Change of Route

I made it to Glasgow this week for work but not without a minor diversion. As there was industrial action by the Scottish Signallers last week my journey to Glasgow took a slightly different route. I should have gone direct from York to Motherwell but checking the rail timetable on Tuesday night I found that train had been cancelled so I had three alternatives written down for me to pick from.

It was a very early start and after the alarm went off at 5.30am, I had a taxi come to pick me up at 6am - being the over cautious person that I am I was then at the train station half an hour early! In the end I decided to go for the journey with the most changes but the shortest travelling time, even though this was still an hour and a half longer than my original journey. So at 6.37am I got on the train and an hour later got off in Newcastle, I had half an hour to wait so I had breakfast at the station (discount with a Network Rail card comes in useful!). The next train was the longest of the journey - 90 mins from Newcastle to Carlisle. Unfortunately it was also the most uncomfortable train. It was one carriage and even for my short legs there was not enough leg room, somehow I did manage to fall asleep though, only to be woken up by a very loud Newcastle pensioner telling stories of her family.

From Carlisle I ran from one side of the station to the other in time to get straight on the next train to Motherwell. Unfortunately from there I felt the full effects of the strikes when I got to Motherwell asked when the next train was to Blantyre and they looked at me quite blankly and just said 'None'. Not particularly helpful for an information desk, then they offered 'Bus?'. Thankfully I had already warned my colleagues of the problems and they were already prepared to come and collect me if needed.

The journey home was much more straight forward, although no train from Blantyre to Motherwell still, I did go to Glasgow and from there direct to York. For someone who doesn't like trains, I think I'm getting the hang of this now!