'The Treatment of Excursionists' A Flashback to 1882

During the recent Rugby World Cup the state of the Welsh railway network came under scrutiny again. After each game at the Millennium Stadium, thousands of people descending on Cardiff Central Station found themselves in the predicament we've all become sadly familiar with after a home fixture: delayed trains, cancellations, and massive overcrowding on the services which did operate.

The trials and tribulations of rail passengers during special events in Wales are nothing new, it seems. I've just found an irate letter to the Swansea-based Cambrian newspaper, published on 24 March 1882.

THE TREATMENT OF EXCURSIONISTS—WHO IS RESPONSIBLE?

SIR,—Permit me, through the medium of your columns, to record my vehement protest, on behalf of a large number of excursionists, against the treatment we received at the hands of the railway officials who had charge of the excursion train from Swansea to Pembroke Dock on Saturday last, on the occasion of the launch of the ironclad "Edinburgh." As a rule, not much can be said in favour of the urbanity of railway people when matters proceed auspiciously, but when the despatch of trains and passengers is most shamefully mismanaged, their conduct ought certainly to be brought before the public. Very likely some writers who were unfortunate enough to be amongst us last Saturday have communicated with you before this. If so, it will only confirm my statement of the confusion and incompetence which seemed to prevail throughout the whole system, and justify me in asking the question—"Who is responsible for the inconvenience, annoyance, and danger—to use no harsher terms—we were put to?"

We started from High-street, Swansea, at 10.40 a.m. for Pembroke Dock, and everything went on very well until we reached Whitland, where a most irritating delay of nearly an hour took place, in consequence, we were coolly told, of there being no engine to take us on. It had been arranged by the Great Western Railway Company to transfer our train, from here to its destination, to the Pembroke and Tenby Railway—a most unfortunate arrangement for the excursionists, as it will be presently seen, for, amongst other evils, we did not arrive at Pembroke Dock station until close upon 3.30 p.m., when a great deal of the sights, such as the royal procession, &c., had terminated. However, if our disappointments and troubles ended here there would not have been much cause for complaint. We spent the rest of the short time at our disposal as best we could, and managed to see the launch and catch a glimpse of the royal party; that was about all we could do before it was time to make our way back to the station again We arrived in good time, only to find the carriages that brought us down filled with strangers from Tenby and other places on the Pembroke and Tenby Railway. In fact, they had almost completely monopolised our train. Now, Sir, I put it to you, was it a proper thing that the Swansea train should be filled by these people? Why did not the Pembroke and Tenby Railway Company take their own excursionists home in their own carriages, and thus allow us to proceed by ours? Whatever arrangements had been made for their return journey, there they were, comfortably monopolising our places, and worse than all this, was announced as the "last train up." We were bound to get in, or stay there all night. The confusion on the platform was simply indescribable, as our folks ran wildly hither and thither, vainly endeavouring to find a seat. The officials seemed to have lost their heads entirely, for none knew exactly what to do. We inquired for the station-master, but failed to get a satisfactory reply. The only consolation we received was that we were to "get in the best way we could." Only fancy—a journey of 72 miles before us, and we were to get in the best way we could, with the platform crowded with excursionists as unfortunate as ourselves. At last, some time after the hour advertised for starting (7 p.m.), another carriage was put on, and into this we were crammed and locked in, without as much as a light. In total darkness we reached Tenby, where we were ordered to alight, which, of course, we did, as well as the occupants of two or three other carriages, which were here to be disconnected. Just as the engine started off with the empty carriages in one direction, you may imagine our consternation at seeing the full carriages start off in another, without an engine. They were running down the incline towards Penally! The cause of this was that the officials in charge of the train had either neglected to apply the brakes, or else the train was not supplied with sufficient brake-power to prevent calamity. An accident of a most appalling nature might have arisen in consequence of this neglect. A scene of still greater confusion arose when it was found what had happened—Fathers and mothers calling for their children—children for their parents—friends hailing each other, &c., &c., and it was only when the runaway train was observed returning and everything reported all safe that the natural anxiety could be allayed. The next thing was to get in and take our chance for Swansea, for chance it really was with such apparent novices as had charge of our lives. Still we were in darkness and remained so until we came to Whitland, when a lamp was put in and we were thankful for that. We were again told to change carriages, and again had to find fresh quarters. Why was this? We were taken down to Pembroke Dock without changing; why should we have been made to change so many times on the return journey? I leave these matters for those who know to answer. After arriving at Carmarthen Junction our troubles were comparatively at an end, for we were soon on our way home at a rattling pace, and we arrived at Swansea at the respectable hour of 12.40 a.m. on Sunday morning.

These arrangements were simply discreditable, and what might have been a most enjoyable day was transformed into little short of a day of trouble and sorrow. Why did not the Great Western Railway Company take the train on their own line to New Milford, and not leave us to the tender mercies of the Pembroke and Tenby Railway? The engine and guard of our down train left us at Whitland and proceeded to Haverfordwest, from whence they took an excursion to New Milford, and although they had to stop for 55 minutes at Haverfordwest, they reached New Milford fully half-an-hour before we did. I am sure, Sir, it would have been much better tor them to have taken us with them, and thus saved us a deal of trouble, anxiety and danger. The Great Western Railway know their own line best, I suppose, but I for one cannot pass over the recollection of our misfortunes of last Saturday without recording my sense of the conduct of those who had the handling of our train, and therefore, Sir, I beg to subscribe myself as

Yours truly, T. W. Swansea

March 22, 1882