Have you ever been the only passenger on a train?

[Eng274]

This seems relatable enough that it should be in the same topic, so I shall also ask myself (and others!) the question, have you ever been the only passenger on a bus?

The Lothian Buses N37 trips into town are scarcely loaded (the Penicuik-bound trips are a different story!). But on one occasion between Loanhead and Princes St, not a soul got on/off the bus, and I was the only one on board. Felt even more awkward knowing I was the only one on board, as the upstairs deck had been cordoned off too!

 

[bAzTNM]

I've had a few. All of them being Springburn to Bellgrove mid-morning (10am+). A very odd feeling.

 

[quak_C]

ive been the only passenger on a 318 on the 2315 Glasgow Central to Largs after johnstone a couple of years ago

 

[me123]

Yes. On a Pendolino! During the heavy WCML works between Carlisle and Preston, there was an additional service from Glasgow to Carlisle, presumably to balance stock out or something similar, on a Saturday morning. It was very poorly advertised. I found it online the day beforehand, and didn't realise that it didn't normally run. Turned out that I was the only person on the entire train! I've also been on my own on Motherwell-Cumbernauld services, but that's not quite as surreal being a 156 (as it was then). I was very possibly on my own during the very early days of Airdrie-Bathgate (when it was 1tph with only Blackridge open). I definitely had the carriage to myself, but I don't know about people in other carriages.

 

[exile]

I've had this a few times, but not recently. Last time was the last train to Ribblehead a few years ago. I think the staff were surprised to have even one passenger - the only reason the train went to Ribblehead was so it could reverse at Blea Moor.

 

[brompton rail]

05:52 Doncaster to Selby Northern service rarely carries passengers. Last time I used it the conductor said I'll go and tell the driver 'cause we don't normally get anyone. No really useful onward connections at Selby.

 

[Bristol Rover]

Had an entire FGW HST to myself last year! Last train back from Worcester to Bristol, but due to engineering works it had to divert via Swindon, then reverse back! Took about 2 hours so no one was on it, the Guard kindly invited me to sit in First Class.

 

[Mark_re]

I've been the only one on a train and platform. A midweek evening return from Chathill to the Toon. Boarded the 156 at Acklington, alone as far as Morpeth.

 

[bILLOO]

Been the only one on the once-a-day Stratford - Cheshunt via Seven Sisters train. Does that still run nowadays?

 

[mm333]

Not an entire train, but being the only person in the quiet carriage in a dragged Pendolino over the S&C was pretty cool. Was able to take lots of pictures flitting from one side to the other, which isn't usually possible on a busy 158!

 

[gnolife]

I've had the 21:46 Manchester Ox Road to Wilmslow via Manchester Airpt to myself between Burnage and Manchester Airpt - a 323

 

[GNERman]

The 1903 from YRK to LDS on a Monday is very quiet, i've had that to myself a couple of times...

 

[Turbocharger]

I have had a whole train to myself. Including no driver or guard.

Only for about five minutes though.

 

[Yew]

I took the early morning service between Mansfield and worksop all to myself a few times, a whole 156+153

 

[battersea]

I have been the only passenger once a year or so ago on the Kenssington Olympia - Wandsworth road service.

I took this route a few weeks ago and was also the only person on the train. The staff on the platform kept asking if I was sure this was the train I wanted. The guard told me I was the second passenger that week (it was a Friday). He also seemed to think I was on the wrong train, reminding me that "Wandsworth Road was in the middle of no where."

 

[Drsatan]

I don't think I've ever had an entire train to myself, but on a couple of occasions I've had one coach of the 158 used on the SuO 0835 Romsey - Salisbury via Eastleigh to myself as far as Eastleigh.

On one occasion I had a carriage to myself south of Bristol on the 1805 service from Manchester to Plymouth.

 

[43106]

I don't know if this counts, as it was an LUL train. On a Sunday, I returned to London from Edinburgh via GNER, but my train ripped down OHLE between Northallerton and Thirsk. I had to switch trains at York and arrived at Kings Cross at about 11.50 pm. I got my LUL ticket, and the salesman said that getting to Stanmore wouldn't be a problem. I got a Metropolitan to Wembley Park and had to wait for nearly 10 minutes, getting more agitated by the minute! The Jubilee line train eventually turned up and I got on. When I arrived at Stanmore, I looked back - no-one else was on the platform! Mind you, it was about 12.25 in the morning!

 

[tom1649]

I once had an entire 144 to myself from Brighouse to Huddersfield. It would have been back in November 2004, so ATN days. I remember the wheels kept slipping on the train as the rail conditions were so poor and it took twice as long as usual to get to Huddersfield.

 

[snail]

1205 Lancaster to Morecambe one Sunday. I just missed the 1200 Heysham via Morecambe so had the following train all to myself.

 

[317666]

I've managed to be the only passenger on a 153 before! The 06:43 from Cambridge to Ipswich back in April 2010, I was the only passenger on board until Kennett.

 

[Liam]

I've had a Scotrail 170 to myself before.

When Scotrail did Markinch to Edinburgh stoppers which left Markinch about 10 minutes after the Aberdeen-Edinburgh fast service. I think signalling problems down the coast meant the train was diverted around the Fife Circle, non stop via Cowdenbeath to Inverkeithing. Had a good chat with the guard/TE/whatever they're called now.

 

[district]

Yeah, the 2136 Southern Service to Ashford International from St. Leonards Warrior Square. Just me, the driver and the guard.

 

[David Dunning]

surpisingly the old 0140 Newcastle to York which i used three times a week for two years was rarely empty . I had it to myself the whole journey on only one occasion
although i was alone between darlo and york more frequently ,
This was in 1997/8

 

[SS4]

Not a whole train but I have had the whole of first class to myself on the 0603 ex EUS until Rugby (I was the only one who got breakfast ).

I've had carriages to myself on a 323 on the XCity line when it's been rushed to [stn]FOK[/stn] and possibly the whole train

 

[oversteer]

I've been the only passenger on a Central line train at West Ruislip. I could see down both ends. Not for long though, a couple of people got on at Ruislip Gardens

 

[MrJamesBrown]

Been the only person on the City line in Cardiff a few times. Normally, if I catch the train from Radyr to Fairwater

 

[DelayRepay]

I once had a rail replacement bus to myself between Manchester and Sheffield, in the early hours. The driver dropped me outside my house (which was on the way) saving me a taxi ride.

 

[klewer]

I've had a 321 to myself once - the GEML was knackered (surprise surprise) and I'd just alighted from a packed service at Shenfield due to the heat. Popped out of the station to grab a bottle of water and by the time I got back NXEA had decided to lay on an additional service starting there - had the entire unit to myself all the way to Witham. I was actually sad enough to walk the entire train as I couldn't believe I was the only person on there!

Was quite weird to say the least - used the loo whilst on the train and was struggling with a freshly vandalised toilet door lock that wouldn't work - only dawned on me there was no need to lock it once I'd left the train!

 

[AlexS]

I had the 07xx Codsall to New Street to myself as far as Wolverhampton on a New Years Day a few years ago, with the exception of one guy in the other coach (ATW 158) who was unconscious in the middle of the floor asleep with the guard unconcernedly stepping over him. Also had the 0510 Loughborough to Norwich to myself as far as Melton. I also had the Town Car in Stourbridge to myself once as a 153.

 

[Martin_1981]

I was the only passenger on a Class 142 once from Exeter St Davids to St James Park one July Sunday in 2009, it was the Sunday Okehampton-St James Park Train. A couple of months ago, I was the only passenger in my coach on a HST after Taunton when returning from Bath to Exeter (2033 Paddington-Exeter train)