I got a Southeastern train to Victoria last Friday, early evening, without incident. We had to get to Balham so we were going to use the underground then the missus pipes up that there's a Southern train leaving from platform 10 (right around the dark side) in 2-minutes that stops at Balham and would save changing/faffing on the underground so we let it round the corner, squeeze ourself onto an already bursting carriage and then wait, and then wait some more. After 3 or 4 minutes that felt like an eternity in someone's armpit the driver pipes up "I'll keep this brief because I have to but I've already informed the platform staff but a previous passenger on this train has been smoking some illicit substances right behind my door and I can smell it in my cabin and I'm not prepared to drive the train in that state so there will be a delay to this service"
When you think back though those slam doors were bloody dangerous. Also, those single carriages with about eight people on each side facing each other. And half of them smoking. We may not think so sometimes but a lot of things have changed for the better.
Still a bunch of wankers though.
And sometimes there were people standing too! God forbid anyone who asked for the window to be lowered.
(Do not clean soot off the window) Remember that?
Counted 22 in one of those single compartments once.
Still at least the managers pay and the train leasing companies profit weren’t the priority in those days!
I remember about 1990 there had been bad snow and trains were really delayed. Me and girlfriend managed to squeeze onto a single carriage car at Abbey Wood and I was literally crammed against the door praying the locking mechanism wouldn't fail.
At next stop Woolwich Arsenal, people were doing the using 'room for a little one' routine but we just couldn't physically let any more people on. The whistle went so I slammed the door shut and we pulled out of the station. A bloke was getting very irate and shouting and pointing at me as we left the platform but thought serves you right for trying to push onto the train.
As we disappeared down the track, one of the other passengers said ' didn't you realise he had put his briefcase in the overhead rack as he was trying to squeeze on?'
When you think back though those slam doors were bloody dangerous. Also, those single carriages with about eight people on each side facing each other. And half of them smoking. We may not think so sometimes but a lot of things have changed for the better.
Still a bunch of wankers though.
On the vomit commit and opening the door as the train's still moving and going head first out the door and landing face down on the Bexleyheath platform - good old days.
It's my birthday today. Decided to celebrate in style by staying at home and not going near any trains.
Just looked up the disruption. It's a joke, every day there's an issue. Their timetable is the most meaningless document ever-produced. I cannot believe that this is allowed to happen in a supposedly developed country.
It's my birthday today. Decided to celebrate in style by staying at home and not going near any trains.
Just looked up the disruption. It's a joke, every day there's an issue. Their timetable is the most meaningless document ever-produced. I cannot believe that this is allowed to happen in a supposedly developed country.
Happy birthday! Thankfully I get to do the same thing for the same reason tomorrow!
It's my birthday today. Decided to celebrate in style by staying at home and not going near any trains.
Just looked up the disruption. It's a joke, every day there's an issue. Their timetable is the most meaningless document ever-produced. I cannot believe that this is allowed to happen in a supposedly developed country.
Just the 65 minutes to get into Cannon Street this morning....Signal failure broken down..spending l lot.of that scenery in the Kidbrooke tunnel...every f ing day there is something....hate the lot of them....Oh happy.morning......
It has been practically every morning for me on the Bexleyheath line since Christmas. Looks as though I now have a choice; get an early train out or work from home. Trying to travel around 8ish is pointless.
Blackheath to Cannon Street in 1988/89, always got a seat in the rear carriage with the smokers, sometimes one of those sex pest specials. If it was really busy, standing in the guard's van, which nobody seemed worried about.
Just the 65 minutes to get into Cannon Street this morning....Signal failure broken down..spending l lot.of that scenery in the Kidbrooke tunnel...every f ing day there is something....hate the lot of them....Oh happy.morning......
Just the 65 minutes to get into Cannon Street this morning....Signal failure broken down..spending l lot.of that scenery in the Kidbrooke tunnel...every f ing day there is something....hate the lot of them....Oh happy.morning......
It has been practically every morning for me on the Bexleyheath line since Christmas. Looks as though I now have a choice; get an early train out or work from home. Trying to travel around 8ish is pointless.
I assume of course that there was a reduction in the train fares at the turn of the year to account for this poor service..........
It's my birthday today. Decided to celebrate in style by staying at home and not going near any trains.
Just looked up the disruption. It's a joke, every day there's an issue. Their timetable is the most meaningless document ever-produced. I cannot believe that this is allowed to happen in a supposedly developed country.
Just the 65 minutes to get into Cannon Street this morning....Signal failure broken down..spending l lot.of that scenery in the Kidbrooke tunnel...every f ing day there is something....hate the lot of them....Oh happy.morning......
Just the 65 minutes to get into Cannon Street this morning....Signal failure broken down..spending l lot.of that scenery in the Kidbrooke tunnel...every f ing day there is something....hate the lot of them....Oh happy.morning......
It has been practically every morning for me on the Bexleyheath line since Christmas. Looks as though I now have a choice; get an early train out or work from home. Trying to travel around 8ish is pointless.
I assume of course that there was a reduction in the train fares at the turn of the year to account for this poor service..........
The fare increase is literally the only thing you can rely on to arrive on time when it comes to Southeastern.
Was also common to find a grot mag under the seats in one of those carriages.
Much happier times.
Used to really enjoy cleaning those coaches out each evening....yuck
There was the famous (true) story of the headless body in one of those single "doggy kennel" compartments, in the early 80's A chap gets on the train, and during the journey decided to look out of the window. He stayed there, looking out until the train arrived. He was looking out the opposite side to the platforms, so no one was concerned. When the train arrived in London, the station staff were walking along, closing open doors etc and saw him still standing there. They called him, but he didn't respond, so went into the coach and shook him, at which point his headless body fell back into the coach. Needless to say, the poor old platform man was rather shaken up. They did find his head, I believe it was a considerable way back, somewhere around the dartford area.
Was also common to find a grot mag under the seats in one of those carriages.
Much happier times.
Used to really enjoy cleaning those coaches out each evening....yuck
There was the famous (true) story of the headless body in one of those single "doggy kennel" compartments, in the early 80's A chap gets on the train, and during the journey decided to look out of the window. He stayed there, looking out until the train arrived. He was looking out the opposite side to the platforms, so no one was concerned. When the train arrived in London, the station staff were walking along, closing open doors etc and saw him still standing there. They called him, but he didn't respond, so went into the coach and shook him, at which point his headless body fell back into the coach. Needless to say, the poor old platform man was rather shaken up. They did find his head, I believe it was a considerable way back, somewhere around the dartford area.
Imagine if MrLargo was commuting in the 80's. Closing the line to look for a missing head would not have been on his list of acceptable reasons to cancel or delay trains.
Was also common to find a grot mag under the seats in one of those carriages.
Much happier times.
Used to really enjoy cleaning those coaches out each evening....yuck
There was the famous (true) story of the headless body in one of those single "doggy kennel" compartments, in the early 80's A chap gets on the train, and during the journey decided to look out of the window. He stayed there, looking out until the train arrived. He was looking out the opposite side to the platforms, so no one was concerned. When the train arrived in London, the station staff were walking along, closing open doors etc and saw him still standing there. They called him, but he didn't respond, so went into the coach and shook him, at which point his headless body fell back into the coach. Needless to say, the poor old platform man was rather shaken up. They did find his head, I believe it was a considerable way back, somewhere around the dartford area.
Imagine if MrLargo was commuting in the 80's. Closing the line to look for a missing head would not have been on his list of acceptable reasons to cancel or delay trains.
Used to use those old trains to get to school in the early/mid 90's. Delays and cancellations were welcomed back then, missed plenty of lessons due to general train crapness, although never heard the lost head excuse!
Firstly happy birthday @MrLargo hope you've had a good one.
No comment from me today as I haven't yet been delayed. My train This morning got into Victoria 1 minute after it's scheduled arrival. That's the best it's been all year so I'll take it.
Currently waiting for my train to leave Victoria to get home. Let's wait and see if they can make it 2 in 2. I'll not hold my breath.
Comments
Still at least the managers pay and the train leasing companies profit weren’t the priority in those days!
Me and girlfriend managed to squeeze onto a single carriage car at Abbey Wood and I was literally crammed against the door praying the locking mechanism wouldn't fail.
At next stop Woolwich Arsenal, people were doing the using 'room for a little one' routine but we just couldn't physically let any more people on.
The whistle went so I slammed the door shut and we pulled out of the station. A bloke was getting very irate and shouting and pointing at me as we left the platform but thought serves you right for trying to push onto the train.
As we disappeared down the track, one of the other passengers said ' didn't you realise he had put his briefcase in the overhead rack as he was trying to squeeze on?'
Signal failure, two broken down trains, congestion and shortage of drivers.
Cunts.
Just looked up the disruption. It's a joke, every day there's an issue. Their timetable is the most meaningless document ever-produced. I cannot believe that this is allowed to happen in a supposedly developed country.
This is a fucking joke
Blackheath to Cannon Street in 1988/89, always got a seat in the rear carriage with the smokers, sometimes one of those sex pest specials. If it was really busy, standing in the guard's van, which nobody seemed worried about.
There was the famous (true) story of the headless body in one of those single "doggy kennel" compartments, in the early 80's
A chap gets on the train, and during the journey decided to look out of the window. He stayed there, looking out until the train arrived. He was looking out the opposite side to the platforms, so no one was concerned.
When the train arrived in London, the station staff were walking along, closing open doors etc and saw him still standing there. They called him, but he didn't respond, so went into the coach and shook him, at which point his headless body fell back into the coach. Needless to say, the poor old platform man was rather shaken up. They did find his head, I believe it was a considerable way back, somewhere around the dartford area.
RIP @cantersaddick
He chose to run away from Mr Murder.
No comment from me today as I haven't yet been delayed. My train This morning got into Victoria 1 minute after it's scheduled arrival. That's the best it's been all year so I'll take it.
Currently waiting for my train to leave Victoria to get home. Let's wait and see if they can make it 2 in 2. I'll not hold my breath.
Classic victims error there.
https://youtu.be/tQslnmcHOeM