The rescue train arrived. But it wasn't able to pull the broken down train. So we all had to leave the broken down train and get on the rescue train. The broken down train could still be there! Got back to Sevenoaks 2 hours 20 minutes after leaving Sevenoaks.
The old wrong type of rescue train excuse.
I wonder if this morning's derailment in Lewisham is along the same stretch of track that the trains have been going slowly along for the past few weeks? Southeastern really need to sort out their sub-contractors.
Just to point out again that Southeastern don't have anything to do with track or sub-contractors. This is done by Network Rail (which is basically the government).
SE make a payment for the use of the track to Network Rail and they lease the trains from the train leasing companies - so it is otiose to say they have nothing to do with the track or that they do not have contracts with Netrail or the train leasing companies. Customers contract with SE who then sub contract with Netrail and the train leasing companies to provide the service we pay for. It is SE's job to manage their subcontractors not the customers - anyone in real business who blamed their subcontractors for not delivering on their contracts would soon go out of business and deservedly so.
You'd hope that it would work this way!
But in practice, train operating companies pay the government for a franchise to operate a specified timetable on Network Rail's tracks. When the tracks are not available for some reason they receive compensation from Network rail for loss of income. But there's not much else they can do.
The only threat the companies could make to Network rail or the government is that they will not bid for the franchise when it comes round again.
It's a crazy system which seems to combine the worst features of private and public ownership!
At Charing Cross now. Bexleyheath train is sitting here for over 30 minutes, can't move tho because there's no available drivers!!!!
One of my favourite excuses. Where the f%$k are they? It's not like they've been running loads of trains today, must be tons of them sitting around doing nothing.
At Charing Cross now. Bexleyheath train is sitting here for over 30 minutes, can't move tho because there's no available drivers!!!!
One of my favourite excuses. Where the f%$k are they? It's not like they've been running loads of trains today, must be tons of them sitting around doing nothing.
At Charing Cross now. Bexleyheath train is sitting here for over 30 minutes, can't move tho because there's no available drivers!!!!
One of my favourite excuses. Where the f%$k are they? It's not like they've been running loads of trains today, must be tons of them sitting around doing nothing.
At Charing Cross now. Bexleyheath train is sitting here for over 30 minutes, can't move tho because there's no available drivers!!!!
One of my favourite excuses. Where the f%$k are they? It's not like they've been running loads of trains today, must be tons of them sitting around doing nothing.
My mate drives for South Western, spent most of his first year in the mess room at Reading BR Station (not Grove Park BR Station) as cover for his routes.
At Charing Cross now. Bexleyheath train is sitting here for over 30 minutes, can't move tho because there's no available drivers!!!!
One of my favourite excuses. Where the f%$k are they? It's not like they've been running loads of trains today, must be tons of them sitting around doing nothing.
The rescue train arrived. But it wasn't able to pull the broken down train. So we all had to leave the broken down train and get on the rescue train. The broken down train could still be there! Got back to Sevenoaks 2 hours 20 minutes after leaving Sevenoaks.
The old wrong type of rescue train excuse.
I wonder if this morning's derailment in Lewisham is along the same stretch of track that the trains have been going slowly along for the past few weeks? Southeastern really need to sort out their sub-contractors.
Just to point out again that Southeastern don't have anything to do with track or sub-contractors. This is done by Network Rail (which is basically the government).
SE make a payment for the use of the track to Network Rail and they lease the trains from the train leasing companies - so it is otiose to say they have nothing to do with the track or that they do not have contracts with Netrail or the train leasing companies. Customers contract with SE who then sub contract with Netrail and the train leasing companies to provide the service we pay for. It is SE's job to manage their subcontractors not the customers - anyone in real business who blamed their subcontractors for not delivering on their contracts would soon go out of business and deservedly so.
You'd hope that it would work this way!
But in practice, train operating companies pay the government for a franchise to operate a specified timetable on Network Rail's tracks. When the tracks are not available for some reason they receive compensation from Network rail for loss of income. But there's not much else they can do.
The only threat the companies could make to Network rail or the government is that they will not bid for the franchise when it comes round again.
It's a crazy system which seems to combine the worst features of private and public ownership!
Perhaps if we make life uncomfortable for SE then they will get the message and start to make life uncomfortable for Network Rail et al. I agree paying SE compensation when a they fail to provide a service is just bonkers - they should be forced to repay/pay to charity any of the unclaimed funds earmarked for Delay repay as a starter.
Linking all directors and employees pay to properly audited performance figures would also be a start. The couldn't care less attitude by all when something goes wrong really needs to be addressed - distinguishing between management and unions is a total distraction in this regard, they all need a large kick up their collective arses.
So far so good today, the 05.17 Tunbridge Wells to Charing Cross is on time.
I see the Tunbridge Wells to Cannon Street trains are all going to Victoria this morning.
except those coming up from Hastings which were going to CS as scheduled
Hastings / Cannon Street services were advertised as diverted to Victoria this morning... looking back at the actual run times from this morning I see those trains are showing as cancelled Victoria services that got diverted to Cannon Street!
Carnage this evening. Gave up. Went for a beer and a curry (apologies to fellow dieters on the losing weight thread!) rather than face the crowds. Now on a train at Charing cross waiting to go. Almost nothing leaving Charing Cross. Going to work from home tomorrow. This is soul destroying.
Bonus is a nice curry. "sitar" on the strand up by the law courts. Yum.
At London Bridge this evening, the lucky customers for the Sevenoaks via Grove Park service witnessed an epic battle to the finishing line between the moderately tardy 20:14 and the exceptionally lazy 19:14.
Time and again, reports reached us of the lead changing hands somewhere on Hungerford Bridge. For a while both contenders even appeared to be running neck and neck from Waterloo East, their pending arrival projected at exactly the same time on Platform 7.
Alas, with the prize in sight, both candidates suddenly went into reverse and, in fact, hadn't actually left Charing Cross at all.
This sparked a flurry of bets on the emerging 20:44, now several minutes past its scheduled time. Sadly these hopes were dashed when its race entry was cancelled altogether.
With typical Southeastern logic, it was the 20:14 which finally won the day, arriving a few minutes ahead of the clearly lame 19:14. At shortly before 9pm.
Here's a good one. The 05.17 from Tunbridge Wells ran on time. Slight problem though. No one turned up to unlock the station gates. So the 50 poor sods who get this train have just had to stand outside the station watching the train leave. Next train is in half an hour, diverted to Victoria, of course.
The Southeastern app came up with the following alternative recommendation to replace a cancelled train from Elmstead Woods to Cannon Street:
1. Train to Grove Park, get off again 2. Train to Bromley North, get off again 3. Walk to Bromley South 4. Thameslink to Catford, get off again 5. Walk to Catford Bridge 6. Train to Cannon Street, get off and rejoice.
Trains that are running from dartford this morning are reasonable close to timetable. However I'm on the 0820 to Charing Cross. Just at kidbrooke and people can't get in as it's crammed solid.
Comments
But in practice, train operating companies pay the government for a franchise to operate a specified timetable on Network Rail's tracks. When the tracks are not available for some reason they receive compensation from Network rail for loss of income. But there's not much else they can do.
The only threat the companies could make to Network rail or the government is that they will not bid for the franchise when it comes round again.
It's a crazy system which seems to combine the worst features of private and public ownership!
Bonus is a nice curry. "sitar" on the strand up by the law courts. Yum.
Time and again, reports reached us of the lead changing hands somewhere on Hungerford Bridge. For a while both contenders even appeared to be running neck and neck from Waterloo East, their pending arrival projected at exactly the same time on Platform 7.
Alas, with the prize in sight, both candidates suddenly went into reverse and, in fact, hadn't actually left Charing Cross at all.
This sparked a flurry of bets on the emerging 20:44, now several minutes past its scheduled time. Sadly these hopes were dashed when its race entry was cancelled altogether.
With typical Southeastern logic, it was the 20:14 which finally won the day, arriving a few minutes ahead of the clearly lame 19:14. At shortly before 9pm.
I'm sure no-one was laughing at the time but that has put a smile on my face tonight.
Haha, very good mate.
1. Train to Grove Park, get off again
2. Train to Bromley North, get off again
3. Walk to Bromley South
4. Thameslink to Catford, get off again
5. Walk to Catford Bridge
6. Train to Cannon Street, get off and rejoice.
Total journey time (before delays): 90 minutes.