Train ride to danger
It was a warm summer evening, back in the early 60’s. My sister and I boarded an almost empty train. A ’semi fast’ train, which meant that it stopped at selected stations along the route, and not all of them. We were later to become very glad that it wasn’t a ‘fast’ train, which didn’t stop until London Bridge. That would have been an hour with no stops.
We chose one of those small, compartments, the sort that have just one seat either side. It wasn’t a busy route and the train pulled in to empty and quiet stations, as it travelled through the Kent countryside. Sometimes you would hear a single door slam shut as someone either got on or off the train, but on the whole, it was silence at each stop. We sat, chatting and looking out of the window.
The train made another stop and the silence was broken. Suddenly the door to our compartment opened and two teenage boys got in. They looked about my age (seventeen) – just a couple of lads going out for the evening. They sat down opposite and stared out of the window. They had the whole, empty, train to choose from, why did they have to choose our compartment? The journey wouldn’t be as relaxed now.
It all happened so fast! Like lightening, and without any warning, I found myself on the floor of the train, struggling, trying to get free, the heavy weight of one of the boys holding me down. In my struggle I turned toward where my younger sister had been seated. She had been thrown across the seat, the other boy laying on top of her. She too, was trying, in vain, to free herself. I couldn’t believe how strong these boys were. No amount of struggling could free my arms of his grip, or allow me to move from under the weight of his body, pinning me down.
This struggling went on for a while until, finally, the train slowed down as it approached it’s next stop. I knew it would be another empty, quiet station. They all were, until you hit London. I prayed somebody would be there waiting to get on this train.
Suddenly, as quickly as they had pounced on us, they leapt up and jumped off the train, leaving us dazed and thankful. We stood and brushed ourselves down, wondering what it had all been about. Not realizing how serious this could have been, we continued on to our destination and slowly forgot this strange incident.
This obviously wasn’t the first time they had done this. It was all far too slick, both moving at lightening speed, and in unison, giving us no time to react. Not a single word had been spoken by them. They knew what to do, and when to do it. They had perfected it.
They were not rapists, at least at that time they were not. Had they been, I realize that we wouldn’t have stood a chance against their determined strength. Maybe this had been a rehearsal, before they moved on to more serious things.
Stumble it!
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Drowsey Monkey | 5 June 2008 at 1:07
Oh my god! That’s horrible! And you’re right, it sounds like they had it all planned out. And … they probably did escalate at some point. Thank god you were both okay.
Before you got to that point I was thinking how romantic those compartments are, I’ve never been on a train like that. Now I’m thinking a more open concept is better.
Babs (Beetle) | 5 June 2008 at 1:22
Yes, I think you’re right. Hopefully they would have somebody else in there. I had so many bad ‘encounters’ on the trains but that’s probably the only incident that I could blog about ;O)
Liss | 5 June 2008 at 3:03
Wow, that’s crazy. you never ever know when something like that can happen. I wonder if there’s really anway to be able to protect yourself. I’ve been thinking about taking defense classes.
Babs (Beetle) | 5 June 2008 at 3:26
Liss: Defense classes can’t be a bad thing. Making sure you don’t get in to empty carriages would help too :O)
Drowsey Monkey | 5 June 2008 at 5:48
I just tagged you, it’s optional
Jay | 5 June 2008 at 8:28
How nasty. I’m sorry that happened to you.
That’s exactly why those compartments were phased out. It was OK in the days when all trains had staff on board who were visible and had the power and will to do something about troublemakers, but once the cuts started to bite and there was no-one patrolling the carriages, this sort of thing began to happen. From muggings to rapes to murders.
I remember travelling on these trains as a child and teen. Nothing bad ever happened to me, but the older I got the warier I got. I’d eyeball everyone who came in, to make sure they knew I was aware. Sometimes (and only sometimes) that’s all that’s needed.
Did you report it to the rail company?
Babs (Beetle) | 5 June 2008 at 14:01
Jay: Back in the early sixties, it was just ‘British Rail’ I had many worse experiences. When I reported one, the station man just looked at me blankly. He obviously wasn’t going to report it, if he even knew how!
The country stations were not manned well. Our station hardly ever had anybody on duty, and often had to pay for our ticket at the end of our journey.
JD at I Do Things | 6 June 2008 at 1:21
Wow! (as everyone else has said)
I wasn’t expecting that from the beginning of your story. How awful. I probably would’ve been afraid to ride the train after that.
Glad you and your sister weren’t hurt — tho I’m sure you were rather traumatized.
JD at I Do Things
Babs (Beetle) | 6 June 2008 at 2:31
JD: Strangely enough, we got over it fairly quickly, and didn’t see the real danger at the time. I think teenagers were more naive in those days.
Liudmila | 6 June 2008 at 11:12
Unfortunatelly these things happen relatively often in trains. Once I used to buy tickets in the high class carriges bu it’s worse else. Because if you rest for the night with one-4 men that have bad intentions…
The director of my school (a man!) had big money with him once and the men that traveled with him in the same carriedge gave him something to drink and he remaind sleeping till last station and came out without any thing he had. Only clothes he had on.
angelgrotton | 6 June 2008 at 12:40
Hi once again dear, thanks for your comment. I hope you will come back when you have time and I will do the same. Nice to meet you!!!
Babs (Beetle) | 6 June 2008 at 12:49
Liudmila: Yes, trains are dangerous now. I wouldn’t travel alone any more, but when you’re young these things don’t worry you so much :O)
Daisy | 6 June 2008 at 16:33
Yikes! That sounds so scairty! Thank goodness you were not harmed. That’s the sort of event that you never forget.
Christine and FAZ | 6 June 2008 at 18:30
Yikes. Not a pleasant story. I tend to go for quiet compartments as well, not any more.