There was a football match on. The 09:31 from Middlesbrough arrived in Sunderland well over an hour late. I've seen reports that there were problems with coupling the train at Middlesbrough and that two trains ran separately. Does anyone know what actually happened?
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Middlesbrough to Sunderland today
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BTP had warned previously that people shouldn't expect to travel by train yesterday due to the match - which is hardly a good advert for the railways. Northern were supposed to double up on service each way, which isn't exactly fantastic. Perhaps putting on additional services and doubling up. No idea what happened at Middlesbrough, but it will be interesting to see what happens with the replay.
DarloRich
Veteran Member
there was a failed train in he boro area. I got out on the 0908 as far as yarm north junction where i watied for the GC south.
Everything behind me was delayed.
Everything behind me was delayed.
Indeed. You could write a whole dissertation in the issues arising out of and demonstrated by this.
They implied earlier in the week that they would double the length of the 9:31 (from two coaches to four!) but from what I have heard (and it's not from sources who know, or care, about these things) two trains actually ran but left Middlesbrough considerably late, passing Thornaby 50 minutes down and delaying the following TPE into the bargain.
As for the replay, you can't get back to Sunderland on the train after a midweek match so, presumably, they won't feel any obligation to put anything on.
What time does the match finish? Can't remember.
I think it is pretty poor that people have to be warned not to use the railway when events like this are on. How can we work towards a 24/7 railway when things like this happen?
It's a 19:45 kick off so won't realistically finish until 21:40 and the last train is 21:01. But it's a cup replay so there could be extra time and penalties after that so it could be 22:30 before it's all over. I haven't checked if it's possible to get to Sunderland via Darlington and Newcastle. Presumably Northern simply don't have the stock anyway to put on anything that would be adequate.
At that time of night I'd expect there to be some stock sitting around at Heaton (although waiting to be prepped for the morning). Probably can be able to get to Darlington and the Metro would get them back from Newcastle.
Royston Vasey
Established Member
Have done this away day a couple of times. SAFC run free buses for ticketholders from Sunderland to the Riverside and back again. They are always emptier going down than coming back. It's expected that some will get the train down (though all are encouraged to use the buses both ways).
The fans won't be left high and dry. Sunderland's away support is such that you'd need two or three 8-coach trains to get everyone home on the train. An extra Pacer from Middlesbrough station is more trouble than its worth. It'd be hopelessly oversubscribed and the last thing the police need is a load of away fans milling around having been turned away from the last train, in the centre of town.
Well exactly. There were free coaches on Sunday and, depending on who you listen to, up to 2600 people used them. But some people value their freedom and like to make their own way to places and really should be able to do so by public transport if they wish.
Further to this, the replay was on last night at Middlesbrough. Last train is around 21.00 from Iddlesbrough back up the coast, and it has been reported that a service from Sunderland down to the Boro was terminated short at Hartlepool, due to severe vandalism and possible assaults on the staff.
I heard about the stuff going on on the train down which kind of implies that a lot of people used the train. I'll be interested to know how people intended, or actually did, get back as when I checked it looked like if you get the 2300 to Darlington you arrive too late in Newcastle to get the last metro to Sunderland. And was there any further nonsense? A lot of people who don't use the train very often assume trains run quite late and are surprised when you tell them how early some 'last' trains actually do run.
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