Crammed in a doorway and swaying to rhythm of crowd
IF I’m honest, before boarding the 7.50am train at Mills Hill I really doubted Dawn.
It was a brisk morning and I was actually looking forward to being on a warm train.
After reading the announcement that there would be three carriages rather than the two Dawn had complained about, I thought it would be fine. I was wrong.
Once the train pulled up commuters immediately rushed to the door and soon cries of ‘MOVE UP’ began - but move up to where?
The train was full with people standing in the doors before it even arrived at Mills Hill.
The only way more of us could fit on is if Northern Rail employed one of those pushers from Japan that forcefully tuck people into a train so the doors can shut.
Once I’d actually got onto the train I was crammed into a doorway with people pushing against me as they tried to claim space for themselves.
By holding my camera up with one of my hands I’d inadvertently trapped myself in that position for the whole journey there was no room to put my hand in my pocket or reach into my bag.
While I was lucky enough to get on the train (and there were people left on the platform!) I definitely wouldn’t describe the experience as pleasant.
There were at least three backpacks pushed up against me.
I was left holding onto a wall to keep myself steady.
Not that I needed to there was no room to fall over anyway.
Left at the mercy of my fellow commuters, each of us moved together with the sways of the train.
Our collective body heat wasn’t particularly unbearable, but it was only 8 degrees outside.
Thankfully Manchester Victoria was the final stop and I wasn’t left battling my way to remain on the train as the throng of commuters went in the other direction.
As everyone left the carriage it was like watching an old movie with a never ending stream of people leaving a clown car, and I was shocked at how many of us had fit on the train.
I’m certainly glad that tomorrow I’ll be back to the peaceful hum of the tram, the certainty of getting a seat straight away or within a stop or two, and the enjoyment of 20 minutes spent people watching from the window.