Deepgreen
Established Member
I made a fairly simple trip yesterday from Gomshall to Fareham and back, via Guildford and Havant. Some notes from the day's rail experience:
1. The ticket seller/guard from Gomshall was unable to sell tickets because his phone was dead and he had no charger!! This seems to be an absolutely fundamental issue regarding on-train ticket selling - does this happen often?
2. At Guildford, all the station platform lights were on at 0930, and were still on when I returned at 1730. I have seen the same problem at many other stations - why is this so prevalent (are they not light-sensitive these days?)?
3. On my return from Fareham, my intended 1558 train to Waterloo via Guildford was reported as "Cancelled due to severe weather"! The day was hot but fine - any ideas what the "severe weather" meant? Was it buckled rails (all other trains seemed to be running on the same routes) or excessive drying of formations (same applies)? The station staff at Fareham said yes it was cancelled AGAIN - suggesting that it is cancelled often, so is 'severe weather' wheeled out as an excuse each time? There was open laughter from passengers waiting when the annoucement was made. If it was a track issue, it would be far better to say that. BTW, the ECS to form the working left Northam depot on time but then gave up, according to RTT.
4. At Guildford, yet more cancellations were in place owing to a problem near Wanborough. A Farnham working was replaced by a bus and the platform display told us that there would be a "replacement bus at the..." - end of message!
5. My 1806 train to Gomshall was delayed and most of the North Downs line trains were late. My train was shown on the platform indicators to turn short at Redhill, rather than going to Gatwick. However the train arrived showing Gatwick on the front indicator and internally as was being announced (recorded) as such at frequent intervals. The internal display also kept telling us were approaching Guildford as we approached Shalford! As we left Guildford I thought I caught a very faint 'live' annoucement, but it was so quiet that it was impossible to hear. I have no idea if it was the guard telling us we would not go to Gatwick because it was inaudible (I have very good hearing). The inability to amend the information to account for what is quite a common service alteration on this line is very poor, and for the guard not to be able to make themsleves heard on the p.a. is dire. As usual, too, the aircon had given up just when it was most needed!
A pretty poor picture all round of day-to-day railway management!
1. The ticket seller/guard from Gomshall was unable to sell tickets because his phone was dead and he had no charger!! This seems to be an absolutely fundamental issue regarding on-train ticket selling - does this happen often?
2. At Guildford, all the station platform lights were on at 0930, and were still on when I returned at 1730. I have seen the same problem at many other stations - why is this so prevalent (are they not light-sensitive these days?)?
3. On my return from Fareham, my intended 1558 train to Waterloo via Guildford was reported as "Cancelled due to severe weather"! The day was hot but fine - any ideas what the "severe weather" meant? Was it buckled rails (all other trains seemed to be running on the same routes) or excessive drying of formations (same applies)? The station staff at Fareham said yes it was cancelled AGAIN - suggesting that it is cancelled often, so is 'severe weather' wheeled out as an excuse each time? There was open laughter from passengers waiting when the annoucement was made. If it was a track issue, it would be far better to say that. BTW, the ECS to form the working left Northam depot on time but then gave up, according to RTT.
4. At Guildford, yet more cancellations were in place owing to a problem near Wanborough. A Farnham working was replaced by a bus and the platform display told us that there would be a "replacement bus at the..." - end of message!
5. My 1806 train to Gomshall was delayed and most of the North Downs line trains were late. My train was shown on the platform indicators to turn short at Redhill, rather than going to Gatwick. However the train arrived showing Gatwick on the front indicator and internally as was being announced (recorded) as such at frequent intervals. The internal display also kept telling us were approaching Guildford as we approached Shalford! As we left Guildford I thought I caught a very faint 'live' annoucement, but it was so quiet that it was impossible to hear. I have no idea if it was the guard telling us we would not go to Gatwick because it was inaudible (I have very good hearing). The inability to amend the information to account for what is quite a common service alteration on this line is very poor, and for the guard not to be able to make themsleves heard on the p.a. is dire. As usual, too, the aircon had given up just when it was most needed!
A pretty poor picture all round of day-to-day railway management!
