News:20070515/Governor-General rides train

His Excellency the Governor-General was sighted on the North Coast Line train to Exeter today, in a step towards the common man. WL reporters were also travelling on the train, and approached His Excellency, who was driven onto platform number one in his state Rolls that travels without the encumbrance of number plates or traffic laws, and was attended by a modest staff of approximately twenty-five.

After the red carpet was laid at the precise location the first class carriage door was expected to halt, His Excellency was subjected to one of the most fearsome travel concerns facing Ibaglian travellers: the platform assignment was changed suddenly. The Governor-General's entourage was forced to uproot from their perfectly-placed carpet, and raced to platform number three, where station staff were rushing to place another carpet into position before His Excellency's arrival.

Upon the arrival of the Queen's earthly representative at the proper location, the stationmaster came to the platform to apologize for the inconvenience. Though not permitted to approach the Governor-General, he was assured that His Excellency was not undispleased by the event.

WL reporters approached His Excellency while he waited for the train that was now over three minutes late, but were told in the most gentlemanly manner that they should go and "firetruck themselves." It is unknown why the Governor-General is attached in such a manner to expressions involving fire apparatus, but it can only be assumed that all of the public services are on his mind as he goes about his important duties.

Upon the arrival of the 12:25 service at 12:32, the Governor-General's ADC's stood at either side of the carriage door, saluting as His Excellency boarded. This, however, was not the end of the ordeal. At the new departure time of 12:40, the train did not move. After five minutes of idling, it was learned by the Vice-Regal party that there were mechanical issues with the locomotive, and that all passengers were required to alight and move back to platform number one.

The Governor-General was again treated to the sight of station staff rolling out the red carpet, and was again forced to wait for the entire duration of eight minutes for the replacement train to arrive from the yards West of Haphonia. After boarding in a fashion similar to that used on the first train, His Excellency was on his way to Exeter to open the new railway platform at Exeter station.