My worst train Journey

[43021HST]

I was standing there at Doncaster station (this was back when virgin still existed and mainly owned HSTs instead of voyagers) when I heard the voice announcer say that My Dad and my train to Birmingham would be delayed by an hour due to a breakdown. Eventually it got there then it broke down in sheffield which I had to wait an hour for it to start again. When it got to Birmingham we were late for our train and had to leg it. This trains air conditioning failed, it was crowded and there was some drunks on the train. Eventually I got to Reading feeling Frustrated and my Dad vowed he would never travel on Virgin trains again and to this day he has kept his promise.

 

[heart-of-wessex]

blimey!

good thing is now of course you dad can travel as it's Arriva not virgin :P

 

[Techniquest]

Not that it's much better* mind!

Worst for me would be getting stuck at Reading for 3 hours on a chilly morning due to being sold an incorrect ticket for my journey. Wasn't exactly amused about that.

 

[Spaceflower]

Worst for me would be getting stuck at Reading for 3 hours on a chilly morning due to being sold an incorrect ticket for my journey. Wasn't exactly amused about that.

Bloody hell, you didnt complain?

 

[ladysue]

Mine was definitely when I was going to a London musical on a date, all dressed up. I went to the toilet on the train. It wasnt very clean and hadnt been flushed .But needs must so I flushed it and it overflowed sending filthy water containing unmentionables all over my long evening skirt. I spent ages doing my best with paper towels and soap trying to clean my skirt but ended up going back to my date all tearful and feeling filthy all evening.

 

[The_Rail_WAy]

Mine was definitely when I was going to a London musical on a date, all dressed up. I went to the toilet on the train. It wasnt very clean and hadnt been flushed .But needs must so I flushed it and it overflowed sending filthy water containing unmentionables all over my long evening skirt. I spent ages doing my best with paper towels and soap trying to clean my skirt but ended up going back to my date all tearful and feeling filthy all evening.

That is completely god damn awful.

Seriously I really do feel for you. The state of toilets on the British rail network, both on trains and platforms is to be frank a complete and utter disgrace. Quite shameful for a country thats supposed to be in the forefront of the modern civilised world.

 

[Juniper Driver]

That is completely god damn awful.

Seriously I really do feel for you. The state of toilets on the British rail network, both on trains and platforms is to be frank a complete and utter disgrace. Quite shameful for a country thats supposed to be in the forefront of the modern civilised world.

You really spout some crap.

By the way it isn't British Rail it's separate companies.Whether you are old enough to actually remember British Rail is debatable.

 

[90019]

You really spout some crap.

By the way it isn't British Rail it's separate companies.Whether you are old enough to actually remember British Rail is debatable.

Note that he didn't say British Rail, he said "British rail network", referring to the network as a whole.

 

[ladysue]

That is completely god damn awful.

Seriously I really do feel for you. The state of toilets on the British rail network, both on trains and platforms is to be frank a complete and utter disgrace. Quite shameful for a country thats supposed to be in the forefront of the modern civilised world.

Thanks. It was pretty awful at the time.I avoid railway toilets now if I can. I think its partly the train companies fault but also the passengers putting paper towels etc down the toilets.

 

[The_Rail_WAy]

Thanks. It was pretty awful at the time.I avoid railway toilets now if I can. I think its partly the train companies fault but also the passengers putting paper towels etc down the toilets.

I don't blame you for that at all.



Train toilets are 90% of the time are in absolutely foul condition, mostly due to the fact that they are not reguarly cleaned and I seldom use them.

Imo the best maintained toilets on platforms tend to be the ones where you pay 30p to enter via a 'turnstile' system. Mostly due to the fact that they are permanently staffed.

 

[me123]

Train toilets are 90% of the time are in absolutely foul condition, mostly due to the fact that they are not reguarly cleaned and I seldom use them.

I choose never to use on board toilets, but obviously you have to sometimes. The best I've used are on Scotrail and NXEC; they're very good. That said, I don't trust the electric locking system on some trains!

The worst I've seen were:

• NXEC unrefurbished HST. I love the interior, but the toilet was like something you'd see on an Indian travel documentary.
• Virgin West Coast Voyager: It had come from London and someone seemed to have had a bout of diarrhoea...

Imo the best maintained toilets on platforms tend to be the ones where you pay 30p to enter via a 'turnstile' system. Mostly due to the fact that they are permanently staffed.

This is true. Edinburgh Waverley's toilets in particular are fantastic and well worth the money, even though I'm usually opposed to paying for the loo!

 

[Phoenix]

Try Tamworth stations toilet as last week I went in a cubicle to get some tissue for my cold and well let's say there was something foul spread across the wall and when I went back the next day it was all still there.

 

[FusionRail]

I don't blame you for that at all.



Train toilets are 90% of the time are in absolutely foul condition, mostly due to the fact that they are not reguarly cleaned and I seldom use them.

Imo the best maintained toilets on platforms tend to be the ones where you pay 30p to enter via a 'turnstile' system. Mostly due to the fact that they are permanently staffed.

Bollucks.

Most train toilets are fine.

And its usually 10 or 20p

 

[heart-of-wessex]

Don't know about that FusionRail, last time I went to a few NR terminals the price went up from 20p to 30p, noticeably at Liverpool St, Victoria and Paddington (which were once 20p)

As fro Train toilets I will agree with FusionRail. I have been on many Voyagers that are clean, and 460s, 158s, some HSTs, MK1 tour stock, 143s...many other units...so its less than 90% I'd say.

I don't trust the electric locking on voyagers anymore, not since the time I shut the big sliding door, pressed lock, stood up for a **** (remember, the toilet is practically in front of you) and some woman outside pressed the button and the door opened!! I think she saw my you-know-what, said sorry and ran the other way....leaving the bloody door open!!

 

[Techniquest]

I've had a defective door on a Voyager (I fail to recall if it was a 220 or 221, but I digress) to the extent the door would close so far but then give up and re-open itself! Took some effort and attempts to force the thing closed! Thankfully the lock worked, but I never trust them!

Probably the most trusted locks on train lavatories for me would be those on the 175s. Least you can tell they've locked when you turn the locking-thing!

william: This was back in October 2003 and yes I did complain. After getting hold of FGW 3 months later, I eventually got a complimentary First Class return between any two points of my choosing on their network. Swansea > Swindon > Penzance and back was quite enjoyable!

ladysue: Nasty, I hope you complained to the TOC!

 

[Juniper Driver]

Note that he didn't say British Rail, he said "British rail network", referring to the network as a whole.

What would it be called? Seriously as technically British Rail doesn't exist anymore.British Rail refers to the whole network but as we all know they are rival? companies now.

Also with the toilet thing,I would be expected to report (and lock out) any dodgy toilet and generally I don't find them too bad on my region.If a passenger got his/her stuff ruined by a dodgy toilet im sure she could claim.

Stating the train and time travelled.Report it to train crew/station staff?

I would also expect my guard to lock out and report any dodgy vandalized and blocked up toilet.
Obviously station toilets are out of my jurisdiction though.

Interesting seeing the feedback on this thread.I will keep more of an eye on this one in future.

Thanks. It was pretty awful at the time.I avoid railway toilets now if I can. I think its partly the train companies fault but also the passengers putting paper towels etc down the toilets.

Yes I can imagine,im sorry it happened as well.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

That is completely god damn awful.

Seriously I really do feel for you. The state of toilets on the British rail network, both on trains and platforms is to be frank a complete and utter disgrace. Quite shameful for a country thats supposed to be in the forefront of the modern civilised world.

Sorry for my harsh reply.You are entitled to your opinion.Although your points have been taken on board and although I am a train driver I will take more interest in the state of the toilets on my trains.

It just seems for people who take great pride in their work and doing their best that all we receive is criticism.Then again the running late thing took me a few years to just let it go and ignore,but there seems to be a lot of stuff we have to ignore nowadays as well.Plus the media doesn't help either.

It's also dispiriting when it seems we are getting nowhere if you know what I mean.

 

[O L Leigh]

The big problem is that the punters fail to see the clearly indicated bin under the sink unit intended for their hand towels and just shove them down the bog instead. Once you get enough in there it becomes impossible to flush them away and the toilet overflows, as LadySue discovered. Unfortunately there are some unmentionable little toerags who take perverse pleasure in deliberately blocking them up. I try and lock them OOU if I know that they have been blocked, but you haven't always got the time to keep checking on them.

Incidentally, I know precisely what Juniper Driver is talking about. It is very demoralising not to have your efforts recognised when you've busted a gut and done a really good job. The only time I ever seem to be sought out is when things have gone wrong so they can take me to task over it. I will do my best to make back time if I'm running late, but you do recognise that sometimes you're fighting a losing battle.

O L Leigh

 

[heart-of-wessex]

I've had a defective door on a Voyager (I fail to recall if it was a 220 or 221, but I digress) to the extent the door would close so far but then give up and re-open itself! Took some effort and attempts to force the thing closed! Thankfully the lock worked, but I never trust them!

Probably the most trusted locks on train lavatories for me would be those on the 175s. Least you can tell they've locked when you turn the locking-thing!

william: This was back in October 2003 and yes I did complain. After getting hold of FGW 3 months later, I eventually got a complimentary First Class return between any two points of my choosing on their network. Swansea > Swindon > Penzance and back was quite enjoyable!

ladysue: Nasty, I hope you complained to the TOC!

On my FOSS when we done a 22x to BTM, I had that exact same problem with the door! It never seemed to work by pulling it either, and eventually closes. I myself was wondering if it was actually locked!

 

[laseandre]

Today I was on a 225 coming down here to York, and all the toilets bar two were OOU, and a stag party was on. Lengthy queueing ensued.

On the 334s, I don't trust the lock on the toilet one bit, prefer mechanical ones that I know I've locked.

 

[Juniper Driver]

The big problem is that the punters fail to see the clearly indicated bin under the sink unit intended for their hand towels and just shove them down the bog instead. Once you get enough in there it becomes impossible to flush them away and the toilet overflows, as LadySue discovered. Unfortunately there are some unmentionable little toerags who take perverse pleasure in deliberately blocking them up. I try and lock them OOU if I know that they have been blocked, but you haven't always got the time to keep checking on them.

Incidentally, I know precisely what Juniper Driver is talking about. It is very demoralising not to have your efforts recognised when you've busted a gut and done a really good job. The only time I ever seem to be sought out is when things have gone wrong so they can take me to task over it. I will do my best to make back time if I'm running late, but you do recognise that sometimes you're fighting a losing battle.

O L Leigh

Nice post thankyou.

 

[me123]

I wonder, of all the people who've experienced "failed door lockings", how many times has this actually been because they've failed to lock them themselves?

Hey, it's easily enough done considering you've not got the mechanical locking movement.

 

[37401]

Wow not that IS bad ive had bad journeys but thats just awfull

 

[Juniper Driver]

I've heard all sorts of stories about universal toilets on desiro's being dodgy and I have had to rescue people on a few occasions.Also had to rescue my guard from the standard toilet once.

 

[Techniquest]

I wonder, of all the people who've experienced "failed door lockings", how many times has this actually been because they've failed to lock them themselves?

Hey, it's easily enough done considering you've not got the mechanical locking movement.

I can say without a shadow of a doubt I never fail to lock the lavatory door. One would know if the door has been locked, unless one's seriously under the influence of alcohol. And my reported incident in my post prior was not a failed locking, it was a dodgy door that didn't want to close. Which is not rare but happens often enough from what I've seen/heard/experienced!

 

[heart-of-wessex]

Indeed, in fact the one with the door that opened on me had the 'door locked' illuminated in bright red, I always check that first

 

[ladysue]

Thanks for all the sympathetic comments for my experience. I didnt complain or sue as my date who worked on the railway explained that it was people blocking toilets with towels as several of you said.

i am sorry that this thread has made railway workers feel demoralised. I know that many people go out of their way to provide a good service. Its just that the title of this thread was "my worst train journey" so it was bound to be all complaints. Perhaps we need a "best train journey thread".

 

[Techniquest]

Perhaps we need a "best train journey thread".

Not a bad idea, although I have to admit I've had so many enjoyable journies I would find it difficult to decide what mine is. So much so I'd need a scroll to write them all down!

 

[O L Leigh]

i am sorry that this thread has made railway workers feel demoralised. I know that many people go out of their way to provide a good service. Its just that the title of this thread was "my worst train journey" so it was bound to be all complaints. Perhaps we need a "best train journey thread".

No need to feel bad. It's not this thread that occasionally knocks the stuffing out of us, but the everyday experiences we sometimes get at the hands of the punters.

O L Leigh

 

[spoony]

Don't know about that FusionRail, last time I went to a few NR terminals the price went up from 20p to 30p, noticeably at Liverpool St, Victoria and Paddington (which were once 20p)

As fro Train toilets I will agree with FusionRail. I have been on many Voyagers that are clean, and 460s, 158s, some HSTs, MK1 tour stock, 143s...many other units...so its less than 90% I'd say.

I don't trust the electric locking on voyagers anymore, not since the time I shut the big sliding door, pressed lock, stood up for a **** (remember, the toilet is practically in front of you) and some woman outside pressed the button and the door opened!! I think she saw my you-know-what, said sorry and ran the other way....leaving the bloody door open!!

I laugh only as its happened to me too. Why do we need a fancy locking system anyway, surely its just something else to go wrong? Nothing wrong with a good old fashioned bolt!

 

[Juniper Driver]

Thanks for all the sympathetic comments for my experience. I didnt complain or sue as my date who worked on the railway explained that it was people blocking toilets with towels as several of you said.

i am sorry that this thread has made railway workers feel demoralised. I know that many people go out of their way to provide a good service. Its just that the title of this thread was "my worst train journey" so it was bound to be all complaints. Perhaps we need a "best train journey thread".

No,your complaints are worth listening to,as I said i'd keep more of an eye out for this sort of thing in the future.So no worries.

Obviously what happened to you was awful.