An old bloke at Taunton with a big suitcase shuffled enthusiastically in front of a handful on waiting passengers and across the yellow line and up to the door when the semi-fast London train arrived. The others of us waiting helpfully suggested to him that he
press the button to open the door. We then queued behind him to get into the carriage and find our seats while he tried, and failed to
fit his suitcase into the luggage rack.
He looked at the reservation indicators above the seats and perhaps he was puzzling as to
whether "Tiverton to Pewsey" was in front of or behind him. He was travelling, it turned out, on this train from Taunton to Westbury and his rail geography wasn’t brilliant. But anyway he settled down. Clearly his ticket was in order, as it was checked by a train manager who was being pedantic with other passengers, to the extent of being challenged. As he said "I am just doing my job".
We encouraged the old boy to
press the button to let us off at Westbury. He dismounted, then stood there (yes, far enough from the train to let other leavers get past him). He stared at the
next train departures from platforms 2 and 3 and looking lost and confused. I took pity on him - asked if I could help and he told me he was looking for the Southampton train. Ah!
We had come off the rear of the London train - outside the sheltered area / quite a way down the platform. I told him that these displays were only for these platforms and it was quite likely that his onward train was going from the other platform. Suggested he come with me.
At Westbury, the
all platform departure boards are in the booking hall, at the top of the stairs and in the buffet / waiting room. None of which exactly works for people ching off incoming trains much of the time. Walked him to the top of the stairs.
And, yes, I quickly picked up that his onward train was going from platform 1 - the far platform. He didn't - the
board just said "Portsmouth Harbour". I had to re-assured him that it would be calling at Southampton along the way. I pointed out the platform "across there" and you could almost see a panic in his manner as he looked at the stairs we were standing by. He was somewhat relieved when I
pointed him to the lifts.Last I saw of him - seated on platform 1, case beside him, as his train rolled in; my onward connection pulled in on platform 3 at the same time, but I'm guessing he managed to get on board.
I have highlighted 7 different little things that were little challenges - how much we regular travellers take for granted!
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