Passengers stranded in train nightmare

Lack of drivers leaves travellers stuck on platform at midnight

FURIOUS train passengers were stranded overnight at Salisbury station because no driver was available to complete their journey.

The nightmare began when Monday's 7.35pm service from London Waterloo to Honiton ground to a halt outside Woking for two and a half hours when a power surge brought the South West rail network to a standstill.

When the weary passengers finally arrived in Salisbury at midnight - three hours late - they were told their service was terminated because their driver had to come off duty and South West Trains did not have a replacement.

Among the travellers were Susan Alexander and her children Gabriel (seven) and Fabia (two) who were left on the freezing platform unable to continue their journey to Tisbury.

"We were so angry," said Mrs Alexander. "We couldn't believe that after all those delays they couldn't even get us home.

"The train had been motionless for well over two hours so surely they could have got another driver or told us what was happening so we could make other plans, it was totally unacceptable."

The family, who live in Fovant, had travelled to London to see a specialist doctor who is treating Gabriel who suffers from life-threatening allergies.

"He is very allergic to lots of things and has terrible reactions," said Mrs Alexander. "It had been quite a harrowing day and the last thing we needed was to get stranded in Salisbury station at midnight."

More than 20 passengers tackled station staff demanding to be taken home or found overnight accommodation.

"We just got a taxi in the end, but I dread to think what those poor people going on to Honiton did," said Mrs Alexander. "I passionately believe we should be using the railways and not relying on cars but when the service is this bad what choice do we have?

"To make matters worse my husband got severely delayed going back to London the next morning - the whole train system is a joke and these faceless companies should be doing something about it if they expect us to use railways and help the environment."

A spokesman for South West Trains said the delay was caused by a power surge on the national grid which crippled the points and signals on the main line near Woking.

"We had to send members of staff to operate manual signals, which took time," he said. "The 19.35 service from Waterloo was particularly badly affected and terminated in Salisbury where unfortunately no trains were available to continue the journey.

"Passengers were able to use their tickets on other rail lines and those who could not get home were offered taxis.

"We apologise for this delay and the inconvenience it caused."