Back in 2019, on 27 December. Intending to catch 1Z14, the 1031 Great Western from Fratton FTN to Southampthon Central SOU, due to arrive there at 1108. On that day all TOCs in the area were having various minor to moderate problems, but I had tracked the unit due to form the 1031 on its journey into Portsmouth, so I was confident it would go out again.
Waiting at Fratton. At 1028 the displayed information on the passenger information changed from indicating an on-time arrival for the 1031, to showing it as Cancelled. Knowing that waiting for the next scheduled direct service would result in me missing my appointment, I immediately got on the SWR Waterloo-via-Havant train which was currently at the platform, so as to change at Havant for trains back.
The journey from Havant onwards to SOU was also eventful but I eventually arrived at SOU at 1126, thus 18 down from my intended arrival, thus eligible for Delay Repay.
And the kicker is - the 1031 actually did run as scheduled! Had I looked on opentraintimes maps at 1028, when it was shown as cancelled, I would have seen 1Z14 proceeding on its happy way, somewhere around the Portsmouth and Southsea area.
The question is, who to claim from? GWR whose train did actually run, despite (their?) claims to the contrary at the time? Or SWR, who run Fratton and therefore the information system in question?
Waiting at Fratton. At 1028 the displayed information on the passenger information changed from indicating an on-time arrival for the 1031, to showing it as Cancelled. Knowing that waiting for the next scheduled direct service would result in me missing my appointment, I immediately got on the SWR Waterloo-via-Havant train which was currently at the platform, so as to change at Havant for trains back.
The journey from Havant onwards to SOU was also eventful but I eventually arrived at SOU at 1126, thus 18 down from my intended arrival, thus eligible for Delay Repay.
And the kicker is - the 1031 actually did run as scheduled! Had I looked on opentraintimes maps at 1028, when it was shown as cancelled, I would have seen 1Z14 proceeding on its happy way, somewhere around the Portsmouth and Southsea area.
The question is, who to claim from? GWR whose train did actually run, despite (their?) claims to the contrary at the time? Or SWR, who run Fratton and therefore the information system in question?