Thursday 13 March 2008

The 'Robbie Effect' 16.02.08

The 'Robbie effect' on the railways is becoming rather worrying and people have started to notice. Every time he travels north he seems to jinx the network and either he gets delayed or the whole system grinds to a halt. He has run through most of the possible causes of delay from livestock on the line to high wind, floods, land slip, a bridge bash, power failure and assorted accidents. He went to Crewe yesterday evening to a retirement 'do' and he rang me several times detailing his return journey. He wanted a lift and we have major road works near the station so I needed to allow for a longer journey time to get to the station. I had already left the house when he sent a text to say that he was delayed due to a fatality at Nuneaton, I didn't pick up the text until I got to the station so I wasn't best pleased. I went home and had the added pleasure of driving back to the station later on to fetch him. That poor person, it is a horrible way to meet their end and terribly upsetting for the driver and those who have to clear up.

So once again Robbie has travelled north and once again there was a delay. Is he jinxed? Why does it always happen when he travels? He would hate it, but to avoid the 'Robbie factor' it may be worth Network Rail imposing a travel ban and paying for him to go everywhere by taxi. They should understand the concept, after all, they are the cause of so many other passengers being forced off the rails and ferried around by bus and taxi.

No comments: