One of the most frequently heard complaints about rail travel

is a lack of communication. In our modern day world of electronic communication it should not be rocket science to get information to passengers. However, this is exactly what did not happen here. This was supposed to be the train that I would catch back to Ormskirk. Along with about 30 passengers I sat on the train waiting for its 15.15 departure from Preston. After about 5 minutes of waiting our conductor apologised and said that we would be leaving soon but no reason given. After a further wait the conductor took her bag and disappeared. She reappeared a little later talking on the platform with a colleague again with no communication to us passenger as to why we had not yet left. After about 20 minutes she announced over the tannoy that it had been cancelled. I had to ask her why in person, she shrugged her shoulders muttering something about a lack of a train crew? Northern has come in for much criticism recently, this is exactly why. Customers will be annoyed if their train is cancelled or late but will have a greater degree of understanding if they are to know why with the reasons being thoughtfully explained.