Trains not stopping at advertised stations

Tuesday_Tenor

I wonder if this board could carry a thread, possibly this one, as the heading's explicit, where posters could let others know of stations where there are often problems with delayed trains not stopping as advertised.

I experienced this recently in Surrey (see next post) and was reminded of EdGasket's thread earlier this year about problems near Basingstoke.

It's not an issue of compensation for delays, rather one of planning for contingencies, or making alternative plans in the first place.

In my case I would have been better going by bus, but having arrived by train 2 days before, and not being local, and Horley being just one stop from the airport, the train SEEMED the obvious form of transport. Not so, because of this particular problem!!

Tuesday_Tenor

HORLEY, Surrey

On 31/10 I was waiting at Horley for the 08.20 train to Gatwick Airport. I was there early and for ages it was consistently reported as running 8 minutes late. At the very last moment it was announced that the service was cancelled. In practice, the train physically whizzed through the station without stopping. Locals said this is not uncommon.

I was heading for a flight. In my case I had allowed plenty of contingency time and the next train was OK for me. What I sacrificed was the leisurely breakfast I'd promised myself while waiting at the airport after going through security. Had to gobble a snatched sandwich instead, so overall, I probably saved money!!

I'm hardly ever in the south of England. I understand that in the congested south these decisions are made to prevent further delays in the bigger picture. Travelling elsewhere in Britain, I'm used to trains being cancelled, and just not arriving, for all sorts of reasons. But there's something particularly galling about SEEING a train you're supposed to be on whizz by!

If I'd known in advance about the potential problem, I would have done this journey by bus. Subsequent research has shown this to be a more frequent service anyway, so better for contingencies.

So (as this is a MoneySaving site)
if staying at Horley for cheaper accommodation prior to a flight from Gatwick, and wanting to use public transport to save money on more expensive forms of transfer, be aware of this potential problem with the train, and check out the several very good bus options.