Years ago, (late1980’s/90’s) I used to charter trains to support various day outs. A regular was Potters Bar to Folkestone Harbour via the North London Line, (Finsbury Park, Camden, Hampstead Heath, Willesden Junc H.L., Kew, Barnes, last pick up Clapham Junc.)
On board services included a continental breakfast with warm croissants and hot tea and coffee for about 500 people followed by Buck’s fizz, all served by Medical Students dressed in clean rugby shirts who were rewarded with a free day-trip to Boulogne. A Jazz band played in the baggage area.
There was a party atmosphere almost from the outset and by the time we reached Clapham, things were swinging even at 07:50 on a dreary December Saturday morning.
We used platform 3. Imagine the surprise when a commuter, intentionally bound for Waterloo and then the City, discovered on passing Longhedge junction, that the next booked stop was Folkestone Harbour, some 80 miles distant!
Luckily, I noticed on the working timetable there was a crew change booked at Swanley and he was dropped off. At least he got a coffee and a bun and was entertained by the team and the jazz band.
Polar Express? – eat your heart out! This was many years in advance of your tour and was real!
I wonder how he explained his late arrival to his boss!!!