by
Fentyke
@ 10/10/2006 - 09:24:48
It was chucking it down in Tinsel Town this morning and as I expected, the number of push and motorbikes parked at the station was significantly lower than normal. I guess that's one of the few plus sides to the approaching winter.
I haven't gopt my PC at home fixed yet as MESH computers don't know their arse from their elbow. Posts will be a lot lower this week as a result and next week I'm working in Barcelona for half the week so probably won't post then either.
On the train front I went out to Colchester yesterday on a one service from Liverpool St. Trains ran on time both ways though the train on the way back was a 225 like GNER's but boy was it dirty. No comparison with GNER's 225 fleet.
I eventually got back into Londinium at about 16.15 and dashed over to KX to catch the 16.35. I got there at 16.32 but there was no sign of the 16.35 at all which I presumed had already left. I therefore had no choice but to wait for the 17.03 which is what I did. At 16.45 they announced the 17.00 was boarding at platform x but boarding of the 17.03 would be delyed as the train wasn't ready. We were advised that an announcement would be made when the train was ready and requested to que behind the usual sign etc and keep the concourse clear (which most commuters ignored).
For no aparrant reason, at 17.50 there was an instantanious mad rush towrads platform 5 which I followed. Experience told me that this was becasue platform staff had pre-empted the departure board and tannoy announcements and allowed passengers to board the 17.03. I walked straight to the back though as I walked I got jostled once again by people needlessly running to get 'A good seat'. When are people going to learn that running on a platform full of people is only going to lead to an accident. 2 minuters later I arrived at coach C but they still hadn't announced that the 17.03 was boarding.
I seemed to take an age to get everyone on board and I think we pulled out a few minutes late as a result. Just before we left the guard announced that the train would also be making an unscheduled stop at Retford. A quick glance at my timetable told me the 16.35 was due to stop at Retford and I quickly put 2 and 2 together and came up with the reason I missed the 16.35. It was cancelled. Seats were therefore at a premium and a few unfortunates who'd parked in a reserved seat were asked to move by their rightful occupents. Happily no fisticuffs ensued and we arrived into Boro on time.
No problems with 07.20 this morning although there was no trolly service and our chinese friend and his was back on the tannoy confusing everyone with his accent.
