Delayed rush hour commuters were told their trains had been held up because the sun was TOO bright.
Rail operator c2c said a train driver was held up at Laindon in Essex because he could not see in a mirror to check if anyone was getting in or out of carriages.
As well as causing hold ups to passengers on the train, those behind it on the line between Southend and Fenchurch Street in London were delayed for up to 30 minutes.
One puzzled commuter said: "This is the first time I've heard delays blamed on the sun - although I suppose it does make more sense UK trains would be less prepared for good weather than bad."
The rail company blamed the delays on a 'freak occurence' caused by the bright sun and the position of the mirrors on the platform.
A spokesman for c2c said: "Depending on which way the sun is shining and how bright it is, very occasionally it can provide a glare on the mirror which some drivers can't see past.
http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_1977636.html?menu=
2006-09-02 23:41:13 · 6 answers · asked by your pete 4 in Travel ➔ Travel (General) ➔ Other - Destinations
Aaargh don't believe what yu read in Ananova - notorious for making up their own stories! (Just try to get actual evidence to back up their stories.)
However, I think tomorrow (Monday) will see the first "leaves on the line" excuse - windy weather over the weekend has brought down loads of leaves, all ready for a go-slow in the morning.
2006-09-02 23:49:01 · answer #1 · answered by marzipanthecat 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a former train driver, I can tell you that the majority of these so called 'excuses' are perfectly genuine. In the case mentioned here, if the driver had not checked that the doors were closed safely and had moved away, perhaps dragging along someone with a coat caught in the door, you would be the first to complain about railway safety. You can't have it both ways. The mirrors are put there for the safety of the travelling public, and if for somereason the driver cannot see into the mirror properly, then he is acting in the best interests of his passenger by erring on the side of caution.
2006-09-03 03:48:22 · answer #2 · answered by geminipetelondon 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Anyone who thinks it fun to take the piss out of the leaves on the line excuse show their ignorance of the methods used to stop a train. Short of sending somebody out with a spade to scrape the leaves off or send a specially built train up and down the line all day at great expense, how else are the railways supposed to shift leaves? They fall/get blown onto the line, then crushed into a nice slippery pulp. Other than the fact that it would be an expensive exercise, I'd like to see a train full of whingeing commuters sent out in the worst of these leaf conditions, and at a given point the driver should apply the brakes and let them see just how far the train will travel past it's normal stopping point before it comes to rest. If you want a good example, take a train approaching a level crossing and some pratt of a motorist decides to 'jump' the lights/gate/sirens. The train driver slams on the brakes, the wheels 'lock', the train skids sweetly on all those squashed leaves, and the car and its occupants are pushed/carried about a mile up the track. Not much fun for them (dead), not much fun for the train driver (seriously shocked) and a complete shut down of the line whilst debris is cleared and repairs effected.
Now start moaning............
2006-09-03 00:02:15 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I guess we should be good for about another three weeks!
I will be in England during second half of October, that should guarantee it then for everyone!
Actually to be fair to them, although where we live we get a lot more sun...I have been remarking to anyone that cares to listen that the sun seems to be in a different position this year as the reflection from other cars is blinding me half the time.
Of course could be because of all the crap in the air from all the bombings around the world this year!
2006-09-02 23:53:18 · answer #4 · answered by Christine H 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bright Summer Sun - thats the Summer excuse!
It'll be leaves on the tracks very soon - give it another couple of weeks for Autumn to really kick in.
Last time wasn't it the "wrong type "of leaf that was on the tracks causing the problems?!
Then a few weeks later as soon as it gets colder it'll be snow and ice on the tracks.
And rain/wet conditions in March.
Then back to the summer sun. They have to have something to blame for making everyone late for work you know!
2006-09-03 00:00:31 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
about a month or so
2006-09-05 18:38:41 · answer #6 · answered by bbh 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋