It is always difficult to figure out to do with transport days. In this occasion, I did not have the late evening wait than perhaps I would on a New York home flight. It was still a long time between apartment check-out (11:00 CEST), and train departure (18:13 CEST).
I completed my final packing, ablutions, and plant watering by 10:30 CEST. The 18 tram then took me from Westbahnhof, to Hauptbahnhof. Here, I made use of the luggage deposit. It was the same system as in Salzburg, so I had some familiarity. It still made me nervous however, as I am entrusting my most valuable items to the automatic doors of fate. If they do not open, or someone else manages to open them in my absence, then this is not good at all. To that end I made sure that I hade my passport, bank card, and house keys in my “day bag”. That way I could still get home no matter what.
I had breakfast at the nearby “Café Goldegg”. I had to fight many creatures of the family Vespidae who were attempting to consume my apricot jam. I did however enjoy my light breakfast.
By this time the heat was searing, so I took myself to a bench in the Botanic Gardens. These were a short walk away. I enjoyed the peace, and continued my reading of “The Maze Runner”. I transferred operations to “Stöckl im Park”, where I was able to drink a refreshing lemon soda, and an elderflower soda in the shade of their beer garden.
By mid-afternoon my luggage paranoia was getting the better of me, so I walked back to Hauptbahnhof. I did of course retrieve my case, and rucksack with no difficulty whatsoever. I was glad however that I was now essentially “ready to go”.
Some brief research suggested that my “Sleeper” ticket allowed me access to the Österreichische Bundesbahnen lounge. In confirmation with the attendant this turned out to be the case. I enjoyed the cool, calm, air-conditioned space for a few hours, and availed myself of the free food, and drink.
I arrived on the platform very early so there would be no issue making it to the train on time. There I stood, and watched as train, after train, after train was delayed. I also noted that my carriage was missing from the list on the information board. In the Österreichische Bundesbahnen application I could see that it was missing due to “technical problems” and I should “contact the train attendant”.
18:13 CEST came and went, and yes the train was delayed until 18:43 CEST.
18:43 CEST came, and went and the train delay simply edged on a minute every time the train was not there, and the time was the stated time of departure.
At 18:53 CEST, the delay was until 19:12 CEST. This close to when the train did actually arrive. As instructed in the application I contacted the train attendant who shrugged and told me my carriage was not available, but I should ask the train attendant further down the platform.
This I did, now in tow with a Belgian couple who were having the same problem. The response from every attendant was the same, until we got to the final attendant. I believe he was the train manager. He said that our carriage was not available and that there were no other places for us on the tarin. We would need to speak to the staff at the station. We would not be getting on the train.
I did as instructed, without the Belgian couple who seemed to think that if they kept asking the answer would change. The gentleman at the information desk was indeed very helpful, but had limited options available. He could book me on a series of trains that would get me to Brussels in the afternoon of the next day. This was no good to me, as I had onwards travel booked that I would now not make. He could also cancel, and refund the ticket altogether and offer me a complementary hotel for the night.
By this time, I had found a flight available at 08:20 CEST on Saturday 1st August. It was two days away but with the refund coming from the train, and the hotel, I decided it was worth the “hit” of an increased cost, and another hotel (probably at the airport itself). There was the outside chance that I may get some compensation from the train company. At least this would have an element of certainty, as it would be in the hands of the airline to get me back all the way to Edinburgh.
As I left the information area, I met the Belgian couple again who had indeed found that their attempts to board the train had been unsuccessful. We wished each other luck in our travels.
Hotel voucher in hand, I booked myself in at the “Ibis” next to the station. It was not an exciting, or interesting room by any stretch, but was clean and convenient in the circumstances. I booked my flight, and airport hotel, and ate the sandwich I had intended for the train.
I would admit feeling grumpy, but by no means despondent.
