Robinb's diary

arg arg arg arg arg arg arg arg arg arg arg arg! did I mention: ARG!

Every day Mon to Fri, I have to catch a train from Crowborough to London Bridge, London Bridge Jubilee Line to Bond Street, and then Bond Street to Ealing Broadway. Return is basically the same, apart from I can get to paddington if the centrial line is foobared.

I usually start at 6.42, and arrive at Ealing Broadway precisly at 7.23 if everything is on time, and then head home at 5.15, and get back to Crowborough at 7.20.

Crowborough to London is a 2 way track - so what happens when a train breaks down on the line? Your about to find out... *puts on ranting hat*

Well,thats what happened to me. Got on the train, got to Hever when the announcement of 'would the conductor please contact the driver'. Its the worst announcement anyone can hear on a train. Ever.

So, we were told there was a broken down train, and we were the helper train. fair enough. Couple together, do a break away test, release the breaks, and off we go. The 4 coach turns into a 6 and everything would be hunky dorie. Thats the dream state anyway...

So, we coupled together, and then we waited. An announcement of 'a few minutes delay' occured, fair enough. 45 minutes later, and the announcment of 'please leave the train as this is now a driving compartment for the broken down train, heading to the depot'.

So we all unloaded and waited at the platform. 20 minutes later, the train left. leaving us stranded. At a station. In the middle of nowhere.

An different announcement from the station said 'all trains have been stood due to a broken down train.' Basically means the whole line was suspended. Joys. In the middle of nowhere. On a platform.

How it gets worse:

the train behind arrived. And i was left standing on it (8 parts, and its still full!!!). We left the platform, and hit a red light. Driver came on: 'We are sorry to announce that we are suck on a red light and will soon be going'. Fair enough. 15 minutes later we got to oxted. Some left, most stayed. I thinkfully got a seat here and got my laptop out. We then left the station... slowly.. and stopped before we got to the first light.
An announcment was made 'We are sorry for the extreme delay due to the broken train going at 5MPH infront of is. We will be stationary for an unknown period of time'. *sigh* Still, I got to know my table very well, and played Gridwars until my laptop battery died.

Overall, leaving at 6.42, I got to London Bridge at 11.45 - noonish. 5 hours. 5 friggin hours. hit the tube, and got to work... late? Should have arrived at 8.30, bot threre at 12.30.

I swear if I don't get a discount my me season ticket renewal I am going to go nuts. And also if it goes up... well, lets not go there.

Total commuting hours: 8. on a train. Madness.

*takes ranting hat off, and places it on a fire to burn it away* (hope I didn't fire proof it)

Robinb

EDIT: light gramma updates