So with all this travelling I've spent a lot of time on various trains and the Tube, which has resulted in hearing quite a few interesting excuses for the various delays and cancellations that plague our wonderfully antiquated rail system.
When travelling up to Manchester, on part of the route towards Liverpool (where else?) our train was delayed near Crewe because there were leaves on the track. Tea-leaves in fact. Yes, our train was delayed because, and I quote, 'there are some thieves on the track'.
From Bath to Reading there was a slight delay because 'one of the carriages has come a bit loose'. Well, so long as it's just a bit loose then, not very loose or anything. Very reassuring.
On my way up to Birmingham (where I am now, by the by) my train was delayed on two separate occasions. Firstly, one of the windows (in coach B) broke, which sounds quite dramatic, but I wasn't present to see this, being in lowly coach D. They stopped at a later station to replace this (but only with single glazed glass!) but then we had to stop again because someone was 'a bit ill' in a train on the tracks ahead of us. Interesting.
Being forced to leave the house now, ciao.
Xx
--
Almost forgot another funny one, it wasn't a reason for a delay but was certainly a bit bizarre. At one point on some journey, the train manager said "..and welcome to all the paying customers, and the naughty girl, who joined us at <place>" - though we never got to find out what was meant by this...
Saturday 13 October 2007
National Fail
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Ha, that sounds about right. The rail system is terrible. Trying to get around on a Sunday is fun... Well as long as you don't mind getting where you want to go by the end of the day.
Oh and if you are in Birmingham New Street look around for the helpful sign on one of the platforms...
"Beware of Trains"
Indeed.
I frequently get the train from Kidderminster to Worcester.
I know somebody who gets on at Stourbridge.
The excuses that we are told at Kidderminster, Stourbridge and on the train are frequently different.
I reckon they must read them from a book.
Hmm, leaves on the line, no we had that one last week. How about ah "The carriage is a bit loose." Yes!
Then again to be fair, my line is very reliable- rarely have any delays/cancellations. If you want cancellations, travel with "Worst Late Western!"
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