Cross Gate and Crystal Palace/West Croydon, due to Network Rail track and infrastructure work, as well as station work at Honor Oak Park
Southern
Saturday
The following alterations will apply:
Replacement bus services will run between London Bridge and Tulse Hill and between Crystal Palace and West Croydon. Customers may also use their tickets on London Underground and London Overground services between London Bridge and Crystal Palace.
Sunday
The following alterations will apply:
Replacement buses will run between New Cross Gate and West Croydon.
Customers may also use their tickets on London Underground and London Overground services between London Bridge and New Cross Gate.
You are freaking kidding me. I have to get to Heathrow on Sunday. Taxi it is then.
Just take a taxi or number 75 bus to penge east which brings you straight into Victoria that will save some money for beverages at the airport 