The Anonymous Widower

The Most Crowded Train I’ve Been On For Sixty-Plus Years

I started going to Tottenham Hotspur matches by myself somewhere between the age of fourteen and sixteen.

• I used to take the 107 bus from where we lived in Oakwood to Enfield Town station and then get the electric trains to White Hart Lane.
• I don’t remember much about the trains, but they were slam door stock.
• I remember this as we used to fold the doors back before the train entered the station and jump out when the train got to running speed.
• Coming back into Enfield Town station, this was essential, otherwise you wouldn’t be to the front of the queue for the 107 bus.
• Those trains returning from White Hart Lane were incredibly packed.

And I haven’t been on a train as crowded until today.

Today, I planned a simple mission to go to Ebbw Vale Town station and back to see the working of the new service between Newport and Ebbw Vale Town station.

• As I often do, I used my Freedom Pass on the Elizabeth Line to get to Reading.
• At Reading station, I bought a Super Off-Peak Return from Reading to Ebbw Vale Town for £47.05 with my Senior Railcard.
• By comparison, a Super Off-Peak Return from Paddington to Ebbw Vale Town is £57.55 with a Railcard.

The first train today, on which I could use my cheap ticket was the 11:13 from Reading.

• I had hoped, that there would still be a few seats left at Reading, as there are always a few, who use Great Western Railway’s fast trains between Paddington and Reading.
• I also expected, that many going to the Wales and Scotland match in Cardiff would take later trains.
• Unfortunately, quite a few Scots and Welsh supporters got on at Reading.
• It was a wrong decision, as there wasn’t a spare seat anywhere.

So in the end, I stood all the way from Reading to Newport.

I would hope that next time, that Scotland play Wales in Cardiff, that Great Western Railway add some more capacity.

February 3, 2024 - Posted by AnonW | Sport, Transport/Travel | A Day Trip To Ebbw Vale Town Station, Cardiff Central Station, Ebbw Vale Town Station, Elizabeth Line, Enfield Town Station, Football, Freedom Pass, Great Western Railway, Newport (South Wales) Station, Oakwood, Paddington Station, Reading, Rugby, Tottenham Hotspur