Many thanks to all who posted [including the welcome Chris!] I found this excellent site in absolute frustration! I am of an age where I recall courtesy,consideration,service as mentioned? of course it was indeed between platform 5-6 [shows my frustration?] I had tried all available [and unavailable!! ] Telephone numbers to no avail, I have been busy touring [by train!] which explains the delay in responding and thanking you all. I will take a look [at the contact nos post] to see if there are numbers I haven't tried ! As station staff [at least one] and train staff were well aware of my plight I really expected better! even at my age you can still be nieve 

 I dropped a coat between platform 6 & 7 on Exeter St David's station..realised in time? spoke to train manager?who allowed me to look unable to see it I returned to the train same chap told me not to panic "We will sort it" he spoke to a cleaner on platform, when doors closed I realised I hadn't looked where I alighted, there in plain view was the coat! Too late as train was moving! Again Train manager? assured me he would phone Exeter St David's and get the coat sent to Birmingham...I relaxed and enjoyed the trip ....OK until I tried to check both by phone and on line all contact resulted in two hours of being sent by live and automatic systems round and round ad infinitum...This post is my last resort...in what I feel is a complete absence of anything resembling Customer service, let alone customer care! .....That said I love travelling by rail I apologise for the length of post, and would be grateful for any advice......The train was the 12'57 from platform 5 to Manchester Sun 6.10.13