Returning from Nottingham to Derby this evening, I was intending to get the 18.41 XC Birmingham service but it was rather well loaded and was a couple of minutes late.
I noticed on the boards that the 18.20 EMT service to Matlock hadn't yet gone and was expected to depart at 18.50 so I thought I'd get that instead. Somewhat strangely it was being shown as first stop Derby, also not stopping at Whatstandwell, Cromford or Matlock Bath, probably because it was late.
It was on Platform 4B and the conductor made an announcement (albeit not too audible) before leaving that it was first stop Derby. When he came round to check tickets, there were several people who wanted Beeston and Attenborough and they were none too happy when he told them they would have to go to Derby.
Approaching Attenborough, we had caught up with the XC service which had stopped at Beeston and guess what; we were brought to a stand in Attenborough platform. One rather strident woman was shouting at the conductor 'I demand you open the door NOW!' (it was a single Cl.153) The conductor was trying to explain it wasn't a station stop, just a signal check but she and the rest wouldn't accept it and seemed to think the hapless conductor had gone mad!
The woman then pulled the pass-com, the driver contacted the conductor and told him he may as well open the door and let them off. About ten people left the train not believing a word the conductor had said and thinking it was all pure belligerence.
On arrival at Derby, the conductor then had to explain that the train would not be stopping at Whatstandwell, Cromford or Matlock Bath and passengers for those stations should stay on the train to Matlock because it would be all stops on the way back!
You have to feel for the conductor when circumstances conspire to make them look completely foolish in front of a train load of passengers!
I noticed on the boards that the 18.20 EMT service to Matlock hadn't yet gone and was expected to depart at 18.50 so I thought I'd get that instead. Somewhat strangely it was being shown as first stop Derby, also not stopping at Whatstandwell, Cromford or Matlock Bath, probably because it was late.
It was on Platform 4B and the conductor made an announcement (albeit not too audible) before leaving that it was first stop Derby. When he came round to check tickets, there were several people who wanted Beeston and Attenborough and they were none too happy when he told them they would have to go to Derby.
Approaching Attenborough, we had caught up with the XC service which had stopped at Beeston and guess what; we were brought to a stand in Attenborough platform. One rather strident woman was shouting at the conductor 'I demand you open the door NOW!' (it was a single Cl.153) The conductor was trying to explain it wasn't a station stop, just a signal check but she and the rest wouldn't accept it and seemed to think the hapless conductor had gone mad!
The woman then pulled the pass-com, the driver contacted the conductor and told him he may as well open the door and let them off. About ten people left the train not believing a word the conductor had said and thinking it was all pure belligerence.
On arrival at Derby, the conductor then had to explain that the train would not be stopping at Whatstandwell, Cromford or Matlock Bath and passengers for those stations should stay on the train to Matlock because it would be all stops on the way back!
You have to feel for the conductor when circumstances conspire to make them look completely foolish in front of a train load of passengers!