Newsflash



Thursday 11 January

A First Great Western train was reported to have left Bristol Temple Meads bound for London Paddington on time.



The 17.30 train which left the platform at 17.30 and 25 seconds is being hailed as a remarkable achievement. Despite claims by First Great Western that they are crippled by non working trains they managed to get one to leave the platform on schedule.



A number of passengers were in shock and first aid was administered.



One passenger was overcome with excitement and passed out. He was out cold so long that when he came round he’d missed his stop. He was left stranded at Didcot Parkway for several hours waiting for a service back to Chippenham.



Passengers were advised that they shouldn’t expect this to happen on a regular basis and that it was best not to plan their lives too much as there isn’t much hope of them reaching their respective destinations on schedule.



A spokesman from First Great Western said that they were in as much shock as the passengers and admitted that it was pure luck that the driver turned up and the train was actually working.



Ends



Reuters, London

8.55am 12.01.07

I had to smile at the report