Old Yard Dog
Established Member
- Joined
- 21 Aug 2011
- Messages
- 1,485
I made a rare visit to Paddington this week to catch a train to Slough. Being unfamiliar with the station I waited patiently on the concourse watching the departure board waiting for "Preparing" to change to "Platform 13". This didn't happen until 5 or 6 minutes before the train was due to depart.
I was then surprised to discover that, along with many other old codgers, I needed to walk 200 yards or more with a heavy bag to find my train. I then had to queue up to put my ticket through the electronic gate. It was quite a panic. Wouldn't it make more sense to at least give people a sporting chance by telling them to wait somewhere in the reasonable vicinity of the likely platform?
But to FGW's credit, they did at least hold tight connections for a couple of minutes at both Maidenhead & Twyford as I attempted to get maximum value out of my Thames Valley branches day ranger. I thought the days of holding connections were long gone.
I was then surprised to discover that, along with many other old codgers, I needed to walk 200 yards or more with a heavy bag to find my train. I then had to queue up to put my ticket through the electronic gate. It was quite a panic. Wouldn't it make more sense to at least give people a sporting chance by telling them to wait somewhere in the reasonable vicinity of the likely platform?
But to FGW's credit, they did at least hold tight connections for a couple of minutes at both Maidenhead & Twyford as I attempted to get maximum value out of my Thames Valley branches day ranger. I thought the days of holding connections were long gone.