Compassion on Northern Rail

[railrambler]

Yesterday I was on a Northern Rail train from Kirkby Stephen to Carlisle (lightly loaded because of engineering works) and at Armathwaite, an elderly gentleman got on and sat across the aisle from myself. As the train departed it came to a sudden halt. My first impression was a mechanical problem and how long was the train going to be sat here.

Next thing the train driver walked down the carriage to consult the guard at the rear carriage; it was not a mechanical problem at all! It appears someone on the platform had alerted the driver that this gentlemen had left his rucksack on the platform bench. So the guard got off and retrieved the rucksack, gave it to the gentleman concerned and the train departed.

In these days of hassle and aggression on the railways what a story to tell. Anyone else got one???

 

[Sad Sprinter]

Yesterday I was on a Northern Rail train from Kirkby Stephen to Carlisle (lightly loaded because of engineering works) and at Armathwaite, an elderly gentleman got on and sat across the aisle from myself. As the train departed it came to a sudden halt. My first impression was a mechanical problem and how long was the train going to be sat here.

Next thing the train driver walked down the carriage to consult the guard at the rear carriage; it was not a mechanical problem at all! It appears someone on the platform had alerted the driver that this gentlemen had left his rucksack on the platform bench. So the guard got off and retrieved the rucksack, gave it to the gentleman concerned and the train departed.

In these days of hassle and aggression on the railways what a story to tell. Anyone else got one???

The inverse for me. A decade ago now a woman dropped her scarf at an Underground station, and I ran onto the train she had got on to give it to her. Was treated to a spontaneous trip to Clapham South.

 

[Trackman]

A while back I was at P4 Bolton, I do not remember the circumstances but a lady came up to me and asked when the next train to Stockport was, at the time there were no trains to Manchester for whatever reason, I tried figuring the route out in my head but couldnt work it out. I advised to go the customer services office (the new one) on the platform which they did.
She came back and thanked me as they booked a taxi for her, she was misdirected in the Manchester area I think.
Well done Northern!

The inverse for me. A decade ago now a woman dropped her scarf at an Underground station, and I ran onto the train she had got on to give it to her. Was treated to a spontaneous trip to Clapham South.

My Brother left his bag on the train with his Uni work in it. After alighting, he realized what had happened and went to the booking office.
The booking office tried ringing the station with no luck and then rang Red Star who said they would look for it, and they did find it and handed it to staff, my brother collected it later that day.
Proper effort this!