Reason for train delay

[p123]

Here's an interesting one... does anyone think a TOC would lie/twist the truth about a train delay to avoid fines (or other reasons)?

There's a story attached to this:

I was standing waiting for my platform to come up today and noticed on the departures board that a train at another platform hadn't left yet, and the time was bang on its departure time. As I noticed this, there's an announcement along the lines of "This is a staff announcement, would driver XXX (yes, fully named in public) please go to their train on platform X".

As time went on, I could see the guard standing at the end of the platform looking across the station, and someone who looked like they could be a manager frantically on a mobile phone. There was clearly no driver for this train...

So, me being as nosey as I was after my own train had left (with me on it) I had a nosey on JourneyCheck to see what was up, and the train in question was down as being delayed due to 'vandalism'. At a stretch I could possibly see how vandalism could possibly prevent a driver from making their train, but clearly his/her fellow crew didn't know, nor did the manager or anyone at the station. I can't quite think of any vandalism situation where a driver wouldn't even be able to phone someone to let them know a train would be left sitting idle at a busy city centre terminus for X minutes until they arrived.

Therefore, the question arises, has the TOC 'lied' about this delay?

 

[Minilad]

The driver could have delayed by vandalism on a previous journey and was booked a break at the station meaning he was late to that train. The initial reason for lateness was vandalism so that would be the reason for the delay to that train

 

[AlterEgo]

The people you see on telephones are probably trying to source a driver, given that they know the booked driver hasn't turned up!

:roll:

 

[whhistle]

In answer to your question yes.
But it is no more than those people who travel at 73mph on the motorway.

In the case of your example, it would be a downright lie if the situation you saw was the actual situation. However as has been posted already, there is always "more than meets the eye" to situations.