Train guard wouldn't let me on!

[Deleted User]

I got to my train on Saturday, the clock had just turned to 19:28 (about 2 seconds into the 28th minute). The train was scheduled as 19:28 from Swansea to London Paddington. The train guard who was peering out of his window said "doors are locked, I can't open them, speak to him over there" whilst pointing to one of the chargemen.

As I went over to the chargeman, the train started moving. The chargeman explained that it was all up to the guard and there was nothing he could do. As you can imagine, I was rather annoyed, especially as this was the last train back to London that evening from Swansea.

I should have arrived earlier and been ready before the departure time, but surely as it wasn't 19:29 yet I should have been allowed on the train?

I'm thinking of writing a letter of complaint to First Great Western hoping (perhaps naively) that this will get the guard a ticking off and ensure it doesn't happen to others in the future.

It would be great to get other people's thoughts on this, especially from those who may have more knowledge on the subject than I do.

Outpost

I may be oversimplifying things here but it seems to me that when you break it down into the most basic terms, you just missed the train - when you arrived the doors were locked and the train was seconds away from moving off.

We've all missed trains and buses before, it isn't the end of the world.

(Nice to hear about a train running according to schedule for a change!)

[Deleted User]

Simple when you say it like that but it's the fact that the guard (who I was standing next to - albeit he was in the train) wouldn't let me on. I had a valid ticket for the journey and as far as I am aware I was on time for the train (unless I have it wrong, and you should actually be on the train at 19:27)?

I also didn't like the fact that he tried to fob me off with an excuse to speak to the chargeman and then starting the train as I moved away from him.

Keith

It's a departure time. The train departed.

liam8282

Doesn't the guard wave all clear to the driver before he gets on the train, making sure there is no one else waiting or trying to get on?

If he has already done that, then I doubt he would be able to stop the train. Maybe he could have notified the driver and asked for the train to stop, but if it is running to schedule then I can't actually see that he has done anything wrong.

If a train is scheduled at 19.28 that is the time it leaves, not the time people get on the train.

Scooby_Doo.

karlcoot wrote: »

Simple when you say it like that but it's the fact that the guard (who I was standing next to - albeit he was in the train) wouldn't let me on. I had a valid ticket for the journey and as far as I am aware I was on time for the train (unless I have it wrong, and you should actually be on the train at 19:27)?

I also didn't like the fact that he tried to fob me off with an excuse to speak to the chargeman and then starting the train as I moved away from him.

You'd of been on a moving train had you done that.;)

Outpost

karlcoot wrote: »

... as far as I am aware I was on time for the train (unless I have it wrong, and you should actually be on the train at 19:27)?

As far as I'm aware if a train is leaving at 19:28 then one would need to arrive earlier than that in order to board it. In the same way that if a bus is leaving at 19:30 one would need to be standing at the bus stop before that time ready to board.

This is pretty elementary stuff really isn't it?

Tinks74

Don't know about Swansea but Manchester Victoria has notices saying the train doors will be closed about 30 seconds (I think) before the scheduled departure time in order that the train leaves the station on time.

I know you were at the door a minute before the departure time but it is possible Swansea station operates a similar policy.

Still very annoying to just miss a train like that.

[Deleted User]

Outpost wrote: »

As far as I'm aware if a train is leaving at 19:28 then one would need to arrive earlier than that in order to board it. In the same way that if a bus is leaving at 19:30 one would need to be standing at the bus stop before that time ready to board.

This is pretty elementary stuff really isn't it?

Well apparently not for me! :rotfl:

Oh well, at least I know for next time! Oh and Scooby, Swansea is the first stop so it would have been there at 19:27!

Tilt

It happened to me a few years ago at Waterloo. I was trying to get back from the O2 with my 14 year old son to get the 22.50hrs SW Trains service back to Portsmouth (which is the last one which connects with the IOW Ferry). Managed to arrive on the platform smack on 22.50 just as the doors were closing and the guard was still on the platform watching us running to catch the train. He then hopped on while I thought he would re-open the doors for us but did he? Like hell he did! After about 30 seconds while we were stood right by the last coach doors, the train pulled away.

I wrote and complained but it got me no where. They state that the doors close at least 30 seconds before the train pulls out, end of story. I think you will be wasting a stamp to be honest.

Scooby_Doo.

karlcoot wrote: »

Well apparently not for me! :rotfl:

Oh well, at least I know for next time! Oh and Scooby, Swansea is the first stop so it would have been there at 19:27!

By moving it mean't as it left the station.

I can see how you were dense enough to miss it now.:D