With the news that Southern has been told to 'shape up or ship out' and pledges of rail reform from all sides of the London Mayoral campaign, we appealed to you to tell us your morning commute stories.

We received plenty of responses. Many people mentioned "overcrowded" and "unreliable" service, as well as the reasons they hear for delays and cancellations.

January 19: Southern told to 'shape up or ship out' in showdown with with MPs over rail franchise

January 19: Commuter woes: tell us your train nightmare (and hero) stories today

Here are some of the best. 

DB told us: "The best excuse for a train running late has to be Southern from the last week or so claiming severe delays due to 'bright sunlight'.

"SWT are much more boring, as they tend to rely on their favourite 'knock on delays' excuse which they have even created a Twitter tag for!

"My favourite one of those went something like 'A train was delayed at Guildford for 5 minutes this morning, meaning that there are now delays of up to 30 minutes on all routes until close of service'."

Tiny-One said: "Best excuse I heard was when I was waiting at Chessington North for the train to come.

"It was delayed because it hadn't arrived at the station before - yet I could see it down the line sat at Chessington South."

MC17 said: "The one thing that really annoys me is trains leaving earlier than billed.

"It's really annoying when the train is 2:08 and you arrive on the platform at 2:07:10 to find it pulling out of the station!"

The best and worst of times for barneyMay who said: "In one case, I waited 25 minutes for a train that was eventually cancelled once it became clear that it was not going to turn up.

"Short formations in rush hour can also become unbearable, and in such cases it can be difficult for anyone trying to get on after West Croydon (heading to Victoria) to even board the train, such is the overcrowding.

"On the positive side, the train driver who runs the #timetunneltrain quiz is a highlight - chatty, friendly and funny and trying to endear a positive mood among us bitter commuters."

Squired has opted for an alternative mode of transport: "It is almost depressing to say that I cycle from Croydon to central London most days now rather than chancing the train.

"If I leave in the morning at the same time as my brother (who takes the train) I'll normally beat him in."

Despite service problems, train users like Krissi have nothing but praise for the staff: "I travel from Sutton, to shop for my family in Wallington, with a trolley and at both stations staff have helped me with the trolley both when empty and full as obviously the train arrives in Wallington on the opposite platform I need to go shopping from.

"With no lift at Wallington, they have taken my trolley down the stairs and across to the platform I needed to exit from, without my needing to ask as they offered and they have also helped me load the full and sometimes overloaded with extra bags attached trolley onto the train as well and they have done so numerous times too."

Do you have a story to share? Tell us in the comments or email digitalmedia@london.newsquest.co.uk.