The Anonymous Widower

The Train Trip Where I Arrived Before My Train

Yesterday, I went to Sheffield on Grand Central Trains. But owing to a small mix-up at Peterborough station, I ended up getting to Doncaster on an LNER train, before my Grand Central Train arrived.

This was the sequence of events.

• I bought a ticket from a machine at King’s Cross for Doncaster for the keen single price of £25.70 with my Senior Railcard.
• I had managed to assign myself a forward facing window seat.
• The aisle seat was occupied by a large man before I took my seat.
• But I was able to squeeze past.
• I did tell my travelling companion that I was going to Doncaster., as I have been known to fall asleep on trains and didn’t want to end up in Bradford.
• My train left for Doncaster at 10:52.
• I then found thyself waking up, with the train stopped in a station, which I didn’t recognise.
• So I asked my companion, where we were and he said. “Doncaster!”
• I then squeezed past him again and left the train, only to find, that I had got out at Peterborough.
• Luckily, by the time I realised I was at the wrong station, an LNER train had arrived that was also going to Doncaster.
• So a helpful member of LNER’s station staff told me to get on the LNER train.
• Another helpful member of LNER’s train staff approved my ticket, so I didn’t have to buy another.
• As my new train, passed Retford, we passed the Grand Central Train at rest in Retford station.
• I arrived in Doncaster at 12:45.

Looking at Real Time Trains, I find this is said.

This service was cancelled between Retford and Bradford Interchange due to the train striking a bird (V8)

As it was a V8 bird, I assume it was a large one.

April 2, 2025 - Posted by AnonW | Transport/Travel | Birds, Doncaster Station, Grand Central Trains, LNER, Peterborough Station, Retford Station, Sheffield Station