Shortage of train crews on Great Western Railway - ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[Timmer]

1A80 0815 Penzance to London Paddington
08:15 Penzance to London Paddington due 13:29
08:15 Penzance to London Paddington due 13:29 will be terminated at Truro.
And it's a two car unit.
Guessing it will go on to the Falmouth branch

Will be restarted at Plymouth.

[UstiImmigrunt]

The hiatus of cancellations and short running of services due to train crew shortages after three weekends of nigh on 100% of services running has sadly come to an end today.

What have we learned from these past weeks? That GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) really DO have enough train crew to run the timetabled service…IF the price is right.

On Sundays, yes.

Also the rest of the week if correctly diagrammed.

Or for example...

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:G45596/2025-01-12/detailed

The TM^▸ (Train Manager) to work it was on 1L32. That was stuck outside waiting a platform. Not for the first time a Mexican stand off at Swindon!

[LiskeardRich]

A lack of shunter at long rock was the issue this morning.

The 2 car unit used on the Paddington as far as Truro was stabled in the station overnight- no shunter required this morning. It was utilised in service instead of running empty in the running space of the IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train)

[UstiImmigrunt]

Don't be surprised if there's a few cancellations between now and Monday morning due to a shortage of staff.

[TaplowGreen]

Don't be surprised if there's a few cancellations between now and Monday morning due to a shortage of staff.

Half term?

[UstiImmigrunt]

Don't be surprised if there's a few cancellations between now and Monday morning due to a shortage of staff.

Half term?

Correct. Not much overtime being worked and maximum leave allocation used.

[Phantom]

Out of interest how many staff are on an average service?

The reason I ask, I travelled from Paddington to Temple Meads last week on first class.
There was a hostesses for standard class, and another one for first class
Then there was a train Manager, but also another two staff checking tickets

I felt like I was on a plane for the number of staff

[IndustryInsider]

Out of interest how many staff are on an average service?

Difficult to give an average, though I would guess at around two.

Usually ranges from one (DOO^▸ (Driver-Only Operation (that is, trains which operate without carrying a guard)) services) to ten (Pullman services).

[UstiImmigrunt]

Generally LTV^▸ (London [and] Thames Valley) trains are DOO^▸ (Driver-Only Operation (that is, trains which operate without carrying a guard)), Driver Only Operation. Gatwick, Marlow and I think Basingstoke are driver and guard.
All West services are also driver and one guard.

A single IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) outside of the LTV area requires a minimum of driver and guard. When catering is provided in theory it's 2 customer hosts per set, first class and trolley operator. When it's a ten car then one of the customer hosts in the front set must be a lead host in case of an emergency. The TM^▸ (Train Manager) is allowed to swap between sets for revenue duties as long as there is a lead host in both sets.

Finally add all the wasteful travelling that takes place. In theory drivers just advise the TM or guard and sit down. The other grades are supposed to other assistance, pushing the trolley or checking tickets.

As a comparison on ČD any service with a restaurant car has a chef, waiter for the restaurant coach and another for taking a trolley through second class and offering an at seat service in first class. Nothing beats a goulash polévka then veal, lentils and vegetables and 33cl can of craft beer being served at your seat at a steady 90 MPH for about £12.

PS The ham and eggs breakfast is highly recommended.

[ChrisB]

When it's a ten car then one of the customer hosts in the front set must be a lead host in case of an emergency. The TM^▸ (Train Manager) is allowed to swap between sets for revenue duties as long as there is a lead host in both sets.

Thank you - that has answered one of my long-time unanswered but unasked questions that I've pondered for sometime!