Return of the steam train...
DAD’S FURY AT STIFLING CONDITIONS ON EAST COAST LINE
CONDITIONS on the East Coast main line have been condemned by a dad.
Jonathan Jackson, of Birtley, Gateshead, was due to travel from London King’s Cross with his wife, Jennifer, 34, and sons, Xavier, six, and Eiljah, 15 months, after a family holiday.
But when they arrived at the station staff told them the LNER (London North Eastern Railway) service was cancelled.
Jonathan said staff told them to either travel on the service directly before or directly after to use their tickets, and there would be no reservations. Having missed the train before, Jonathan said they had no choice but to travel on the 3.30pm service which he says was packed with passengers, had no air conditioning and temperatures were above 30C in the capital.
The 27-year-old said: “There was everyone from the train we were meant to be on and all the passengers due to travel on that service. It was packed and the air conditioning wasn’t working and staff offered very little support.
“I have two young children who were both struggling in the heat.
“It is miracle no-one on the train passed out or had a major medical issue. It was 33C when we left London and someone said on the train that it was 40C. It could see at least 50 or 60 people standing in the parts of the train I went through.
“There were no staff, and it wasn’t until a group of lads got on at Peterborough that they came after the pulled the disabled alarm - that still took 10 minutes.
“We asked if they could give out water as people were so hot.”
He added: “The journey was appalling and intolerable.”
Jonathan, an administration team leader, said his youngest son was struggling in the heat and decided to take his top off in a bid to cool him down.
A photo he shared appears to show him covered in sweat.
He added: “The air conditioning was working in first class and we asked to go through there to cool down but were initially told no.
“We were eventually able to move up the train, and were standing at the door and people in first class were telling us to move because the door kept opening. It was like going back to the Victorian era with the class divide - it was a total shambles.”
Since the journey on July 26, Jonathan said he’s tried to contact the company on numerous occasion to complain.
“I have tried to complain to LNER via Twitter and their own website, as well as ringing, but have heard nothing back other than ‘this has been escalated with management,’” he said. “Frankly, their service is appalling.”
An LNER spokesperson said they will be contacting Mr Jackson to apologise for this experience.
They added: “During the recent hot weather, our trains have been carrying additional water for passengers and our employees have been working hard to assist the elderly and families in particular to stay cool.”