Special delivery for train gang 22 June 2005 FOR many, commuting on public transport can be a solitary affair. Heads are stuck in newspapers and books, eyes are averted to avoid any direct contact with fellow passengers. Not so for Paul Moore and his friends who commute daily to London from various stations between Maidstone East and Borough Green. The group have all got to know each other well on their regular journey home on the 5.25pm Ashford train. So well that they regularly meet up socially with their partners. Last month, Paul and his wife booked a golfing holiday in Mexico, about which the gang were constantly reminded in the weeks running up to the break. Some of the group requested postcards, one of them – Tony – jokingly suggested he send one to the train itself. Unable to resist a challenge, that’s exactly what Paul did. On May 11, sitting in a poolside bar, basking in 35°c temperatures, he wrote the postcard, addressing it to the guard of the 5.25pm Ashford train, usually platform 1, Victoria station, Victoria, London. On the postcard he asked the guard to deliver it to his friends in the third carriage. Sadly on his return, Paul found that the card had not arrived and as the days passed hope was lost that it would get to them at all. But on June 14 at 5.23pm, the gang were all assembled when South East trains manager, Ken Tullett, and guards, Richard Howe and Mark Peyton, arrived at the carriage to finally deliver the postcard. 'Just the day before it arrived we were talking about whether it would get here and had all but given up hope, so it was really great that the three guards came down the train to find us and really took an interest in our group and what we do. 'My faith in human nature has been restored,' said Paul. The delighted friends wrote to thank SE Trains, complimenting staff on their willingness to take part in their caper.
hehehehe! now thats brilliant! if ever there was a story to put on a smile on your face that is.. and random too!
