Rail passengers stranded on train stuck in snow for more than five hours (From The Argus)
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Rail passengers stranded on train stuck in snow for more than five hours
8:00am Monday 21st January 2013 in News By Anna Roberts, Crime reporter
Rail passengers, including three young children, were trapped on a freezing train for more than five hours after it broke down.
People said they were forced to go to the toilet in the aisles after the train got stuck in snow near Falmer on Friday.
The train affected was the 5.39pm from Lewes - which ended up being dragged back to Lewes at about 11.30pm.
People took to social networking sites to vent their frustration that it took more than five hours to get to exactly the same place where they had started.
The train had no heating, lighting or electricity for about four of the five hours it was stranded for after battery power ran out.
One person affected was East Sussex County Council worker Matt Tooke, 34, who said: “It put quite a dent in my Friday night.”
Speaking to The Argus, Mr Tooke, from Hove, said: “It was really, really hard work.
“There was no lighting, no heating and no toilets.
“People had to go to the toilet at one end of the train.
“Southern did not seem to know what they were doing.
“Their plans kept changing every five minutes.
“There were three kids on the train who behaved beautifully but it was ridiculous.
“In the end I arrived home at about midnight.”
Mr Tooke, who said there were 16 people on the train, dubbed the situation a “train apocalypse”.
A Southern spokeswoman confirmed the train had no toilet.
She said the train had set off from Seaford and got stuck close to Falmer because of the snow.
She said: “The train was trying to draw power from the line but this did not work.
“We decided it was not safe for people to get off the train as it was very icy and treacherous - for health and safety reasons.
“We are very sorry to everyone involved and have their names and addresses so we can compensate them.”
She added buses were put on to destinations including Brighton and Seaford after the passengers arrived back.
While the train was stuck on the line a replacement bus service operated, she added.
Comments(35)
Telscombe Cliffy
says...
8:50am Mon 21 Jan 13
Worthingwithoutbuses!
says...
9:05am Mon 21 Jan 13
Morpheus
says...
9:07am Mon 21 Jan 13
Telscombe Cliffy wrote:Or overhead power supplies as used on the continent.
Perhaps we should go back to steam or diesel power. The third rail system just can't cut it any more.
aat99
says...
9:58am Mon 21 Jan 13
Maxwell's Ghost wrote:What's it got to do with Caroline Lucas ... the train mess is down to the last tory government privatising everything so their mates in the city can make a fast buck ...... and give them non-executive directorships when they should be doing their jobs as MPs ....
Public transport in the 21st century.
What has Caroline Lucas got to say about that?
Idiot !
nuff said
says...
10:02am Mon 21 Jan 13
whereisthe...?
says...
10:44am Mon 21 Jan 13
Joshiman
says...
10:45am Mon 21 Jan 13
ian/Polish/Russian engineers to teach our useless rail workers how to resolve this simple problem.We havent a clue.
ghost bus driver
says...
11:35am Mon 21 Jan 13
Morpheus wrote:Apparently it's being talked about at Government/Network Rail level
Telscombe Cliffy wrote:Or overhead power supplies as used on the continent.
Perhaps we should go back to steam or diesel power. The third rail system just can't cut it any more.
Spx
says...
12:48pm Mon 21 Jan 13
Crystal Ball
says...
12:58pm Mon 21 Jan 13
Spx wrote:There's probably a website for that sort of thing..
Isn't the driver supposed to let a desperate passenger pee in his helmet if need calls?
fredaj
says...
12:58pm Mon 21 Jan 13
It is just not possible without spending billions and billion and billions of pounds..
toldsloth
says...
1:11pm Mon 21 Jan 13
aat99 wrote:Actually the OP's posting was quite correct - Lucas has spent a considerable amount of time and effort promoting "public transport". The OP was simply asking a valid question.
Maxwell's Ghost wrote:What's it got to do with Caroline Lucas ... the train mess is down to the last tory government privatising everything so their mates in the city can make a fast buck ...... and give them non-executive directorships when they should be doing their jobs as MPs ....
Public transport in the 21st century.
What has Caroline Lucas got to say about that?
Idiot !
Personally I'm glad I have the security and flexibility of a car but of course Lucas and her cronies are trying to take that freedom away...........
Ushawk23
says...
1:20pm Mon 21 Jan 13
So a lack of toilets would have been unavoidable after an hour or so.
mdj747
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1:25pm Mon 21 Jan 13
,,5 hours !!!
aat99
says...
1:59pm Mon 21 Jan 13
toldsloth wrote:Not really .... nothing wrong in promoting public transport .... problem is, it is being run to make a profit for shareholders .... and you have ridiculous situations where different operating companies and network rail are blaming each other,costing millions each year .... I'm sure that was all solely down to Kitcat and Lucas ....
aat99 wrote:Actually the OP's posting was quite correct - Lucas has spent a considerable amount of time and effort promoting "public transport". The OP was simply asking a valid question.
Maxwell's Ghost wrote:What's it got to do with Caroline Lucas ... the train mess is down to the last tory government privatising everything so their mates in the city can make a fast buck ...... and give them non-executive directorships when they should be doing their jobs as MPs ....
Public transport in the 21st century.
What has Caroline Lucas got to say about that?
Idiot !
Personally I'm glad I have the security and flexibility of a car but of course Lucas and her cronies are trying to take that freedom away...........
I'd really like all cyclists and public transport users to use a car for the day and then it really would give the head in the sand car brigade something to moan about when there is absolute gridlock everywhere.
By the way ... I've never voted green and never will ....
olebut
says...
2:36pm Mon 21 Jan 13
bruce_
says...
4:32pm Mon 21 Jan 13
PorkBoat
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5:12pm Mon 21 Jan 13
NickBrt
says...
5:23pm Mon 21 Jan 13
Sidewinder
says...
5:50pm Mon 21 Jan 13
PorkBoat wrote:Glad I wasn't on the train with a lightweight panicker like you then. And as for Mr "Train Apocalypse", what a pathetic excuse for a human being.
PATHETIC!! That's Southern AND the sheep like passengers. I'd have got off that train by any means necessary. Break a window, kick open a door, there's NO WAY I would have sat like a **** lemon for 5 hours, listening to pathetic half-baked excuses, without kicking up a stink. I hope the passengers grow some balls and take this to the highest authority and demand explanations and answers. I doubt it. They'll shrug their shoulders and bleat "Well, what can you do?" and carry on paying through the nose for this sham of a company to treat them like cattle.
Try the real world chaps..
Old Ladys Gin
says...
6:18pm Mon 21 Jan 13
They objected to the overhead cables stating they would 'spoil the countryside'
Everything you do for your protection can be used against you :)
This was all about 100 years ago so little has changed.
PorkBoat
says...
6:45pm Mon 21 Jan 13
Sidewinder wrote:So you'd have sat their like a good little sheep for five hours. While people **** in the corridor? What a ****.
PorkBoat wrote:Glad I wasn't on the train with a lightweight panicker like you then. And as for Mr "Train Apocalypse", what a pathetic excuse for a human being.
PATHETIC!! That's Southern AND the sheep like passengers. I'd have got off that train by any means necessary. Break a window, kick open a door, there's NO WAY I would have sat like a **** lemon for 5 hours, listening to pathetic half-baked excuses, without kicking up a stink. I hope the passengers grow some balls and take this to the highest authority and demand explanations and answers. I doubt it. They'll shrug their shoulders and bleat "Well, what can you do?" and carry on paying through the nose for this sham of a company to treat them like cattle.
Try the real world chaps..
imnotpc
says...
6:49pm Mon 21 Jan 13
aat99 wrote:sorry old chum but your the idiot talking bo***cks as usual
Maxwell's Ghost wrote:What's it got to do with Caroline Lucas ... the train mess is down to the last tory government privatising everything so their mates in the city can make a fast buck ...... and give them non-executive directorships when they should be doing their jobs as MPs ....
Public transport in the 21st century.
What has Caroline Lucas got to say about that?
Idiot !
Ushawk23
says...
7:03pm Mon 21 Jan 13
PorkBoat wrote:Doing that causes more disruption to everyone else as then police and more rail staff will need to locate you and the train will not be able move until you are located.
PATHETIC!! That's Southern AND the sheep like passengers. I'd have got off that train by any means necessary. Break a window, kick open a door, there's NO WAY I would have sat like a **** lemon for 5 hours, listening to pathetic half-baked excuses, without kicking up a stink. I hope the passengers grow some balls and take this to the highest authority and demand explanations and answers. I doubt it. They'll shrug their shoulders and bleat "Well, what can you do?" and carry on paying through the nose for this sham of a company to treat them like cattle.
Failing to follow instructions by EXPERIENCED and PROFESSIONAL on board staff is just pure selfish. Losing power is hardly an excuse, its a problem that Network Rail need to pull their fingers out to sort by introducing 3rd rail heating more widely, that stops it getting iced up so trains wont get stuck.
I do wonder why one of Southerns diesel stock which runs between Ashford and Brighton didnt pull up alongside with its doors next to the stuck trains doors and have a "bridge" to get passengers across.
John Steed
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9:49pm Mon 21 Jan 13
down_under
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2:21am Tue 22 Jan 13
PorkBoat wrote:Are these passengers sheep, lemons or cattle? Make your mind up Pig man!
PATHETIC!! That's Southern AND the sheep like passengers. I'd have got off that train by any means necessary. Break a window, kick open a door, there's NO WAY I would have sat like a **** lemon for 5 hours, listening to pathetic half-baked excuses, without kicking up a stink. I hope the passengers grow some balls and take this to the highest authority and demand explanations and answers. I doubt it. They'll shrug their shoulders and bleat "Well, what can you do?" and carry on paying through the nose for this sham of a company to treat them like cattle.
monkeymoo
says...
7:39am Tue 22 Jan 13
PorkBoat wrote:I doubt the passengers were told " we will be here for 5 hours".
PATHETIC!! That's Southern AND the sheep like passengers. I'd have got off that train by any means necessary. Break a window, kick open a door, there's NO WAY I would have sat like a **** lemon for 5 hours, listening to pathetic half-baked excuses, without kicking up a stink. I hope the passengers grow some balls and take this to the highest authority and demand explanations and answers. I doubt it. They'll shrug their shoulders and bleat "Well, what can you do?" and carry on paying through the nose for this sham of a company to treat them like cattle.
They were probably told " we'll be on our way shortly".
If you were on a train that stopped, and you were given that information, would you jump up and smash the windows immediately? I doubt it! You sound like a PATHETIC, worrying, panicking, individual.
Anyway.... 5 hours sitting on a train, and in return I've been given £500 compensation. Who's the sheep now!?I'll take that any day..
Telscombe Cliffy
says...
8:45am Tue 22 Jan 13
John Steed wrote:Quite right, about 20 years ago there was some slack in the system and spare and varied choice of stock to use. They would have sent one of half a dozen diesel locos at Brighton up to Falmer wrong line and then dragged the electric train to Brighton in about half an hour. Extra drivers and other staff in on overtime during snow/ice events and spare emergency locos, simples. In fact the southern region had at one time approx 78 diesel or electrodiesel locos that were available and compatable with the electric multiple units of the time (pre 2006 slam door stock )
why did it take 5 hrs to move a broken down train loaded with passengers? this is the matter that needs to be addressed the simple expedient of a diesel powered 0-6-0 with the correct mono coupling and hook up connections could have moved it? the operations manager of southern should hang his head in shame at being unable to have a suitable contingency plan in place,
Tallywhacker
says...
9:31am Tue 22 Jan 13
Telscombe Cliffy wrote:I'm sorry but you will have to stop giving factual information. People are only interested in rants raves and wildly stupid comments. The majority of passengers have no knowledge or interest of rail systems and how they operate as they often ruin a good "How crap our railways are" story. Most people think a train is just a big bus that can move out of the way if it breaks and another will be along in 5 minutes. Maybe there should be a website for passenger moans groans and rants alongside a site for rail staff stories of how dumb some of those passengers can be. After all it is obvious that only the railways are affected by the weather as all the roads and pavements were completely clear and instantly available with no delays or cancellations by all the road users.
John Steed wrote:Quite right, about 20 years ago there was some slack in the system and spare and varied choice of stock to use. They would have sent one of half a dozen diesel locos at Brighton up to Falmer wrong line and then dragged the electric train to Brighton in about half an hour. Extra drivers and other staff in on overtime during snow/ice events and spare emergency locos, simples. In fact the southern region had at one time approx 78 diesel or electrodiesel locos that were available and compatable with the electric multiple units of the time (pre 2006 slam door stock )
why did it take 5 hrs to move a broken down train loaded with passengers? this is the matter that needs to be addressed the simple expedient of a diesel powered 0-6-0 with the correct mono coupling and hook up connections could have moved it? the operations manager of southern should hang his head in shame at being unable to have a suitable contingency plan in place,
nocando
says...
1:11pm Tue 22 Jan 13
posthuman
says...
7:16pm Tue 22 Jan 13
aat99 wrote:Ditto!!
Maxwell's Ghost wrote:What's it got to do with Caroline Lucas ... the train mess is down to the last tory government privatising everything so their mates in the city can make a fast buck ...... and give them non-executive directorships when they should be doing their jobs as MPs ....
Public transport in the 21st century.
What has Caroline Lucas got to say about that?
Idiot !
Smartbloke
says...
10:34am Fri 25 Jan 13
I did say to myself that if the Argus reported this, which obsessional airhead would link this back to Caroline Lucas? Lo and behold, Maxwell's Ghost, the man with far too many mental health issues pipes up straight away. Surprised he hasn't taken up his one-way ticket to Dignitas yet.
As for those believing that they would 'break a window and jump out' - good. There was calm and good humour for all six hours. A terrified scumbag jumping on the live rail would have (a) amused us all but (b)caused further delays.
Hooray for the numpties with no sense of perspective arrogantly telling people how they think it was.
Prats.
Smartbloke
says...
10:35am Fri 25 Jan 13
toldsloth wrote:Utter, utter moron.
aat99 wrote:Actually the OP's posting was quite correct - Lucas has spent a considerable amount of time and effort promoting "public transport". The OP was simply asking a valid question.
Maxwell's Ghost wrote:What's it got to do with Caroline Lucas ... the train mess is down to the last tory government privatising everything so their mates in the city can make a fast buck ...... and give them non-executive directorships when they should be doing their jobs as MPs ....
Public transport in the 21st century.
What has Caroline Lucas got to say about that?
Idiot !
Personally I'm glad I have the security and flexibility of a car but of course Lucas and her cronies are trying to take that freedom away...........
Smartbloke
says...
10:38am Fri 25 Jan 13
PorkBoat wrote:Yes, we could have done with someone hysterical and suicidal in the carriage to counter-act the calm which was otherwise prevalent.
PATHETIC!! That's Southern AND the sheep like passengers. I'd have got off that train by any means necessary. Break a window, kick open a door, there's NO WAY I would have sat like a **** lemon for 5 hours, listening to pathetic half-baked excuses, without kicking up a stink. I hope the passengers grow some balls and take this to the highest authority and demand explanations and answers. I doubt it. They'll shrug their shoulders and bleat "Well, what can you do?" and carry on paying through the nose for this sham of a company to treat them like cattle.
If you were there, your opinion might count for something, but you weren't so no-one cares what you think.
Maxwell's Ghost says...
8:20am Mon 21 Jan 13
What has Caroline Lucas got to say about that?