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

[xavierfondue]

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

Midnite.....did you read the entertaining thread?

No?

Go to bed now as you are obviously overtired and being snotty.

Well since it's 10am, I'll decline the suggestion to go to bed thanks.

I guess I missed the so called entertainment in the midst of the OP shrieking at everyone who dared to disagree that her precious little snowflakes were mistreated.

Wouldn't get this sort of carry on in Hull I tell you.

Or Japan for that matter.

I've been to Hull and back several times. And Edinburgh (once). Liked both. Have never been to Japan.

In general I liked Hull Trains better than East Coast (for going to Hull, of course. They don't go to Edinburgh. Or Japan).

A point to note re japan. I would suggest that they go on an organised tour. I am a fairly well seasoned traveller as is dh but we would have fallen apart in tokyo had we not had a japanese guide as part of an organised trip.

There is a massive cultural difference and very few people seem to speak English. I went to school with japanese girls and was expecting a very western culture. It's not. Other MNetters may disagree but i would not have wanted to have been there on my own - just because it's an overwhelming city with a very confusing street layout and nothing is in english. We would never have found our way to the hotel let alone bought a rail pass or anything. We travelled around Honshu and having a local guide made that much easier although it's Tokyo that is the real challenge. If they are overwhelmed by a train in the uk being a bit crowded i would seriously question their abilities to cope in japan alone

The Adventure Company are good.

btw thanks Op for making me want to be in japan ;)

.

Hull Trainsare the best. Hugely superior to Virgin. Shame you lot have no reason to get one to hull.

I've been to Edinburgh and Japan but never Hull. It's only an hour away but it's....Hull. I will go to the Deep one day though.

In Japan the train stations play a little tune when the train enters the station, they have train cleaners with little carts that clean them all day, and each region has it's own special train bento box. It's a train users paradise. I almost wept at how wonderful they were (was a regular first crapital connect user when I went- they made me weep with frustration on a regular basis).

I didn't need a guide round Tokyo or Kyoto- most signs are also in English (not the case in the rest of Japan!) and if your DD is used to the tube then she'd cope with the subway. I also didn't find a huge cultural difference- the Japanese are quite reserved and appreciate politeness, which suits me just fine. I found them much, much more accommodating of my vegetarianism than places I've been on mainland Europe. Learning basic japanese before (if!) they go would be advised though, if they're intending to travel. Japan is awesome- mind blowing food and scenery and generally a very safe place (crime is non-existent compared to here).

Oh and we have a posh restaurant where the menu is on iPads. That could be quite a Japanese thing?

Thank you trufflehunter - those pictures look amazing. I want to go.

In fact.....

We were looking at a new holiday destination next year. The whole family could go and the teenagers could have little day trips out....

ONLY JOKING!!

caps on because Midnite doesn't like me shouting. But I have to shout. Australia is a long way away

Alternatively, we could go to Hull. I hear that they're trying to get the Turner Prize award ceremony there, as well as the BAFTAs for 2017.

Where would Brad Pitt and Angelina stay? Is there a nice Holiday Inn for them?

Yes actually it's on the Marina and is very nice too. We have an old Fruit market area that is very urban and is going to end up like the Meat Zpacking district of New York in many years to come at the moment there is still loads of old fruit knocking about so they may slip on a manky banana skin.

terrific isn't it op..... but they'll emerge stronger having survived the experience . At least presumably everyone will get off at Doncaster.

Seat reservations do say that they are not guaranteed. I am always at the store mnetters put on them.

In general I liked Hull Trains better than East Coast

Last time I went to HUll and back, I had to catch a little chunter-chunter train from Leeds. Smaller even than the ones that go from Preston to Blackpool. But it's a lot flatter over on the East coast, so I suppose they don't need big sturdy trains like we do in Lancashire.

www.traveller.com.au/hull-england-city-of-culture-2017-no-longer-englands-crappest-town-gijocm

Hull is not dull. Had many a night out on the lash in my younger days.

Virgin Trains have sent me a survey asking for my opinion on their service yesterday.

What should I say?

Answers on a postcard please.

HELLO MIDNITE. ARE YOU ALRIGHT DOWN UNDER?

Send them the link to this thread. Job done.

I think you should give them far more of a postcard's worth of feedback. I usually tell them that if I can travel by any other TOC, I do. And I avoid all other Virgin brands.

OP perhaps you should go to Hull in 2017 for the City of Culture events.

Are there any Japanese restaurants in Hull? If you prefer Indian, there is a nice friendly Indian restaurant in Cottingham (a village next to Hull).

Hedges I've been on the chunter-chunter train too.

Hull trains go all the way to Hull from Kings Cross, with no changes. Fast and comfortable, and I found the train staff friendly and helpful.