Like Penforld I got had today as a result of the line failure between Huntingdon & Tinsel Town. To make matter worse I was meant to be going to Royal Ascot, as a guest of one of my suppliers, in their lovely plush box which is right next to the Royal Enclosure. I'm sure you'll agree, that would have been a nice day and I get paid for the privalidge.

To say I'm not happy is an understatement. I've taken the decision to try again at 10 o'clock but if I can't get on a train by then, forget it. It's not worth going as I won't get there until gone 2pm. The only positive I can take from this debacle is that GNER are not to blame.

10.15 update:-
No GNER services into KX yet and they haven't said when they will.
FCC are running a few southbound services however expect delays of up to 1 1/2 hours I presume becasue trains are stopping at every station on route.

Dear old Queen Lizzie (if she's going to Ascot today) will have to do without the pleasure of my company.

11.25 update -

THIS IS ON THE FCC WEBSITE -Due to overhead power lines being down between Peterborough and Huntingdon, First Capital Connect train services are unable to operate North of Huntingdon. All FCC trains to and from London are starting from and terminating at Huntingdon.

From 1100 until approximately 1530 the line between Peterborough and Huntingdon will be closed to enable Network Rail to repair the overhead electric power lines. During this time, GNER will operate a limited diesel shuttle service between Peterborough and King’s Cross, which will call at Huntingdon and Stevenage only in each direction. FCC tickets will be accepted on these services. Rail replacement buses will continue to shuttle between Huntingdon and Peterborough.

First Capital Connect will operate services between Huntingdon and London King’s Cross, following the normal stopping patterns.

Tickets valid for travel between Peterborough and King's Cross station may be used on First Capital Connect Thameslink route services between Bedford and central London stations.

Subject to repairs being completed by 1530 services will then begin to return to normal. Inevitably there will be residual disruption and delays for the rest of the afternoon.

There is likely to be some overcrowding on the GNER diesel services between Peterborough and London King’s Cross and on the FCC services from Huntingdon to King’s Cross. Customers are advised not to travel unless absolutely essential.

Evening Peak Services
We hope to operate a full evening peak service out of London today.

AND THIS IS ON THE GNER WEBSITE: -
Due to a overhead line problem at Peterborough GNER services are being severely disrupted today
Passengers are advised not to travel unless their journey is absolutely necessary.
Tickets for today will be valid tomorrow
Midland Mainline. Virgin West Coast and First Capital Connect are accepting GNER tickets.

Obviously FCC are significantly better than GNER at giving their customers useful and accurate information which actually helps them make a decision as to the best course of action for them.

16.30 UPDATE.
Anybody got to go to the office or wondering if they're gonna get home? FCC website says services started to return to normal sometime after 3pm so get going now.

Overslept (I blame the new Wii!), and made it to the station by 7.10, in time for the 7.20, to see a train sat in the platform.

"Hrm," thinks I, "the 7.00's late."

Park the car. Train still hasn't moved, and folks are starting to flood back from the station itself.

"That," I observe to a passer by, "Doesn't look promising, Is that the 7.00?"

"No, mate. It's the 6.15. Lines down to the south."

Time to work from home, methinks.

Update: 0830: still no update on the GNER or FCC sites, despite local radio reporting all trains cancelled, and the live arrivals/departures board is just a complete joke.

I was passed, while standing in the buffet of the 6.15 last week, by someone muttering words to the effect of "thirty £$%^&*( quid, and I can't get a $%^&*() seat..."

Can't help feeling there are some over-inflated expectations at work here. For those of you who don't catch the 6.15 - um, please carry on not, ok? Standing and looking round coach H, just about everyone has the seat next to them free, unless by choice. And it's pretty much the same all up the train.

Whatever you might feel about the lack of elbow room in a standard class seat? There are definitely free seats!