There is no train, and here it is

[dormouse1953]

I was going up to London yesterday afternoon and as the trains have been disrupted by the weather, I checked the National Rail website about one o'clock to see if there were trains running.  Some delays were mentioned but the 13:47 was said to be running and on time and that was the next train I could get down to the station in time for.

But when I got to the station at about 13:40, it wasn't on the board.  Worse, all subsequent London trains, fast and slow, were advertised as "Delayed" - no expected arrival time indicated.  No announcements were being made about when the next train to London was expected and I was working out in my head how long to wait before it wasn't worth going on and head back home.

Then there was an announcement.  "Please stand clear on platform 5 as this train does not stop here."  And sure enough a train was approaching.  I stood back as ordered but noticed that this was obviously a train "in service" as there were passengers on board and what's more some were standing at the doors expecting to get off.  If the train did not stop, they were going to be very disappointed.

Well, the train did stop and the doors were released, allowing the passengers to get off.  I stuck my head through the nearest door to look at the in-carriage information sign to see where the train was headed.  It said London Waterloo, stopping at Woking, making it a fast train.  I got on and ended up in London as planned.  I assume it was the missing 13:47

Comments

[vicarage.livejournal.com]

Orpington had 5 members of staff on duty, all afraid to use the tannoy. Their emergency timetable wasn't adhered to going into London, and they cancelled my train out, and the slow crept the last mile. I was in a foul mood when I got home