Leeds to Dundee RTN - TERRIBLE times!

There is no wonder why the natives say, “You can never rely on British trains!”

And I had been the victim of rail issues several times, especially those services between Scotland and England. So, this is not a one off occurrence. I had an appointment to be made at Dundee at 2pm. As I don’t rely on rail services’ timekeeping and couldn’t afford to take a chance to miss the appointment I made myself set off (!) at the 7:10 train from Leeds to Aberdeen. And this service operated at fair levels and I reached Dundee by 11:50 am and my mind spoke ‘Not Bad!’...But then I was disturbed at the 2 hour wait prior to the meeting, and as the place did offer some food for shopping skills, I ended up spending money on some of the not so wanted junky bits and pieces there on the local stores. However, the meeting was good enough and went on schedule. So I could catch the 15:17 service from Dundee to Edinburgh which toiled on time. And here begins the story –

The train reached Edinburgh Waverly platform 1 at 16:24; a quick sight at the train updates got me to run for the next connection which I thought was the 16:27 Kings Cross - which could get me down at Leeds. So, here is the survival of the ‘fittest’ (by all means!) brain and body running at God knows what speed rate to catch the train in platform 9 saying Kings Cross. I believe God exists – if not I wouldn’t have asked the train crew ‘Does this go to Leeds?’. Eventhough the answer was weird the point was very much valid – ‘Yes, it does – it is coming from Leeds’. And now the tired brain and body said, ‘Oh nooo, where does it go to then?’ The charming crew – ‘Inverness, Can I be of any help?’

Right, so the run was of no gain, but of pain from high heels. Just then I realised someone did the same run along with me as I had told my fellow passenger (with whom I had already made a train travellers relationship with - talking about network coverage, and what do you do kinda stuff) who is a lecturer at St. Andrews and had the same destination to get to – Leeds (Oh yes, I can influence people! – I remember this guy telling me the connection is after 5pm, why did he join me for the run then?). Now, we both found out that the next train to Leeds is at 17:08 from a different platform. So, we said, ‘Seeya later!’ I went to check out the selection of shops I have got for a coffee. But then got a call from SRN asking about my travel update and got on to the chatty mood; gradually forgot about coffee. SRN did talk about usual stuff and reassured my pick up from Leeds station and agreed to bring Tak along. Did get to talk to Tak who said ‘Ammaa...Umma’ which was very cute; makes my day bright and bring smiles at whatever unpleasant state of affairs. Tak was asking if I have my ‘Compukaka’ – the reference is for the laptop! he manages to exercise his influencing skills on meand get a bit of his YouTube drills – the Macdonald Farm, Makka Pakka, Teletubbies and the likes.

I walked to the right platform and to my surprise the Bristol train was waiting there to be boarded which could get me to Leeds. Again ‘Not Bad’. I got in, rang SRN and confirmed – ‘pick me at 20:10’. Now next steps - taking a nap? Came the shocker then - announcement – the voice and accent was bleak, maybe it was the message that got me to say this. “There is a damage with the rail network. Currently no trains are running in the North or South. Sorry for the inconvenience. The latest update is that this train will remain in this platform at least for the next 1 hour” with a big stress on that ‘ATLEAST’. I felt drained – This is definitely terrible!

Unable to manage a nap now, lost the mood. No network coverage, no books to read, and didn’t want to work! If I had access to Internet may be the complaint levels would have been lighter. And I start writing this! The next announcement followed ‘This train wouldn’t leave this platform until 18:08, so the passengers are free to get out for food or drinks’. Man, this is terrible. I rang SRN and expressed my concerns and also warned we wouldn’t be talking much over the phone now as I didn’t want to run out of memory and be lost in the rail ‘way’ somewhere at night. The fellow passenger who sits opposite me who looks like a banking professional has absolutely no expressiveness towards the matter, only thing I could see was a nod which seemed to convey ‘whatever’ for all those announcements. The group of guys sitting beside are busy sending messages – oh yeah that’s the age! And now one of them got out saying, ‘I can’t take this anymore. I am going to stay up somewhere here tonight. Will see ya at office tomorrow morn. If anybody decides to do the same, let me know we shall meet up for a drink’. I thought, ‘SMART’ – and that is management.

Well, I wouldn’t do that even if Tak was not there – that is me who wouldn’t change too much from the ‘border line’ which SRN always points out. However, train is now swarming with all those passengers who hunted to get trains to the South since 16:00 and everyone I am certain is hoping that this train would fire up at 18:08 and keeping fingers crossed for the next broadcast.

Oh yeah, now the status update message reads – ‘Due to a failed train and lineside equipment damage, all trains are blocked’. I notice it is 18:11 now. Ohmmy God, this is AWFUL. How can you find positive material out of those times when you are thrown off like this? I know things could be worse, but then now I just want this damn train to move!

Now, at 18:17, the next declaration – “Have some good news, Train will be departing shortly and the first stop will be Dunbar’. I am sure fellow passengers could observe an instinctive smile in my face. However the guy with banking professional looks still has no reaction apart from a very silent ‘whatever’. Man, how can you be so inexpressive! But the elderly lady opposite was contented. I can see the rail lines going further away from me now as I write this. The east coast is beautiful, which takes its own pride to show you what it has got in its arms – cattle in lush green – Tak loves the sight. But now, it is all dark dark and dark – thats’ what winter bestow! Could be shoddier, at least it is not snowing.

Well, somehow most of the passengers managed to get food. Guys sitting opposite are munching away sandwiches and crisps, 6 to 7 pieces of crisps in a single go! There was announcement from catering crew on food and drink options they have. Nothing to my interest, the ‘veggie’ options provided are – Egg Mayo/Cheese and Tomato sandwiches...and non alcoholic drinks – Orange juice/Coke. I am not hungry enough to give in for these options yet.