Great Western Coffee Shop

Right - you have the barrier area......... turn left and walk towards London - there is a brick wall with a sign on saying that high speed trains stop here, please keep back from the edge.

Beyond that is another section of platform with the marker for coach H on a HST  and only at the end of the plat form on a railing is a sign saying no pedestrians.

so between the brick wall and the barrier is ok to be - as a pedestrian.

So why, every time I ventured beyond there tonight (because I was making a personal call I didnt want to be over heard by the masses hanging around the barrier area - some of whom were my colleagues) did I get yelled at by the platform staff that I wasnt allowed to be there - they were quite aggressive.

took a photo - the train manager of my train agreed there was no reason I couldnt be there.  In fact, disembarking passengers have to go through that area if they get off in G/H in normal formation

Next time I'm getting the 1922 ex Pad i'll make a point of standing there - as long as im not on the phoen and asking why - tell me the regs I cant be there

Are there many suicides at Slough?

Dont think so

Most are ealing and southall where the platform is an island

The only reason I can think of is that becuse of the layout of the barrier line and the stairs and Windsor bay Platfrom 1 the barrier staff are mostly focussed looking West and you are, therefore, behind them so they can't keep an eye on you and stop you jumping.

They might also think you are a fare dodger trying to climb over the fence out of the station.

Of course you can still  wander up to the West end to jump.

Will possibly be able to check for you I know some of the staion staff at Slough.

Would appreciate it if you could

Just ignore them.  Plenty of people seem to think that being in authority means that they have to be in control.  Its not just a railway problem, I've been moved on by a PCSO for standing on a pavement leaning against a wall and reading a book whilst waiting for my wife to come out of the building oposite.  I think these people are trained to challenge people "acting suspeciously" and told that it is important for them to do this because they are vital in preventing terrorism etc.  It is not surpsing that for some people such an important job goes to their head, but the problem is that appart from not having a leg to stand on legally, they don't actualy know what "acting suspeciously" means (I am not sure that I do either) so they interpret it to cover anyone who isn't conforming and behaving typically.  Its the same with hassling photographers and spotter.  Their activities are unusual, atypical and, perhaps slightly odd, and are therefore seen by some as "suspicious". 

Unfortunately I understand the type of situation all too well... :(

A classic example although not railway related a few months back was when I was waiting for a Bus in Frome and a fight kicked off about 50 yards away and some bouncers from the pub on the opposite side of the road decided run across the road and got a little heavy handed...! The fight broke up and the bouncers moved the fighters on... The bouncers tried to move me on...! Urm No dude, waiting for the 161, not going anywhere (Bearing in mind that both the nearest 2 bus stops are over 400 yards away which would require negociating step hills and would almost certainly missed the bus >:( )

Lets say the bouncers didn't take too kindly to that, called the police and looked incredibly stupid when the old bill turned up at the same time the bus did and I took great pleasure in boarding the bus, witnessing a senior bouncer get a right roasting from a copper for wasting police time and laughing all the way to Shepton Mallet ;D ;D ;D ;D

What my main problem with that is that the fight was nothing to do with the pub or the bouncers as it was the opposite side to the road. Which in itself goes to show how much power goes to peoples heads...! ::)

Wow do they really have bouncers on pubs in Frome?

Fraid So! Mainly on a Friday Night!