A 'fun' day. Compounding the issue at Brighton was a lineside fire at Arundel junction. My train from Horsham to Portsmouth was 15 late leaving Horsham and 45 late into Barnham. Terminated at Havant for an on time run back to Brighton.
Most punters were ok, tried to keep them informed. Punters who had issues were mainly ones on heading back to Brighton, who just did not listen, or read the CIS's, or note that my train had Brighton on the front and side and thus was not going to London. (that train was 3 mins behind).
Anyway, the jacking equipment to get the train back onto the track had to come down from Didcott. The DBS guys with the tools were arriving at Brighton station just as I was leaving (21.30).
I know the driver involved and the poss reason, but will not discuss it here.
Note: when told to listen for next departures, don't leave the platform, then moan when you come back that a train has gone. and if the person right in front of you has asked a question "does this train go to Gatwick?". On hearing the answer "Yes". This means it is and you do not have to ask the same question, x 100
Last night I did ask a few times as I wanted to know different things. I would have asked less had I had mobile data coverage from O2. They have great customer service but do suffer from coverage issues.
One question I asked was if the next train arriving would also be full. I was told two trains were due to arrive shortly. That actually wasn't the case as one of them was still delayed. However fortunately the train that did arrive had space for most of us.
Up until that pint there had been two trains which had no room or ran out of room at Clapham Junction and one non stopping Gatwick Express service, which looked like it did have room.
Perhaps they didn't want to delay the train further. However I'm currently running today with an 11 minute delay and we stopped additionally at Gatwick Airport, although not according to National Rail Enquiries, which doesn't show our additional stop.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Well units are all over and not helped by a one under at West Norwood.
Sorry to hear about the one under. My thoughts go out to the driver and all concerned.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Lovely series of comments on the train at East Croydon last night, just after I get a seat.
I will astrix out the couple of swear words but if it's not acceptable still please remove. I don't want to offend anyone.
Passenger woman A heads to seat on packed train.
Passenger woman B,with suitcase, behind passenger woman A says in a harsh abrupt tone: "Excuse me that's my seat".
Passenger woman A nicely but firmly replies: "I was hear first".
Passenger woman B: "I've got a back problem so go **** yourself!"
I also think the word bringing with c may have been used at some point too, possibly from Passenger woman B. I think passenger woman A did respond at one point but I didn't catch it. Passenger woman A ended up standing until Gatwick Airport.
You couldn't make this up. I then spy an elderly man standing with a walking stick. He's just got on and walked down to beside where I'm sitting.
Me: "Excuse me, would you like a seat?"
Elderly man "Thank you".
He told me he was getting off at Gatwick Airport and he offered me back my seat then. I rarely come across elderly people needing a seat, so for it to happen straight after the previous exchange was interesting to say the least.
May be Passenger woman B did have a back problem but no need to be rude. I've got ankylosing spondylitis [arthritis] and I wouldn't be that rude.