Passenger criticises Whitby Goth Weekend train disruption

A little concerned the train would be crowded we were relieved to see some empty seats in the first carriage.

For some reason, the only door in use was near the rear so after a long walk we eventually found four seats.

It was good to see plenty of passengers in Goth outfits, including one young lady in a ghoulish bride’s dress complete with 2ft high headdress who definitely looked the part.

Already 15 minutes late on arrival, we were surprised when, after 15 minutes the train had not moved as the driver was talking to a couple with a dog on the platform.

Even more surprising was when the driver announced the train was delayed due to a passenger incident on the train — there had been no incident.

He continued to say the train would now be returning to Nunthorpe!

Panic!

We were sitting at the front with the only exit near the rear and our car was in the adjacent car park.

So a big rush to exit the train before it set off back to Nunthorpe.

After a dash off the train we spoke to the couple who had been in discussion with the driver.

They said he would not let them on the train as he had been bitten by a similar looking dog.

That was the reason for the delay so it seems that the passenger incident was a fabrication.

To make things worse, I had left my waterproof coat on the train in the rush to exit and despite driving to Nunthorpe station could not find it on the train.

Apparently a very kind lady had picked it up and had tried to find the owner.

So, some disappointed passengers and a very well-costumed ghoulish bride left to find another way to Whitby or to go home.

Not the way to run a rail service.

If the kind lady who has my coat could contact this paper (email echo@nne.co.uk) I would really appreciate it!

Malcolm Mitchell, East Cowton.