Horrible trains!

[GrannyMac]

I've always liked travelling on trains, I take a book, get a coffee, watch the scenery, etc. I came home from Cheshire by train on Monday. The first leg, (Stoke to Manchester train) through lovely villages, to Stockport, was as ever, fine.  The next leg on the train that came from Manchester?  Not quite so civilised.

I was concerned even before travelling that it was a bank holiday, but when I bought my ticket, well in advance, there was no option to book seats, and I had to come home that day.  Then the train before mine was cancelled, which never bodes well, and when mine pulled in I could see it was already busy with lots of us waiting on the platform.  I got on, and spotted a window seat, with a large bag on it, at a table for four.  I asked the young chap next to it if it was anyone's seat (you never know)? He grunted, 'I suppose you want me to shift my bag!'  I said, 'well, yes'. An old woman, looking for a seat on a very crowded train, and he thought it was ok to have a seat for his bag!

He very grudgingly put it on the luggage rack and I sat down.  There was an announcement a few minutes later asking people to move luggage off any spare seats. Surely that's a no-brainer? The whole aisle was full of standing passengers and their luggage, H&S would have had a fit!  

Apologies for long post, just wanted to warn people how difficult it might be.

[klondike]

I took a one year contract in London in 1995. My experience communting by train ensured that I never took another. Far more relaxing to drive anything up to 80 miles each way than use the trains. On 3 occasions during that contract I got dumped out at intermediate stations and had to get my wife to drive out and pick me up. Zero help from any rail staff - in fact it was impossible to find any as they were all hiding in fear of a lynching by the huge numbers of abandonned passengers. That's ignoring the routine delays, missing trains etc. I have never been on a train since.

[Scrumpy]

I love train travel... Stockport to Reading.. Such a great journey.. beautiful countryside..
I have spoken to some interesting people on my travels..
The child that chooses me for company... The young woman who has left her man.. The widow and the soldier..
I have enjoyed them all..
The worse offenders are those who think they can spread their luggage over the next seat .. or take up the whole table with office equipment.. or put their feet up on the seat opposite..