In message
David Jackson wrote:

The message
from Graeme Wall contains these words:

Even now certain people can have a special train run for them if they
pay the
appropriate charge.

BTDT - at no extra charge! Not recently though, about 1976 IIRC.

We were taking a party of 20 students to the Lakes. Change at
Lancaster. When the Barrow train rolled in to the platform it was wedged
and the guard told us not to even try to get on, but there was a relief
train behind, and he would get the connection on to Ravenglass held for
us at Barrow. He was right about the relief, but he forgot about the
connection at Barrow, and when we got there the station was deserted.
The driver who brought us from Lancaster had a word with his guard, who
knew our story, went into an office, came back a few minutes later and
told us to get back on the train. We arrived in Ravenglass in plenty of
time to make our connection onto La'al Ratty.


Now that's service for you.

--
Graeme Wall
This address is not read, substitute trains for rail.
Transport Miscellany at http://www.greywall.demon.co.uk/rail/index.html