Almost got trapped inside Leamington Spa station for the night

[Vectorspace]

I was on the 22:30 from Marylebone last night (4th March). It was delayed for 90 minutes at Banbury waiting for train crew, due to the earlier major incident (not commenting on that). The last train of the night, the 23:07, overtook us at Banbury while we were waiting.

When we finally got to Leamington, the main entrance doors were locked, and there were no customer facing staff in sight. It was only because some (presumably) non-customer-facing workers in full high vis were down the platform and saw us, that we were able to leave. They did not have keys for the main entrance so they had to let us out the back way. They said they were not expecting us (I think - I was very tired)

Can anyone offer any insight on why this happened, and what should have happened? I wonder if because the 23:07 beat us to Leamington, and the board no longer listed us as a departure, the staff incorrectly assumed our train was not coming and closed up for the night?

 

[class442]

Certainly not this first time this sort of thing has happened: Avanti passengers locked in Oxenholme station after late train

As to the reasons, that sounds plausible. If I was you I would like to ask Chiltern for an explanation as it sounds like you could have been there much longer if those workers weren't there.

 

[Vectorspace]

Thanks.
I have already reported it on the Chiltern website.

 

[Russel]

This sort of thing should never happen, but, given how fragmented the railways are, I'm surprised it doesn't happen more often.

 

[voyagerdude220]

I'm not making excuses for the Staff involved- but I wonder if the Station Staff at Leamington Spa either forgot about the train the OP was on (particularly with it seemingly being held at Banbury, whereas the later timed train went through to Leamington Spa without delay at Banbury) or thought it had been terminated at Banbury with it being held for so long.

Looking at Realtime Trains- the train which overtook the OP's train eventually departed LMS at 00:54- at that time the OP's train was still being held at Banbury.

 

[Dr Hoo]

This sort of thing should never happen, but, given how fragmented the railways are, I'm surprised it doesn't happen more often.

I’m having difficulty in understanding why an instance of a Chiltern train booked to call at a Chiltern-operated station suffers from ‘fragmentation’.

 

[jawr256]

Just out of curiosity, were you prevented from switching to the 23:07 (00:03 from Banbury) while you were stopped at Banbury? If Chiltern had given you this option, you'd have reached Leamington an hour earlier.

 

[Russel]

I’m having difficulty in understanding why an instance of a Chiltern train booked to call at a Chiltern-operated station suffers from ‘fragmentation’.

I was referring to the rail industry in general, I never mentioned Chiltern specifically, re-read my post.

 

[Vectorspace]

Just out of curiosity, were you prevented from switching to the 23:07 (00:03 from Banbury) while you were stopped at Banbury? If Chiltern had given you this option, you'd have reached Leamington an hour earlier.

The train staff didn't suggest it, or even mention it.
I saw the train arrive 2 platforms over, but assumed it would be queued behind us and we'd leave first - last announcement was that the new train crew were due very soon (it wasn't soon). It wasn't until it left ahead of us that the possibility occurred to me.

 

[Adam Williams]

Kenilworth has got an emergency one-way exit from the platform, though it's not something you'd ever need to use unless something was on fire, because it's otherwise left open.
I've always been surprised that this arrangement seemingly doesn't exist at many, much larger stations.

I don't know what I'd do at Leamington if I was stuck and it was entirely unstaffed - I know there's an access road/ramp near the station garden on platform 1, perhaps the gate there is easier to climb over than some of the others?

 

[Vectorspace]

Knowing more than the average layperson about uk railways, I would have googled Network Rail Emergency Telephone if those workers hadn't been there to let us out.
Otherwise I would have called 999.

 

[Parallel]

Knowing more than the average layperson about uk railways, I would have googled Network Rail Emergency Telephone if those workers hadn't been there to let us out.
Otherwise I would have called 999.

A lot of stations have help points too, which is probably what I’d attempt to use first.

 

[Vectorspace]

A lot of stations have help points too, which is probably what I’d attempt to use first.

Might not have thought to look for one, I was so tired. But hopefully I would have noticed one in the immediate vicinity

 

[Horizon22]

Kenilworth has got an emergency one-way exit from the platform, though it's not something you'd ever need to use unless something was on fire, because it's otherwise left open.
I've always been surprised that this arrangement seemingly doesn't exist at many, much larger stations.

I don't know what I'd do at Leamington if I was stuck and it was entirely unstaffed - I know there's an access road/ramp near the station garden on platform 1, perhaps the gate there is easier to climb over than some of the others?

Most unstaffed stations do have some sort of side exit and I know stations in London have similar to what you mention in Kenilworth with an emergency bar / egress from the inside only.

 

[Ghostbus]

Otherwise I would have called 999.

You mean 101.

 

[Dave W]

You mean 101.

Do they? Reckon being trapped is an emergency worthy of 999...

 

[styles]

I had slightly worse than this once. I got locked inside a waiting room.

At the time I was a poor student, and the only train I could afford got me to my destination the night before the course I was attending the following morning. The waiting room had a wee button which put the heater on for about 10 minutes. After my train had arrived I'd planned to sit in the waiting room keeping warm until I got kicked out, but instead, I got locked in for the night. I had a sleeping bag and bivvy bag with me as I've planned to find a quiet corner of a field or similar to kip in, but actually the waiting room was much better! I woke up acouple of times during the night and pushed the button to get the room toasty again.

The concerning thing of course was that there was no emergency exit - it was a small room with one door, locked with a mortice key. If I'd needed to get out I'd have had to smash a window.

I get that you can't always completely clear a station, e.g. if a passenger hangs around for hours and you don't spot them; but I'd have thought that before locking any room, one would check that said room is empty!

 

[Ghostbus]

Do they? Reckon being trapped is an emergency worthy of 999...

Based on what? No imminent risk to life, no urgent medical need. No vulnerable adults or children. No crime in progress. What would the answer to the question "Police, Fire or Ambulance?" really be in this situation? The 999 folks can get pretty assy if you can't immediately answer, because it's usually a sign there's no emergency, you just need some non-emergency assistance, so tying them up with this call might actually put someone else at risk.

No offence of the OP, but I can't think from what's been said so far that he's withholding any pertinent information that might mean his intention to call 999 was justifiable. And they did say they would be ringing NRET first, which does suggest a lack of emergency. Even they might have got a bit cross, given the name "National Rail Emergency Telephone" implies it's the railway 999 service, but others probably know better. Maybe they do deal with both emergencies and lesser incidents. Couldn't tell you. But I'd certainly check first before assuming the latter (I'm assuming the OP had a smartphone).

In this scenario it seems, the OP locked in a station, then having established they were an able bodied adult in full possession of their faculties and other than feeling cold, tired and presumably very annoyed but not at risk of hypothermia if they do actually have a warm coat and shelter, then [edit: in my opinion and limited experience] they'd politely but firmly tell you that this is not an emergency. And if you did anything but ah, OK, you're probably right, they'd tell you misuse of the 999 service is a criminal offence.

They'd surely say please call 101, who will presumably text you the details of someone who can actually help to get you out of this non-emergency incident, such as a keyholder or a locksmith. And maybe, if they're available, send a police officer simply to check you got out and be a witness to any required damage to railway property.

And of course as a witness for the prosecution of the TOC for whichever offence best fits (Health and Safety?). The last one being what should happen in an ideal world but never will, because reasons.

Edited to clarify opinion/fact.

 

[styles]

In this scenario it seems, the OP locked in a station, then having established they were an able bodied adult in full possession of their faculties and other than feeling cold, tired and presumably very annoyed but not at risk of hypothermia if they do actually have a warm coat and shelter, then they'd politely but firmly tell you that this is not an emergency. And if you did anything but ah, OK, you're probably right, they'd tell you misuse of the 999 service is a criminal offence.

They'd surely say please call 101, who will presumably text you the details of someone who can actually help to get you out of this non-emergency incident, such as a keyholder or a locksmith. And maybe, if they're available, send a police officer simply to check you got out and be a witness to any required damage to railway property.

Agree with your reply, except this bit - if you call 999 for something like this and they believe it to be a non-emergency, they'll usually just take the details anyway and inform you that it's not an emergency so you might be waiting a while for assistance.

Not advocating for calling 999 here, but the operator would help you out.

 

[Snow1964]

Most unstaffed stations do have some sort of side exit and I know stations in London have similar to what you mention in Kenilworth with an emergency bar / egress from the inside only.

Generally unstaffed stations (and there are over 1000 of them) are never locked.

Some are staffed part of the day only (my local one is) but side gates always open (it was left wide open even during a full weekend closure recently). Nothing to stop you wandering onto platform at 4am and watching freight trains pass through if you want to

 

[JKP]

Agree with your reply, except this bit - if you call 999 for something like this and they believe it to be a non-emergency, they'll usually just take the details anyway and inform you that it's not an emergency so you might be waiting a while for assistance.

Not advocating for calling 999 here, but the operator would help you out.

999 is memorable from childhood. 101 I would never think of.

 

[styles]

999 is memorable from childhood. 101 I would never think of.

And I think that's part of the reason they're quite forgiving. As long as you're not calling for an obviously ludicrous reason like your fish and chips are cold, they'll help you out, but maybe tell you to call 101 next time.

 

[Haywain]

I wonder if because the 23:07 beat us to Leamington, and the board no longer listed us as a departure, the staff incorrectly assumed our train was not coming

I can imagine that the train was 'cancelled' as far as departure from stations beyond Banbury were concerned, and that could have misled the staff if it wasn't properly communicated.

 

[BanburyBlue]

This sounds horrific.

So out of interest, how many staff are left on a station like Leamington Spa at that time in the morning?
Knowing my local station, there are (illegal) ways to get out of the station by walking over the track etc, so a bit concerning of the safety issues of desperate people trying that.

 

[NickBucks]

Slightly off topic but Geoff Marshall has posted within the last couple of days a You Tube video about a day he spent with Network Rails Emergency Intervention Unit. Although focusing on Sussex no doubt they have a base in the Leamington area although may take a while to get to you. If a call to 101 could be passed through to these people it could have been your salvation and has the benefit that because they are aligned with Network Rail they could follow up with the station on locking up procedures and emergency evacuation routes.

 

[Ghostbus]

Agree with your reply, except this bit - if you call 999 for something like this and they believe it to be a non-emergency, they'll usually just take the details anyway and inform you that it's not an emergency so you might be waiting a while for assistance.

Not advocating for calling 999 here, but the operator would help you out.

Well yes, as I said, they'd surely establish to their satisfaction there is no emergency. Including in this scenario I guess, a potentially diabetic person about to collapse (tired, confused, delayed). And I've edited to make it clear that in my opinion, if satisfied, they'd firmly remind you this is not an emergency.

Unless you know differently, then again in my opinion, I can't agree with "operator would help you out" in this scenario if it's being implied they would stay on the line exploring options and taking and giving detailed information. They'd surely take only the basics and direct you to 101. Hopefully politely.

It's a bit scary this number is not more widely known, because it has been in existence since 2011. That said, even I almost mistakenly typed 111 in the original reply! And I was wide awake and safely at home.

 

[The exile]

Based on what? No imminent risk to life, no urgent medical need. No vulnerable adults or children. No crime in progress. What would the answer to the question "Police, Fire or Ambulance?" really be in this situation? The 999 folks can get pretty assy if you can't immediately answer, because it's usually a sign there's no emergency, you just need some non-emergency assistance, so tying them up with this call might actually put someone else at risk.

No offence of the OP, but I can't think from what's been said so far that he's withholding any pertinent information that might mean his intention to call 999 was justifiable. And they did say they would be ringing NRET first, which does suggest a lack of emergency. Even they might have got a bit cross, given the name "National Rail Emergency Telephone" implies it's the railway 999 service, but others probably know better. Maybe they do deal with both emergencies and lesser incidents. Couldn't tell you. But I'd certainly check first before assuming the latter (I'm assuming the OP had a smartphone).

In this scenario it seems, the OP locked in a station, then having established they were an able bodied adult in full possession of their faculties and other than feeling cold, tired and presumably very annoyed but not at risk of hypothermia if they do actually have a warm coat and shelter, then [edit: in my opinion and limited experience] they'd politely but firmly tell you that this is not an emergency. And if you did anything but ah, OK, you're probably right, they'd tell you misuse of the 999 service is a criminal offence.

They'd surely say please call 101, who will presumably text you the details of someone who can actually help to get you out of this non-emergency incident, such as a keyholder or a locksmith. And maybe, if they're available, send a police officer simply to check you got out and be a witness to any required damage to railway property.

And of course as a witness for the prosecution of the TOC for whichever offence best fits (Health and Safety?). The last one being what should happen in an ideal world but never will, because reasons.

Edited to clarify opinion/fact.

Trapped next to the running lines of a busy railway with no guarantee that anyone else trapped in there with you isn’t about to do something that would put themselves in danger or prejudice safety on the railway…. “Next time please wait until people start walking along the tracks”

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Mar 2025 ==

It's a bit scary this number is not more widely known, because it has been in existence since 2011. That said, even I almost mistakenly typed 111 in the original reply! And I was wide awake and safely at home.

Doesn’t have the “punch” of 999 as well as being a “newbie”. Certainly doesn’t immediately spring to my mind and sort of assumed that if you rang a non emergency line at the time in question here you’d probably get an answering machine!

 

[infobleep]

I was referring to the rail industry in general, I never mentioned Chiltern specifically, re-read my post.

But to be fair, this thread is about Chiltern and not the railway industry in general.

 

[styles]

Unless you know differently, then again in my opinion, I can't agree with "operator would help you out" in this scenario if it's being implied they would stay on the line exploring options and taking and giving detailed information. They'd surely take only the basics and direct you to 101. Hopefully politely.

They would take details and make enquiries very similar to as if you'd called 101, except with a (polite) lesson on when to call 999. They wouldn't tell you to call back on 101 normally.

 

[bleeder4]

I've certainly arrived back at some unstaffed or part time staffed stations after the staff have all gone home, but they're never locked up. I would have thought that most stations have some sort of side entrance that's available.