After yesterdays little episode on the train, Mirinda asked me to send a letter of complaint to those responsible. This is what I sent to National Express trains and to The Evening Standard – the London paper.
The Stansted Express
Yesterday was my first time on one of these trains. I had to get from Liverpool Street to Harlow Town so I took the Express. The trip there was fine although the train was a bit grubby. Surrey trains are generally clean and new so I guess I’m a bit spoilt in this regard. My return trip, however, was somewhat fraught.
Sometime into the journey from Harlow Town back to Liverpool Street, smoke started pouring from one of the vents – where the heat normally rises in winter. It was thick and smelled of cordite. Not seeing any immediate cause, I assumed it had come from outside as it quickly dissipated. A little while later a huge spark erupted under the seat of a person sitting in the seat in front of me. She leapt up as the smoke once more started rising.
I immediately started looking for some sort of emergency cord or telephone. Finding none (or none that worked) I went in search of a guard or someone of authority to inform. While I was gone, another spark, bigger than the previous one, erupted from the grill and more smoke was released into the carriage.
Upon reaching the front of the train and realising you didn’t have anyone of authority on the train apart from a young lad selling refreshments who had none anyway, I asked him to knock on the driver’s door to alert him/her of the possibility of a fire on the train. His response was to reply that he wasn’t allowed to knock on the driver’s door! After a bit of incredulity I bashed on the driver’s door but had no response. I then shouted as well. Still with no response.
The train then pulled into Tottenham Hale station. I left the train as quick as possible and caught the next one. The train, smoke still visible in the carriage, closed its doors and carried on towards Liverpool Street.
Now, quite frankly, I couldn’t care less about your trains and how you wish to staff them but when it comes to my personal safety I have to object to feeling I was in danger with no recourse to help. I do wonder what would have happened if a fire had broken out. I assume the driver would have just kept going, ignoring the screams of the passengers behind him/her.
Along with me there were a number of tourists in the carriage, obviously just arrived from the airport. I wonder what they thought of your smouldering train service.
I have yet to receive a reply.