In the 15yrs I've been getting the train, not everyday, but a couple days a week, I could count on my hands the number of times I've got a seat either to or from town. Thats during peak time. off peak its ok. Last week I got a 7am train and another day the 9am. Both were packed. The Docklands train isn't as packed...yet, and you do get a seat on that fairly often. I find if I leave before 7 in the car I'll get into town in 30~40 mins. after 7 its about an hour, or longer on a bad day. You could cycle it though. I do that a bit too.