Statesmanrail Reviews 2

As we were travelling to our boarding station (Cannock) we received a phone call telling us that due to a signal failure the line through Cannock was closed and could we make our way to Penkridge Station instead, which we did. On arrival we were met by a Statesman Steward who fully informed us of what was happening. The train had been held at Stafford so that passengers to be picked up at Rugeley and Cannock could make their way to alternative boarding stations. On boarding we were met with the usual very courteous and helpful staff and a nice hot drink to warm us up. Later on the journey to Portsmouth the Assistant Train Manager came to us and explained that the train would return on its proper route to Cannock and if we incurred any charge i.e. Taxi then we would be refunded by Statesman Rail and later on nearer Portsmouth she came back and stated that they were trying to arrange for us to get of the train at Birmingham New Street to change trains and get one direct to Penkridge by using our Statesman Rail Ticket for free. However on the return journey we found out that there was a severe car fire caused by a car hitting a railway bridge near Wolverhampton and closing the line between Birmingham New Street and Wolverhampton making it impossible to get to Penkridge by train. So all Northern Routes out of Birmingham New Street were closed. We were kept informed Sam the Train Manager that our train had been re-routed after stopping Birmingham New Street. It would then reverse back out of the station East bound, were it would stop and reverse again and travel up the Trent Valley Line to drop us off at Rugeley Trent Valley Station, were a coach was waiting to take us back to Cannock and Penkridge. The journey itself was to the usual exceedingly high standard, the food excellent and the staff went way beyond any ones expectations. This is why my husband and I will only travel with Statesman Rail, Saphos and The Midland Pullman. Thank you again to all the people involved for an incredible journey that could have been so different.

We paid over £1,000 for a luxury all day trip to Penzance on a vintage train. The train carriage was beautiful, food was great and staff could not have worked harder or been more pleasant or helpful. Unfortunately, it was a very hot day and the air conditioning failed on the way to Penzance. Despite best efforts, it remained ineffective for the extremely uncomfortable (at least 27degrees heat) return journey. There was little ventilation as windows were sealed, and no alternative such as fans was available. When I emailed the company the following day, they provided a detailed explanation of why the problem had arisen, and after a further email, we were offered £200 per person as a goodwill gesture.