Railway Myths (2013)

[Eagle]

Myth number yes: it is always incorrect to refer to the sub-surface lines of the London Underground as "the tube", even though TfL call them that and have done for many years. People who do so must be corrected immediately.

 

[tbtc]

Myth number 19630327:

It's perfectly fair to demolish any building in the way of reopening a closed railway, because its their own silly fault for building it in the path of something that the railway abandoned, yet we should get upset about any single property threatened with demolition because of HS2 (or even just the views from properties)

 

[PR1Berske]

Myth number 19630327:

It's perfectly fair to demolish any building in the way of reopening a closed railway, because its their own silly fault for building it in the path of something that the railway abandoned, yet we should get upset about any single property threatened with demolition because of HS2 (or even just the views from properties)

How passive aggressive of you.

 

[island]

Myth number eleventy: The only thing that could happen to you if you're caught without a ticket is a £20 fine.

 

[60163]

Myth 765797597697:

The Strategic Steam Reserve is real, cared for and maintained across the nation's heritage railways.

 

[Flamingo]

Myth number 9 3/4: There's a lot goes on that they won't tell us about.

 

[tractakid]

Myth #1

The Gainsborough line serves the little used stations of Gainsborough Central, Brigg and Kirton Lindsey

 

[Drsatan]

Myth number 42: if Voyagers were longer all of their problems would be instantly forgotten about.

 

[Eagle]

Myth number 42 and a bit: Every XC Voyager service is overcrowded, and remains overcrowded for its entire journey.

 

[Kentish Paul]

Class 395s only run at 140mph to make up time. Can someone then explain why if you leave Ashford 5 down you arrive at Ebbsfleet 5 down, Stratford 5 down and St P 5 down.

 

[Essexman]

It is OK to use mobile phones in the Quiet Coach if 'the call is important'. As a passenger argued today when challenged on FGW train from Hereford.

 

[Flamingo]

It is OK to use mobile phones in the Quiet Coach if 'the call is important'. As a passenger argued today when challenged on FGW train from Hereford.

The best I had recently was the guy on his phone, who when I told him this is the quiet carriage, replied "I know, that's why I reserved a seat in it".

Suggestions about how to deal with somebody like that are appreciated...

 

[Captain Chaos]

The best I had recently was the guy on his phone, who when I told him this is the quiet carriage, replied "I know, that's why I reserved a seat in it".

Suggestions about how to deal with somebody like that are appreciated...

Sadly the suggestions currently formulating in my head are probably not suitable for such a family friendly forum...

 

[A-driver]

The best I had recently was the guy on his phone, who when I told him this is the quiet carriage, replied "I know, that's why I reserved a seat in it".

Suggestions about how to deal with somebody like that are appreciated...

Well he probably didn't want to be disturbed by inconsiderate people making phone calls around him whilst he made his incredibly important call did he.

 

[island]

Sadly the suggestions currently formulating in my head are probably not suitable for such a family friendly forum...

Do they involve the passenger going through a droplight at 110mph?

 

[IanD]

Well he probably didn't want to be disturbed by inconsiderate people making phone calls around him whilst he made his incredibly important call did he.

Reminds me of a bloke on the same route last month. He had a first class ticket but the HST was in reverse formation so he'd got in Coach A thinking it was the first class carriage and set up his mobile office. Complained to some random FGW employee who was walking up and down the train (not sure who he was but definitely not the TM who was a woman!) that there were too many other people in the carriage when he was trying to work and that the buffet car was too far away to get his freebies. It was suggested that he walk through the train to first class proper but he wouldn't have any of it. Anyway, it was the quiet carriage and the only noise was this bloke hammering away at his laptop and huffing and puffing whenever anyone entered the carriage.

(Had a good laugh about it for the rest of the day )

 

[Mike395]

Class 395s only run at 140mph to make up time. Can someone then explain why if you leave Ashford 5 down you arrive at Ebbsfleet 5 down, Stratford 5 down and St P 5 down.

Myth #395c: Just because the capability is there, every single driver feels the need to make use of it.

 

[34D]

Myth #395c: Just because the capability is there, every single driver feels the need to make use of it.

On my first two runs on HS1/395 (shortly after opening) we did 140 between rainham and the thames tunnel as per my GPS.

 

[IanD]

Myth 1011: There's a number of posts on railukforums that once you reach, your status changes from Member to Established Member

 

[Julia]

Myth #56:

Thirty seconds is the time you need to arrive at the station to buy your ticket before the service is scheduled to depart (not the time before the service is scheduled to depart that the doors close)

Hmmm... last Friday I was sat towards the front of the middle unit of 1810 KGX-PBO. Platform staff had blown whistles several times, when I saw a City type striding towards the front 1st class section - note, of a 3x365 set. Platform staff politely asked him to actually get in (since he must have taken two minutes walking so far up from the barriers along the train), at which point he haughtily replied "I still have fifteen seconds, you unhelpful little man"...

I think I came out with "****" rather too loudly under my breath as he passed

 

[deltic1989]

Myth # 91007: Only high up managers and captains of industry are allowed to travel 1st class. If you don't have at least half a million in the bank its back to scum class with you.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Myth number 11024/11025(VIC):

If the train announces "the next station is King's Cross; the doors will open on the left hand side" then a blonde lady who is standing facing the back of the train will see the platform in front of her when she turns to her left.








( Yes, I am afraid her hair really was blonde. )

 

[Flamingo]

Hmmm... last Friday I was sat towards the front of the middle unit of 1810 KGX-PBO. Platform staff had blown whistles several times, when I saw a City type striding towards the front 1st class section - note, of a 3x365 set. Platform staff politely asked him to actually get in (since he must have taken two minutes walking so far up from the barriers along the train), at which point he haughtily replied "I still have fifteen seconds, you unhelpful little man"...

I think I came out with "****" rather too loudly under my breath as he passed

I've had A woman with a similar attitude once - they made it half a carriage more down along the train before I was given the tip and locked the doors

I think she had Tourettes Syndrome listening to her as I was going past, I probably should have been more sympathetic

 

[AndyLandy]

Myth 1011: There's a number of posts on railukforums that once you reach, your status changes from Member to Established Member

Myth 1043: It's entirely obvious what that number is... :/

 

[Flamingo]

Myth of the day: It doesn't matter how big or heavy your suitcase is, if you snap your fingers a member of railway staff will be more than willing to lift it on-board and into the luggage rack for you.

 

[A-driver]

Myth of the day: It doesn't matter how big or heavy your suitcase is, if you snap your fingers a member of railway staff will be more than willing to lift it on-board and into the luggage rack for you.

I know a driver who was walking to the front of his train when someone did that to him. When the gentleman got off at his station he approached the driver to find out where he had put his case the driver asked where the passenger had left it to which he got the reply "on the platform". The driver politely informed him that it was most likely still there then and drove off.

 

[12CSVT]

Myth number 11024/11025(VIC):

If the train announces "the next station is King's Cross; the doors will open on the left hand side" then a blonde lady who is standing facing the back of the train will see the platform in front of her when she turns to her left.

( Yes, I am afraid her hair really was blonde. )

Reminds me of a city type at Blackfriars a few days ago. Announcement that the next train would leave from the south end of platform 1 (it was a 4 car), the city type asks platform staff which is the south end of the platform.

 

[quarella]

Myth 1812 You will recognise your job from the description on the vacancy list.

 

[tbtc]

Myth number 1813:

Any route that doesn't get several trains an hour, but still gets many trains a week (like Ellesmere Port - Hellsby) should be referred to as a "Parliamentary"

 

[SprinterMan]

Myth number 1813:

Any route that doesn't get several trains an hour, but still gets many trains a week (like Ellesmere Port - Hellsby) should be referred to as a "Parliamentary"

That example is debateable, as I'm sure I've heard that the current service on that line is the minimum they can legally provide for the specific stations involved.

Adam