On last nights 17.20 I bumped into the lady who had a, shall we call it 'situation', in the buffet car. 'That's him. she sayes pointing to the bloke pulling the trolly out of the buffet car. That's the ignorant git how was rude and agressive' Guess who it was? Yep. Rob.

At that moment, Rob stopped to answer his phone. True to form I heard him really snapping at one of his colleagues who'd obviously rung to asked him if something or other had been finished. Is that bloke ever gonna learn how to be professional and provide good friendly service to his customers. Not on tghe evidence I've seen.

On good note, I did think how nice it was not to have to work with a misserable git like that.

I do hope somebody from GNER reads this and sends him on some serious customer relations training. Then again. Why would they waste the money when he's most liekly gonna be employed by FCC or virgin soon.

A friend of mine was travelling home on the 17.20 last night and fancying a drink she decided to wait in the buffet car before she took her seat. As the train hadn't left KX, the staff were still busy with their preparations so the buffet wasn't open yet. Not wanting to get in the way of passengers and staff walking from 1st to cattle class, my friend stood to the side of the bar where she thought she'd be out of the way. Wrong.

She told me how she'd no sooner got herself in position when a very gruff and curt voice said 'don't stand there cos I'll be comming in and out and your in the way'. No, excuse me but would you mind moving. Nothing that could be construed as polite that for sure.

I asked my firend what this person looked like. 'Ah' she sayes, 'that's easy. He was a fat bloke with glasses and spoke with a northern accent.' Imediately I thought this sounded like our old friend Rob. Remember him? The bloke who wouldn't give 2 ladies a plasic glass for the wine they purchased from Marks & Sparks.

So who was running the buffet on last nights 17.20. Was it Rob or is there another like him? If your brave enough please name and shame the person responsible in the forlorn hope that he might change his ways if he knows he's been mentioned on here.

This isn't the only GNER commuter blog anymore. On Jan 30th this year somebody else started one: -

http://www.blogstoday.co.uk/bloghome.aspx?username=longcommute

The first thing you'll notice is that the author is one hell of a lot more polite than I could ever be. I suppose they have to be as it's published on the P'boro ET web site. They seem to have some anti swearing software loaded cos I entered a comment with 2 minor swear words (bugger & sod) in it and it wouldn't accept the comment until the offending words were removed. Glad this site doesn't have such a facility or I'd be fucked. No chance of me getting a link on the ET web site either.

If you have a read, the second thing you'll notice is that this person got paid £40 for giving a talk at some focus group meeting. Good on you mate. It's good to see a little bit come back the passengers way. It's a good job they didn't ask me, Platform6 or Shahmaker or we'd have been there all night demanding far more than £40. I've also made a mental note to demand payment upfront when asked my opinion in the next survey that gets shoved in front of my nose.

Anyway. It's good to know there's another sado out there like me even if their blog isn't as good as mine. (Sorry mate. Couldn't resist it).

Thanks to the 07.20 running 25 mins late this morning, I jumped on the 07.26 FCC service. Sat opposite was a neighbour of mine and 2 mates of hers. Needless to say we got chatting about our Kids, School and all the usual crap neighbours chat about.

As we neared KX it struck me that there hadn't been any revenue protection patrol so I asked if this was normal. 'Oh, well, yes and no' was the reply. 'Some days they do, some days they don't. Some weeks they're there every morning, yet might only be there 1 day the following week and it's worse on an evening.'

What's that all about then? Do FCC really leave revenue from the ECML largely unprotected? Is this what we can expect if FCC win the franchise? Do FCC (and passengers with unstamped tickets for that matter) realise, Std open return tickets remain valid for 1 month and can therefore be used agaian and again until they're stamped or the month is up depending which comes sooner? I could be wrong on this point and perhaps one of our train readers can clarify but I'm fairly sure this is correct. Ticket! You work for FCC is this normal.

Can't you tell the good weather is returning? There have been a number of delays this week due to tresspassers on the ECML around the St Neots and Huntingdon areas. They haven't caused major delays or anything but they have added anywhere between 5 to 15 minutes to journey times.

The guard on last nights 17.20 told us they were attempting to vandalise something on the track but couldn't tell us what. Had they been successful, I'm sure we could all have expected a more serious delay or at worst, a serious incident.

It's not as if those repsonsible don't know that the tracks are dangerous places and tresspassing on the tracks is a serious offence. It's only a matter of time before somebody gets hurt and/or killed. I just hope it's one of them.

I also heard there was a problem with last nights 18.03. Apparently there was something wrong with the power car and it took 2 hours to make it to Tinsel Town where GNER decided to give up the ghost and cencel the service altogether.

Comes a mundane, normal type post for the last post of the day and week.

Signal problems at KX tonight. Freaking bedlam which wasn't nice. Usual story of not telling customers what was going on, why or what their best bets might be.

Due to todays fun, I had a few bits to finish and ended up running a bit later than usual. Ordinarily that wouldn't matter a jot but Network Rail weren't networking too well and let everyone down on a grand scale.

Arrived at KX about 5.35 tonight to anll too common concourse full of passengers. Every train on the departure board was delayed which told me it wasn't a GNER or FCC problem. The odd train was getting out and there were 3 GNER trains in the station. " were being board but weren'ty stoping in Tinsel Town so 2 decided to take a chance and walk up the platform of the remaining GNER loco. Good call. As I got level with coach they announced the train I was stood nerxt to was the 17.50 so I jumped on.

Train left 5 mins late and ran slow for most of the journey. I suspect signaling problems are probably to blame. They din't tell us but why would they only let a few tains on the line at any one time and why else we would we run at half speed?

To the people from Computer contractors.net. No it isn't war you sad dick heads. You came on here for your own amusement and now, just becasue I'm encouraging a bit of tit for tat you call for war. Bollocks ladies, I can't be arsed with you. Post as many comments as you like. Now we know what your doing and why, what do we care that your embarassing yourselves. Call yourselves adults? My 7 year old has more sense.

Post away.

The title of this entry is the web site from which all childish entires have come from. One of the guys posting these comment is registered on CC as Dr Evil and he's a moderator on this site. This is some of what he has to say about people visiting his site and posting unwelcome entries: -

Guys, let's sort this out ourselves shall we? I'm fed up to the back teeth of the cr@p that is spouted on here. It's nothing but cr@p recently, and has turned an amusing and fun diversion into a cesspit of rude words, muppets and troublemakers.

Who's in favour of a strictly moderated forum with no vendetta's, blatant racism, naming and shaming etc? Doesn't have to be a bland PC, let's all love each other site, but if we have the ability to report posts as being offensive, breaking the rules etc it'll ensure that it's something which meets all of our needs and we'd be able to recommend it to our friends etc.

I think that at the moment we have a decidedly dodgy community here, but have the backbone of a decent one able to take the forum forward.

Click the link to read the full post: -
http://www.computercontractor.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8063

It's a shame he's such a sad wanker that he has to come on other peoples sites and do the very same thing he want to remove from his and he's slated others for doing.

I won't be deleating their comments as anyone who wants' too can track and trace them back to their site using the site meter. Know this ladies, I'll be encouraging as many people as I can to visit your site and do exactly the same on your site as you have here.

Hope your fun was worth it and I trust this is what you wanted so enjoy the fruits of your laborous fun.

Ok, I think I've sussed where all the unwelcome and insulting comments are coming from and it's time for some payback.

There's a forum at http://www.computercontractor.org/forum/index.php

These tossers have decided they don't like this blog, we're boring,blah blah blah and they want to have some fun with us. Well it works both ways ladies.

Here's a link to the thread on the computer contractor for anyone wishing to give them a tatse of their own medicine: -
http://www.computercontractor.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=11373&start=0&sid=a7938b763e8dd95590b592aebe9c0113

I'm pleased to say the bad weather they forecast has so far, failed to materialise. That's a good thing. Another good thing is the continuation of last weeks punctuality of the trains on which I've travelled.

I was a bit confused this morning though. When Michael came walking down the aisle checking everyones tickets, 2 blokes with clip boards seemed to be following him. To my surprise Michael then started reading out a number from each season ticket holder and the blokes following him wrote them down on their clip boards. What's that all about then? Has Michael been letting his standards slip and the GNER thought police are on his case? Has Lord GNER forgotton how tickets are checked and sent 2 cronies to check it out? Whatever going on, I'm intrigued.

Spotted these 2 articles this morning: -
http://business.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=410322007
http://news.scotsman.com/uk.cfm?id=409012007

For those that can't be arsed to read the reports from The Scotsman.com, it's alledged that between Jan 7 and Feb 3, only 83.6% of GNER trains arrive on time. No real news there as GNER's own performance board states 84.4% for the latest period. But, Richard Bowker CEO of National Express beleives his company can better that and deliver 92.5% even though he admits Network Rail are to blame for most delays. I notice he doesn't elaborate and say how other than to say they'll treat Network Rail as a Partner.

Sorry Mr Bowker (such an unfortuante surname) but I for one don't beleive you. I think you've understaood some of the problems on the ECML but your proposed solution to a major one looks weak and flimsy to a layman like me. I also suspect others will view it with the same sceptisism.

Mesh computers have fianlly repaired and returned the lovely PC I spent £800 on last May. Ironically, this small but joyous event in my life has had an adverse affect on my fellow passengers this week.

As I've got my PC back, I've been able to put a few albums on my little Ipod Shuffly thing. Every evening this week I've arrived to find a person sat in the seat next to my reserved seat and each and everyone of the had dumped their bag on it. No problem. I politly asked each and everyone to move it and each and everyone did.

I then sit down and put my Ipod on at what I feel is a reasonable volume. Not full wack or anything but loud enough to drown all but the loudest tannoy announcement. On wednesday a bloke did ask me turn it down. I nearly told him to fuck off to coach B if he wanted a bit of P&Q becasue he was a bit curt, but I couldn't be arsed with a possible argument. On separate occasions 2 passengers sat next or opposite have moved. I thought nothing of it at the time but I think I've realsied why and I think it's becasue of my Ipod.

Now I've asked people to turn them down and I've seen plenty of other people do exactly the same. I've never seen anybody refuse. I guess if your polite, most reasonable people will do exactly what I did and turn it down. So if your one of the people who moved becasue of me this week, I'm sorry. Just do me a favour and save yourself a whole load of hassell and ask next time. Just don't say anything sarcastic like 'Because I don't want to listen to it' which is what that bloke said to me on Wednesday cos I might not be so benevolent.

The negative bit: -

Have you seen the weather forecast for Monday and Tuesday?

SNOW ON MO NDAY IN THE NORTH. That means the 07.20 could be late.

I can't wait.

I have to say, thanks to this fantastic spring weather, it's been a a pleasure to travel on the trains this week. This is why: -

I roll out of bed between 6 and 6.10am which is about the same time the sun comes up. Becasue the skies have been clear we've had some glorious sunrises this week and it's been a privalidge to look out of the bedroom window and see all the different colours in the sky. Stunning.

After a quick S, S, S, (work it out) I stumble down stairs, put the kettle on, feed the cat and get myself ready to take the dog out. By the time Pooch and I leave the house it's fully light. Because it's been so sunny and the air has been so quiet and still and there isn't anybody about, it's been a pleasure to walk the dog. I've even found myself noticing how the sunlight has glistened off the dew and watched the crocuses in direct sunlight begin to come to life.

After the dog it's time for a cuppa, bite to eat and to get my shit together. I take 'The Enemy' a cuppa just before I leave, kiss the kids and get on my scooter for the trip to the station. Until now the roads have generally been a bit wet which means I have be a bit careful on the bike as it's surprising how slippy wet roads are when your on 2 wheels. But it's been dry this week so I've been able to let go a bit which is always a pleasure.

I've also had some stunning views as I've crossed the river nene and passed the boating lake on the viaduct. From my lofty position I've been able to look down onto the river to see the steam and ground mist roll off the water, onto dry land and over Thorpe Wood Golf Course. Another stunning view in full spring sunlight.

Finally I get to the station and start my journey to London propper. This week has been a bit different becasue I've been able to really appreciate what a beautiful country we have. Just south of P'boro are The Fens which when covered in mist look fantastic. Every now and then you come across a section of track where all you can see is rolling, green hills for miles. Normally there obscure becasue of polution and dirty, hazey air but becasue the air is so clear at the moment it been brilliant. In the sun you can now see a slight green tint start to appear in the woodlands and on the hedgerows along the route. Because it's so early, our wildlife are still up and at em. Until noww it's been too dark to see them but this week I've seen a multitude of rabbits, A smattering of Hares, Pheastants by the dozen and I even a Deer wandering through a small copse.

On an evening I'm now getting howme it it's still light but only just. Like the sunrises, the sunsets I've seen this week have been lovely. In addition to the stunning views, apart from one 15 minute delay in the morning, the trains have run on time and I've been one of the first to travel on the refurbed 125.

It's been a pleasure and a privalidge to travel this week.
Next week I'll be back to my usual grumpy, moany, sacastic self.

I was lucky enough to travel home last night on THE only refurbished HST currently in service and my god what a difference. The seats are definately more comfortable than the 225 equivelant, the noise levels have been vastly reduced, it was clean, the toilets worked, it smelt nice and yes, as others have already mentioned, the lights are very bright.

I actually felt guilty I'd spilled a few drops of my beer (criminal I know) when I opened the can that I got a tissue out to mop it up. There's no way I'd have done that in the old coaches. I'd like to think lord GNER put this set on the 17.20 becasue he knows I use that service and he wanted me to see it and comment on it on this site. In the real world however I'm sure it was just chance. Either way I hope they keep this set on the 17.20 service from now on as it makes the journey home just that little bit more tollerable.

On thing I've noticed this week is the absence of our usual guards on both the 07.20 and 17.20. Other than Matt (the wittiest and funniest guard I've ever come across) I hardly recognised anyone.

Many thanks to the person who sent me a copy of GNER's internal staff magazine. You know who you are.

Having now had time to read through it, I find myself wondering why GNER don't make it or selected articles available to the general public. I found it most informative, particulalry the piece on Our Sean and the refurbishment of the HST fleet.

Half the problem with us passengers and our moans is due in most cases to our total lack of understanding of how the rail industry and TOC's work and what it's like to work there. As far as I can see this little mag could go a long way towards educating us. I found it to be a better, more informative and interesting read than that poxy mag you find in each coach. Not only does it tell readers what's happening within the company, but it doesn't try to sell us anything (which I object too) and also gives us customers an insight we can't currently access anywhere else. At the very least it could be made available on-line so that those that want to read it, can.

Last nights post got me thinking.

I believe 0720 staff has taken this blog a little too personally. The question is what do other GNER employees think? Do you think 0720 staffs comments are justified? Are we moaning old gits who've lost the plot or do we just post items that are relevant to our journey? Have we over stepped the mark? Indeed is there a mark to over step?

Personally I think this blog has changed over the last 9 months. When I started last May, I was very anti GNER. I still am to some degree but I have mellowed one hell of a lot and am more understanding now then I ever was or likely to be without it. As far as I can see we only complain when we feel GNER are a fault or take the michael out of us commuters e.g. Doubling car park charges, leaving us stranded at St Neots, no seat reservations due to printer breakdowns etc. Ultimately I think we've created a place where staff and customers can say what they think or feel. A place where we can learn from each other and see things from the other side of the fence. A place where GNER can learn how to improve their service offering to customers. All of which are, as far as I can see, positive.

What about you?

The following comment was left today on an earlier posting entitled -'As if that's going to help!'

0720 gner staff [Visitor]

2007-03-12 @ 11:09
What a moaning git you are. You are probably one of the stupid prats who block up doorways on arrival into KX or come up from standard to nick the free papers in 1st class and getting in our way meaning we cannot do our job quickly, which in turn causes the very delays you seem to enjoy moaning about so much.

One thing I have to say is this,

If your not happy using the trains, Find another way to work.

If you still continue to use our train, please stop and think for a minute before complaining so much.

The staff shortage isnt due to "trolley dollies sleeping in", its because of the useless rosta team who does the shifts thinking we can cope being 2 or even 3 staff members short.

Trust me, we still offer more services than we should with current staffing levels.

Do me a favour the next time you are on the train, take a trip to the buffet car and see the 3 regulars who get on everyday. They are nice people, have a laugh and bit of banter with us etc...

This is the way we hope our passengers to be.

Remember the old saying about treating people how you want to be treated.

Be a miserable sod and you get it in return. Be pleasant, smile etc... and guess what? We will be the same back to you.
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Correct me if I'm wrong 07.20 GNER Staff, but as I was the only passenger to add anything to this entry, I can only assume it was aimed at me. If it was, I feel I have to respond. If it wasn't, please clarify which of the people posting comments are you refering too?

Anyway: -

1. I don't think I'm a moaning old git and I certainly don't feel like one. I only moan when I have something worth moaning about. On the other hand, people in glass houses, shouldn't..... Oh forget it.
2. No I don't block the doors on arrival into KX. I've got far better things to do with my time than obstuct GNER staff.
3. No I don't enter 1st class to nick papers. I don't nick papers, period. I only enter 1st class when I'm running late and doors further down have been closed or when using one of the measly 4 upgrade vouchers GNER give us season ticket holders (subject to application of course) in which case I'm entitled to a free paper.
4. Are you having a laugh? How does somebody pinching a paper delay a train?
5. Believe me, if I could find a better alternative route to work, I'd take it. Please feel free to enter your suggestions on this blog. I'm sure the hundreds of passengers like me would love to discover what only a select few know already. Better still find me a job locally so I don't have to go anywhere near a station let alone get on a train.
6. Since starting this blogg, I more often than not consider what it's like from your side of the fence. You might have noticed that I have been educated a bit thanks to one or two of your colleagues who post on here. The thing is, I think your taking things a bit too personally mate. Most critisisms in this blog are aimed at GNER not people. More importantly any individual critisisms are almost certainly warrented and I make no appology for that. (Your name wouldn't be Rob would it? That might explain a lot.)
7. I'm sure rota systems are often to blame for some staff shortages but I'm equally sure staff sleeping in and taking days off becasue they're sick or taking sickies are equally to blame. If I'm wrong then GNER should identify what they're giving staff, bottle it and sell it. Sea Containers wmight not have to file for bankrupcy then.
8. Yes I've seen the 3 passengers in the buffet car and I'm sure they're very nice. I think most people would say the same of me.
9. I'm glad to hear you want your passenegrs to be happy. It's your job to try and help us be happy and keep us happy while on board.
10. Yes I remember that old saying. Works both ways though mate.
11. Finally, the staff I see regularly on the 07.20 have my utmost respect. Particularly Sean and Michael.

I have mentioned this before and will continue to do so while this joke of a situation continues. Once again my son and I headed to a sporting event in London on a Sunday (thanks to Sky TV). I know engineering work needs to be done and I know the weekends are the time to do it. But GNER could at least make an effort to provide a service that gets into KX before noon. We arrived to catch the 9.45am FCC service to find the platform packed with people. The train left 15minutes late and was so busy there were people standing from Peterborough, you can imagine how busy it was after doing every stop to Stevenage.

GNER make no effort to provide a service before their 11.15am train. Why cant they put one or two trains on from Peterborough to KX or from Newark to KX ?? (which ever is South of the engineering works) It seems they just can't be bothered and leave it to FCC and their hourly stopping service. Most people I spoke to had bought full priced ticket so they could use GNER on their return journeys and not have to suffer another FCC trip. Come on GNER make a bloody effort. Greedy Nasty and bloody complacent thats what you are.

I've heard there are 2 problems on the ECML both concerning problems with overhead power lines.

The 2 sections affected are between Huntingdon and Peterborough and between Kings Cross and Stevenage. Apparently only nothbound services are affected between KX and Stevenage.

Now learned that the problem between P'boro and Huntingdon have cleared but there are problems southbound at Hitchin. Once again problems are due to overhead powerlines.

I'll post updates later if I get any news.

Hugh Bayley MP for York has received assurances from Railways Minister Tom Harris, that staff based at GNER's York HQ are somewhat protected under regulations known as Transfer of Undertakings (protection of employment) (TUPE). Basically any costs incured relocating York based GNER employees will be paid by by the franchisee.

This doesn't sound like much protection to me. What's to stop the new franchisee sacking the lot and relocating head office somewhere else? Mr Bayley seems to think that these regulations will put preasure on the new opperator to keep the HQ in York, but I can't see why. They either incure costs keeping the York HQ, incurr staff and property relocation costs if they move it elsewhere or incur redundancy and property costs if they make people redundant and move HQ somewhere else.

Either way it will cost. In my experience companies usually go for the cheapest most practicle option. Which option that will be is open to debate. Given that my employer is currently making a large number of people redundant and the uncertainty this situation create, you guys have my sympathy.

A few people who know who I am, keep asking me 2 questions: -
1. Will the Singnalers strike in Scotland affect GNER services south of the boarder?
2. When will the 125 rolling stock be refurbished?

Look people (and you know who you are), stop asking me dumb questions. I write a blog of my experiences, my thoughts and feelings and things that I see and hear. I don't work for GNER, I'm not a investagative journalist, I'm not a rail expert. I'm a commuter, plain and simple.

Perhaps our friends at GNER can enlighten you or alternative, call GNER HQ and ask them. Their Customer elations telephone number is aptly: - 08457 225225

Its been mad at work for the past week, thanks to a small drop in the Chinese stock market and the ramblings of an 81 year old ex central banker, (who said I don't work in the real world!!!), anyway its times like this that I/we all need a good train service and thankfully, so far, thats what I have had, I think a few delays would have sent me over the edge.
Anyway, the extra hours at work have meant catching a later train, its generally been the 18.30,which as you know I am not a fan off because of the difficulty getting a seat due to our friends from Stevenage. One day last week I missed it by -1minute, (yes I know the gates have to be closed 1 minute early), oh well never mind I'll get the 18.50 Leeds train that stops at Peterborough, except that no longer seems to exist, but there is an 18.50 Hull trains service that does not stop at Peterborough. I thought GNER were supposed to be providing more services to Leeds not taking them away??

I read in yesterdays NOTW (Bought for the footi reports) that TOCs are ripping us passengers off. Nothiong new to learn there then. What is surprising is to what extent.

The NOTW gave a working example. A peak time Std Open return ticket between Newcastle and London will cost you £224. However, buy a saver return between Newcastle & P'boro and a Std Open return between P'boro and London and the cost will be £144.90. A full £79.10 cheaper.

I tried to check this on the GNER web siteand thy're right. A peak time Std Open return ticket between Newcastle and London does appear to cost £224. But a Std open return London/P'boro ticket costs £34 which when added to the £76.90 a Newcastle/P'boro saver return will cost you, comes to £110.90. Alternatively buy a peak rate P'boro/London std open return for £68 and like the paper sayes, the total is £144.90.

The question is, do ticketing staff advise customers how to get the cheapest fare. My experience has told me they do and web sites don't. So if you want the cheapest fare, go to your local station or call natioanl rail enquiries. Don't book online cos you need to be an expert or prefferably, work in a ticket office to sus the best prices out. Of course if your loaded, carry on.

I received a request today from the team that run the 'Train Delays'website. For those that don't know, these are the people who help passengers cla