The train had almost pulled into the last station on the route when it reversed direction. The guard announced that it would no longer be stopping at Milton Keynes, but instead would call in at all stations en route to the new final destination of Southampton.

The woman seated opposite me pulled out her mobile phone and angrily dictated copy to the local Milton Keynes radio station for the next news announcement. She was clearly appalled at this change to the service.

Meanwhile TPR had established that the best way for us to reach AH and CS in Milton Keynes would be disembark at the next stop and take a taxi into town. It looked like several other passengers had the same idea, so I initiated a discussion of fare-sharing.