Heroes: Virgin Trains

[ambersalamander]

For some of the silliest on-board announcements ever.

Yesterday, I'm on a train from Euston to Manchester. The first scheduled stop is Stoke-on-Trent. However, after about 10 minutes, the train starts to slow down. I wonder briefly what's going on, and then there's the following announcement:

"Ladies and gentlemen, we will now be stopping at Watford Junction. This is because...er...we will now be stopping at Watford Junction."

Beat that.

This is followed by:

"Any passengers for Milton Keynes should change here, because, er, the next stop is Stoke-on-Trent."

Yeah. 'Cause you'd be screwed then, wouldn't you? As if you didn't have it bad enough to begin with, having to go to Milton Keynes and all.

This begs the question of why anyone for Milton Keynes would be on a train whose next scheduled stop was Stoke in the first place...

Anyway, got to Manchester eventually, and the first thing I saw was a lad in a Carlisle United shirt and jeans with huge farm-style wellies over them. Can anyone offer an explanation for this?

[J Esaj PRA]

I guess Virgin trains deserve some celebration if you were on one that was actually moving. It'd make a refreshing change...

Jun 11, 2009 12:23:33 GMT ambersalamander said:

This begs the question of why anyone for Milton Keynes would be on a train whose next scheduled stop was Stoke in the first place...

Usually, it's because they've arsed things up at Euston, again, and put people on the wrong train. Euston seems to collect the most useless staff/passengers on the whole rail network.

Jun 11, 2009 12:23:33 GMT ambersalamander said:

Anyway, got to Manchester eventually, and the first thing I saw was a lad in a Carlisle United shirt and jeans with huge farm-style wellies over them. Can anyone offer an explanation for this?

Sheep shagging?

I'd like to know what other 'style' of wellies there are that aren't 'farm-style'.

I assume you took advantage of the superb drinking opportunities on your trip to civilisation?

[ambersalamander]

Jase, I knew you'd reply to this, I just knew it!

There are many styles of wellies. There has recently, for example, been a fashion among young ladies for pretty, floral-patterned wellies that wouldn't last five minutes on a farm. Nor would the ones that barely cover the ankle. These were big no-nonsense green things that practically reached the bloke's thighs.

Today I was out for lunch and a lost-looking St Albans fan wandered past twice

[votp]

Jun 12, 2009 13:20:35 GMT ambersalamander said:

a lost-looking St Albans fan

Is there any other type?

[Sultan of Cannock- SRFC]

I used to take the "London Saver" (£9.99 Wolverhampton to Euston) back in the old BR days to see the delectable Mrs Sultan's predeccesor

The train would often, and inexplicably, stop in a cutting just outside Enfield and wait there for what seemed like an eternity.

On one occaision as we sat there, the guard left his van and walked alongside the track towards the engine. As he did so some wag shouted out of the window "Hey, mate? Is it alright if i get out and pick some flowers for my wife? " The guard answered "Don't be daft! There's no flowers here!" to which the wag shot back "I've got a packet of seeds!" ;D

Incidently, it was about that time that Red Ken was leader of the GLC and they were having a poster drive to increase use of the Tube. One ad i saw depicted Henry VIII at a ticket window, saying to the vendor " Return for Tower Hamlets, please." to which someone had added " And a single for the wife.."

[ambersalamander]

Excellent ;D

[votp]

Brilliant, Sultan, made me chuckle both of those!