Train operator CrossCountry is promising a full service on Monday after a weekend power cut at its control centre in Birmingham turned its network into an involuntary ghost train experience from Glasgow to Penzance. The outage brought chaos to major routes, including Birmingham to Manchester via Stoke-on-Trent, Coventry, and Wolverhampton, as well as Leeds to York and Cheltenham to Cardiff, leaving passengers with plenty of time to contemplate their life choices.

By Monday morning, CrossCountry was down to a handful of cancellations, which they attributed to trains leaving late and staff shortages - because why have one excuse when you can have three? Customers are advised to check their journey before travelling, presumably to avoid the existential dread of arriving at a station only to find your train has been cancelled by a power cut.

The operator thanked passengers for their patience and understanding, which is a bold move when you've stranded them overnight. Tickets purchased for Sunday travel will be valid until Wednesday, so you can enjoy the full 'maybe I'll get there eventually' experience.

Passenger Andy Burton, from Worcester, was returning from Cromford after a family birthday weekend but only made it to Derby before being told his alternative route via Leicester was also cancelled. He spent the night in a budget hotel, hoping to get home on Monday. "It's not the best end to a great weekend away," he said, understating the situation like a true Brit.

Reese Proctor, 22, was trying to get to Manchester's Etihad Stadium for a 14:00 BST kick-off against Bournemouth. His train from Reading was cancelled, so he drove over 100 miles to a friend's house in Leicester, then drove to the stadium, adding two hours to his journey and leaving him "fuming" - a state we can all relate to.

A few services resumed Sunday evening, including an hourly Birmingham New Street to Leicester and Derby service, which is a bit like offering a plaster for a broken leg.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander expressed concern, which is what transport secretaries do. She touted the government's plans to nationalise services, including CrossCountry next year, to end "decades of fragmentation and vulnerability." The RMT union called for a review of operational control centres to ensure they can survive a power cut, which seems like a reasonable ask.

RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said passengers and workers shouldn't face another week of travel chaos due to unreliable back-up systems. CrossCountry was already ranked Britain's worst rail operator in June, so this is just adding insult to injury.

If you've been affected, you can follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X, and Instagram - because misery loves company.