Subscribe to RSSWhen Men In Black Don’t Choose Highway To Hell
Taking the train from Britomart to Swanson tonight, I was amazed how many AC/DC fans got in asking for a ticket to Western Springs train station.
Britomart platform signs clearly mentioned a bus service and Maxx has advertised the arrangements.
But still at stops like Newmarket, in came another bunch of suitably attired fans loudly drumming up the adrenaline for their night in concert heaven.
AC/DC fans boarding at Newmarket tonight for Western Springs
I finally asked one group of guys who came in why they thought trains went to Western Springs, and the penny dropped.
They said “they” had laid on special trains to get to Big Day Out (stopping at Penrose) a few weeks ago - something that worked well for them and they thought very cool- so assumed that’s what “they” did - run special train services to big concert events.
And they had had a few beers or whatever to get in the mood and had no wish to fight for car parking or wanted to go to the pub -any pub- afterwards so had not gone the highway to hell route by driving.
It shows some people think trains will get you there in Auckland and associate trains as being used to move large groups around for special events - as will happen for the RWC.
'Carry me home'
It’s just a pity they learnt there was no Western Springs stop and were all given three options by the guards:
- Get off at Newmarket, return to Britomart and find the bus
- Go to Baldwin Ave and walk
- Go to Morningside and walk
Baldwin Ave was the most recommended of the three by the guard - accompanied by a several-times repeated disclaimer it was their choice as he had never been to Western Springs - but my heart sank when I saw some get off other carriages there, gasp at the stark train stop platform in the middle of a residential street and no signs to point them in the direction of Western Springs.
I hope they found someone to ask, had access to Google Maps or a phone GPS.
Google Maps says the distance is 1.5 or 1.8k and will take 18 to 22 minutes to walk. Morningside over 2k and up to 30 minutes to walk.
6 Comments
The ones next to me on the train seemed to know they had a 30 odd minute walk in store from them. What was interesting was I heard them saying some friends were catching a train down from Whangarei for the concert.
@Matt L Good tip. There was a train. How interesting. Details here http://www.shindig.co.nz/acdc_rocktrain.php
Maybe permanent signs could be put up showing the direction to Western Springs, the Zoo, Motat, and “via motats tram service” Motat 2, walking approx…..
That website says its a five minute walk from Morningside.
That’s pretty cool that they ran a train from Whangarei!
wow I bet Maungaturoto hasn’t seen a passenger service in a while!