Trouble flared briefly in Birmingham this lunchtime, as passengers waiting for a train became incensed when it didn't turn up on time, leaving them stranded on a platform, and susceptible to all manner of airborne respiratory viruses.
The incident, at Birmingham's New Street station, took place as around 40 people were waiting for the arrival of the 12:36 service to Liverpool Lime Street.
When it became clear that the train had been delayed, the passengers started to get irritable, and grumbling could be heard.
One man in a black coat told a younger man who was eating a Subway sandwich:
"This train's often late!"
The younger man, who was going to see his girlfriend in Runcorn, replied:
"I have an erection."
All this was going on whilst other trains seemed to be coming and going perfectly on time, according to the timetable. A guard who was attending to his duties on the platform informed the passengers that the late running of the train was due to a fatality on the line near Dudley.
When the train finally arrived, 13 minutes en retard, there was a mad rush for seats, and everybody got one, although not everyone got a window seat.
One man was heard to tell the ticket inspector:
"That kid eating the Subway has got a stonk-on!"
