busman
Junior Member
Posts: 61
|
Post by busman on Dec 22, 2009 8:05:01 GMT
Forced to use the High speed service today from Rainham.
Set recommending that we use the high speed service on the web site, but no mention if the top up fare was still being enforce. Only found out when asking for a ticket from the conductor on the train that it was being allowed to use our normal ticket. So many on the platform did not get on. You would have they would have made That a lot clearer.
Any way used the high speed train that left 5 mins before my normal train time only to get into the office at my normal time with the transfer across to the west end. Don't think i will become a regular on it unless the do something about the ticket price.
|
|
|
|
Post by Shortformed on Dec 22, 2009 10:39:24 GMT
Does anyone else find the Nat Rail train running info website a work of total fiction?
SET quickly gave up on their own website (presumably a lesson learned from the last time we had weather-related disruption) and directed users to the Nat Rail Enquiries site - though presumably with train running info still supplied by SET.
Just looking at my own line (Maid. East/Ashford) today this is showing delays of just 10/15 mins for trains earlier this morning when they were actually well over an hour.
I was on the 7.02 from W. Malling which arrived there at 8.17 and reached Victoria at about 09.20 (scheduled arrival 07.51). According to Nat Rail/SET this equates to a delay of just 22 mins. Hmmmm.
It was good to hear the hapless SET PR woman getting a bit of a grilling on Radio Kent this morning on her abysmal performance of yesterday.
One other thought...as today is a Saturday service does that mean that stations with car parks that are free on Saturdays will also be free today? Somehow I doubt it - or have SET turned me into a cynical old Shortformed?
SF
|
|
|
|
Post by sibodkent on Dec 22, 2009 11:48:44 GMT
...and there is an ugly rumour up here that GoVex are pushing Kent commuters towards Chavline Trains to push up the loadings - as they have been little used to date. This has come from more than one location so if it is true then it is most cynical of them. This company should give up the franchise without delay as they seem to be both irresponsible and unreasonable. Yours sincerely O.V.S.Bulleid Surely the only way to do that would be to: A) Reduce the price to at least the same level of the classic service. and/or B) Include a tube ticket to zones 1&2 for all season ticket holders ? People have chosen classic services for a reason! |
|
|
|
Post by celestine on Dec 22, 2009 12:29:52 GMT
We, from snowy Staplehurst, were also advised by SET to go to Ashford and get the HS1. Very interesting advice as there were no trains to Ashford in either direction - so how did they think we were going to get there? Or back?
I understand snow causes problems, but it is the lack of any decent information that is the really galling thing.
Got into work today but only by walking the two miles from London Bridge to the office. What shuttle would that be then??
Happy Christmas everyone!
Cel x
|
|
|
|
Post by jumpedup on Dec 22, 2009 16:16:04 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by becs faversham on Dec 22, 2009 18:02:40 GMT
Any idea what they might run tomorrow? There are no clues on their website. I need to let my boss know if I need another day working from home or not  |
|
|
|
Post by chapelwood on Dec 22, 2009 18:32:51 GMT
|
|
busman
Junior Member
Posts: 61
|
Post by busman on Dec 22, 2009 21:23:51 GMT
Hi all This has been posted on a Southern related email group. I think SET need to take a look when they next purchase any rolling stock or higher some out for the bad winter weather. Makes you wonder how a privately owned train and coach set can run when mighty of TOC'S railways and modern technology can't "We were out with Tornado yesterday as you may know on the SR Kent coast lines, we were the ONLY train around in the area almost all day ! Saw a few Javelins, parked up, and a poorly Southeastern train being doubled headed by 2 x class 73's ! We had a slow run in the morning but in the evening as there were no electric trains around we had a good sprint! When we got back to a snowy Victoria for the dinner run at 1745 we had about 100 commuters who were stranded at Victoria and couldn't get home to Kent on SE and SR trains. They came over to platform 2 to see that we were stopping at Bromley,Swanley and Maidstone, and as we were not full and took them on free of charge. They were very grateful and many said they never even normally get a seat ! Such fun, and some very happy converts to steam, albeit not a SR one but we all had a hoot." Progress ha!!!  |
|
Duvel
New Member
Posts: 20
|
Post by Duvel on Dec 22, 2009 21:36:43 GMT
Nice story Busman, great bit of helping others out when the chips are down :-) Before modern high-tech (and thus more-to-go-wrong) trains, and more crucially *before privatisation* here's two photos taken at Faversham in the days when locos could be made available to assist during snowy weather: www.flickr.com/photos/ajvajv/3247332356/www.flickr.com/photos/ajvajv/3247332132/Not brilliant, but the best I've got! Various other photos in different categories (not just trains) at: www.flickr.com/photos/ajvajv/In the meantime, the Network Rail / Southeastern shambles of the last few days has kept me in my car to commute to South East London, 65 minutes door-to-door, in the warm, no waiting around, comparitive bliss! |
|
paolo
New Member
Posts: 48
|
Post by paolo on Dec 23, 2009 19:58:44 GMT
Maybe its time for South Eastern to hand the keys back.
As bad as Connex were, I don't recall them ever being this bad.
Funnily enough, I went for a walk yesterday with my 2 boys over the railway bridge and saw a steam train go past, pity the modern trains aren't up to the job that a 60 year old plus train can do!
|
|
