Couple stranded after being sold tickets for a train that didn't exist
Everyone has had nightmare journeys over Christmas. But one would-be traveller has a particularly surprising tale to tell – after being sold tickets for a train that didn't exist.
As a result, the hospital doctor and his partner remained stranded in Totnes, Devon, last night, unable to get back home to London in time for work.
Former teacher Pamela Thompson said she had bought her son tickets for the 8.02pm Boxing Day train from Totnes to Paddington.
But during the course of couple's Christmas break they discovered that the train had been pulled from the schedule.
Mrs Thompson, 59, said the incident had ruined Christmas, adding: "I bought these tickets in good faith.
"We have never been contacted to notify us of a change and we've been unable to get hold of anybody.
"It's spoilt our Boxing Day, and ruined the end of Christmas by creating so much anxiety."
Mrs Thompson paid £126 for First Great Western tickets when she bought them over the phone in November. They were then posted to her home.
But when she rang the train company to check the train time, a puzzled employee could find no trace of the service and said it 'simply did not exist'.
As a result of the blunder, her son and his partner were this morning due to catch an alternative train to London, leaving at 5.31am.
Last night, however, they were not sure whether the tickets they had been bought would be accepted.
Mrs Thompson said: "I'm extremely angry, he will be late and probably arrive tired after travelling so early.
"We just couldn't believe that we could have the tickets in front of us and the money gone from my account when it does not exist.
"My son is a hospital doctor and has to be back because there are always a shortage of doctors around the holidays.
"It could have been even worse, though – imagine if it had been an old lady trying to go somewhere.
"She would have waited in the cold for a train that doesn't even exist."
Last night First Great Western was unavailable for comment, however National Rail Enquiries confirmed there were no trains until today.
