The Train Fellow (who also uses the roads)

Oh how we love our fellow passengers...

2010-11-15T21:38:00.000Z

London today. Trains actually worked well mainly down to the fact that I limited the amount of time / mileage that I spent on the train.

On the way home this young fellow stropped his way on to the train, threw his bag down and slouched in the seat behind me. He spoke in an unintelligible way into his phone and then turned to the nice gentleman opposite and said "Oi mate dis trai' goin' to Redding?"

Gentleman: "Yes I believe it is".
Oick: Where else it goin'?"
Gentleman: "I believe it finishes in Gloucestershire eventually."
Oick: "ug".

It made me think of someone at work who said to some oick: "you can't expect to be taken seriously unless you make the effort to speak properly and to control your emotions".....

I wonder if we have a real problem in this country where there will be a generation growing up unable to interact in any vaguely eloquent way.....

Anyway, enough navel gazing.

I have returned

2010-11-10T19:51:00.000Z

So I got on the train today. 10.11.2010.

I got the 8.24 at 8.27 which was lucky as I was running late. Went slowly all the way. Boring... But got some work done.

Got the train home. left 15 mins late on a much smaller than usual train. Late due to reports of a body on the line at Iver and someone acting suspiciously at Twyford.. No... that's just what happens in Twyford.

Got in my car. Felt achy and abused by the rail network.

So nothing much has changed in the time I've been away... But at least I got to my meeting in time thanks to the services of a London cabbie.

The Highway Patrol

2009-10-03T20:45:00.000+01:00

Anyone who still reads this will remember my general dis-enchantment with the "Train Managers" apart from 1 or 2 helpful exceptions.

I now have a similar irritation with the imitation policemen who turn up to every flat tyre incident on the M4.... aka the Highways Agency highway patrol.

Last week, they shut an entire lane of the motorway so that someone could have their tyre changed...

I know there are plenty of examples of lorries running onto the hard shoulder and flattening anyone in their way but just a bit more thought in this situation would have helped - it delayed traffic on the M4 in to London at rush hour by at least 20 mins.....

Grrr.. (as usual)..

TCF (the car fellow / treating customers fairly)....

LWW

2009-01-27T20:01:00.003Z

FAO: Trainman

Delighted to hear your Bicester journey is going so well. I have to say, the M4 has been relatively easy and it gives me a lot of flexibility. Famous last words I guess.

Interesting to see how Beeching's cuts are being undone - the Cotswold Line and the back on the agenda doubling of the line through Kemble.

Best to avoid blogging at the wheel as Plod doesn't look kindly on it. Unless I could dictate to the internet and then I'd be a blogging nightmare!!

All the best

TTF

The M4-fellow

2009-01-19T20:53:00.002Z

I'm giving some serious thought to changing this blog rather a lot...

I've been very silent for quite a while - partly due to a severe case of the "I can't be bothereds" and the fact that I've deserted Worst Great Western and have started driving.

This is down to cost and flexibility. I want to get home on my terms, not FGW's. That and the price increase to the trains has made me use the car. I actually save money!! £3 a day!

So the options that remain are:

1. Do a blog about driving... (things I've seen such as bad driving, police convoys, white van stories or waiting for the Park and Ride bus).

2. A really pedantic blog about how people mis-spell things or use incorrect punctuation. Especially on professional signs. I hear that someone else already does this so maybe there's another option yet to be identified.

Thoughts please.

Cold comfort

2008-12-19T22:07:00.002Z

The new timetable is working well then.... 1st day and my train was cancelled. More embarassing was the fact that I had my most reverend and excellent friend Hitch (see blog) with me. I was hoping to introduce him to the high speed life I live when commuting.

It was not to be. The exciting, new, 7.15am train just didn't happen and it took the best part of 3 hours to complete the journey to work. Fortunately Hitch and I had a lot to catch up on so we didn't mind the slow trains as much as we might have.

It does seem to me that the change to the timetable just seems to confuse the whole network and we all have a bad day as a result.... So may I suggest something?

On the first day of a new timetable, work from home or take the car.... if you can....

http://hitchmo.wordpress.com/

TTF

I can't be bothered

2008-11-27T20:26:00.002Z

I confess that, in recent weeks I have not been bothered to write on this here blog.

I must note that we've had some exciting new announcements on my little journey to work - "in this festive season, please do keep a look out for any suspicious items OR PEOPLE and report them to a member of staff or a police officer".

Yes, how festive.

Yes, officer, that man over there. The one who looks like he isn't from round here....

That's gonna work.

Grumpy TTF.

Worrying sights

2008-10-21T12:21:00.002+01:00

Sometimes on the train one is given a special treat when the train stops somewhere that it has never stopped before - this time it was just outside Goring - very lovely. The hills were very pretty in the Autumn sunshine and the colours of the trees were breath-taking.

However the really exciting thing was seeing the train driver walk past my window.

It's a bit like seeing the pilot of your plane walking on the wings.

TTF

PC or not PC

2008-10-20T20:45:00.001+01:00

I heard a wonderful sounding programme advert on Radio 4 today..

"Is Political Correctness the new Orthodoxy?"

Political correctness stiffles thought and opinion. Welcome to a world of mediocrity, shades of grey and no real colours.

I feel bored just thinking about it.

TTF.

VISAMAN!

2008-10-13T19:44:00.001+01:00

Sometimes it's lonely being a commuter. So you can imagine my joy when Visaman (ex Kingham commuter) got in touch. He has a boring drive to Swindon every day. And he's home by 6pm...

That's part time really.

Git. I'm jealous.

TTF

Bras

2008-10-07T21:04:00.003+01:00

Now I know this is a bit strange sounding but please stay with me on this:

I was on the train this week and had to go to London for some meetings. I was working hard on my laptop, attempting to get the 3g card to work for more than 30 seconds at a time.

At Reading, a large young lady placed herself none too gracefully in the spare seat next to me, thus pinning me against the window.

I managed to ignore her in true British style but I did manage to note the items on the tray table in front of her:

1. Large chocolate chip muffin.

2. Ipod

3. Phone

4. Romantic novel.

She took a while to settle, eat the muffin, lick all the chocolate off her fingers (I am not joking) and then turn her attention to the Ipod.

She placed the earpieces in her ears, selected the playlist and then, to my shock, pulled her dress away from her body and placed the ipod in her BRA. She then did the same with her phone on the other side.

Now I don't want you to get the idea that I was watching her every move but I was shocked to the core when I saw out of the corner of my eye what she was doing.

Later on she started a very loud phone chat with some mate to whom she said "CAN I TELL YOU A SECRET?" (Imagine here the whole carriage silently willing the person at the other end to say "no"). "I SPENT £500 ON CLOTHES THIS MONTH AND I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH ON WINE AND OTHER BOLL**CKS".

Classy.

I tell you no lie that I saw her at the Burger King stand at Paddington.

TTF

Limping

2008-09-18T20:08:00.005+01:00

One of the things I have been doing over recent months is running. This is an attempt to stave off the lardy appearance and actually be slightly fit.

Sadly I have been running so hard that my right knee is giving me some proper pain which makes running for the train a bit of a challenge. You see I've been falling into the trap of assuming the train will always be a minute or 2 late at the station even though they leave soooo much time for us to get to our destination.

This morning I was just pulling in to the car park as the train was pulling in to the platform.

A very ungainly hobble on to the platform was followed by a round of applause from my fellow passengers.

TTF

Ouch

2008-09-18T20:08:00.002+01:00

So, on the train outside Oxford I was waiting in the queue of people to get off the train and the woman in front of me had one of those wheelie trolley overnight bag things.

We'd be standing there for a couple of minutes and then, without explanation, she let go of her bag and it toppled over smacking me in the goolies.

Of course one makes light of the situation but it really hurt...

Many bad words uttered under my breath.

TTF

When we caught up with time

2008-09-08T21:43:00.002+01:00

I was slighted vexed to note this morning that my train was to be 16 mins late. I checked this before I even left the house. This was due to an "unstable track bed due to flooding in South Wales."

And so I made my way to the station feeling slightly pressured as I had to leave for a client meeting fairly soon after arriving at the office.

But by the time we arrived at Reading, we had made up ALL the time we had been late by and in fact arrived early.

Collyn was clearly delighted by this and made us all fully aware of the fact we'd caught up! Now I was very pleased but it did point out one thing to me.... What a nonsense the time table is. Given the fact that the train arrived 16 mins late and arrived 1 min early, the train could depart at 7:29am thus allowing me to stay in bed until about 6.30am

It's just not fair. I want to stay in bed longer.

TTF.

Nearly.....

2008-09-05T21:31:00.002+01:00

I humiliated myself properly this morning.

I decided to take the 4x4 to the station on account of all the rain and the forecast floods, disaster and general pestilence. This car doesn't go as fast and I left late to get to the station.

Also, in my haste, I managed to overshoot one of my turnings thus delaying myself further.

The praying that was going on was only punctuated by the screeching tyres as I took another corner a bit quick in order to get to the station - Sarah Kennedy (Radio 2) informed me that it was 7.13am already. My train departs at 7.12 so I thought I'd had it....

So you can imagine my suprise when I screamed in to the station car park and saw the train still there...!

I parked badly, grabbed my bags and ran like the wind. And then the car wouldn't lock properly so I had to go back. And then run again.. As I made it on to the platform, unbelievably, the train was still there! Up the steps I went, running as if through water shouting the immortal words at the top of my voice "wait for me! Wait for me". And he did.

I saw the highly efficient, much respected and frankly wonderful train manager. He looked at his watch, then at me with his finger hovering over the "LOCK ALL DOORS" button. I ran towards him and said as I approached:

"You are a beautiful man".

He smiled and let me on. And we left on time (according to his watch).

Managed to leave my phone in the car and didn't get a car park ticket either... Ooops.

The Black Box

2008-08-29T23:08:00.005+01:00

The train was about to leave this morning and I heard the doors lock. This was followed by some pleading sounds and the stern response of Collyn the train manager.

Apparently he was unable to re-open the doors for the late running passenger because if he did, "the information would be recorded on the black box and I'd have to explain why I'd opened the doors and made the train late".

I didn't know that trains have black boxes as well. It seems that whatever they do, the train staff will be called to account.

Shame it's not really their fault but that of their management / Network Rail when things go wrong.

Small comfort for the lady left on the platform but I do understand poor Collyn's dilemma. Over the last year and a half, this train has taken longer and longer to reach destination.

Therefore any departure from the time timetable (aka List of Suggestions) is definitely going to bring all kinds of grief down on Collyn.

I imagine that FGW must have this list Gestapo like department who diligently download all the data from the trains and look for any problems and mistakes. This information must then be passed up the line to the enforcement staff who probably take Collyn aside at the next opportunity and beat him with sticks..

That's why he has a limp.

A Right Royal Green Dressing Down

2008-08-29T20:28:00.004+01:00

Arrived at station this morning to be greeted by the Royal Green Jacket.

Today is Friday so I am wearing my "dress down" clothes - funky jeans, Gap
shirt, v-neck jumper and some brown boots.

In my humble opinion, flirting with cool but not too much.. RGJ said to me "Is this what it's come to? Dress down Friday."

I know he was baiting me so we went on and had a conversation about the disastrous Trinny and Suzannah.
Apparently Suzannah used to go out with Prince Andrew in her younger days and her family were (I quote RGJ here) "very disappointed that she didn't bag the catch".

How does he know these things...

All this is alleged and there is no proof for any of the above.

Back to work with a cold

2008-08-28T18:53:00.004+01:00

After 3 weeks off, I steeled myself and went back to work today. It wasn't as bad as I feared although the commute was still punctuated with the usual banal annoucements.

I can now complain about something other than the trains though. I've had to find a new route to the station due to no less than 3 sets of roadworks along my route, all of which involve traffic lights etc.

Some might say I am change-adverse.

I think I may have wasted many hours just worrying about things that really I didn't need to. All made worse by feeling like I had sand clogging my head up and little streams of mucal matter emitting from my nose.

Sometimes lemsip isn't enough. And it's so difficult to get motivated again for the work year. I try to muster it up but really how excited can one get about then telling your clients that they can't have what they want for ages and that, no really we are a proper organisation with some integrity.

Trying to relax

2008-08-24T08:38:00.002+01:00

I've had a couple of weeks off work - it's been fun and I've managed to get some decorating done and go away on holiday as well.

But all the time, I've had this nagging feeling at the back of my mind that I have to go back to work at the end of the month.
And I'm scared of what I will find when I do get there. Some churning mess of confusion and blame no doubt.

And I will feel utterly powerless to sort it out.

But what I'm really ticked off about is that it just sits there in the back of my mind - never quite going away. HOW DARE IT.

It really ticks me off...

TTF

I warned you about the Buddleia

2008-08-15T19:36:00.004+01:00

This incredible plant is able to grow in the most unlikely of places.

As much as I love to hate the monster that is taking over my garden (I cut it back from the washing line today), I do have a sneeking admiration.

Today I found a single Buddleia plant growing out of a crevice on a brick.

No idea how it got there and it's not there any more but here's a pic to show what I mean.

TTF

Buddleia

2008-08-14T17:06:00.003+01:00

One of the things I have noticed after many many hours on trains is the frequency and size of Buddleia that grow near railways. They rampage if left unchecked and can be one of 2 things:

1. Beautiful - they have a very pretty purple flower - wow I'm such a girl.

2. Unsightly and weed like. This is often the state I see them in.

Well, in my garden I have one of these bushy plants and it's grown about 75 ft in the last few days. I commented to Mrs TF that we really do need to cut it back as it was approaching the washing line.

And then it rained.

So now it's beyond the washing line and making a concerted effort to get to the other side of the garden, into the neighbour's garden and then on to conquer the world...

I wonder if it's playing a game of Risk with some other Buddleia somewhere..

TTF

Choices

2008-08-12T18:48:00.005+01:00

We all have choices to make throughtout our lives - at least from when our parents allow us to make these choices - the age can vary depending on the style of parenting that was adopted for you.

Major Clanger noted in one of his recent responses on this 'ere blog that we all have choices - it is something given to us by God.

I often have a nagging doubt about this.. Am I really qualified to make the choices in my own life? I'm probably better qualified than most I suppose (definitely more qualified that the government who seem to thing they should have this right on your behalf)...

I am not sure if I've really made the right choices over the last 3 or 4 years. I love the outcomes... don't get me wrong - I live in an amazing place with a lovely wife and beautiful daughter...

I just wonder if I should have done something else.... Go to Africa to dig wells, become a policeman.... all sorts of different ideas.... None of them involving travelling across the country every day and dealing with stress...

So another choice presents itself... what do I do now?

TTF

Liberals again

2008-08-10T19:07:00.002+01:00

I had a welcome comment the other day from someone who feels it is right to argue that God is a delusion of the human mind. This is very much a Richard Dawkins thing I suspect.

It is often said that there is no scientific proof of God. It is also true to say that there is no scientific way of prooving there is no God. (Interestingly, type into Google the Lennox, Dawkins debate - very interesting).

From my point of view, I see God the creator in all things around us. It is a marvellous thing to behold the beauty of my baby girl who was, without a doubt, "created". That she has come into being and is so perfect is, in the words of my good friend "Major Clanger", just a nonsense. There is no logic that is navigable by man that can persuade me otherwise.

On the other point raised - about Islam and Christianity - it is true to say that many people have been killed in the name of these religions. I would say that this is more due to man's choices about these religions.

Christianity is all about grace and peace. I cannot speak for Islam.

Northern Flop

2008-08-05T19:46:00.002+01:00

It's impressive really. Only a Labour government could get itself in to so much trouble - all of it's own making..

If Northern Rock had been properly regulated and the Chancellor of the day had made borrowing a bit more difficult, they might not be in the trouble they're in.

However, my main point is somewhat contradictory.

Labour cannot help but meddle in everything. They think it's their job. Bit of legislation here, bit there and before you know it, the free market is swaying and stumbling under so much regulation that it's impossible to call it a free market.

Northern Rock is an example of where they should probably have stayed out of it. House prices - another. Just let the system find an equilibrium and stop faffing about.

You see it comes down to one basic premise. Labour don't trust the general public to make their own decisions. We apparently all need to be looked after and saved from our inevitable mistakes because we are so stupid, we just can't do it on our own.

What a load of nonsense. Some of us are actually quite clever. (Maybe not me but people I know).

GRR.

I think it's time for a change

2008-07-28T22:06:00.002+01:00

I guess we're all finding it a bit of a challenge at the moment.

Everything seems more expensive, money doesn't seem to go as far. Petrol / diesel is a nightmare. Every little thing seems to take more commitment..

It's easy to look for people to blame - partly I blame myself for the stupid length of commute I do. Partly I blame the government....

But I guess the biggest problem we have at the moment if we ignore the financial mess we are in is the fact that the family and everything traditional we have benefited from in this country has been under attack by the liberal left.....

You know the stuff.....

1. Belief in God is an immature delusion.
2. Disciplining children is unfair on them and makes them sad.
3. Health and Safety is everything because we're all so afraid of getting hurt - so afraid that when the real thing happens, we're massively unprepared for it - I mean emotional as well as physical.
4. Hunting animals is bad.
5. The idea that all faiths are basically the same and they should all merge into one "conciousness".

I really really hate all that twaddle. I can't tell you how much I resent the liberal agenda for what it's done and continues to do to this country..

Liberalism stands for nothing.

It's been a bit quiet

2008-07-22T22:21:00.002+01:00

It's been a number of weeks since I last wrote - that's 'cos I'm boring and have very little to say. I've been trying to think of a new angle to my commute..

Truth is I've been disparaging enough about FGW. I've written about my fellow travellers... what else is there to say??

Well I think I'm going to focus on nice things from now on (unless I get really angry)..

Watch this space.

Early.....

2008-07-03T08:14:00.003+01:00

As I have commented before, when a train is early or on time, this results in 2 things happening:

1) Lots of people miss the train as they usually expect it to be late.

2) The FGW staff do a little may-pole style dance of celebration. Which then makes the train late.

Collyn the train manager was very keen to tell us that we'd have to wait at Oxford for a bit and that there was nothing wrong with the train or the track and that we were just early... How cynical does he think we are.....

TTF

Random meetings

2008-06-22T17:38:00.003+01:00

Thankfully one escapes from work at weekends and does one's best to forget the misery, drudgery and pain that goes with the working week.

There are some things that lighten the load - generally the jolly good chaps one meets on the way to and from work.

Sadly in recent months our numbers have been depleted by people finding jobs closer to home - mainly to do with not wanting to get up so early in the morning for a train service that threatens to mess up your day, every day.

The list of fallen is as follows:

Trainman
Visaman
Traintotty
Mini-crasher (has accepted a new job)
Royal Green Jacket - considering something closer to home

I am sometimes lonely on the platform. And for someone with as much verbal diohhrea as me, this is difficult.

Poor me.

TTF

Annoying announcements and excitable train managers

2008-06-19T20:24:00.002+01:00

So there's this chap that some times runs the 7.12am train. He's ok - very contientious and so on. He has quite interesting eyebrows and a very genuine way about him when he's doing the ticket rounds.

But yesterday I had enough.

He said the following line about 700,000 times:

Morning Ladies and Gentlemen. We're on final approach to Reading now. If you are leaving us here, please ensure you have all of your personal possessions with you and retain your tickets for inspection at the barrier.
And don't forget your brollies. It is wet out there so please take your brollies with you. Once again, don't forget your brollies. Please check you haven't left your brolly behind.

I don't think he likes collecting up brollies at the end of the journey somehow.

TTF

The man at the gate

2008-06-11T19:31:00.002+01:00

Those of us that frequent Reading station will be familiar with the 3 or 4 different faces we see at the ticket barriers every day. This is especially true for me as I can't be bothered to get my season ticket out of my wallet so I walk up to the gate and just flash my ticket at him without actually getting it out.

I always make a point of saying good morning/ evening or thankyou to these chaps because so many people pass by without so much as a smile.

I do this also because it makes me feel a bit special and better than everyone else...

Anyway, today on my way home, the chap at the gate was looking the other way. I said to him:
"Good evening chief".. he looked round in suprise, then recognition and said:
"Alright bruv?" and gave me an affectionate tap on my elbow.

I can honestly say this brought a smile to my face after a difficult day and put me in a good mood for the faultless journey home.

Aaaahhhh. Lovely

TTF.

Conversations you overhear on the train

2008-06-04T08:36:00.002+01:00

Another classic from yesterday from a well spoken man speaking very loudly on his mobile...

"Tell John I hope his rear end isn't too sore after last night"....

Ouch.

Rain at Oxford

2008-05-29T19:15:00.003+01:00

As we all know, the weather has been somewhat unpredicatable over the last week or so. This was exemplified by one commuter getting off the train at Oxford today with ear glued to mobile phone and mind / brain clearly in another far more important realm...

He got off, failed to notice it was lashing down and then walked in to a really really deep puddle on the platform... which he failed to notice... for a few seconds at least so engrossed was he...

And then when he did lower himself to this mortal place, he tried to pretend nothing had happened.

But we all knew. All of Oxford knew.

TrainMan has been in touch (see previous posts). It seems his experience of commuting has been a joy! Git.

TTF

To Mr Anonymous, again

2008-05-20T20:35:00.003+01:00

See previous post for Mr Anonymous' previous comment.

Life isn't really simple because sometimes one has to travel to where the work is in order to support family and so on. One therefore makes a decision as to which way to travel. I have chosen the train because, at the moment, it is slightly better than driving. I am actually reconsidering this decision so TrainFellow may become CarFellow...

Reference comments about "accepting public transport is unreliable". Sorry. Can't do that. I've been to France, Germany etc and their systems are a dream compared with our under-invested railway.

I don't blame the staff though... generally. Unless they do something really blameworthy. Like stop at the wrong station.

I do blame middle management though as this is, I'm sure, where most of the dodgy decisions are made.

Lovely.

TTF

To the anonymous responder

2008-05-19T21:57:00.002+01:00

I like it when people respond to this blog. It pleases me - even when people have a little go at me.

Someone anonymous responded to me telling me to get a job somewhere else. Sadly the world is not as simple as this and, if given the opportunity I would work within 1/2 a mile of my house. Sadly this is not possible as my skill set is very specific.

So that's why Mr Anonymous.

TTF

The dreaded "New Timetable Season"

2008-05-16T19:24:00.002+01:00

Tall man greeted me this morning (looking tall and very cool in his new pin-stripe, honestly he's such a loser... ) to tell me that there is a new timetable wef. Monday.

Having examined the whole thing, it seems that the one and ONLY change is that my train is now 6 mins earlier with no change in time on arrival at Reading.

So what do I get for this 6 mins wasted in my life. A free croissant maybe? Pay for wasted time? No. Jack All. Nothing.

Per week I will lose 1/2 an hour of my life to this wretched company FGW. Over the course of a year (excluding delays, cancellations, pestilence, famine etc) I will lost something like 20 hours.

FOR NOTHING. No advantage. Not even at work earlier. WHAT ARE THESE IDIOTS DOING?????????

One expects that if your train time is changed you get one of the following:

1) Destination earlier
2) An extra stop
3) A extra service they can fit in somewhere due to the change
4) At least something of value to someone.

Honestly....

All I hope is that the children miss the train and get a later one and then I won't have to listen to their incessant showing off and so on. And I won't have to look at their shabby uniforms.

I saw an ex-Dean Close pupil on the train tonight who was very well behaved. What a refreshing change.

TTF

The noisy children

2008-05-13T21:02:00.002+01:00

I was doing some work this morning on my way to work (taking special care not to be over-looked) and, as we pulled in to Charlbury, the annoying whiney children announced their presence with their inarticulate posturing and general rowdiness.

I don't know about you but when I was at public school, we were expected to be neat, tidy and above all, to be "Ambassadors" for the school. This meant being well turned out and acting in a decorus manner.

(The irony of this is not lost on me - hurrah for the public schools who were not afraid to treat their puplis as free advertising and therefore contributed to the commercialisation of children...)

These children are a mess. Their uniforms are hardly consistent (therefore calling in to doubt whether they are actually uniforms) and often hanging off them in a most loutish manner.

Anyway, I just wish they'd keep it down a bit. I lost my way right in the middle of a quadratic equation and had to start all over again.

Or am I just being an old git.

TTF

When trains get lost

2008-05-07T19:54:00.003+01:00

I imagine that after a while, one station looks like another to your average train driver. Same features -platform, ticket office (most of the time) etc. etc.

But when you get the feeling that neither the driver or the "train manager" (by the way, which one is the other's boss?) has any idea where they are..

Today the manager announced we were approaching Kingham and that if we wanted to get off, we should be in certain coaches... well actually he said "we are approaching Kinfhsdjkfnsjc bnzx cnzbj scszjnpkzx c" because the tannoy is so knackered or the bloke doesn't know how to use it.

The more experienced of us looked around at the surroundings and decided we had at least another 5 mins until Kingham. Indeed we were right as the train had stopped at a station it has never been to before. You actually need special glasses to be able to see it.. or a Turbo train.

The train moved off 3 mins later in an embarrassed shuffle (can you imagine it... I can).

Finally arrived 10 mins late.

TTF

If you do that again, I'll.....

2008-05-06T19:13:00.002+01:00

Why oh why would you sit on the train and then, when your mobile rings, get up from your seat and walk up and down the carriage talking to your colleague "Martyn" about goodness knows what...

Maybe it's because everyone needs to have the benefit of your conversation. Oh no. We don't.

This man angered me.. I honestly thought he was going to sit in the vestibule area and take his call but instead he walked up and down like a caged lion.

Have you noticed people doing this - I have seen a few - the ones who have a compulsive need to pace up and down when talking on the phone - I've also seen security guards doing it 'cos they think it makes them look important.

Stop it. Sit down. Shut up... or talk quietly. The technology in phones these days really is very good and it makes no difference if you shout or not.

TTF

Train Deaths

2008-05-05T20:05:00.003+01:00

Some of you will recall my ridiculous post about the cost of a suicide on the line out of Paddington which excluded the loss of the person who died.

So I was suprised to see an article in the Telegraph today on a similar subject:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2008/05/05/do0502.xml

TTF

Something bad is happening to me

2008-04-27T15:28:00.003+01:00

I went to Devon for a few days to enjoy the delights of the English Riviera. Let us be clear, Torbay is not at all reminiscent of St Tropez. I've been there. It's awful and I do actually prefer Torbay with it's slightly down at heel feel to it.

While we were pottering around the South Hams (south Devon for the uninitiated), I came across the stations I hear announced at Reading - such romantic places as Dawlish, Teignmouth, Newton Abbott etc.

Mrs TF took a photo of a train - see below:

And as we made our way back up the M5 where the road runs parallel with the railway I tried to see if it was single or double track (sad) and then and train went past and I commented:

"I've probably been on that train".

And I went on to describe the relative merits and pitfalls of an HST (re-conditioned) vs an Adelante and a Turbo.

What have I become? I might have to start calling myself JT or Luke....

TTF

Things you see on other people's laptops

2008-04-22T23:17:00.003+01:00

I am reasonably careful to make sure my screen is not overlooked when I am working on the train. This is because I work for a paranoid organisation that would rather nail my privates to the outside of our building than let any information out in to the public domain....

So you can imagine my suprise when I was walking through the train the other day and I glanced unintentionally at this chap's screen and saw the imortal title:

Clearly this is not the sort of thing you want to advertise....

Unless you are trying to wind me up - which would be very funny if you are...

TTF

The community shrinks

2008-04-20T20:15:00.003+01:00

I am saddened to report that over the last couple of weeks my little gang that used to gather together for general support and comiseration has dwindled.

Visaman - changed jobs for something closer to home - less money, more life.

Train-totty - changed jobs for something much much closer to home - less money more life.

There is a theme here.

I am now a lonely commuter.

TTF

I'm SOoooo London

2008-04-17T20:44:00.003+01:00

Beware all those who alight at Reading station on platform 5. This is the platform with the highest frequency of trains for London Paddington.

Also in close proximity is Platform 8 which has probably about 1/2 the number of trains to Paddington.

So when you are on a train coming in to platform 5, it is normal practice to put your hand out of the window to undo the door (waiting of course for the selective door system to be unlocked / fixed)...

But what happens at Reading is that the door gets opened for you by an angry marauding crowd of commuters who want to get to London. The door is wrenched out of your hand and you are left to topple out. Before the train has even come to a halt there is a mass of humanity around the door in scenes that are not dis-similar to a UN Food Distribution Point in a famine zone. Except these commuters are angrier and have more energy.

And when you get off, they look at you in an openly hostile manner as if to say:

"Get out of the way you low life who only works in Reading. I work in LONDON. I'm so much better than you... Out of the way please, LONDON commuter coming through".....

So we fight our way through and go and pick up one of those faux London papers like "Metro" or "London Lite" and do the Sudoku and wipe our bottoms on them because that's all their good for... Oh yes and for the LONDON commuter to show how important he is because he's been to LONDON...

Ok, I'm done here.

TTF

I'm almost scared

2008-04-15T19:23:00.002+01:00

I am not a believer in the "the law of sod" or fate etc.

However, I do write this item with a certain amount of trepidation.

I am writing to congratulate FGW and their staff on providing a largely faultless service over the last few weeks. I have been getting home in time to see Baby Trainfellow before she goes to bed and all because the trains have been on time.

Perhaps this is due to a serious shake up in the management echelons but I have to say to all those FGW staff who are suffering from low moral (not made any better by the Idiot Brown) a very big Thank You. It makes my commute a lot more worthwhile.

TTF

Not just trains that break down

2008-04-10T19:28:00.003+01:00

I've noticed recently that there have been a lot of problems with the now infamous "Selective Door Opening System".

After a few teething troubles, the train staff have sussed everything out and provide useful announcements for the uninitiated and I have turned up my multi-media player because frankly I could make the announcements myself....

Anyway, I have heard the reason given a number of times that the selective door opening failure is behind some cancellations. This has affected me once or twice...

I wonder if the system needs a bit of work to ensure it is a bit more robust.. But that's not what I wanted to go on about..

MY CAR....

New prop shaft required, blah blah blah (ok it's an environmentally friendly 4x4) Rough cost £1000 including VAT and labour.

HOWEVER....

The intervention of the divine being has meant that the mechanics have looked a bit closer at the problem and found that the bit they need to replace is actually a bit smaller than they thought - Final cost including parts, labour, VAT, Gordon Brown slush fund etc.... £220.

Fantastic.

T4x4F

Gadget news

2008-04-08T19:48:00.003+01:00

I mentioned in my previous post about my new gadget - my portable video player. It seems to get a bit sniffy about playing certain formats sometimes but it was cheap....

But how cool does it look? I have really started to enjoy watching the odd program on it or looking at photos...

The best thing is that it's not a phone and therefore you won't get interrupted when at a crucial moment!!

So if you want to spend considerably less than £270 on an I-touch, get one of these from Curry's and you'll be quite happy.. Of course it's not as good as an I-touch but it was £70.

Run along now.

TTF.

Snippets of conversation

2008-04-05T09:22:00.002+01:00

One of the best and worst things about commuting is the bits of conversation you over hear.

Sometimes it is a very loud conversation that forces you to turn up your MP3 / video Player (birthday present - very nice) and sometimes it's hilarious.

So here it is:

".... and I found out it was my neighbour I was kissing".

That's all I heard before my tea started to flow down my nose and out of my ears as I tried to stop laughing.

TTF

Chatted up on the train

2008-03-22T08:58:00.002Z

I was on a very full train the other day and a couple of older ladies started having a chat with me.

They even hinted at sitting on my lap for the journey.... actually they didn't hint. They just asked.

I suggested that Mrs TF might not be so enamoured with the suggestion.. As they got off the train a few stops later, one of them tapped me on the shoulder and said "she's a very lucky girl"..

Of course she is..

TTF

Give them a chance

2008-03-22T08:43:00.002Z

A very recent commenter on this blog has suggested that I "give the new chap at the top" a chance before I lay into FGW anymore.

So I am going to try and be nice... In the last 3 weeks, I have had only one problem with FGW - a cancelled train.. Other than that, the trains have been on time - even early on occasion. I have been genuinely impressed.

Well done all those people who have worked on the trains, platforms and signals for making the system work. Even with hurricanes, floods etc they've been fine.

In fact my only disappointment was with one of the travelling chefs (kebab van on a train basically.. and that's no bad thing...) refused to make me a bacon and egg baguette because it's not on the menu... even though if I ordered the full breakfast works (including sausage, egg, mushrooms, bacon etc) I would clearly be able to have egg....

The customer host apologised to me... the chef just "didn't want to do it".....

TTF

£1bn lost on train 800,000 delays

2008-03-14T06:30:00.002Z

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7295682.stm

This story was interesting - going in a similar direction to that which I did when writing about the number of suicides on the line between Paddington and Reading.

There is one startling quotation one MP (I'm saddened to say it was a Tory). She said the disruption was "Too much misery for passengers".

I'm inclined to agree but, pray tell, how much misery is "too much"? Surely any misery is unacceptable. Apparantly in the eyes of MPs, no. Some misery must be acceptable.

That's probably what was in "Gordon Darling's" mind when he gave the budget speech........ Anyway, it doesn't affect MPs badly - poor little things.... only 10k to spend on a kitchen... poor lamb....

TTF

Getting away with it

2008-03-12T20:04:00.002Z

I have been very pleased to get away without paying for my parking for a couple of days. It's not intentional. I just have forgotten - I haven't renewed my monthly ticket.

I think it's just good luck that I haven't had a ticket. I did feel very sorry for Train Totty (Visaman's idea, not mine) - she had been a bit blond and scatty and forgotten a lot and had 3 different fines to pay. Poor thing.

Part of me feels quite good that FGW have missed out on a few quid from me. Ha.

Yes, I am that petty.

TTF

Last week

2008-03-09T18:48:00.000Z

A note of commendation for our friends at FGW.

I caught the train 10 times last week and it was on time, every time. Speachless.

Well done.

Hope the forecast storm doesn't foul it all up for us on Monday....

TTF

New Coffee Shop

2008-03-04T21:34:00.002Z

This week a new coffee shop has materialised at Kingham. It is a small caravan with the most enourmouse flag over it.

One of my fellow passengers commented that he'd rather give this chap his money than FGW. I thought about this for a while and realised that the sharks at FGW are probably charging this guy rent for parking his van there - so it's a lose lose situation.

I think it's a great idea to provide facilties for people - I actually take a flask of tea from home so it doesn't affect me. Nor do they sell the Telegraph or FT.

I therefore feel free to have a list of objections which are entirely unreasonable and selfish:

It makes the place look like a gypsy encampment

The generator is noisy and ruins the peace and quiet of the station

The flag is ridiculous

The caravan should at least be made to blend in with the cotswold scene.

I could go on for ever but instead I have included a photo so that you may judge for yourselves.

TTF

Stupid woman

2008-03-04T21:16:00.002Z

Was forced to listen to some stupid, politically correct, "right on" up her own backside woman on the train the other day.

She started talking about Prince Harry and the fact that (she says) he treats being in the army as an extention of public school. She said he was talking about what a good time he had and that he was no where near the action of war in Afganistan.

What nonsense and she clearly had no idea of what she was talking about.

1) If you are calling airstrikes (as Harry has been) you are right in the middle of the action scouting the targets for the planes. People tend to shoot at you when you do that.

2) People in front line military units tend to form quite close relationships with each other. This is because they literally have each other's lives in their hands... That's what Harry was referring to when he talked about having good mates around him.

This woman was clearly from the clueless, loony left who have no understanding of the real world but live in politically correct eutopia.

Grr

TTF

When a train is late

2008-03-02T12:26:00.004Z

Firstly, found a nice little story about FGW on someone else's blog. Read it here: http://blogs.travelmail.co.uk/2008/01/think-55-minute.html

Secondly:

I've had an idea about the 7.18 from Kingham. Now bear with me on this - it's quite selfish of me but I think it could benefit a great number of people.

What about making the train 15 mins earlier? This wouldn't really change the time I have to get out of bed at. It would theoretically mean that I could be in my office in Reading by 8.30 every day. It would also give the Paddington people a chance of getting to work at a decent hour....

But here's the thing... The train is meant to get us to Reading for 8.20-somthing.. But it NEVER EVER does. I'm lucky if I get in for 8.40.

Thirdly:

I approached a travelling chef the other day - he was clean, well presented and actually seemed to have an interest in cooking - although he had no sausages available for the "Breakfast Baguette" - In my opinion, this leaves out a very important part of breakfast. Sausages are a must.

Here's a picture of what he produced-it was very nice.

TTF

Selective Door Opening - an Almighty Cock up - Health and Safety Paranoia

2008-02-27T20:38:00.005Z

It is difficult to put words down to express how angry I am with FGW. Yesterday we have a successful day of virually on time trains - I got to work at the proper time, I got home at a decent hour.

But today.. No. Not a hope.

I arrived at the station to be told by Tall Man (aka Duncan) that the 7.18 would not be stopping at Kingham this morning due to problems with the sodding Selective Door Opening.

I went on to the platform in the vain hope that it might stop. Leon even put his head out of his hiding place and told us it might stop.... just as the train tooted at us and accelerated through 100mph as it passed through the station. I had to wait an hour for the next train and ended up arriving at the office for about 10am.

Honestly, how does this sodding company think that this is an acceptable way to run a business? It's a good job my boss is reasonably understanding as he does the same commute (albeit earlier).

I am literally at my wits end with this lot.

The problem was that the selective door opening wouldn't work and all they could do was unlock all the doors.... Which takes us straight back to just before Christmas when they would stop and tell everyone not to get out of certain carriages or risk a fall to a messy and painful death.

My question is then, what has changed? I have an idea that it's those Health & Safety people poking their noses in and making a difficult job almost impossible.

To add insult to serious delay, I couldn't get a seat until I persuaded the Train Manager (Rog I think) that there were actually no seats and that I should be allowed into 1st class where I was set upon my revenue inspection staff (what a great title).

They had been briefed as to my plight - and it's a good thing to for I was armed with the Times newspaper...

I have added below a picture of someone's "hotpants" that somehow had made their way on to the track. The thing that scared me (and should serve as a lesson to anyone who reads this) that after the train had gone by, there was absolutely no sign of the clothing anywhere -

I can only assume the aforementioned hotpants had been minced up and deposited somewhere a couple of miles up the track. As for the girl who was missing her hotpants..... well the mind boggles.....

TTF

Dom

2008-02-25T22:24:00.003Z

I was standing in a generic retail outlet on Saturday while shopping with Mrs Trainfellow and Baby Trainfellow.

The chap came up to me and said "excuse me, my girlfriend thinks you're Dom Joly. Are you?"

Well.... I don't like to disappoint.

TTF

Person hit by a train

2008-02-25T21:51:00.002Z

Most of us that use the Great Western Railway will be familiar with the level of havoc caused when there is a fatality on the line - generally in the Southall area.

There seem to be a variety of causes - all of them equally tragic - mis-adventure, suicide - and today's version - possible murder.

The police had to shut the line for 5 and a half hours which had the effect of knackering all the services between London and anywhere else.

You can imagine my delight to see that the train I was due to catch (that I had run for) was cancelled and I had to wait until a lot later - Got home about 8.30ish. Not so bad all things considered.

What I don't understand is why people choose this bit of track - my contact at FGW (Matthew Golton, Special Projects Director) tells me that this piece of track has the highest suicide rate of anywhere on the railway network.

I'm guessing there must be 20 trains an hour out of Paddington - maybe more but let us stay with this assumption. Let us also say that each train can carry on average (gross miscalculation coming up), 500 passengers. The line was shut for 5.5 hours.
Therefore, as a minimum, 55,000 people are affected and that's just the ones wanting to leave Paddington.
Then there's those on the way in and all of the others at stations like Reading who are also affected. Making a wild guess - another 20,000 people in all.
I am making huge leaps and assumptions but let us further agree that we all earn the minimum wage of £5.52 an hour - ok, let's be sensible - we work in Reading and London mainly - more likely to average £22 an hour (£4o k salary - tell me if I'm wrong...) We've all been delayed for a minimum of 1 hour - some much more. Time to recap...

75,000 people in total affected
1 hour delay
£22 per hour

Cost = £1,650,000

That seems remarkably cheap to me. We haven't accounted for the cost of police time, damage etc etc. Let alone the fact that once again I haven't been able to see my baby girl in the evening as she is asleep.

I'd love to hear some official stats on this and see how far off I am..

Yes, I am a sicko but your mind wanders when you're stuck on a platform waiting.

TTF

Drinking on the Train

2008-02-22T09:14:00.002Z

On Monday of this week I had the usual pleasure of rousing myself and getting on the 7.18am train. To do this I have to get up at 6am. (Already I can see what a nonsense my life is... Honestly).

Anyway, you can imagine my state of mind when I get on the train - all I want is quiet and a sip of tea whilst I either check my emails, do a Sudoku or I sleep.

On this particular morning, I noticed nothing different in carriage B apart from a slightly chatty group of people who I assumed would quieten down when more commuters got on, carrying with them their slient air and speach forbidding looks.

Only minutes later, I heard the sound of champagne corks being popped, glasses being filled and shouts of "Cheers". Clearly on a jolly for the day. They got louder and louder and the female laughing in particular was glass shattering.

It went on and on. The funny thing about British society in particular is that we are all afraid of a confrontation with someone who may turn out to be quite violent. This has been illustrated again and again when a reasonable member of society has either been stabbed and killed or prosecuted for standing up to yobos.

I did my bit and got off the train as soon as possible.

However, I did tell someone to turn down their Ipod on Tuesday because they were annoying everyone and I had a lot of encouraging looks from people along with nods of approval..

TTF

Please do not flush the toilet whilst the train is at a station

2008-02-15T18:21:00.002Z

There is a good reason why this request is made of us commuters. It's because sometimes the water and associated waste efluent comes out of the train.

I realised this today because, as I was standing on platform 4 of Reading station, staring into space, my eyes came into focus on the track in front of me.

And what did I see? I beige / brown "jobbie". Just lying there on the track looking at me. I looked around and there was loo paper and other general nastiness. Surely a public health issue but I don't blame the platform staff for not doing anything about it. I mean, who wants to do that job, especially with an audience.

So, let this be a lesson to you. DO NOT FLUSH WHILST AT A STATION.

TTF

Carriage B - the home of relationship breakups on the phone

2008-02-13T19:48:00.002Z

We all know how painful it is when a relationship breaks down - and I'm sure it's sooo much worse when it's a "significant other" type thing.

You will have noticed the comments of yesterday and the woman discussing her problems loudly... Today another woman did the same thing whilst her 7 year old daugher listened in. Honestly it was excrutiating.

Some conversations must be had in private and definitely not in front of a daughter who will be deeply affected by it I'm sure. Mind you, sounds like the bloke involved needs to do a bit of growing up.

I mentioned this to the Royal Green Jacket. His suggestion was "sit down opposite her and take notes on the whole conversation, very obviously. When she leans over to say excuse me, this is a private conversation, simply respond: Yes, it is."

I love his style.

TTF

Very loud woman in carriage B on 7.18

2008-02-12T22:02:00.001Z

Visaman and a number of others including myself and the amusing "Jules" were treated to one end of what should have been a private phone conversation.

This lady shared at high volume the details of her recent break up with her ex-boyfriend who was "just being really petty". As a result of the break up she had moved out and is living with her mother somewhere in the Malverns (honestly this woman seemed like she hadn't been outside of London in years).

I can't remember all of the conversation but I know Jules and Visaman both were writing notes. I should point out that this conversation started at Charlbury and went on anabaited until Didcot when fortunately the silly moo had to buy a ticket from the distinguished Roy Harley (I really do like his style - recognisable and reassuring).

The moment her transaction was complete, she was back on the phone to the poor unfortunate at the other end and she just carried on - oblivious to the looks, shakes of heads and people actually changing seats to get away from her.

Visaman and Jules, your contributions please.

TTF

Selective Door Opening

2008-02-11T22:25:00.000Z

You will probably know of the problems FGW have with short platforms and unlocking the doors.

Well as I was waiting to get off the train the other day I was given unfettered access to the panel on the train that is to blame. Pic below.

TTF

Not an auspicious start

2008-02-11T22:15:00.000Z

I was wondering on my way to work this morning if I had lost my passion for commenting about FGW or my fellow commuters. You will be pleased to hear (?) I have not lost it after all.

Journey home today:

1) The magical mixture of a child and a dog in my carriage. I really couldn't have chosen any better. The poor child (age circa 18months) was clearly tired and needed to sleep hence the semi-tantrum coming from it's general direction. The dog was frightened of the small child hence pitiful whining noises.

And I messed up the Sudoku.

2) The train that had left Reading more or less on time achieve the brillant feat of getting to Kingham 20 mins late. The usual excuses were offered along with the line about "any inconvenience" but actually this is no longer good enough (as if it ever was).

I have to run my life on quite a tight timetable in order to get to work on time, get home, run (those that know me personally will testify to my needing to do this), spend time with beautiful wife and daughter etc etc. I do not have a spare 20 mins in my day to just give away. I know this sounds pathetic and that perhaps I should work closer to home?? Oh, it's too complicated to go into here.

The point is that FGW are supposed to run a "World class train service". How can they even dream this when they describe a train that is 15 mins late as "On Time".

Utter nonsense. I feel another email to the CEO coming up.

TTF

Rowan Williams needs to resign.

2008-02-07T21:22:00.000Z

I know this is a departure from my normal rantings about FGW but I feel today that I need to comment on something else - the words of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

As you will probably know from the news, Rowan has been discussing how Sharia law could come to the UK - albeit only for Muslims who opt to live under it's rules.

My problems with this are:

1) He is Archbishop of the CHURCH OF ENGLAND, not of Islam. As much as it would be nice to see peace between Christianity and Islam, they are different and separate faiths and it is not for the leader of the Anglican church to be an apologist for Islam. I have a lot of questions about Rowan's outlook.

2) The Rule of Law. The UK and it's stability is built upon the Rule of Law (A.V. Dicey 16oo odd). Society is built upon the population being subject to the same laws and conventions with all being equal in the eyes of the law.
We cannot consider having different rules applicable to different people. As a Christian, I still consider myself subject to the laws of the nation I live in - even if I don't quite agree with all of them.

Quite what the AOC thinks he is doing by pusing an Islamic agenda I don't know. If as AOC he is leading Christians in their faith, what does he think he is doing??????????

Not a very eloquent or well thought out item but it does reflect my thoughts this evening. Normal service will be resumed soon.

TTF

Leon

2008-02-06T19:54:00.000Z

I saw Leon the station manager at Kingham actually on the train this afternoon. He told me he'd had a little outing (using his free train miles) to buy a treadmill for running on. His intention is to put it behind the desk at the station and get some exercise while serving the commuters with their daily diet of Travelcards and returns for Oxford. I wish him well.

He also raised a good amount of money for charity when he dyed his hair red. Apparantly his bosses at FGW were less amused. Major sense of humour failure.... Leon is a legend and how cool is it that he uses his job to raise money for charity. Outstanding.

I shall wait and see how he gets on with the treadmill....

TTF

FGW - we might even make it to Paddington

2008-02-06T19:50:00.001Z

A very clever friend of mine has taken the time out to create a new FGW poster taking in the line from my previous post. I hope you like it as much as I did.

TTF

First day back

2008-02-04T19:16:00.000Z

First day back..

As a little sort of reminder / welcome back from FGW I was treated to a late train - got "stuck" at Moreton in Marsh... What does this mean? It's not like it's having to make its way across a muddy field.....

Things got worse as the journey progressed. Apparently the automatic braking system was malfunctioning and the driver was trying to resolve it. I do have sympathy for the poor chap as it was chilly this morning. My feet still haven't warmed up from my 25 min wait on the platform (made more bearable by swapping anecdotes with Visaman and the Royal Green Jacket about rugby and how Wales isn't really a country so it doesn't matter that England gave away a few points on Saturday).

Anyway, I wonder if FGW could perhaps give a bit more thought to where the train breaks down as today we were stuck in a cutting with no views to take in. The British Railway network has some of the finest views available to it (and some of the worst - approach to Liverpool Street and approach to Manchester Piccadilly) and if we are going to be stuck, I'd at least like to have a nice view to take in.....

Sorry, I know I'm being unreasonable.

I knew it was going to be really bad when we started moving again and saw a car driving along a parallel piece of road and watching them over-take the train with some ease.

The "train manager" (TM) came on the tannoy and told us the train would "terminate" at Oxford due to an irreparable fault with the train. However, the level of excitement was raised further when the TM announced that they would "try and get the train as far as Didcot as we stand a better chance of getting a connection there". He then said (and I quote) "you never know, we might even make it as far as Paddington".

Part of me felt that this should be their new Corporate Brand Strapline:

FGW - you never know, we might make it to Paddington.

Eventually terminated at Didcot and had to get a connection.
A lovely welcome back.
Such fun.

TTF

It's not all about commuting

2008-02-03T14:24:00.000Z

I felt I had to share this story.

At church on Sunday, my good friend Keith was publishing the bans of marriage for a number of people. Among them were some other pals of mine, Brian and Anna.

So you can imagine my suprise when Keith accidentally published the bans of marriage between Brian and ALAN. You could almost see the ripple of anglican disapproval that went round the congregation.....

Poor old Keith.... He got it right the second time round although he did go on to refer to one of the other pastors as "hot".

Hmmmmm

A week of no commuting

2008-02-01T20:14:00.000Z

For the benefit of Train Man and others, I feel I should update you on why I have been silent in a week when I would have had soooo much ammunition to fire at FGW / LWW etc etc. But I've been on a course in a hotel on a beach with a very fine restaurant! Lovely.

I've provided some pics of the view from my balcony. Back on the trains next week to see if the newly penitent (that is humble) FGW can do any better.

I am excited to hear that they will be provided a stonking discount on season tickets... Hopefully I'll still be doing the commute to take advantage..

Those of you who know my (tongue in cheek) feelings about northerners will be amused to hear that the course tutor this week was a Dyslexic Geordie with Tourettes' syndrome... Brilliant.

TTF

Kirsty Allsop

2008-01-23T21:09:00.000Z

Those of us addicted to "house - type programmes" will be familiar with Kirsty and Phil. I am a big fan of them both - they have a no nonsense approach and are not too politically correct. Lovely.

You can imagine my excitement therefore when I heard a voice on the train the other morning that sounded unmistakably like our Kirsty. Except this one was called Geoff. I know this because she was talking, very nicely, into her "brand new, teething troubles" blackberry (you know my thoughts on those).

She had a charm and style in her conversation that I wished for and a grace that would carry through almost any situation. I had mentally assigned the jolly face of Kirsty G to this lady.

So understand my shock when I stood up at my station, glanced over at this lady to discover much more masculine vision that I had expected.

That'll teach me to make assumptions. How shallow I am.

TTF

Whoops

2008-01-22T20:55:00.000Z

So I was working from home today but I have heard that the train was on time today.... This presented on or 2 issues to the passengers at Charlbury who have been lulled into a false sense of security by the persistent lateness of the train.

I understand that the train left bang on time much to the horror of some regulars who are used to the train being late.

I can easily imagine how this happens. Every minute in bed in the morning is precious so you are bound to try and eek out as much time between the sheets as possible. Also a dangerous game to play when you have the likes of FGW providing transport.

So sorry to hear of your troubles Charlbury folk.

TTF

Things I have seen....

2008-01-18T21:57:00.000Z

I will be commenting on the lamentable service I endured this morning (trainman, do not come back to this line, it will anger you towards an early grave).

But today I want to share with you some of the delightful footwear /clothing I have seen people wearing in recent days:

Had to mention this chap - wasn't sure what he was wearing but I've never seen anything like it - managed to snap it while pretending to be on the phone.... I really am quite a spy...

This one is another red sock wearer on the train. I love this and it makes me want to wear my colourful socks more often.

This boot looked much redder in real life and it is related to a sock...

TTF

2008-01-17T20:29:00.001Z

So there were these women on the train today when i got on - they clearly had been out together for the day in London and had decided to "kick back" on the train with bottle of sparking white and some fruit. Very nice idea if it's you that's doing it.

However, I would like you to imagine 4 middle aged ladies who have all had a few glasses of bubbly and are now conversing excitedly about "some chap they fancy" or "the fellow that my friend was going out with... he was really fit." Happy for these ladies to have the conversation but honestly.... the volume was so much I couldn't hear the announcements - not that I care I suppose.

There was a chap sitting behind me trying to talk to his office - very quietly and then, as the volume rose from the witches of eastwick, he in turn had to get louder. Not relaxing.
I suppose what I found a little difficult is the lack of appreciation from these ladies that they were speaking at a volume known as LOUDER THAN HELL.

I nearly did what the Royal Greenjacket did one day when dealing with a chap who was stressing out and being difficult to be near.. .I quote:

"Excuse me, sorry to bother you. I just wanted to check, are you going to be like this for the entire journey? If so, can you tell me now so that one of us can move - I don't mind who it is but I just need to know now".

Pure brilliance - polite, courteous, even eloquent.

I wish I was more like him.

The overly keen customer host....

2008-01-15T22:14:00.000Z

On the train home tonight and the train slowed down for Didcot (where it doesn't stop much to our relief) and a very excited "customer host" came on the tannoy to announce we were arriving at Oxford.

A number of panicked looks flashed around the train as the uninitated began to hastily get their
things together. The initiated merely looked out of the window, saw the towering heights of didcot power station and went back to whatever it was we were doing:

e.g. reading,

crossword,

knitting,

voodoo doll of FGW staff or employer,

typing on laptop,

watching film on iphone,

staring into space with a sense of dread about the rest of the journey,

checking their reflection in the tinted windows...

the list goes on.

Anyway, back to the story. The Train Manager then came on the tannoy to announce to all and sundry (let us say 8 carriages at roughly 70 people per carriage - so 560 people) that "my customer host got it wrong and assumed that, as we were slowing down, this must be Oxford". Nothing like being dressed down in front of an audience eh...

Must have been the Customer Host's first day as anyone else would know very well that it doesn't need a station for the train to slow down.. Any excuse will do - a bend in the track, bright sunlight, dark night etc. He'll learn. Oh yes, he will learn.

He went on to make an announcement about there being a "Happy Hour" at the buffet and was offering free drinks with all food that has to be sold at 1/2 price as the train is on it's last run of the day. Forgive my cycnicism but I struggle to find anything happy about the food in the buffet (unless there is a travelling chef on board).

As an aside, I had a very nice chat with a 1st class customer host this morning about various things - he recognised the Soul Survivor lanyard that I hang my security pass on. Nice wee chat and very nice fellow.

You see. I can be nice.

Strike again FGW

2008-01-11T22:26:00.000Z

You can imagine my excitement when I heard this week that our dear friends at FGW are going to have a lovely cuddly little strike on 20th and 21st January.

I am planning my work for the affected weekday. I think I shall be working from home (Train man, this is my solution...)

I am somewhat intruiged that the RMT and their members are getting so cross about managers doing some operational work. Surely it makes sense for managers to have an idea of what their staff are doing (along the lines of back to the floor).

What a nonsense it is and doesn't really move towards a world class train service... I do want to be sympathetic but if I tried striking from my job I'd not have a job to go back to.

On another note, here is a picture of some wonderful socks a chap was wearing the other day - fantastic:

Susie of Charlbury, my name is not Lee!

Thanks for the invite to the open meeting. I shall give this some serious thought - it has to be said, David Cameron should be good entertainment and I look forward to the time when he leads this country forward out of the Labour doldrums....... Ooops showing political bias....

TTF

General comments

2008-01-10T20:22:00.000Z

There have been a number of things I've wanted to comment on in recent days:

- the fact that the trains haven't been too bad - apart from being consistently late.
- a man with fantastic red socks - much like my own.
- a chap wearing a pin stripe suit and a checked shirt - apparantly this is a social faux pas - I did this once and was reprimanded. However, this chap was much worse. Every 2 mins or so, he snorted in the way of someone emptying their sinuses - really quite unpleasant.

But the thing that has prevented me from writing was a comment that was left on one of my previous posts by someone I can only assume is an FGW employee. In this post (which I have now deleted) I mentioned a number of FGW staff - one of whom was a "Train Manager" with an Australian accent.
Whoever this commenter was, he/she took great exception to my comments about this Train Manager even though I was only really commenting on my own intolerances, not on her.

This FGW person (commenting anonymously of course) described me really quite rudely and with no small amount of swearing. I probably should develop a thicker skin but I was genuinely disappointed by the fact that this person didn't even read the story properly but just unleashed his / her abuse anyway....

Such is the world in which we commute.... Such fun.

TTF

FGW strike again

2008-01-05T10:31:00.000Z

In the last 2 days of commuting I have noticed numerous things that require comment from me. However, the most important one is this:

I caught the 16.23 home last night. It was a bit late due some rolling stock failure - given that this sort of thing normally brings the entire network to a grinding halt, they hadn't done too badly - it was onlyu 9 mins late.

However, there was a platform alteration - we all traipsed off to platform 8 and waited patiently. The ticker signs on the platform then changed and told us that there would be a Bristol train in front of ours. No problem, these things happen.. As the "Bristol" train arrived, it suddenly became apparant to the more observant of us that this was indeed the Worcester train and we should get on it.

Unfortunately for FGW their tannoy system on platform 8 was not working properly and many people for Bristol had an unexpected journey north rather than west. Poor things...

If it had been me, I'd have been livid....

TTF

New Year's Resolution

2008-01-02T18:26:00.000Z

I'm going to try and be nice about people a bit more this year rather than the ranting incoherent git that I have become in recent months.

I can't guarantee it'll last long but we'll give it a go.

I return to my commute tomorrow morning. I am filled with a due sense of dread and misery about my journey. The weather forecast tells me snow is on the way - a great excuse for the train not making it up Norton Bank or whatever they call it.

I also have to leave slightly earlier tomorrow to ensure I have time to approach Leon (the ticket office chap) for a car parking ticket.

More will follow I am sure. In the mean time, safe travelling and may FGW not foul it up too much for you.

Good luck.

TTF.

Priceless FGW ineptitude

2007-12-28T12:03:00.000Z

From the BBC:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/7161767.stm

I almost laughed out loud.

TTF

What a relief

2007-12-28T08:49:00.000Z

I have had all this week off and will have most of next as well. This is just lovely.

I am not at the mercy of FGW until late next week - I am approaching a state of happiness that I have not felt since the birth of my daughter.

I was watching the Bourne Ultimatum last night (spot the Christmas present). It was one of those action moments when Bourne is in a station and the train departs at just the right moment for the baddy to get away.

This would never happen in the UK. There would be enough time for Bourne to grab the baddy off the train, beat him to a pulp and walk away into the crowds.

What a perfect excuse for FGW to say that the train was late - a "Customer Incident" they would doubtless call it.

Anyway, enough of that for the moment. Back to the mince pies and so on.

TTF

Home for Christmas

2007-12-21T18:17:00.000Z

I have made it home tonight on a train that was on time!! What a lovely present. Journey was punctuated by frantically annoying woman on mobile phone - usual story - no sense of the volume of her voice of how pretentious she sounded to everyone else. Stabbed her to keep her quiet.....

Decided to provide a moment of excitement by displaying my favourite socks that I wear to work on "power days" - i.e. those days when my motivation is at such a low ebb that I need something to lift me from the general malaise.

Happy Christmas and thanks to those people I have come across recently who have linked to this blog - I will ensure I reciprocate and thus build up our community of FGW opposition.

TTF.

A genuinely new experience

2007-12-20T17:20:00.000Z

I arrived at the station this morning and saw, as I wandered past the booking office in an aimless fashion, that the train was on time. I actually had to walk quickly across the footbridge to catch it - it literally arrived as I stepped on to the platform - great timing.

The "train manager" came on the tannoy (she actually knew how to use it without it feeding back or distorting - a rare treat) and over the course of the journey, thanked us all for "managing to close the doors behind us because this really does help keep the train on time". Nearly laughed out loud (thus breaking rule 10, subsection 3.1 of the Commuter Etiquette Code which reads:"under no circumstance should any passenger show any emotion even if he or she is in the depths of depression and despair or the heights of joy and ambition."

The irony is that the train was really quiet today. This goes to prove my understanding and indeed FGW's understanding or the railways - This railway would always run on time if it weren't for the passengers.

Or more literally translated: It's not the fault of FGW that the trains are late. It's the customers who don't shut the doors that delay the trains.
Damn these customers..

A Christmas Update on my favourite characters

2007-12-19T21:13:00.000Z

Those of you who are regular readers will be familiar with some of my fellow commuters. I am aware I have mentioned them less as my anger at FGW has increased. So here goes:

Visaman - still commuting with me. He brought his son with him the other day. I don't mind saying that this young lad has the most extraordinary hair - it had it's own gravitation pull and everything. Very nice chap and polite. So we'll forgive the hair.

Teaman - I see him more on the way home now and I think he's forgiven me for putting milk in my Earl Gray.

Trainman - The encyclopedia of railways. He now gets a different line which apparantly arrives early in London on regular occasions. Just watch his fare go up!

Tallman - still tall.

"Hermione" - the one that doesn't speak. Well actually she spoke to me the other day - to say thanks for holding the door for her.

Roy Harley the train manager - I think he's been redeployed which is a shame as I enjoyed his witty banter in the morning.

I think that's it - what a jolly crew.

Selective Door Opening

2007-12-19T21:04:00.000Z

Those of us that travel regularly on lines that have stations with short platforms will now be familiar with a new sight on FGW.

Since the new Selective Door Opening mechanism was introduced, the quality of announcements from the "Train Manager" has gone down and we have been greeted by the sight of a harrassed looking shopper or an inattentive commuter having to run fast down the train over the various hurdles left in the aisle in case of such a calamity.

I think they've all made it so far but there is this sense of panic that is transmitted when the person realises that the sadistic "Train Manager" has not opened all the doors because, quite rightly, there is no platform next to some of the train. The panic is not that they will miss their stop and have to get off later.

No.

It's the panic at having to spend another minute on board an FGW train.

Still, my sadistic mind finds it funny until the moment that is happens to me.

TTF

A different bit

2007-12-13T13:13:00.000Z

A colleague of mine related the following story which goes to re-enforce all of my opinions and thoughts about FGW:

Travelling from Reading to Slough I caught an HST which promised faithfully that it would be calling at Slough and London Paddington. About 14 mins after the train left Reading, it started to brake quite hard and I looked up, out of the window to see Slough Station sailing past at about 100 mph. I also saw lots of people waiting on the platform and panicked faces of my fellow passengers who also wished to alight there.

The "Train Manager" was seen to make his way through the carriage talking quickly into his phone - presumably to the driver. 5 mins later there followed an announcement that the train had not stopped at Slough due to a security alert.

There are a number of problems with this explanation:

1. During a security alert, people have to leave stations, they do not stay on the platform.

2. During a security alert, trains are not allowed to carry on through the station.

3. The train had already started slowing down.

4. There were people waiting for the train to arrive.

So, a bunch of lies by the look of it.

The truth later came out - apparantly it was a trainee driver who forgot about Slough. He is now the talking point of the entire network.

What I can't believe is that they lied about it when they'd made the cock up. Gives you an insight into the way these people think and why their service is as bad as it is.

TTF.

Petition for the Cotswold Line

2007-12-12T17:08:00.001Z

As you know, I am constantly complaining to FGW about their lack of service, slovenly staff and ill-informed decisions.

Recently the "Selective Door Opening" has caused all kinds of problems on the train - a proper nightmare - people getting stuck in carriages etc made worse by the fact that the FGW staff clearly do not know how to use a tannoy system without making it:

a) feedback
b) distort so it sounds like you're on Mars.

Now someone has started a petition - Mr Richard Fairhurst. So if you use this line and are getting stitched up the same way as I am, please give this some attention.

http://www.petitiononline.com/cotswold/

Also see: http://www.charlbury.info/cgi-bin/dtrains.cgi for anger even greater than mine.

That's all I'm saying....

A different subject - calming down a bit...

2007-12-12T16:59:00.000Z

I've noticed that my posts have again become angry and somewhat personalised in terms of the people I mention.. So I've decided to be nice again...

I was looking at the BBC website today and I saw a video that has been made by the American President as part of his Christmas message.

I watched open mouthed as the whole Bush family took part in what can only be described as a pantomime. Even worse that idiot Blair shows up in it as well.

Link is here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/newsid_7140000/newsid_7140800/7140800.stm?bw=bb&mp=rm&asb=1&news=1&bbcws=1

I am lost for words... So I'm going to go and hide under the bed until Fraulein Clinton comes to power.... God help us all.

TTF

Oh what a week

2007-12-07T20:24:00.000Z

It's been a bit of a nightmare this week. I will get very specific and nasty about something in my next post but this one is dedicated to the shower at First Great Western. I would call them "The Shonks" but that title uniquely belongs to another company that shall remain nameless.... for the moment.

Below is a copy of my email to FGW customer services. You will note my angry tone - try if you will to imagine my tone of voice etc when reading this:

"Further to my email below I have again suffered the same fate on my way home from work:
The 16:53 from Reading was delayed but about 20 mins. I asked platform staff at Reading if they would phone ahead to ask if the connecting train to kingham etc. could be held. This was met with a blank refusal and an admonishment that the connection would never be held this long. Not exactly a world class customer service solution.

I arrived at Oxford and found that in face the connecting train had been cancelled. I then spent another significant period of time enjoying the limited delights of Oxford station (a cup of tea).

The 1821 train arrived (late) and finally delivered me to Kingham station at 7pm ish. I'm sorry that I can't remember the exact time but I was in a rush to get home having wasted my time at Oxford and indeed Reading.

This is the 2nd time this week the train has been seriously disrupted.

However, I feel bound to point out that the train has not been on time ONCE in the last week - either on the way to or the way from work. You can view this a 100% failure of FGW to run a world class train service.

I look forward to hearing from you in terms of both an explanation and a suggestion as to what compensation you will offer.

Best regards"

Note the ironic best regards which really means "I want to hurt you".

TTF

Last Friday Night

2007-12-02T18:11:00.001Z

What a debacle..

I caught the early train home in an effort to spend a bit of time in the house before going out for a fantastic dinner engagement.

I knew my plans were holed below the water line when I got to the station and saw the sight that all commuters on a Friday night dread to see:

An overcrowded platform with passengers crowded round members of staff and the tv monitors desperate in their quest for information about a train (or other mode of transport not excluding horses) that will convey them to their accommodation for the night.

It's like a cold hand reaches into your chest and clutches at your still beating heart and then attempts to make you give up there and then. Only the bravest carry on.

Train after train was delayed including mine which, when it did arrive, dramatically changed it's destination literally as the train arrived on the platform. Instead of taking us via our usual route, we were flung towards the hateful town of Swindon (sorry) and then told to get off because there would be buses to take us to our stations where we foolishly had parked our cars.

Tall man and I managed to bump into each other at Swindon and, with 3 others, ended up hiring a black cab to take us to Kingham. I should point out that we tried a number of mini-cabs who all responded:

"Wherrreeee??? Kinghammmmmm? Never 'eard of thaaaat. We don't go beyond Wiltshire boarders".

This resulted in a colourful bout of swearing from tall man who was also getting soaked by the torrential rain that was throwing it down just to make sure we were really uncomfortable.

In contrast to the previous occasion when a freight train broke down near Oxford, FGW staff were next to useless. The woman who was meant to have organised the buses started having an argument with the bus driver that had actually shown up and it all went very wrong very quickly.

Anyway, one £80 cab fare later and we were sorted. Only got home an hour and half late..... no thanks to FGW.

So here's a hint for Network Rail. STOP LETTING SODDING FREIGHT TRAINS USE THE TRACK DURING RUSH HOUR.

TTF.

Great Trousers!!!

2007-12-02T18:11:00.000Z

I had to change trains at Oxford the other day. I had the fortune to walk behind this fellow wearing the most retinally exciting coloured cords I have seen. Apologies for the picture quality.

I could never get away with that.

I am also amused by the way the vivid colours that adourn Oxford station clash with the trousers.

Lovely

TTF

Politics

2007-11-28T19:56:00.001Z

Was highly suprised to see the gentleman shown below on the train this morning - got into my carriage as well. Didn't bother speaking to him though as he is a liberal, namby pamby, commie loving, ex member of the SAS who can probably pan my head in.

A friend of mine (Hitchmo) said that with the number of politicians I meet, I should consider these incidents as more than chance and that perhaps I am meant to be in politics.

Happy never to have met a labour MP as I would probably have to wash my hands with bleach.

TTF

Tall Man

2007-11-28T19:56:00.000Z

I was amused the other morning - was chatting to Tall man (previously referred to as ridiculously tall good looking man)... He'd just tried to pay for his car parking using the "RINGO" service where you phone up a laptop in India and type or speak various details in.

This service is a pain at the best of times. But you can imagine Tall man's anger when his credit card got rejected by the Indian Laptop.. F****** thing, F****** to*****s etc etc. Never seen him quite so angry - I took an involuntary step back.

He's always so calm and collected normally... I ventured to mention the incident to him today and he was still seething...

TTF

FlyBe

2007-11-27T22:48:00.000Z

Had to go to Edinburgh today. Jolly good meetings and dinner with old friend. However, there was a part of my travel that got on my wick....

The announcements.

They go on for ever.

It's worse than the train.

On one short flight from Edinburgh to Birmingham we had:

1) By cabin crew - Welcome aboard
2) Flight deck - Welcome aboard, blah blah, please pay special attention to the safety instructions that the cabin crew are, in a bored, humiliating and frankly unnecessary way, about to demonstrate for you.
3) Recorded. The actual safety instructions including which cavity to insert your sodding blackberry into.
4) Cabin Crew. Keep your seatbelts on.
5) Cabin Crew. Announcement about drinks and sandwiches trolley from which you can BUY stuff.
6) Cabin Crew. Announcement about the special stuff you can buy at "extra special prices" on board (or is that bored).
7) Cabin Crew - Customer feedback forms.
8) Flight Deck - where we are - somewhere above Manchester - who cares. At least we don't have to go there.
9) Flight Deck - 10 mins to landing
10) Cabin crew - fasten your seat belts
11) Cabin crew - please remain in your seats until.... blah blah blah, death.
12) Flight deck - slight delay - external power hook up.
13) Cabin crew - we've opened both front and rear doors.

Blimey.....

TPF.

The Projects Director - FGW

2007-11-26T19:46:00.000Z

Well the day finally arrived when I had my appointment with Matthew Golton who is the Projects Director of FGW. We had arranged to meet on the train at Charlbury where he would be joining the train.

True to his word, as the train began to pull out of Charlbury, my telephone rang (embarrassing Nokia sound which I have since changed) and Mr Golton and I met up. I was escorted to 1st class and treated to a cup of tea and offers of just about anything I could eat.

We had a chat about the future of the line we use - in particular the option of rebuilding parts of the track so that there are less delays on the line.

The options seem to be:

1) Addition of track at the junction just north of Oxford and the upgrading of some goods lines to passenger standard (I never knew there was a difference - surely railway is railway...)

2) More track at another squeeze point near Moreton in Marsh.

3) The upgrading of the mainline track from Paddington to Didcot so that the slow tracks can cope with trains up to 90mph...
This move would include the upgrading of signalling to allow trains to run a bit closer and for there to be a single control centre in Didcot for a large portion of the country - more akin to air traffic control than an old style signal box.

A number of interesting facts emerged from our conversation:

1) The track out of Paddington to Reading has 25% of the country's suicides committed on it.. (Those that are done by jumping in front of trains....)

2) It costs about £3m for 1 mile of track.

3) A platform costs about £1m (but could be much more).

4) It will take until 2013 for all these upgrades to be completed.

5) The final iteration of signalling for trains - that is train to train transmission and proper aircraft type control will probably only be in place by 2035.

I intend to have retired by then.

Anyway. Matthew is a jolly nice chap and seems open to having sensible conversations. I was very amused by the reaction of all the FGW staff to Matthew - basically they couldn't do enough for us - literally falling over themselves to be nice. Every time a new member of staff saw Matthew, they would say "good morning sir". Hilarious. If only I had that sort of influence. .... The the world would be MINE. ALL MINE.

Train man - you'd have been in heaven with all the talk of extra sets of points and interlocking sleepers with a wide sweep round the corner...

TTF.

Sick note

2007-11-21T18:38:00.000Z

For the 3rd time in 6 months I have found myself not well enough to go to work. This is very out of character and I used to pride myself on having the constitution of an ox. No longer the case by the feel of things.

I managed to get home last night (although I'm not sure how) and went straight to bed for sleep and recovery. Woke up about 10pm and was very very sick... Felt immediately better and went out clubbing.

Not.

Now, I am tempted to blame all these episodes of sickness on our friends at FGW. Their infection incubation machines (also known as carriages) must surely contribute to commuter malady.. Here are some of the criteria needed to spread infection:

Overcrowding
Hermetically sealed environment
No fresh air
Filtered windows to prevent sunlight
Over-heating

All of these perfectly describe an FGW train. I feel ill just talking about it.

Sadly I can't blame this on FGW as I suspect the Cumberland Sausage I had at lunch was to blame. I checked with one of my colleagues and he reported similar effects.

Planes are no better

2007-11-14T08:15:00.000Z

I had to go to Glasgow on Monday to see a client. Usual nonsense about getting up at 6am, get to the airport, check in and then look at the screen to find that my plane is delayed....

Now you may think that I would be well used to transport being late. In this country we really take the concept of "late" to a new level. In fact we are so often late (for work, social engagements etc) that people are suprised if you show up on time and very often aren't ready for you.

Anyway, check this out for a new excuse.. "Morning Ladies and Gentlemen, Captain Jeff speaking. Sorry about the delay this morning. This was due to ground staff in Glasgow taking a long time to defrost the plane"....

I defy FGW to try that one. In the end I got to my meeting 16 minutes late - but that was only because I had allowed an hour to get from the airport to the office which I knew was a long time.

Can't rely on anyone these days.

Silly picture of Glagow airside from my window.

TPF

A different mode of transport

2007-11-11T22:29:00.000Z

Once again I will be deserting the train for a more elevated form of transport. I am flying to Glasgow tomorrow.

I'm not sure how this form of commute will compare with FGW but I will provide a full report. My only hope is that the plane does not fly in reverse formation like it's land based cousin.

Another point to mention - since my tirade of emails to the CEO of FGW, I have now arranged a meeting with the projects director of FGW on 26th November. This will happen on the train.

Any suggestions as to what I should say are welcome.

TTF

From Oxford

2007-11-08T20:15:00.001Z

The little chuffer train I take home some days was waiting obediently for me at Oxford and off we went. The train manager came on the tannoy and apologised for the toilet being locked as it was in a "disgusting state"!
Apparantly they had the choice of either locking the toilet or cancelling the train..... Seemed a bit draconian but there we go.

2 thoughts entered my head:

1) What sort of filthy disgusting person trashes a public toilet - it's actually quite difficult to do unless you are really very very ill - as in so ill you can't leave the house so how come you're on the train.... ok, probably 1000s of reasons but I just can't stand the way that some people seem to treat public lavatories.

2) I really felt sorry for the bloke standing outside the toilet with his legs crossed and looking as if he was in a state of some desperation. In addition, he missed the announcement about the toilet so he was really struggling when I told him...

Ho hum.

TTF

Good things

2007-11-08T20:15:00.000Z

I wonder if I will be less concerned with the train timings I I notice nice things out of the window (when it's light).

This morning, I happened to look up from my laptop (writing presentation on.,.. oh never mind) and saw 2 deer in the field right next to the train.

They looked so unconcerned by everything - just a lovely sight with the autumn leaves around them. It warms the heart and makes me think of nice weekends at Mummy and Daddy's place in the country.

As an amusing aside, I was talking to Tall Man, Visaman and Greenjacketman (who Visaman says should be called "Royal Greenjacket" and I agree) about the impending meeting with representatives from FGW and Royal Greenjacket mentioned something about the annoyance of having the train stop at Didcot Parkway. It used not to do this apparently. Anyway, the Royal Greenjacket went on to say that " a different type of person gets on the train at Didcot.. They're not like us." Nearly cried I was laughing so much. I've met someone who's politics are on the right of mine. Incidentally I asked him to describe the people who get on the train at Didcot - he said "you know who I mean".

You can safely assume he was referring to the tracksuit wearing, trainer attired, baseball hatted youths. (Also known as chavs).

TTF