Passengers paying hundreds of pounds for a luxury train journey were forced off at an unintended rail station following fears of over-crowding by Oasis fans.
More than 100 travellers who had handed over up to £640 a head for a ‘champagne supernova’-style day out were meant to arrive at Cardiff Central.
But those on board the 1930s Pullman-style ‘Northern Belle’ train finished their day that had involved fizz and canapes at Windsor Castle and Hampton Court by disembarking 10 miles and half an hour away at Newport instead.
The company behind the trip has accused rail bosses of ‘setting up a Blunder-wall’ blamed on the prospect of Oasis gig-goers taking over the main Cardiff transport hub.
Britpop chart-toppers Oasis launched their planned 41-date comeback tour – 16 years after splitting – at the Welsh capital’s Principality Stadium on Friday evening.
Long-feuding brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher have been hailed for their performance and emotional reunion tipped to net each one tens of millions of pounds.
More than 70,000 audience members were there for Friday’s concert, which also included support acts Cast and the Verve’s former frontman Richard Ashcroft.
Oasis devotees were seen celebrating in the sunshine throughout the day ahead of the Gallagher brothers’ long-awaited arrival on stage.
Oasis launched their reunion tour after 16 years apart at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on Friday
The firm behind vintage train the Northern Belle has told of disruption they linked to the gig
After years of feuding, brothers Liam (left) and Noel Gallagher (right) linked arms in Cardiff
Yet it was the subsequent arrival of those thousands of Oasis aficionados that appears to have concerned railway officials.
An estimated 120 people were on board the Northern Belle service that has been described as ‘Britain’s poshest train’.
The well-dressed passengers had paid between £550 and £640 each for the trip – but instead of arriving in Cardiff in the Northern Belle’s plush carriages, the last leg of the journey was in a local Transport for Wales train.
Now the firm behind the Northern Belle service has hit out at Network Rail, also punning on some of Oasis’s most famous and popular songs.
A spokesman said: ‘While Oasis were singing hits like Wonderwall and Don’t Look Back in Anger, Network Rail were setting up a Blunder-wall which left our passengers fuming.
‘The whole thing rather spoiled their Champagne Supernova.’
They continued: ‘We can understand Network Rail’s fears about overcrowding, but they had known about this for months – so why wait until the last minute to derail the last leg of the Belle’s journey?
‘Our passengers had paid more than £500 expecting a slap-up day out aboard one of the world’s most luxurious trains and most dress up for the occasion.
The 1930s Pullman-style Northern Belle has been dubbed Britain’s ‘poshest train’
Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher (left) and guitarist brother Noel (right) are seen here in Cardiff
Oasis’s Instagram account shared this photo of the two Gallagher brothers taking the stage
‘But they had to cut short their six-course dinner at Newport and leave the comfort of their plush seats to squash on to a regular service back to Cardiff.
‘Obviously they were very disappointed and so are we especially as, with a bit of forward planning, this situation could have been avoided.’
MailOnline has approached Network Rail for comment.
Oasis lovers have been sharing online their affection for both Noel, 58, and 52-year-old Liam who appeared for the first time together since splitting in 2009.
Their set, beginning with Hello from their 1995 album (What’s The Story) Morning Glory?, took in hits including Supersonic, Wonderwall and Don’t Look Back In Anger.
And on the second night there Noel and Liam emerged on stage linking arms – before the younger brother let go before bowing down to his elder sibling.
Throughout their sets so far, poignant pictures of the Gallagher family’s home in Manchester flashed up on the screen along with baby pictures of both brothers.
Old black and white pictures of their mum Peggy and dad Tommy were also flashed in the screen from time to time as Stand By Me played.
Oasis fans were seen cheering in the streets of Cardiff ahead of Friday night’s first concert
Liam Gallagher (pictured), 52, sang lead vocals on songs including Supersonic and Whatever
His elder brother Noel Gallagher, 58, took on tracks including Don’t Look Back In Anger
Ahead of their final song Champagne Supernova, Liam told the Cardiff audience on Friday: ‘Thanks for putting up with us over the years – we’re hard work, we get it.’
The group’s next scheduled gigs include five nights at Manchester’s Heaton Park, including next Friday and Saturday, then five at Wembley.
These are due to be followed by performances in cities including Edinburgh, Dublin, Toronto, Mexico City, Tokyo and Buenos Aires.
Oasis are also scheduled to play Chicago, Sydney, Melbourne and Santiago.
The two final dates are set to be in Brazilian city São Paulo on November 22 and 23.
