Post Proms railway journeys

[Alison]

My imagination was fired by a recent late night forum message
written from Finsbury Park station.

Its strange how rail journeys from the Royal Albert Hall, both over and underground, seem to have their
own distinctive character in the summer.

Please describe your homeward rail journey and especially its most atmospheric high points.

[Chris Newman]

I have just travelled from Waterloo to Salisbury after hearing the NYO. The train was only three coaches although it had a drinks trolley and was quite full until Woking. Most people got off at Woking but a charming young couple got on and shared the table for about an hour. At the table opposite was a sleeping woman. We got the giggles because she seemed to have a very loud squeak up her nostril. We were even more amused when she woke and from a cage produced a ferret: hence the squeaks!!

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Owing to the distance involved, I haven't attended a Prom since August 2009, when I heard (you've guessed it) Strauss's Eine Alpensinfonie, and a Tchaikovsky prom on the following day. From the RAH, there was the inevitable walk to South Kensington Underground station, from where I made my way to King's Cross. There was a late train to Leeds, which was the only train going in the right direction.
Joining the queue for this Leeds train made me realise that in my two-day visit to the capital, I hadn't seen any really fat people. Yet in front of me were such a collection of impersonators of Jabba the Hut, that it made me ashamed to be a Northerner. It's surprising just how how fit and healthy most Londoners are, for they do so much more walking.
Being a night train, it took its time, but I alighted at Doncaster in the small hours and found mycar, but still had a 90 minute journey before reaching home.

[Alison]

Great story Chris and, yes, conveying the distinctive atmosphere of a Saturday night journey.

Must confess I didnt know from which terminus trains to Salisbury ran. Are they direct ?

[Panjandrum]

Must confess I didnt know from which terminus trains to Salisbury ran. Are they direct ?

Salisbury is on the SouthWestTrains London Waterloo to Exeter route (the old Southern Region main line to the west country), and is served by approximately two trains an hour (Mon-Fri). We're not quite cut off from civilisation out here.

[amateur51]

I have just travelled from Waterloo to Salisbury after hearing the NYO. The train was only three coaches although it had a drinks trolley and was quite full until Woking. Most people got off at Woking but a charming young couple got on and shared the table for about an hour. At the table opposite was a sleeping woman. We got the giggles because she seemed to have a very loud squeak up her nostril. We were even more amused when she woke and from a cage produced a ferret: hence the squeaks!!

Great story, Chris - what a surprise!

[Ferretfancy]

amateur51

Found out at last!

Ferret