London Marathon - Public Transport: Motoring Non-motoring forum

Non-motoring > London Marathon - Public Transport	Miscellaneous
Thread Author: Fullchat	Replies: 16

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New Mon 23 Apr 12 13:05

London Marathon - Public Transport - Fullchat

I thought I would start a new thread rather than tag onto the public transport thread as Mrs FC completed the London Marathon in aid of PB - Prostrate and Breast Cancer, and I think deserves a pat on the back but not too hard as she is in a bit of a state today.
Stayed overnight near the Excel and made our way to a point near the Docklands to see them at 14 and 21 miles, and then to the finish.
It was then to KingsX to catch the 17.15 East Coast to Peterborough for a change to continue north. Don't know why the change as there is a direct train to our parts. That's when the fun started :-(
It was clear from the departure screens that nothing was leaving KingsX on the East Coast line. Another screen indicated that a train had broken down northbound at Hitchin. Staff on the station had no information. Other passengers waiting indicated that they had been on and off trains since 14.30.
So it was hang around and see what happened, we were going nowhere fast and MRs FC was in a bit of a state as were other Marathon travellers.
Announcements were being made that tickets would be valid the next day - not a good sign!
Then information was being announced that there were alternative routes from Liverpool St and St Pancras via place like Cambridge, Manchester(no way!) and Sheffield (sounds hopeful). Tickets would be valid on those routes. So we hobbled across to St Pancras with hordes of other Lemmings and joined a queue for 15min. Then it was announced that we should go back to KingsX and tickets were no longer valid. Aaah line cleared! So we hobbled back. Then it was announced that passengers for Edinburgh only should go to Platform 0. The Leemings were on the move again. Then it was announced that anyone trying to get North should get on, which we did. Now the train looked awful long so I don't know if the stuck on a few more coaches and surprisingly we got some seats but there were plenty standing.
So we were all ready to go. Errr no, no driver. More announcements re tickets being valid the next day - still not looking good! Anyway after about another 40 mins we got going - with a loud cheer from all aboard. About 2 and a half hours late in total.
It turned out that yes a train had broken down at Hitchin amongst track works and they had to shuffle train and tracks when we got there.
But the saga does not end there. Unless direct Doncaster is the main hub for our area and the last train leaves pretty early. A fellow passenger got on his Iphone whick indicated about 20.30. No way was that connection going to be made so we rang a friend who travelled 40 miles to pick us up at Donny at 22.00. On arrival at Donny we were informed that they had put a connection on :-O - grrrrrrrrrrrr.
The real beef is that at no time on the train did we see a member of staff or was there any announcement that arrangements had been made. If a train breaks down, fare does, carp happens, but there must be some plan to deal with such matters and a timescale for doing so. This would at least give you the opportunity of assessing timescales and being able to make an informed decision. None of this happened. Total lack of relevant information and no joined up thinking. Not good!