You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
You have lost an item of value on a train. Write a letter to the railway company.
In your letter,
describe the item
explain where and when you left it
say what action you would like the company to take
You should write at least 150 words.

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Model Answer 1
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to seek your assistance regarding a cherished item, a Montblanc Meisterstück fountain pen, inadvertently left on one of your trains.
This pen, a gift from my late grandfather, holds immense sentimental value. I last used it on the 7:30 PM train from Paddington to Bristol on the 5th of April, possibly leaving it on the seat or the foldable table. Its distinctive features include a black resin barrel, a platinum-coated clip, and an engraving of my initials, "J.D.", on the cap.
I believe I may have left it either in Coach B, Seat 21, or on the small foldable table attached to it. The oversight occurred as I hurriedly disembarked at Bristol, realizing only later that the pen was not in my possession.
I kindly request that your lost property department checks the mentioned location. If found, I would greatly appreciate it if the pen could be held at Bristol Station's lost and found office, where I can retrieve it at the earliest convenience.
Your prompt attention to this matter would be immensely appreciated. I am hopeful for a positive resolution and look forward to your response.
Yours faithfully,
Jonathan Doe
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Model Answer 2
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to report the loss of a personal possession on one of your trains.
I was a passenger of your company and my seat number was AT536. I was returning from Florence to Pisa on the 22nf of May. Unfortunately, I was in a hurry to catch the last bus, and I forgot a pair of red Apple Airpods on the train.
As I mentioned before, I must have forgotten my headphones on my seat. There was no one in my carriage. So, it cannot be delivered to the lost property office. I think it must still be there as it was the last train in the previous evening.
Firstly, I would like you to inform me about my lost device as soon as possible. If you prefer to contact me by phone, I would be more grateful. It was a gift from my mother, therefore, it is invaluable for me. Secondly, I would also like to come there and receive my Airpods myself in order to reach it immediately.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Yours faithfully,
Ilknur Arslan
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Model Answer 3
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to seek your assistance with a personal item that I unfortunately left on one of your trains. My journey from Florence to Pisa on the 22nd of May ended in a bit of a rush, causing me to leave behind a valuable possession.
Specifically, the item is a pair of red Apple AirPods, last seen at seat number AT536, which was my assigned seating during the journey. Due to the urgency with which I had to disembark to catch the last bus, I fear these were overlooked both by myself and the subsequent clearing team, as it was the final run of the evening.
I would greatly appreciate if your lost and found department could initiate a search for my AirPods. Should they be found, I am prepared to come to the station to retrieve them personally, ensuring their prompt and safe recovery. Additionally, I would prefer to be contacted via telephone with any updates regarding this matter, emphasizing its importance to me as the headphones were a cherished gift from my mother.
Thank you in advance for your attention to this matter. I am hopeful for a positive resolution and await your prompt response.
Yours faithfully,
Ilknur Arslan
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Model Answer 4
Dear Railway Lost Property Officer,
I am reaching out with a fervent hope for your assistance in the matter of retrieving an item of great personal importance that I unfortunately left aboard one of your services.
The item in question is a vintage Rolex Oyster Perpetual wristwatch, a cherished family heirloom, which I believe slipped off my wrist in the hustle of disembarking. This occurred on the 8:45 AM train from Manchester to London Euston, specifically on the 10th of March. The watch is easily recognizable by its distinctive silver bracelet and deep blue dial, with a small inscription on the back reading "To Mark, with love, Dad".
My seat was located in Carriage D, seat 37. In the rush of gathering my belongings, I failed to notice the watch was not on my wrist until much later. Given its sentimental value, I am quite distressed about its loss.
I would be most grateful if you could instruct your team to thoroughly search the specified area and, should the watch be found, kindly secure it at the London Euston Station's Lost and Found. I am ready to provide any additional information or identification necessary for its recovery.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I am hopeful for a positive outcome and eagerly await your response.
Yours sincerely,
Mark Thompson
Model Answer 5
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to report the loss of a treasured item on one of your esteemed railway services.
It is with great concern that I inform you about my missing Rolex watch, a vintage piece from the 1960s collection. This watch, bestowed upon me by my late mother, holds immense sentimental value and is irreplaceable.
The realization of its absence struck me two hours post-departure from the Warrnambool to Melbourne service, which left at five in the evening on November 28th. Given the watch's venerable age and its occasionally unreliable leather strap, I suspect it may have slipped off my wrist in the restroom located in Carriage B.
I would greatly appreciate your assistance in locating this cherished timepiece. Could you kindly liaise with your lost and found department and, should the watch be found, arrange for its dispatch to the post office near Seaforth, Sydney?
I earnestly request to be informed about the outcome of your search. Your prompt response and assistance in this matter would be deeply appreciated.
Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. I eagerly await your reply.
Yours faithfully,
Macarena Hughes
Model Answer 6
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to inform you about my recent loss on the train of your railway company. As I was running late to get my next train to Manchester, I realized that I had forgotten my important stuff in the luggage compartment.
It is a Kindle Oasis model with a blue Van Gogh´s themed case. On the back of the gadget, you will find my initials (G.S.U.) which you can check for the verification purposes.
As I was very anxious to leave, I did not have time to check all the compartments while I was grabbing my belongings. Consequently, I left my device at the seat 15B of the second car just when I arrived at London Station. The ticket's PDF is attached in the end of this e-mail so that you can confirm my information.
I would be very thankful if you could send it to me by mail. If you need further information regarding my mailing address, please feel free to reach out to me over the given phone number or email address. In addition, l will pay all the post charges on delivery.
I am looking forward to your answer.
Yours sincerely,
Alex Caruso
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