I got caught up in this travelling back from Newcastle to Stamford. I was booked on the 16.25 which was starting from Newcastle, got on and at about 16.20 the guard announced there would be a delay due to a signalling problem. Updates every few minutes, basically saying he didn't know when we would be leaving. We were told that coaches had been ordered, but after about half an hour an Edinburgh to London train arrived, shortly after the guard said our train was cancelled and everyone travelling beyond Darlington should transfer to the other train. I got a seat but the coach I was in was soon completely full plus 6 to 10 standing at each end, this was in first class, guard said second class was packed, said he now had 3 train loads on board.
Some of the information given out was incorrect, also confusing in that the announcer didn't appear to be fluent in English. We were told the delay was caused by "the lack of a signalling problem". We were also told that all signals were out between York and Newcastle and that we were going to be diverted via Durham, I thought perhaps he meant the Stillington line, but when we crossed the King Edward bridge we turned left so obviously the coast route via Sunderland. After we left Newcastle, they announced additional stops for this train at Doncaster and Peterborough, it was meant to be non stop after York.
Useful information was announced about where to change for various destinations. The cancelled 16.25 was booked to call at Northallerton. Strangely, Northallerton passengers were told to change at York and travel back, even though the train stopped at Northallerton for 20 mins. They announced this was for crew changes only and passenger doors would not be released.
We didn't pass any northbound HSTs or drags on the way to Northallerton, but at Northallerton there was a northbound train in the platform and 2 queuing at the next signals.
There was another 20 minute wait at York, another southbound train arrived before we left. Most platforms were occupied and there were at least 5 northbounds, one a freight, queuing to get in from the south.
Another 15 min wait at Doncaster, were the diesel was finally removed. Arrived Peterborough about 21.35, and caught the slightly delayed 21.33 Nottingham via Stamford train.
No food served on the train, but plenty of drinks available. Just filled in my delay repay.
Some of the information given out was incorrect, also confusing in that the announcer didn't appear to be fluent in English. We were told the delay was caused by "the lack of a signalling problem". We were also told that all signals were out between York and Newcastle and that we were going to be diverted via Durham, I thought perhaps he meant the Stillington line, but when we crossed the King Edward bridge we turned left so obviously the coast route via Sunderland. After we left Newcastle, they announced additional stops for this train at Doncaster and Peterborough, it was meant to be non stop after York.
Useful information was announced about where to change for various destinations. The cancelled 16.25 was booked to call at Northallerton. Strangely, Northallerton passengers were told to change at York and travel back, even though the train stopped at Northallerton for 20 mins. They announced this was for crew changes only and passenger doors would not be released.
We didn't pass any northbound HSTs or drags on the way to Northallerton, but at Northallerton there was a northbound train in the platform and 2 queuing at the next signals.
There was another 20 minute wait at York, another southbound train arrived before we left. Most platforms were occupied and there were at least 5 northbounds, one a freight, queuing to get in from the south.
Another 15 min wait at Doncaster, were the diesel was finally removed. Arrived Peterborough about 21.35, and caught the slightly delayed 21.33 Nottingham via Stamford train.
No food served on the train, but plenty of drinks available. Just filled in my delay repay.
