In an ideal world your train runs on time. As I have written about before a missed connection can be as much opportunity as challenge. But it is nice to get where you are going on time.

Heading back from a trip to parents recently things were going very well with our train travel. Connection through London made including a quick stop for some cold beer and snacks for the second stage.

Then it happened. The train slowed down and we stopped. We were graced with a very communicative train manager about the situation which was really helpful – as when you have no idea what is happening that doesn’t help.

The problem was about an issue with a train ahead. Unfortunately it was not a quick fix. When the little bottles of water come out due to a delay you know you are in trouble!

Technical problems on the train network are inevitable. Although of course more investment in the railways would help. As would less wasting money on major vanity projects like H2S.

The upside of a delay is that you can apply for a refund. When it is over an hour you can get all your money back. After navigating the refund process – give yourself some time and take some deep breaths – we got a complete refund for our trip.

A free ride is not a bad outcome in support of our car-free-dom. But more investment in the rail network so that things run more smoothly would be an even better outcome.