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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Hull trains cancelled, 3 trains' worth of passengers on one train

193 replies

xavierfondue · 21/08/2015 17:02

DD (age 17) and her boyfriend (also 17) are trying to get to Edinburgh today to go to the festival. I dropped them off at the station with pre-booked tickets and she is sending me all these messages that:

a) the train is packed
b) they only just managed to get on
c) the passengers already on the train tried to stop them getting on [but fortunately they (surprisingly, where did this come from? I always thought they were so polite) threw a complete strop and barged their way on, probably rudely and aggressively but I'm actually quite proud of them]
d) No reservations on the train, so they were split up and had to stand in different places - the seats I'd booked were completely invalid
e) Only got seats (not together) at York
f) Apparently, as the title states, there are three trains' worth of passengers on one train.

HTF did this happen?

The kids were talking last night about going to Japan for a month next summer, after leaving school. I was all for saying no, you're too young, but after this I think I should let them go.

AIBU to think Virgin Trains are completely useless after they took over East Coast Trains? There are always delays (DH uses it everyday) and this is a bloody joke.

And to cap it all, Mumsnet only sent me my email on WEDNESDAY to say my account had been hacked. I only picked it up today.

Gin. Where is the bloody emocion for gin? Stuff the

OP posts:

Thread gallery

RepeatAdNauseum · 21/08/2015 17:42

It's not unusual, xavier.

There is an agreement that providers will cancel reservations, decommission first class and carry as many additional passengers as it is safe to carry, in an attempt to stop people being stranded.

You are usually able to claim back the cost of the reservations, and if they had first class tickets, you can claim the difference back too.

I'm sorry the people already on the train were dicks, though. There is no excusing that.

At least they now have seats!

Guitargirl · 21/08/2015 17:42

You can't do anything about the train. They have seats now, yes? Just try to put it out of your mind. Have a long drink of something nice. Call restaurant, put back reservation or change it to another place. And breathe!

queenrollo · 21/08/2015 17:43

This is not just because Hull trains were cancelled. It all started to go tits up last night with a problem just outside Grantham. They were still fixing the overhead wires well into this morning, and didn't anticipate the line opening up until 1 or 2pm.

So loads of trains on Virgin East Coast have been cancelled today and that means everyone is desperate to get on a train North.

My husband got to Grantham this morning, no notices or announcements or info from staff so he got on the train as usual. It moved out of the station and then stopped a bit down the line. He sat on that train for 2 hours before it finally moved on and terminated at P'boro...
Had he known, he wouldn't have got on it. He would have come home and conducted his meetings by phone.
He eventually got home about 3pm...

Koalafications · 21/08/2015 17:45

What's all this about Hull?

Why is your DD in Hull?

What's Hull like?

Original poster

xavierfondue · 21/08/2015 17:46

Because the Hull train from Kings Cross to Hull was cancelled.

So all the passengers going to Hull got on the Edinburgh train. They will change at Doncaster.

And apparently there was another load of passengers from another cancelled train on board.

OP posts:

lastqueenofscotland · 21/08/2015 17:46

There's a good aquarium in hull...

lastqueenofscotland · 21/08/2015 17:46

As an aside my father lives near Doncaster and I feel you pain that line is dreadful.

serialworrier · 21/08/2015 17:47

Well I am about to be arrested apparently for the ticket machine selling me the wrong kind of (expensive) ticket which has been approved by three separate ticket inspectors, but the fourth has decided it is not valid. I have refused to give my personal details hence the police have been call. Please will you all send me parcels in Holloway

Sadly it is a legal requirement to provide your details. But I'd absolutely appeal any penalty notice they try to give you. The way passengers are treated by the rail companies in this country is absolutely appalling.

Binkybix · 21/08/2015 17:47

Sounds bad, but I also don't understand why you mentioned Hull? Unless that's the train your DH needed to be on?

Annoying to miss your anniversary - can you move to a different day?

OnlyLovers · 21/08/2015 17:47

BoffinMum, I'll send you a cake with a razor blade in it. I believe that's the thing to do in this situation.

But three separate ticket inspectors approved your ticket, but the fourth has decided not to? What the actual?

Not at all the same, but recently on a train I had my ticket checked when I got on, then about an hour in some other individual came down the train asking for tickets. I said mine had been checked and she just said 'I'm a different train manager so we're doing another full check.'

What a waste of everyone's time.

Sorry to hijack, OP. Sounds like you're having a shite day. Could be worse, you could be in Hull with your DD

OnlyLovers · 21/08/2015 17:47

BoffinMum, I'll send you a cake with a razor blade in it. I believe that's the thing to do in this situation.

But three separate ticket inspectors approved your ticket, but the fourth has decided not to? What the actual?

What a waste of everyone's time.

Sorry to hijack, OP. Sounds like you're having a shite day. Could be worse, you could be in Hull with your DD

Binkybix · 21/08/2015 17:48

Oh I see re Hull.

Gymbunny1204 · 21/08/2015 17:48

OP, it sounds like everything is going wrong but it isn't. Your child is safe, she has coped with a frustrating situation. She isn't ill, she isn't missing, you can drink later. Perspective.

Original poster

xavierfondue · 21/08/2015 17:50

KOALA AAAAAAARRRRFGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH

Anyway, DH has got on the train and says it isn't too bad so I am going to fix me a mahoosive gin. And breathe. As you kind people say.

Fifteen years (yes, do the maths. Sorry.) To the same bloke. And I still like him.

Am sending myself for this.

OP posts:

OnlyLovers · 21/08/2015 17:52

Oops, sorry for the double post.

Chin chin, OP.

Koalafications · 21/08/2015 17:53

Sorry OP, couldn't resist.

Have some and look forward to the weekend!

Costacoffeeplease · 21/08/2015 17:53

So why are they going to Hull?

londonrach · 21/08/2015 17:54

Hell up north isnt it (gets map out).

londonrach · 21/08/2015 17:56

Hull not hell! Come on ipad or maybe the ipad is right as it does sound like hell on the train. Normally im sitting on the floor by the toilet on my evening train back, so understand op.

PolkadotsAndMoonbeams · 21/08/2015 17:56

It'll be good practice for getting along the Royal Mile this weekend

Seriously, poor them (and you!). At least they're sitting down now. Happy anniversary

Guitargirl · 21/08/2015 17:56

Happy anniversary OP and Mr OP

Guitargirl · 21/08/2015 17:57

at londonrach

Original poster

xavierfondue · 21/08/2015 17:58

costa darling. I am calm. I am relaxed. I am chuckling at your naughtiness. Am going to sit in the sun with some gin.

OP posts:

Original poster

xavierfondue · 21/08/2015 17:59

Thank you for your wishes.

And.... logging off now.....

OP posts:

Rainbunny · 21/08/2015 18:01

Trains in Japan can get very full too you know. I worked in Tokyo and many mornings the subway was so packed that my feet weren't touching the floor.

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